Hedge funds over US$500m only ones to finish positively in a negative month for industry

Large hedge funds gain 0.47% in April, while smaller hedge funds finish in negative territory

Hedge fund returns were flat to slightly negative in April as most regions and strategies witnessed marginal movements during the month. As managers provided downturn protection amid declining markets globally, the Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index was down 0.07% and the MSCI World Index declined 1.62%.

Key highlights for April 2012:

• The asset-weighted Mizuho-Eurekahedge Top 100 Index increased 0.28% in April 2012, confirming a better month for larger funds.
• Relative value and fixed income hedge funds are a bright light in the industry - they have now witnessed five consecutive months of positive returns with gains of 5.91% and 4.56% respectively.
• Launch activity has remained strong in 2012 with more than 150 funds launched worldwide as at the end of April 2012.
• Assets in distressed debt hedge funds were back above US$60 billion.
• The Eurekahedge Latin American Hedge Fund Index saw a surge of 6.45% at end-April 2012.

To read more, please see the full Eurekahedge Index Flash, also accessible on Scribd and Issuu.