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For the year to date, the hedge fund industry gained 3.76% through the end of February. The S&P 500 Total Return Index returned 1.72% over the same period.

All but one sector tracked in the Barclay Hedge Fund Indices gained ground in February.

"Signs that the US economy was recovering more quickly than anticipated coupled with bullish appraisals of the global economy's prospects boosted equity markets and energy prices in February," said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. "Though U.S. unemployment numbers remained high, they were trending downward. There were additional indications that fiscal stimulus was having the desired effect as U.S. retail sales had its best gain in seven months."

Setting the pace for hedge fund sectors in February was the Emerging Markets MENA Index, gaining 7.01% for the month. Other notable gainers included the European Equities Index, up 5.77%, the Equity Long/Short Index, returning 5.54%, the Equity Long Bias Index, gaining 4.75%, and the Technology Index, advancing 4.68%.

The lone hedge fund sector in the red in February was the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index, down 2.84%.

For the year to date the Technology Index led the pack, returning 7.42%. The Distressed Securities Index was up 6.81%, the European Equities Index gained 6.78%, the Healthcare & Biotechnology Index advanced 6.49% and the Equity Long Bias Index returned 6.46%.

The only sector losing ground thus far in 2021 was the Emerging Markets Latin American Equities Index, down 5.91%.