Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: Hedge funds continued their winning ways in March with a third straight month of positive returns as Fed interest rate stance and U.S.-China trade talk progress fuel investor enthusiasm.
March's hedge fund return was 0.67%, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index.
In comparison, the S&P 500 Total Return Index rose 1.94% in March. Year-to-date through the end of March hedge funds posted a 5.64% return while the S&P was up 13.07%.
"The Fed's announcement that it would hold interest rates steady for the remainder of the year added fuel to the ongoing uptrends in stock and bond markets," said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. "Asian emerging markets responded enthusiastically to signs of a thaw in a U.S.-China trade war, while lower U.S. interest rates added further momentum."
Leading the way among hedge fund sectors in March were the Emerging Markets Asian Equities Index with a 3.73% return and the Emerging Markets Asia Index which returned 3.49% for the month.
Other emerging markets indices also had a positive month, including the Emerging Markets Index posting a 1.83% return and the Emerging Markets Global Fixed Income Index with a 1.80% return.
Among other sectors in positive territory in March were the Balanced (Stocks & Bonds) Index which posted a 0.95% return and the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index with a 0.83% return for the month.
While the vast majority of sectors were in positive territory in March, th...................... To view our full article Click here
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