Hedge fund styles as measured by the HFR indices, on average showed negative performance for June. EM strategies were the hardest hit sector. The only bright spots were merger arbitrage, defensive strategies like global macro and relative value. The general decline in equity markets globally and more mixed performance in the US held back returns.
Hedge fund performance for the first half of the year was a disappointment for the investors. Most hedge fund style declined for through June. The only strategies that generated positive returns were focused on relative value. With equity indices in the US generating gains for the first half of the year, there was limited alpha from hedge fund managers. Hedge funds will have to work hard to make up this shortfall.
After hundreds of discussions with hedge fund managers, I am still surprised that there is a fear of revealing investment processes under the assumption that someone will steal their ideas and intellectual capital. There are few investment styles that are truly unique and special. What is special is still strategy execution – the practical process of delivering returns. Skill is with the decision-making execution of information and strategy.
All hedge funds are not created equal as the return box chart shows for the post Financial Crisis period. There is a significant amount of dispersion across hedge fund styles. Over the period 2009-2018, the difference between the best and worst hedge fund category is almost 7 percent after we account for global equities and bonds.
The attraction to private equity and other less liquid alternatives is clear from the Guide to Alternatives by JP Morgan Asset Management. The return profile is much higher for private equity and debt funds than more liquid alternatives and global bonds; however, the dispersion in returns is multiples higher than what can be expected from other public categories.
