“Redemptions from hedge funds totaled $34.6 billion over the past six months, the largest consecutive quarterly outflow since June 2009,” said Sol Waksman, president and founder of BarclayHedge. “Hedge funds redeemed $15.1 billion (0.6% of assets) in Q1 2015, a striking contrast from Q1 2014, when they hauled in $42.6 billion (1.8% of assets).”
Hedge fund industry assets edged up to $2.49 trillion in March from $2.48 trillion the month before, according to BarclayHedge’s estimate based on data from 3,563 funds.
The monthly TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Hedge Fund Flow Report noted that the hedge fund industry earned 0.5% in March and outperformed the S&P 500, which fell 1.7% for the month.
“Merger Arbitrage funds rose 1.4% in March, the best returns among the thirteen categories we track,” said Waksman. “Fixed Income funds had the strongest inflows in March, taking in $3.2 billion."
The latest TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Hedge Fund Sentiment Survey finds hedge fund managers’ optimism on U.S. stocks sank to a seven-month low in April. The monthly survey finds declining pessimism on U.S. Treasuries amid waning optimism on the U.S. Dollar Index. Sentiment favoring emerging markets hit a twelve-month high, though a narrow majority still expects developed markets to outperform. Managers grew less bearish on gold prices, but most do not expect lower oil prices six months from now.
The TrimTabs/BarclayHedge database tracks hedge fund flows on a monthly basis. The TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Hedge Fund Flow Report provides detailed analysis of these flows as well as relevant topical studies. Click here for further information.
BarclayHedge is a leading hedge fund data vendor and one of the foremost sources for proprietary research in the field of alternative investments. From its origin as a research specialist and performance measurement firm, BarclayHedge has developed complete client services as a publisher, database and software provider, and industry consultant.
TrimTabs Investment Research is the only independent research service that publishes detailed daily coverage of U.S. stock market liquidity--including mutual fund flows and exchange-traded fund flows--as well as weekly withheld income and employment tax collections. Founded by Charles Biderman, TrimTabs has provided institutional investors with trading strategies since 1990. For more information, please visit us here.