FAIRFIELD, Iowa, March 19, 2019 – Hedge funds extended their winning streak to a second month with a February return of 1.24%, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions.
By comparison, the S&P 500 Total Return Index rose 3.21% for the month. Year to date, hedge funds gained 4.98% while the S&P was up 11.48%.
“Markets quickly overcame the downdraft precipitated by a strong US wage growth report that stoked inflation fears and rising interest rate jitters early in the month,” said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. “Multiyear highs for corporate profits and consumer confidence were able to promptly recapture investor enthusiasm.”
Among the leading performers among hedge fund sectors in February were the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index with a 3.10% return, the Emerging Markets Global Fixed Income Index which posted a 3.43% return, the Emerging Markets Asia Index which returned 2.72% and the Technology Index with a 2.63% return.
With financial conditions tightening in many emerging market countries, several emerging markets indices were among those posting negative returns in February. The Emerging Markets Latin America Index was down 2.31% in February, the Emerging Markets MENA Index was down 1.05% and the Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index dropped 0.98%.
Through 2019’s first two months year-to-date return leaders included the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index which was up 13.00% on the year, the Emerging Markets Global Fixed Income Index with a 9.32% year-to-date return, the Equity Long Bias Index which was up 8.44% through February and the Technology Index with a 7.51% year-to-date return.
For a complete table of BarclayHedge Hedge Fund and Sub-Index results for January, as well as historical returns, click here.
About Backstop Solutions
Backstop’s mission is to help the institutional investment industry use time to its fullest potential. We develop technology to simplify and streamline otherwise time-consuming tasks and processes, enabling our clients to quickly and easily access, share, and manage the knowledge that’s critical to their day-to-day business success. Backstop provides its industry-leading cloud-based productivity suite to investment consultants, pensions, funds of funds, family offices, endowments, foundations, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate investment firms.
BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop, currently maintains data on more than 6,900 hedge funds, funds of funds, and CTAs. The BarclayHedge Indices are utilized by institutional investors, brokerage firms, and private banks worldwide as performance benchmarks for the hedge fund and managed futures industries.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sol Waksman
BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions Group
(641) 472-3456