Hedge funds performed better than expected last year, according to the Credit Suisse Tremont Hedge Fund Index, released this week.
The index finished the year revealing a total return of 13.86 per cent.
The President of the Credit Suisse Tremont Index, Oliver Schupp, said the result was stronger than expected and had been driven by a favourable market environment.
“Record highs in global markets and mergers and acquisition activity along with a stronger than expected earnings season, a pause in the continual increasing of interest rates by the Federal Reserve, high energy prices and volatility fluctuations were positive contributors,” he said.
The Credit Suisse/Tremont Hedge Fund Index is comprised of 433 funds and includes both open and closed funds located in the US and offshore.
ASIC has warned that practices across the $200 billion private credit market are inconsistent and, in some cases, require serious improvement.
A surge in electricity prices has driven the monthly Consumer Price Index to its highest level in a year, exceeding forecasts.
Infrastructure well-positioned to hedge against global uncertainty, says investment chief.
The fund manager remains positive on the outlook for gold and believes ongoing market volatility will provide opportunities to acquire small-cap stocks in promising sectors.