The hedge fund industry continued its positive run in February, returning 2.68% for the month, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. By comparison, the S&P Total Return Index gained nearly 2.76% in February.
For the year to date, the hedge fund industry gained 3.76% through the end of February. The S&P 500 Total Return Index returned 1.72% over the same period.
All but one sector tracked in the Barclay Hedge Fund Indices gained ground in February.
“Signs that the US economy was recovering more quickly than anticipated coupled with bullish appraisals of the global economy’s prospects boosted equity markets and energy prices in February,” said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. “Though U.S. unemployment numbers remained high, they were trending downward. There were additional indications that fiscal stimulus was having the desired effect as U.S. retail sales had its best gain in seven months.”
Setting the pace for hedge fund sectors in February was the Emerging Markets MENA Index, gaining 7.01% for the month. Other notable gainers included the European Equities Index, up 5.77%, the Equity Long/Short Index, returning 5.54%, the Equity Long Bias Index, gaining 4.75%, and the Technology Index, advancing 4.68%.
The lone hedge fund sector in the red in February was the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index, down 2.84%.
For the year to date the Technology Index led the pack, returning 7.42%. The Distressed Securities Index was up 6.81%, the European Equities Index gained 6.78%, the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index advanced 6.49% and the Equity Long Bias Index returned 6.46%.
The only sector losing ground thus far in 2021 was the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index, down 5.91%.
For a complete table of BarclayHedge Hedge Fund and Sub-Index results for February, 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 7,100 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
division of Backstop Solutions Group
(641) 472-3456