Positive Returns Boost Hedge Fund AUM to All-Time High

Hedge fund industry assets under management (AUM) continue to hit record highs, driven in September by strong performance, according to the just-released September and 3Q 2017 eVestment Hedge Fund Asset Flows Report. Investor redemptions of $2.5 billion in September were offset by performance gains, bringing overall industry AUM to $3.205 trillion. For 3Q 2017, overall flows were still positive at $12.51 billion and year to date AUM is up $35.08 billion.

Some other interesting points from the report include:

• Among primary strategies, Long/Short Equity funds were big winners, with AUM up +$6.25 billion. Also in positive territory for September among primary strategies were Directional Credit funds, up +$1.44 billion, and Market Neutral Equity funds, up +$1.17 billion.
• Macro funds were hit hard in September, with 61% of them seeing redemptions and AUM down -$3.51 billion for the month. Macro funds are still in positive territory for the year, however, with AUM up +$14.92 billion.
• Several other primary strategies saw outflows in September, with Managed Futures funds and Multi-Strategy funds down -$1.87 billion and -$1.74 billion respectively for the month. Managed Futures funds are still slightly up YTD, at +$1.66 billion, but Multi-Strategy funds are negative for the year, with AUM down -$3.66 billion.
• In terms of firm domicile, European funds were big winners in September, with AUM up +$3.39 billion.

To download a full copy of this report, please click here.