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From Sagar Chakraverty, Opalesque Asia:

GFIA, a Singapore-based hedge fund consultant, estimated the total AUM of the Asian hedge fund industry at the end 2009 was around $160bn. This represents an increment of $45bn over 2008, and 90% of this growth is organic. However, the number of Asia-based managers running $1bn or more has decreased by nearly 50% between 2008 and 2009. By the end of 2009, there were approximately 26 managers (13 local indigenous firms and 13 global managers) that managed in excess of $1bn.

Shape of Asian hedge funds industry There were 94 new fund launches in 2009, compared to 60 new launches in 2008. One-third of these 94 launches were by new managers. Although, the long/short equity funds made up 45% of the launches, it was lower than the proportion of existing long/short funds, which was around 60% in 2009. This slowing down indicated that either the Asian industry was moving away from long/short equity as it matured, or that investors were disappointed with equity as an asset class last year, leading to fewer long/short equity fund launches.

GFIA internal estimates pin down the total number of funds in Asia in 2009 at 848 funds, of which 655 are indigenous. There were 377 funds with $50m or more under management.

Over the recent years, London’s dominance as the key centre for Asian hedge funds has diminished and Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore, have evolved as more important centers with Asia-focused manage......................

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