HedgeCo.Net (New York) – Early estimates from HFN Hedge Fund Aggregate Average shows plus 1.36% in December and finished 2006 at almost plus 12%. Although trailing theS&P 500 TR’s +15.80%, 2006 was the best year for hedge funds since 2003 when they returned an average of just over plus 21%.

Since 2001, the HFN Aggregate Average has increased by over 11% while the S&P 500 has a yearly return of 2.94%, HFN reports an equal weighted average of all single manager hedge funds andCTA/managed futures products in the HedgeFund.net database, the HedgeFund.net database consists of over 7,000 current hedge funds and fund of funds.

Emerging markets were the place to be in 2006. Despite a turbulent summer, EM funds outperformed every other hedge fund strategy. The HFN Emerging Markets Average was +2.84% in December and finished2006 +21.72%. The year ended strong for most emerging markets with the noticeable exception being Thailand where the implementation of capital controls, though only lasting one day, caused thecountry’s equity market to finish down over 8% in December.

The energy sector ended a volatile year on a soft note. The HFN Energy Sector Average was flat in December, -0.01%, and +12.23% for 2006, but returns are more impressive taking into account thatwhile crude oil prices were an average of 16.5% higher throughout the year, natural gas prices were an average of 22.5% lower compared to 2005.

Equity related strategies were prime beneficiaries of global market trends and other strategies which had notable years were distressed and convertible arbitrage funds.

Alex Akesson
Contributing Writer
HedgeCo.Net
Email: Editor@hedgeco.net