New York (HedgeCo.net) – The Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index was flat to marginally negative through March, losing 0.18%1 for the month, with the year-to-date figure standing at 4.08%. Japanese hedge funds posted the best monthly returns among regional mandates while Latin American, Asia ex-Japan and European managers outperformed their underlying equity markets.
Managers increased their total assets for the quarter by US$47.9 billion through performance and investment flows, with the former accounting for US$40 billion of capital flows. Inflows from investors in the first three months of 2012 amounted to US$7.9 billion, bringing the current assets under management to US$1.75 trillion
Highlights from this month’s report:
- Long/short equity, multi-strategy and relative value funds witnessed their best quarter in two and a half years with gains of 6.15%, 4.57% and 4.61%
- Assets in hedge funds crossed US$1.75 trillion, gaining nearly US$50 billion in the first three months of 2012
- Long-only absolute return funds saw gains of 11.4% in the first quarter of this year
- Relative value managers reached US$50 billion of capital for the first time on record
- Islamic funds outperformed other alternative vehicles, gaining 0.63% during March 2012
- More than 150 hedge funds have been launched globally as at the end of March this year
In other news, the Asian Hedge Fund Awards 2012 is one month away and will be taking place at The Stamford Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel, Singapore on 25th May. Aside from presenting awards to the top achievers of 2011, Eurekahedge will be partnering with the RICE fund to hold a charity auction.