Hedge Fund returns were impeded by futures managers who made strong energy commodity bets. However, preliminary results indicate emerging market managers maintained their stance as leading strategy contenders, albeit by a small margin. Approximately 60% of hedge fund managers in the Index delivered positive returns, while just over half beat the S&P 500. |
January performance was the strongest since May 2003. Unusually strong equity market volatility and narrowing credit spreads created an exceptional trading environment for many hedge fund managers. The VIX, a measure of equity market volatility, jumped more than 21% to 14.56 after the January 20 stock market close, the biggest one-day percentage jump in nine months. Most hedge fund strategies require volatility to produce meaningful returns. |
Most hedge fund managers were extremely pleased with first-quarter trading results. |
Over its 18-year history, the Index generated a net compound annualized return of 15.5% versus 12.0% for the S&P 500, marking eighteen consecutive years of positive annual performance for the Greenwich-Van Global Hedge Fund Index. This strongly suggests downside protection and diversification benefits of hedge funds within a comprehensive asset allocation plan can greatly enhance a portfolio's reward/risk profile. |
Strong global equity indices propelled most hedge funds higher during the first few weeks of 2006. |