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For the year, the hedge fund industry gained 10.95% in 2020, its third double-digit annual return in the past four years. The S&P 500 Total Return Index was up 18.40% over the 12 months.

Thirty of the 31 sectors tracked by the Barclay Hedge Fund Indices posted gains in December, the outlier being the Emerging Markets MENA Index which was down 0.98%.

"While some indicators pointed to a slowing economy as COVID-19 cases surged, stock markets responded well to new economic stimulus developments," said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. "Meanwhile, vaccine approvals and initial distribution offered hope to Investors for a return to normal. The S&P 500 Total Return Index finished 2020 at record highs."

Leading the way among December's gainers was the Emerging Markets Asian Equities Index, returning 6.59% for the month. The Emerging Markets Global Equities Index was up 6.34%, the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index returned 5.41%, the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index advanced 5.33%, and the Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index gained 5.10%.

In a year in which the pandemic prompted an even greater reliance on technology and focus on health care, the Technology Index set the pace for 2020, gaining 34.10% over the 12 months, followed by the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index which was up 27.51%.

Other leading sectors over the 12-month period included the Emerging Markets Asian Equities Index, up 25.76%, the Emerging Markets Global Fixed Income Index, returning 23.30%, and the Equity Long Bias Index, gaining 16.16%.

Sectors in the red for 2020 included the Emerging Markets Latin America Index, down 6.45%, the Emerging Markets MENA Index, off 4.14%, and the Equity Market Neutral Index, giving up 1.23%.

Twenty-seven sectors posted annual gains. Only 4 sectors posted losses

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