CHICAGO, (August 28, 2014) – Hedge funds investing in Emerging Markets posted strong gains through mid-year, increasing total Emerging Markets Hedge Fund assets to an eighth consecutive quarterly record, despite a sovereign debt default by Argentina and continuing geopolitical uncertainty in Ukraine, Syria, Israel, Iran and Iraq. Total hedge fund capital invested in Emerging Markets hedge funds increased to over $184 billion (1.13 trillion RMB, 421 billion Brazilian Real, 6.65 trillion Russian Rouble, 690 billion Riyal, 11.1 trillion Indian Rupee), according to the latest HFR Emerging Markets Hedge Funds Industry Report, released today by HFR, the established global leader in the indexation, research and analysis of the global hedge fund industry.
Emerging market hedge funds increased to a new record
The asset increase of $9 billion of total EM Assets was entirely performance-based, with EM funds experiencing a minor net asset outflow of less than $200 million, while the total number of EM hedge funds increased to over 1,150, a new record.
The HFRX Russia Index posted a gain of +13.8 percent in 2Q14, recovering the steep loss of -12.5 percent from 1Q14 and topping the YTD decline of Russian equities by approximately 1,000 basis points. Similarly, the HFRI Russia/Eastern Europe Index, which includes an even wider base of regional hedge fund strategies, gained +7.0 percent in 2Q, nearly recovering the decline of -8.0 percent from the volatile 1Q. As a result of the strong performance gains, total global hedge fund capital invested Russian and Eastern Europe increased to more than $26 billion, a new record.
Hedge Funds investing in Europe produced strong gains despite geopolitical turmoil
Hedge funds investing in Emerging Asia also produced strong gains, with the HFRX India Index up +18.5 percent for the period, extending the YTD gain of the volatile India Index to +26.7 percent. The HFRI China Index gained +0.9 percent in 2Q and +2.90 percent in July, erasing 1Q losses and extending the YTD gain to +1.0 percent. Total global capital invested in hedge funds focusing on Emerging Asia increased to nearly $50 billion, while the number of funds increased to over 520.
Despite an escalation of regional geopolitical turmoil and military activity, the HFRX MENA Index returned +2.3 percent in 2Q, bringing YTD performance, inclusive of a July gain, to +3.1 percent. Approximately 50 hedge funds managing nearly $4.2 billion invest with a dedicated focus on the Middle East. Similarly, despite the expectations for, and eventual reality of, sovereign default by Argentina, the HFRX Latin America Index gained +5.8 percent in 2Q14; inclusive of a subsequent decline of -1.0 in July, the LatAm Index has gained +2.8 percent YTD 2014. Over 100 funds collectively managing over $11 billion invest with a dedicated focus on Latin America.
“Emerging Markets hedge funds posted a strong recovery from early year losses in the second quarter, providing additional and further evidence of strong EM hedge fund performance available to investors which have the sophistication, risk and volatility tolerance required to monetize these gains,” stated Kenneth J. Heinz, President of HFR. “Despite recent gains for broad market indices in both emerging and developed markets, multiple geopolitical catalysts for market volatility remain salient to global investors, including fluid situations in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Ukraine/Russia. EM hedge funds offer global investors the best opportunity to access the most opportunistic, tactical exposure to volatile, dynamic trends across EM equity, currency and fixed income exposures, and these powerful trends are likely to drive continued record assets to EM hedge funds in 2H14.”
About HFR®
HFR (Hedge Fund Research, Inc.) is the global leader in the alternative investment industry, specializing in the indexation and analysis of hedge funds. Established in 1992, HFR produces the HFRI, HFRX and HFRU Indices, the industry’s most widely used benchmarks of global hedge fund performance. HFR calculates over 100 indices of hedge fund performance ranging from industry-aggregate levels down to specific, niche areas of sub-strategy and regional investment focus. HFR Database, a comprehensive resource available for hedge fund investors, includes fund-level detail on historical performance and assets, as well as firm characteristics on both the broadest and most influential hedge fund managers. HFR has developed a detailed fund classification system, enabling granular and specific queries for relative performance measurement, peer group analysis and benchmarking. The HFR suite of analysis products leverages HFR Database to provide detailed, current, comprehensive and relevant aggregate reference points on all facets of the hedge fund industry. HFR also offers consulting services for clients seeking customized top-level or more sophisticated analysis. For the hedge fund industry’s leading investors and hedge fund managers, Hedge Fund Research is The Institutional Standard.
