FAIRFIELD, Iowa, April 15, 2010– Managed futures gained 1.17% in March according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge.
“Managers were able to build on February’s gains as previously established positions in commodities, currencies and equities continued to generate profits,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.
All of Barclay’s eight managed futures indices gained ground in March. The Barclay Diversified Traders Index was up 2.03%, Systematic Traders gained 1.56%, and Agricultural Traders rose 1.04%.
“Sentiment in the global equity markets remained positive as investors focused on signs of recovery and chose to ignore disappointing US housing statistics and a credit downgrade for Portugal,” says Waksman.
The Barclay BTOP50 Index, which monitors performance of the largest managed futures funds, gained 1.92% in March.
“Sustained trends give larger funds a better opportunity to get properly positioned and put their money to work,” says Waksman.
The Barclay Agricultural Traders Index leads all sectors in 2010 with a 2.81% gain after three months. Currency Traders are up 1.12%, and Discretionary Traders have gained 0.37%.
Even with February and March gains, the Barclay CTA Index is still down 0.53% at the end of the 1st quarter. The Barclay BTOP50 Index has gained 1.12% in the same time period.
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Sol Waksman is an experienced media source, providing perspectives on hedge fund and managed futures trends. For more commentary or background, call 641-472-3456 or email swaksman@barclayhedge.com.
BarclayHedge was founded in 1985 and actively tracks more than 5,800 hedge funds, funds of hedge funds, and managed futures programs. Barclay has created and regularly updates 18 proprietary hedge fund indexes and eight managed futures indexes.
Institutional investors, brokerage firms and private banks worldwide utilize Barclay’s data as performance benchmarks for the hedge fund and managed futures industries.