BarclayHedge Blog

Barclay CTA Index Up 0.14% in December, Down 3.05% in 2011; Largest Loss for Managed Futures in 32 Years

2012-01-18T14:31:00.000-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, January 18, 2011– Despite a 0.14% gain in December, managed futures lost 3.05% in 2011 according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge.

“The slightly positive returns for December masked the volatility in the major market sectors,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge. “Equity markets reversed sharply at mid-month, commodity markets were down, and bond markets continued their long march upward.”

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Commentary on the Euro Crisis

2012-01-12T15:11:00.000-06:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

Dermot Butler provides relevant insight on the topic, and introduces three papers giving different points of view on the proposed FTT or “Tobin Tax.”

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

New Fund Launches

2012-01-12T15:08:00.000-06:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Investcorp Prosiris Opportunities Fund

From the January 2012 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Findings from the GAIM Ops Europe 2011

2012-01-12T15:04:00.000-06:00

Staying current on the latest developments in operational due diligence is important to SwissAnalytics and its CEO, Christian Nauer. After attending and speaking at the GAIM Ops Europe 2011 conference in Geneva, Mr. Nauer has written “Findings from the GAIM Ops Europe 2011” in which he highlights key points relating to the latest issues in due diligence best practices.

Read the full study here.

Hedge Fund Due Diligence Reports

BarclayHedge and SwissAnalytics have teamed up to offer hedge fund and CTA due diligence. As a BarclayHedge member, you receive an ongoing $500 discount on "Silver" Due Diligence reports and an exclusive 10% discount on your first "Gold" or "Ops" Due Diligence Report from SwissAnalytics.

SwissAnalytics conducts due diligence on the entire range of alternative investment strategies and managers located anywhere in the world in a timely and cost-effective manner. Services are currently offered along three core lines: "Silver"-, "Gold"-, and "Ops"-Due Diligence.

To download a sample "Silver" Due Diligence Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Regulated Alternative Funds: The New Conventional

2012-01-12T14:56:00.000-06:00

Contributed by the Investment Manager Services division of SEI Investments Company

The trend of packaging alternative investment strategies within mutual funds and UCITS continues unabated, with new products being introduced regularly and asset flows gaining momentum. “Regulated Alternative Funds: The New Conventional,” offers an updated look at the dynamics of this rapidly evolving and maturing market, and shows how the popularity of these funds continues to rise around the world.

Download the full article here. From the January 2012 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

November 2011 Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2012-01-12T14:51:00.003-06:00

Hedge funds slipped in November, exhibited by losses in 14 of Barclay's eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,630 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a November return is -1.33%. The estimates for December, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 11 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing negative returns for December.
Commodity Trading Advisor performance for November as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged +0.17%. December's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is +0.04%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the January 2012 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Barclay Hedge Fund Index Down 0.38% in December; Index Ends 2011 with a 5.37% Loss

2012-01-12T14:47:00.000-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, January 12, 2011 – Hedge funds lost 0.38% in December, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. The Index was down 5.37% at the end of 2011.

“Equity markets started the month with a sell-off, and then went on to rally going into Christmas,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge. “Unfortunately, markets that see-saw can be quite difficult for managers to navigate successfully.”

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - December 2011 Survey

2012-01-09T15:11:00.000-06:00

The topical study from the January 2012 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

A plurality of the 101 hedge fund managers we surveyed have turned bullish on US equities. Bullish sentiment on the S&P 500 stands at 42% in December, the second-highest reading this year. Bearish sentiment dropped to 30%, the lowest reading since July 2011, from 36% in November. This is only the third month that managers have been markedly bullish (January, July, and December) in 2011.
The rising bullishness of hedge fund managers squares with equity futures flows. Speculative traders have been net buyers of equity futures in only seven weeks in 2011. Additionally, the net position of spec traders has increased 50% since November. The current level of speculative traders’ positions is at the highest level since August. We believe positive change in spec traders’ positions over the past 19 weeks is a bullish indicator. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the January 2012 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

The Hedge Fund Flow Report combines the accuracy of the BarclayHedge database with the analytical insight of TrimTabs Investment Research. The report is generated by TrimTabs Investment Research using the most current data on thousands of hedge funds. An annual subscription includes 12 monthly updates as well as a spreadsheet containing historical flow aggregates by category. To download a free sample of the entire TrimTabs Hedge Fund Flow Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Hedge Funds Take in $3.6 Billion in November, Reversing Surge of Redemptions in Previous Months

2012-01-03T13:04:00.000-06:00

New York, NY – January 3, 2012 – BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research reported today that hedge funds took in an estimated $3.6 billion in November, a welcome reversal after redemptions surged to $9 billion in October and hit $2.59 billion in September. Industry assets increased to $1.71 trillion in November from $1.67 trillion in October, the first increase after five months of declines. The BarclayHedge Fund Index dipped 0.8% in November after increasing 3.5% in October. That reversal followed five consecutive monthly declines. Despite the increase, hedge fund industry assets stand close to their lowest level since January 2010.

“After months of outflows across nearly every hedge fund category, November saw outflows in only two investment styles: Emerging Markets, which shed $1.3 billion, and Equity Long-Short, which shed $1.0 billion,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Hold Ground in November; Barclay CTA Index Up 0.11%

2011-12-16T09:36:00.000-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, December 15, 2011– Following a 1.50% drop in October, managed futures gained 0.11% in November according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index remains down 3.09%.

“In spite of a gut-wrenching reversal from risk-off to risk-on in the last three days of the month, CTAs were mostly in the black at month-end,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Is the Future the Past?

2011-12-15T11:11:00.000-06:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

Dermot Butler reflects on the events that influenced financial markets this past year and shares his thoughts about 2012.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

New Fund Launches

2011-12-15T11:08:00.000-06:00

From the December 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Investor Behavior, Hedge Fund Returns and Strategies

2011-12-15T11:01:00.003-06:00

By Andres Bello, University of Texas-Pan American, Gökçe Soydemir, California State University Stanislaus, and Jan Smolarski, University of Texas-Pan American

Their paper finds that irrational sentiments play a role in hedge fund returns. The authors also find that investors can make use of "irrational beta" to avoid funds that display greater irrational behavior. (Note: study is a working paper.)

Download the full article here. From the December 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

October Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-12-14T16:25:00.000-06:00

Hedge funds rebounded in October, exhibited by gains in 16 of Barclay's eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,733 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported an October return is +3.49%. The estimates for November, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 14 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing negative returns for November.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for October as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged -2.15%. November's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is -0.25%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the December 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - November Survey

2011-12-14T15:43:00.000-06:00

The topical study from the December 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

The 157 hedge fund managers we surveyed in the past week have slightly altered their stance on U.S. • equities. Bullish sentiment on the S&P 500 stands at 31% in November, the fourth highest reading this year. Bearish dropped to 36%, the smallest reading since September 2011, from 57%. Note that managers have been markedly bullish in only two months (January and July) in 2011.
Equity futures flows and short interest square with the less bearish stance on the part of hedge fund • managers. Speculative traders have been net buyers of equity futures in only seven weeks in 2011. We believe positive change in spec traders’ positions over the past 12 weeks is a cautiously bullish indicator. NYSE short interest decreased 12% to 14.1 billion shares in November from 16.1 billion shares in September, the third-straight decline and the lowest level since early August. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the December 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

The Hedge Fund Flow Report combines the accuracy of the BarclayHedge database with the analytical insight of TrimTabs Investment Research. The report is generated by TrimTabs Investment Research using the most current data on thousands of hedge funds. An annual subscription includes 12 monthly updates as well as a spreadsheet containing historical flow aggregates by category. To download a free sample of the entire TrimTabs Hedge Fund Flow Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Hedge Funds Continue Downward Trend; Barclay Hedge Fund Index Slides 1.04% in November

2011-12-13T16:47:00.003-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, December 13, 2011 – Hedge funds lost 1.04% in November, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. The Index is down 4.70% in 2011.

“The S&P 500 gained 0.10 percent during the month, concealing stomach-churning intra-month volatility,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Fund Redemptions More than Triple in October; Assets Fall for Third Consecutive Month

2011-12-12T14:33:00.000-06:00

New York, NY – December 12, 2011 – BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research reported today that hedge fund redemptions in October were $9 billion, more than triple September’s $2.59 billion outflow. Industry assets decreased to $1.66 trillion in October from $1.73 trillion in September, the third straight monthly decline.

“Investors seem to have lost patience with lackluster hedge fund returns,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index did rise 3.5% in October, bouncing back from five straight monthly declines. Assets are at their lowest since January 2010.

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Stumble in October; Barclay CTA Index Slides 1.50%

2011-11-15T10:43:00.000-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, November 15, 2011– After four straight months of gains, managed futures lost 1.50% in October according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index is down 2.30%.

“A revival of animal spirits sparked by an improving economic picture and the appearance of a solution for Euro zone sovereign debt problems spawned trend reversals in many of the major futures sectors,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Funds Rebound on Equity Market Gains; Barclay Hedge Fund Index Up 3.73% in October

2011-11-14T16:28:00.000-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, November 14, 2011 – Hedge funds gained 3.73% in October, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. The Index is down 3.44% in 2011.

“After five long consecutive losing months which saw the S&P 500 decline 16.2 percent, investors switched into risk-on mode and the S&P soared to a 10.93 percent gain in October, its best monthly return since December 1991,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

CFTC Position Limits — Very Limiting

2011-11-10T16:22:00.000-06:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

Butler provides commentary on the recent decision, 3 – 2 in favor by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to implement tighter position limits on commodity markets.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

A Review of the G20 Meeting on Agriculture: Addressing Price Volatility in the Food Markets

2011-11-10T16:08:00.015-06:00

By Hilary Till, Research Associate, EDHEC-Risk Institute

Hill’s paper examines the impact of commodity trading, speculation, and index investment on global food price volatility.

Download the full article here. From the November 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Beware of Stranger Originated Life Insurance

2011-11-10T15:58:00.000-06:00

In “Beware of Stranger Originated Life Insurance,” Christopher Machera of the Hedge Funds practice group of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, summarizes two recent Delaware court decisions determining the validity of life insurance policies under a stranger originated life insurance program. These decisions are relevant to hedge funds and other investors that purchase life insurance policies for investment purposes.

Download the full article here. From the November 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

September Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-11-10T15:52:00.000-06:00

Hedge funds had another negative month in September, exhibited by losses in 16 of Barclay's eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,763 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a September return is -4.23%. The estimates for October, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 17 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing positive returns for October.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for September as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged +0.20%. October's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is +0.53%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the November 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

New Fund Launches

2011-11-10T15:43:00.000-06:00

From the November 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - October Survey

2011-11-10T15:34:00.003-06:00

The topical study from the November 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Our monthly survey of hedge fund managers reveals that managers remain downbeat on U.S. equities but they are much less bearish than four weeks ago. Bearish sentiment on the S&P 500 decreased to 41% in October from 57% (the highest level of 2011) in September. Bullish sentiment increased to 35% from 16% (the lowest level of the year). Note that managers have been markedly bullish on domestic stocks in only two months (January and July) in 2011.
The net position of speculative traders on S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures and options squares with sourness on the part of hedge fund managers. Spec traders are net sellers and their bearish position is one of the most aggressive in our records. We believe this bodes well for equities from a contrarian standpoint. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the November 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

The Hedge Fund Flow Report combines the accuracy of the BarclayHedge database with the analytical insight of TrimTabs Investment Research. The report is generated by TrimTabs Investment Research using the most current data on thousands of hedge funds. An annual subscription includes 12 monthly updates as well as a spreadsheet containing historical flow aggregates by category. To download a free sample of the entire TrimTabs Hedge Fund Flow Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Hedge Funds Redeem $5.0 Billion in September, Second Outflow in Three Months

2011-11-10T15:33:00.003-06:00

New York, NY – November 7, 2011 – Hedge funds redeemed $5.0 billion in September, the second outflow in three months, report BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. Industry assets decreased to $1.72 trillion, the lowest level in 12 months.

“Hedge fund investors have grown much more cautious,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “They pumped $58.5 billion into hedge funds between January and June, the heaviest first-half inflow since 2007. But then they withdrew money in two of three months for the first time since 2009.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Hold Their Ground in 2011; Barclay CTA Index Gains 0.35% in September

2011-10-19T14:04:00.001-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, October 19, 2011– Managed futures gained 0.35% in September according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index is down just 0.41%.

“Operation Twist in the US, sovereign debt uncertainty in Europe, and potential slowing in China all conspired to keep volatility high and to drive investors away from risk assets,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Stock Market Losses Bring Hedge Funds Down; Barclay Hedge Fund Index Fell 3.92% in September

2011-10-18T13:54:00.002-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, October 18, 2011 – Most hedge fund strategies had losses in September, evidenced by a 3.92% drop in the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. The Index has lost 7.45% in the 3rd quarter and is now down 6.53% in 2011.

“For the second straight month we’re seeing the largest hedge fund losses since the 2008 meltdown,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

Fund Directors — A Supply and Demand Equation

2011-10-12T14:12:00.003-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

In his latest paper, Butler provides insight into the probity and responsibility of funds’ Directors, especially in light of the growing focus on corporate governance and the recent launch of “The NED” – a publication with the sole objective of discussing the role and responsibility of non-executive fund Directors.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

The Importance of Business Process Maturity and Automation

2011-10-12T14:03:00.004-05:00

White paper by Merlin Securities

Their latest white paper discusses the importance of business process automation within an asset management firm at all stages of development and how these organizations can measure their current processes versus investor expectations.

Download the full article here. From the October 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Hedge Fund Performance and Liquidity Risk

2011-10-12T13:58:00.002-05:00

By Ronnie Sadka, Boston College, Carroll School of Management

Sadka’s paper demonstrates that liquidity risk as measured by the covariation of fund returns, with unexpected changes in aggregate liquidity, is an important predictor of hedge fund performance.

Download the full article here. From the September 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

August Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-10-12T13:55:00.002-05:00

Hedge funds had a negative month in August, exhibited by losses in all but one of Barclay's eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,784 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported an August return is -3.60%. The estimates for September, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 15 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing negative returns for September.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for August as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged -0.06%. September's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is 0.29%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the October 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

New Fund Launches

2011-10-12T11:54:00.002-05:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Amati Systematic Trend Fund

Aquila Capital Spectrum Fund UCITS

Barrenjoy Capital Holtermann Fund

Malachi Capital Red Deer Program

RPM Directional Fund UCITS

RTS Managed Futures Mutual Fund

Stonehenge Diversified 1, LLC

West Mountain Tail Event Fund, L.P.

From the October 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - September Survey

2011-10-10T10:43:00.007-05:00

The topical study from the October 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Our monthly survey of hedge fund managers reveals that managers are extremely downbeat on U.S. equities. Bearish sentiment on the S&P 500 soared to 57% in September, far and away the highest level of 2011, from 42% in August. Bullish sentiment plunged to 16%, easily the highest level of the year, from 27%.

Hedge fund managers have shifted to bullish from bearish on long-dated Treasuries. Bullish sentiment on the 10-year note increased to 23% in September from 15% in August, while bearish sentiment decreased to 16% from 32%. Managers were bearish in seven of the first eight months of 2011. The shift might owe in part to the Fed, which announced September 21 that it intends to buy $400 billion in longer-dated Treasuries before July 2012. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the October 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

Hedge Funds Pull in $6.1 Billion in August, Seventh Inflow in Eight Months. Fixed Income Hedge Funds Boast Best Returns and Heaviest Inflows

2011-10-10T10:04:00.004-05:00

New York, NY – October 10, 2011 – Hedge funds pulled in $6.1 billion in August, the seventh inflow in eight months, report BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. Hedge funds hauled in a heavy $51.0 billion in the first eight months of 2011.

“Recent inflows might owe in part to excellent relative performance,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “While the S&P 500 plunged 10.6% in the four months ended August, the Barclay Hedge Fund Index decreased only 5.6%. Additionally, our preliminary data for September reveals that hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 by more than a 2:1 margin again last month.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Gain 0.16% in August; Currency Traders Give Up 0.89%

2011-09-20T13:27:00.002-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, September 20, 2011– Managed futures gained 0.16% in August according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index remains down 0.51%.

“Increasing volatility across global markets provided profitable opportunities for most of the major sectors,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

83% of Hedge Funds Report Losses in August; Barclay Hedge Fund Index Down 3.42%

2011-09-19T11:02:00.002-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, September 19, 2011 – Most hedge fund strategies experienced widespread and significant losses in August, contributing to a 3.42% fall in the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index is down 2.50%.

“In what has been the worst month since Lehman’s failure in September 2008 when hedge funds dropped 6.99 percent, more than 83 percent of the 3,120 funds that have so far provided us with an August return have reported a loss,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

CitiFX® Launches New Platform for Investors Seeking Currency Alpha

2011-09-14T16:15:00.003-05:00

London – September 14, 2011 – CitiFX® has launched a new multi-manager platform, CitiFX® Access. The platform offers a range of vehicles facilitating investment in FX managers via multi-strategy benchmark and actively-managed indices licensed from leading index sponsors.

The returns of these indices are driven by the performance of currency programs run by the most prominent hedge funds, asset managers and advisors in the industry. From inception, the platform will represent about 35 currency programs estimated to account for more than 50% of the assets under management in currency funds.

Read the entire Citi Press Release by clicking here.

New Fund Launches

2011-09-13T14:50:00.002-05:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Aspen Partners Managed Futures Fund

August Currencies & Financials

DIMlux SICAV-SIF SCA - PV Buyback USA

FMG Rising 6 Fund

From the September 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Whatever Happened to Cost Benefit Analysis?

2011-09-13T14:46:00.002-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

In his latest blog, Butler questions the cost benefit of mounting new regulations to hit the finance industry in the last three years, and that impact to US and EU taxpayers and investors.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

Hedge Funds: The Good, the (Not-so) Bad, and the Ugly

2011-09-13T14:37:00.005-05:00

By Yong Chen, Assistant Professor of Finance, Virginia Tech; Michael Cliff, Vice President, Analysis Group; and Haibei Zhao, PhD student, Georgia State University

By proposing a new method to evaluate the prevalence of skilled hedge fund managers, their paper aims to answer an often unanswered question — What fraction of hedge funds possesses the skill to add value to their investors?

Download the full article here. From the September 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

July Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-09-13T14:31:00.004-05:00

Hedge funds had a negative month in July exhibited by losses in eleven of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,764 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a July return is -0.10%. The estimates for August, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 17 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing negative returns for August.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for July as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged 1.43%. August's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is -0.39%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the September 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - August Survey

2011-09-12T10:57:00.007-05:00

The topical study from the September 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

The 86 hedge fund managers we surveyed in the past week have reversed their stance on U.S. equities. Bullish sentiment on the S&P 500 sank to 27% in August, the smallest reading in four months, from 43% in July. Bearish sentiment soared to 42%, the largest reading since August 2010, from 27%. Hedge fund managers have been markedly bullish in only two months (January and July) in 2011.

Equity futures flows and short interest square with bearishness on the part of hedge fund managers. Leveraged funds increased the number of short S&P 500 contracts 47.2% in the past five weeks, while they kept the number of long contracts roughly steady. Meanwhile, NYSE short interest surged 7.9% in the first half of August. The increase marks the largest since March 2009 and brings short interest to the highest level since October 2010. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the September 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

Hedge Fund Managers Turn Very Bearish on U.S. Equities, According to Survey

2011-09-06T09:14:00.005-05:00

New York, NY – September 6, 2011 – Hedge fund managers have turned very bearish on U.S. equities, according to BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. Bearish sentiment on the S&P 500 among hedge fund managers soared to 42% in August, the largest reading in a year, from 27% in July. Bullish sentiment sank to 27%, the smallest reading in four months, from 43%.

“This reversal to extremely bearish from markedly bullish is striking,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “Especially sour moods probably owe in part to the recent crash in the S&P 500, which plunged 16.8% between July 22 and August 8. Additionally, on August 9, the Fed announced it feels downside risks to the economic outlook have increased so much that it plans to keep the policy rate at exceptionally low levels until the middle of 2013.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Gain 1.32% in July; Barclay BTOP50 Index Adds 1.95%

2011-08-16T10:01:00.001-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, August 16, 2011– Managed futures gained 1.32% in July according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Barclay CTA Index is down 0.67%.

“A counter-intuitive bond market rally that flew in the face of rating downgrade concerns may have puzzled many traders, but trend-following CTAs were largely able to profit from the move,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Funds Hold Their Ground in July; Barclay Hedge Fund Index Slips 0.01%

2011-08-15T10:04:00.003-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, August 12, 2011 – Despite major declines in the equity markets, hedge funds as a whole held their ground in July, with a 0.01% loss in the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index is up 1.06%.

“Declines across equity markets in Europe and the US were driven largely by a lack of political will to address the fundamental long term sovereign debt problems on both sides of the Atlantic,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

Why Due Diligence?

2011-08-09T10:44:00.003-05:00

SwissAnalytics’ most recent white paper answers the following questions and more . . .
Does it really pay to conduct due diligence?
Can due diligence really detect issues?
Can't I simply trust UCITS?

Read the full study here.

Hedge Fund Due Diligence Reports

BarclayHedge and SwissAnalytics have teamed up to offer hedge fund and CTA due diligence. As a BarclayHedge member, you receive an ongoing $500 discount on "Silver" Due Diligence reports and an exclusive 10% discount on your first "Gold" or "Ops" Due Diligence Report from SwissAnalytics.

SwissAnalytics conducts due diligence on the entire range of alternative investment strategies and managers located anywhere in the world in a timely and cost-effective manner. Services are currently offered along three core lines: "Silver"-, "Gold"-, and "Ops"-Due Diligence.

To download a sample "Silver" Due Diligence Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Shadow Accounting - Another Recycled Product

2011-08-09T10:39:00.002-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

Shadow accounting is nothing new as it relates to the ‘checks and balances’ procedures used to verify hedge fund and CTA performance numbers. In “Shadow Accounting — Another Recycled Product,” Butler, sheds light on the value-added advantage that an independent administrator brings to this important charge in ensuring proper fund management practices.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

New Fund Launches

2011-08-09T10:35:00.002-05:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Diva Synergy UCITS Fund

John Lock Cyril Systematic UCITS

From the August 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Diversification in Funds of Hedge Funds: Is it Possible to Overdiversify?

2011-08-09T10:27:00.003-05:00

By Stephen J. Brown, the David S. Loeb Professor of Finance, New York University Stern School of Business; Greg N. Gregoriou, Professor of Finance, State University of New York (Plattsburgh); and Razvan Pascalau, Asst. Professor of Economics and Finance, State University of New York (Plattsburgh)

In their paper, they examine a database that separates out for the first time the effects of diversification (the number of underlying hedge funds) from scale (the magnitude of assets under management).

Download the full article here. From the August 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

June Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-08-09T10:17:00.003-05:00

Hedge funds continued to underperform in June exhibited by losses in fifteen of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,754 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a June return is -1.03%. The estimates for July, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 12 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing positive returns for July.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for June as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged -1.61%. July's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is 1.95%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the August 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Hedge Funds Pull in $3.8 Billion in June, Sixth Straight Inflow, and Rake in $73.0 Billion in First Half of 2011

2011-08-08T13:43:00.004-05:00

New York, NY – August 8, 2011 – The hedge fund industry took in $3.8 billion (0.2% of assets) in June, the sixth straight inflow as well as the eleventh in 12 months, report BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. Industry assets decreased to $1.806 trillion from $1.822 trillion in May because performance was poor. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index decreased 1.0% in June.

“Investors were very kind to hedge funds in the first half of the year,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “The industry raked in $73.0 billion (4.0% of assets), which goes down as the heaviest first-half inflow since 2007. But we wonder if strong inflows will persist through the remainder of the year in light of the recent bloodbath in equities.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - July Survey

2011-08-08T10:25:00.006-05:00

The topical study from the August 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Hedge fund managers have reversed their stance on U.S. equities. Bullish sentiment on the S&P 500 soared to 43%, the largest share since December 2010, from 27% in June. Bearish sentiment sank to 27%, the smallest share since January 2011, from 38%.
Equity futures flows have yet to confirm the shift to bullishness. Speculative traders were net buyers of equity futures in only two of the past eight weeks, perhaps in part because of the uncertainty surrounding the debt ceiling. Meantime short interest decreased in the past month, albeit modestly.
Hedge fund managers remain very sour on long-dated Treasuries. Bearish sentiment on the 10-year note changed little in July (42% versus 44% in June, the largest share in six months). Bullish sentiment sank to 12%, the smallest share in more than seven months, from 18% in June. Meantime managers remain modestly bullish on the greenback.. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the August 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

Hedge Fund Managers Turn Bullish on U.S. Equities. According to Survey, 43% of Managers Bullish on S&P 500 while 27% Bearish.

2011-08-01T09:58:00.005-05:00

New York, NY – August 1, 2011 – Hedge fund managers have turned bullish on U.S. equities, according to BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. Bullish sentiment on the S&P 500 among hedge fund managers soared to 43% in July, the largest share since December 2010, from 27% in June. Bearish sentiment sank to 27%, the smallest share since January 2011, from 38%.

“This reversal is striking,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “Hedge fund managers were meaningfully bullish on domestic stocks in only one month in the first half of the year. Our research shows that hedge fund sentiment is a decent leading indicator, so the shift could help support stock prices in the near term.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Fall 1.31% in June; CTA Performance Weak After Two Quarters

2011-07-19T15:27:00.002-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, July 19, 2011– Managed futures lost 1.31% in June according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Barclay CTA Index is down 1.51%.

Seven of Barclay’s eight CTA indices had losses in June. The Barclay Diversified Traders Index dropped 2.24%, Systematic Traders were down 1.97%, Agricultural Traders lost 0.11%, and Currency Traders were down 0.35%.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Funds Slide 1.04% in June; Barclay Hedge Fund Index Up 1.04% in 2011

2011-07-18T10:17:00.003-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, July 18, 2011 – Hedge fund performance was down for the second month in a row, with a 1.04% loss in June according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date the Index is up just 1.04%.

“After eight straight months of gains going back to September of 2010, hedge funds have lost ground for two months in a row, giving up most of their 2011 profits,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

If It Works in Houston, It’ll Work in Singapore

2011-07-13T10:56:00.008-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

Location, location, location...we’ve all heard this maxim as it relates to real estate investing. In “If It Works in Houston, It’ll Work in Singapore,” Butler relates how important it is for a fund administrator to have the right physical office location, and the impact on client relations and growth opportunities. (Note: this article was originally published last month in HedgeWeek.)

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

New Fund Launches

2011-07-13T10:53:00.003-05:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Derwent Capital Markets

Global Forestry Growth Fund LFP

KBD Relative Value Plus program

Mayar Fund Ltd

From the July 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

The Market Timing Skills of Hedge Funds During the Financial Crisis

2011-07-13T10:46:00.006-05:00

By Arnaud Cavé, Dept. of Finance, HEC Management School — University of Liège, Georges Hübner, the Deloitte Chair of Portfolio Management and Performance, HEC Management School — University of Liège, and Danielle Sougné, the KBL Chair in Fund Industry, HEC Management School — University of Liège

Their paper studies the skills of three categories of hedge funds regarding their ability to time the market.

Download the full article here. From the July 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

May Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-07-13T10:39:00.003-05:00

Hedge fund performance was less than stellar in May exhibited by losses in fourteen of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 2,778 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a May return is -0.88%. The estimates for June, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 14 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing negative returns for June.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for May as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged -2.54%. June's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is -1.09%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the July 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - June Survey

2011-07-11T13:52:00.006-05:00

The topical study from the July 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Hedge fund managers have turned bearish on U.S. equities. About 38% of the 87 managers we surveyed in the past week are bearish on the S&P 500, up from 29% in May, while 27% are bullish, down from 30%.

The equity futures positions of speculative traders confirm the gloom. Spec traders were net sellers of S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures in each of the past six weeks. But the selling has been light by historical standards, which suggests that many traders want to see more serious damage (the S&P and the Dow have not broken below their 200-day averages) before putting on bear market trades. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the June 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

Hedge Funds Take in $8.1 Billion in May, Fifth Straight Inflow. Year-to-Date Inflow of $75.0 Billion Marks Heaviest Since 2007.

2011-07-11T09:35:00.005-05:00

New York, NY – July 11, 2011 – The hedge fund industry posted an inflow of $8.1 billion (0.5% of assets) in May 2011, report BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. The inflow marks the fifth straight as well as the seventh in eight months. Industry assets remain unchanged at $1.79 trillion, just below the highest level since October 2008.

“Hedge fund investors have been pouring money into funds,” explains Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “The industry hauled in $75.0 billion in the first five months of 2011, which marks the heaviest such inflow since 2007. Performance, however, has hardly been stellar. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index shows a year-to-date return of just 2.1% through May, and many managers are in the red for the year.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Fund Managers Turn Bearish on U.S. Equities, According to Survey

2011-07-05T11:19:00.006-05:00

New York, NY – July 5, 2011 – Hedge fund managers have turned bearish on U.S. equities, according to TrimTabs Investment Research and BarclayHedge. About 38% of the 87 hedge fund managers the firms surveyed are bearish on the S&P 500, up from 29% in May and the highest share since February. Only 27% of managers are bullish, down from 30% in May.

“Downbeat views on domestic stocks characterized the first half of 2011,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “Hedge fund managers were net bearish on the S&P 500 in four of the first six months of the year. The grim mood coincides with weak performance. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index shows a year-to-date return of just 1.8% after increasing 10.9% in 2010.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Managed Futures Fall 2.06% in May; Diversified Traders Give Back 3.38%

2011-06-24T15:43:00.001-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, June 14, 2011– Managed futures lost 2.06% in May according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Barclay CTA Index is up 0.19%.

“An increase in margin requirements aimed at curbing speculation in silver futures was the first of several shoes to drop in May,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Funds Retreat 1.13%in May; Emerging Markets Index Falls 4.08%

2011-06-24T15:40:00.003-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, June 13, 2011 – Hedge funds gave back 1.13% in May according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index remains up 1.87%.

“After eight months of steady gains, the Barclay Hedge Fund Index fell back in May,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Fund Industry Posts Heavy Inflow of $17.5 Billion in April 2011; Industry Assets Increase to $1.8 Trillion, Highest Level Since October 2008

2011-06-24T15:35:00.005-05:00

New York, NY – June 6, 2011 – The hedge fund industry pulled in a heavy $17.5 billion (1.0% of assets) in April 2011, the fourth straight inflow, report TrimTabs Investment Research and BarclayHedge. Industry assets increased to $1.8 trillion, the highest level since October 2008.

“Flows are doubtless following performance,” says Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “The Barclay Hedge Fund Index posted a positive return in each of the eight months ended April, and investors of all stripes are prone to chase a winning streak.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

New Fund Launches

2011-06-24T15:28:00.004-05:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Aliquot Precious Metals UCITS Fund

AlphaClone LLC

From the June 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

QIF – The Original IF Fund

2011-06-24T15:23:00.007-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

This month article by Dermot Butler is the third in a series of three articles that discuss the EU ‘IF’ funds. In his paper, Dermot highlights the attractive features and distinctions of the Irish IF Fund – the QIF (Qualifying Investor Fund).

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

Programmed Obsolescence: The Generic Paradigm in Quantitative Equity Investing and Why It's in Trouble

2011-06-24T15:18:00.006-05:00

By Tony Foley, Chief Investment Officer, D.E. Shaw Investment Management

In his paper, Foley examines the challenges facing quant managers today and argues that the generic approach — valuation and momentum alpha forecasts, highly standardized and often commercially available risk models, and mean-variance portfolio optimization tools — he’s termed the “generic paradigm,” has become vulnerable to competitive pressures and changes in the nature of global equity trading.

Download the full article here. From the June 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

April Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-06-24T15:14:00.003-05:00

Hedge fund performance was positive in April reflected by gains in sixteen of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 3,090 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported an April return is +1.17%. The estimates for May, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 13 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing negative returns for May.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for April as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged +2.90%. May's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is -2.50%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the June 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - May Survey

2011-06-02T16:23:00.016-05:00

The topical study from the June 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Hedge fund managers have turned neutral on U.S. equities. About 30% of the 76 managers we surveyed in the past week are bullish on the S&P 500, up from 23% in April, while 29% are bullish, down from 34%. Note that a majority of managers were bearish in each of the previous three months.

The equity futures positions of speculative traders are perfectly balanced, which also suggests neutral sentiment. Additionally, the beta of the hedge fund industry - a measure of the industry’s exposure to equities - is in-line with historical averages.

Managers could behave much more aggressively in the coming months. About 34% plan to lever up • in the near term, while only 8% aim to decrease leverage, the smallest share since the inception of our survey a year ago. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the June 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report.

Managed Futures Gain 2.55% in April; Diversified Traders Advance 3.46%

2011-05-17T11:24:00.003-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, May 17, 2011– Managed futures gained 2.55% in April according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Barclay CTA Index is up 2.07%.

“Investor zeal for risk was demonstrated again in April as prices for equities, non-US currencies, and commodities moved higher,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge. “A weakening US dollar and demand from Asia were driving factors.”

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd Announces Phase Two of the Chariot Web Dealing Platform

2011-05-16T10:42:00.010-05:00

Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd. is pleased to announce the Phase Two launch of the CHARIOT Web Dealing platform which breaks new ground in hedge fund administration practices.

Developed in partnership with Comada, an industry leader in financial technology, the CHARIOT Web Dealing Platform uses cutting edge technology to allow qualified investors to deal online into funds administered by Custom House. The facility is designed to increase efficiency in the subscription and/or redemption process saving vital time and, importantly, virtually eliminating the risk of trading error. The combination of best in breed technology coupled with Custom House’s rigorous internal controls has created a platform which is easy to use while also being safe and completely secure.

Read the entire press release here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
Receive a free issue of the latest Barclay Managed Funds Report when you visit Custom House. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

New Fund Launches

2011-05-16T10:14:00.002-05:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

Act II Specialist Equities Fund

HFT Capital Evolution Growth Fund

PV Buyback USA Fund

From the May 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Fund Administrator

2011-05-16T10:10:00.006-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

Butler discusses the many factors a fund manager needs to take into account when establishing a new fund and how choosing the right fund administrator can help.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
When you visit Custom House, Barclay's latest Premier Partner, you'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

Crisis Alpha and Risk in Alternative Investment Strategies

2011-05-16T10:02:00.007-05:00

By Kathryn M. Kaminski, Sr. Investment Analyst, RPM Risk & Portfolio Management and Alexander Mende, Sr. Investment Analyst, RPM Risk & Portfolio Management AB

By taking a closer look into times when markets are stressed or in crisis (often called “tail risk” events), this investment primer will explain how some Alternative Investment strategies provide crisis alpha opportunities while others suffer substantial losses during times of market stress.

Download the full article here. From the May 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

March Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-05-16T10:00:00.001-05:00

Hedge fund performance slipped in March reflected by gains in just ten of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 3,100 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a March return is +0.29%. The estimates for April, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 16 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing positive returns for April.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for March as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged +0.99%. April's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is +2.21%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the May 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Hedge Funds Gain 1.32% in April; Healthcare & Biotechnology Index Up 3.45%

2011-05-16T09:11:00.003-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, May 16, 2011 – Hedge funds gained 1.32% in April according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date the Index is up 3.24%.

“Higher prices for equities and bonds in April provided an accommodating environment for most hedge fund strategies,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Funds Post Inflow of $15.7 Billion (0.9% of Assets) in March; Investors Favor Emerging Markets and Fixed Income Funds

2011-05-09T10:22:00.004-05:00

New York, NY – May 9, 2011 – The hedge fund industry posted an inflow of $15.7 billion (0.9% of assets) in March 2011, report BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. The inflow marks the third straight as well as the seventh in eight months. Industry assets rose to $1.8 trillion, the highest level since October 2008.

“We expect recent strength to persist in light of a particularly kind landscape,” explains Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “Seasonality works in favor of the industry through June, high commodity prices leave sovereign wealth funds with a lot of cash to invest, and returns have been strong. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index boasts a positive return in each of the seven months through March.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Fund Administrator

2011-04-29T16:38:00.004-05:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

In this month's paper Dermot Butler discusses the many factors a fund manager needs to take into account when establishing a new fund and how choosing the right fund administrator can help.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
You'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report when you visit Custom House. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

Managed Futures Lose 0.91% in March; World Events Create Turmoil in Futures Markets

2011-04-19T14:38:00.002-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, April 19, 2011– Managed futures lost 0.91% in March according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Barclay CTA Index is down 0.39%.

“Perilous crosscurrents wrought by devastation in Japan, unrest in the Middle East, and higher headline inflation generated turmoil in futures markets,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Barclay Hedge Fund Index Up 0.35% in March; Emerging Markets Index Jumps 2.30%

2011-04-18T15:10:00.002-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, April 18, 2011 – Hedge funds gained 0.35% in March according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. Year-to-date, the Index is up 1.95%.

“The earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan, increasing turmoil in the Middle East, and the outlook for higher interest rates in the future helped to drive stock and bond prices lower in developed nations,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

Trends in Alternative Investment Regulation - Key Issues for Swiss Managers

2011-04-15T16:29:00.004-05:00

SwissAnalytics' most recent white paper examines the composition of the Swiss alternative investment market, focusing on single manager hedge funds and funds of funds.

In doing so, several features of the increasingly politicized European funds market and their repercussions on different types of fund-management structures are highlighted.

Read the full study here.

Hedge Fund Due Diligence Reports

BarclayHedge and SwissAnalytics have teamed up to offer hedge fund and CTA due diligence. As a BarclayHedge member, you receive an ongoing $500 discount on "Silver" Due Diligence reports and an exclusive 10% discount on your first "Gold" or "Ops" Due Diligence Report from SwissAnalytics.

SwissAnalytics conducts due diligence on the entire range of alternative investment strategies and managers located anywhere in the world in a timely and cost-effective manner. Services are currently offered along three core lines: "Silver"-, "Gold"-, and "Ops"-Due Diligence.

To download a sample "Silver" Due Diligence Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Were Bank Bailouts Effective During the 2007-2009 Financial Crisis?

2011-04-15T16:17:00.012-05:00

By Robert W. Faff, University of Queensland; Jerry T. Parwada and Kian M. Tan, University of New South Wales

Using the hedge fund industry as their laboratory, this paper examines whether bank bailout programs initiated in seven countries during the 2007-2009 global financial crisis reduced contagion risk in the financial system.

Download the full article here. From the April 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

February Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-04-15T16:12:00.002-05:00

Hedge funds had a positive month in February reflected by gains in sixteen of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 3,071 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a February return is +1.14%. The estimates for March, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 12 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing positive returns for March.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for February as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged +1.04%. March's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is -1.59%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the April 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - March Survey

2011-04-15T14:20:00.009-05:00

The topical study from the April 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Hedge fund managers remain bearish on U.S. equities, albeit less so than in February. About 36% of the 77 managers we surveyed are bearish on the S&P 500, down from 40% last month, while only 28% are bullish, up from 26%.

Overall bearish sentiment notwithstanding, hedge fund managers are not willing to bet big against U.S. equities. NYSE short interest decreased 73 million shares to about 3.3% of shares outstanding in the first half of March. Short interest sits at its lowest level since November 2007.

Hedge fund managers are not willing to cut back on risk. About 18% aim to lever up in the next month, while 14% plan to decrease leverage. Managers reported an interest in increasing leverage in each of our past 10 surveys and NYSE margin debt increased in each of the past eight months . . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free. From the April 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. The Hedge Fund Flow Report combines the accuracy of the BarclayHedge database with the analytical insight of TrimTabs Investment Research. The report is generated by TrimTabs Investment Research using the most current data on thousands of hedge funds. An annual subscription includes 12 monthly updates as well as a spreadsheet containing historical flow aggregates by category. To download a free sample of the entire TrimTabs Hedge Fund Flow Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Hedge Funds Haul in $34.9 Billion (2.0% of Assets) in February, Heaviest Inflow on Record

2011-04-11T10:30:00.003-05:00

New York, NY – April 11, 2011 – The hedge fund industry raked in $34.9 billion (2.0% of assets) in February 2011, the heaviest inflow on record, reports BarclayHedge and TrimTabs Investment Research. Industry assets stand at $1.73 trillion, the highest level since October 2008.

“Flows are doubtless following performance,” explains Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “The Barclay Hedge Fund Index posted an increase in each of the past seven months, and it didn’t hurt that February is historically the best month of the year for new hedge fund subscriptions. Meanwhile, public pension plans — many of which are underfunded — are devoting much more capital to the hedge fund space.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Fund Managers Bearish on U.S. Equities and Treasuries According to Survey

2011-04-05T10:27:00.005-05:00

New York, NY – April 5, 2011 – Hedge fund managers remain bearish on U.S. equities, according to the TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers for March. About 36% of the 77 hedge fund managers the firms surveyed in the past week are bearish on the S&P 500, down from 40% in February, while 28% are bullish, up from 26%.

“While hedge fund managers remain bearish, hedge fund investors are showering them with fresh cash,” said Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “Hedge funds posted the heaviest inflow on record in February, which probably owes in part to superior performance. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index has posted a positive return for seven straight months.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Barclay CTA Index Up 0.96% in February; Diversified Traders Gain 1.56%

2011-03-17T11:35:00.003-05:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, March 17, 2011– Managed futures gained 0.96% in February according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge.

“Geopolitical upheaval in the Middle East, rising commodity prices, and an on-going rally in equity markets were the main drivers of CTA returns in February,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Hedge Funds Post Inflow of $2.9 Billion (0.2% of Assets) in January 2011, Sixth Inflow in Seven Months

2011-03-14T15:17:00.003-05:00

New York, NY – March 14, 2011 – TrimTabs Investment Research and BarclayHedge report that the hedge fund industry posted an estimated inflow of $2.9 billion (0.2% of assets) in January 2011, the sixth straight inflow.

“This inflow is very bullish for the industry because January typically delivers a heavy redemption related to year-end,” said Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. “Additionally, February is historically a strong month for new fund subscriptions, and our preliminary data suggests the industry took in as much as $10.0 billion last month.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Barclay Hedge Fund Index Gains 1.18% in February; Hedge Funds Are Up Six Months in a Row

2011-03-11T13:31:00.004-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, March 10, 2011– Hedge funds gained 1.18% in February according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. The Index is up 1.65% year-to-date.

“In the face of Mideast political turmoil and rising commodity prices, the rally in developed market equity prices extended to a sixth consecutive month,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.

New Fund Launches

2011-03-11T13:18:00.002-06:00

To see a complete list of the latest hedge funds, fund of funds and CTAs that have launched recently or will be launching soon click here. Fund Managers who would like to see their new fund listed on Barclay’s website and featured in the next Insider Report, can submit new fund launch press releases directly to rmiller@barclayhedge.com. Below is a list of recent fund launches:

AlgoMetrix Diversified Alpha I Futures

Pardo Strategic Alpha Fund

The Global Equity Alpha Fund

From the March 2011 issue of the BarclayHedge Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Why the Maltese PIF?

2011-03-11T13:13:00.003-06:00

By Dermot Butler, Chairman of Custom House Global Funds Services Ltd.

The second in a series of three articles that discusses the EU ‘IF’ funds. In his paper, Dermot highlights the attractive features and distinctions of the Maltese PIF Fund.

Read the full study here.

Premier Partners - Custom House
You'll receive a FREE issue of the Barclay Managed Funds Report when you visit Custom House. We also encourage you to visit the websites of our other Premier Partners.

January Hedge Fund and CTA Performance

2011-03-10T16:38:00.003-06:00

Hedge funds had a positive month in January reflected by gains in fourteen of our eighteen indices. The average return for the 3,098 hedge funds (ex. FoFs) that have so far reported a January return is +0.47%. The estimates for February, along with the number of funds reporting for each of our 18 sectors can be found at the link below. These indices are being continually updated as current returns for the underlying hedge funds are recorded into our system. As of this writing, 16 of 18 hedge fund sectors are showing positive returns for February.

Commodity Trading Advisor performance for January as measured by the Barclay CTA Index averaged -0.01%. February's estimate based on the performance of the Barclay BTOP50 Index is +0.38%.

Hedge Fund Indices Managed Futures Indices

From the March 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

The Business of Running a Hedge Fund - Best Practices for Getting to the "Green Zone"

2011-03-10T16:22:00.004-06:00

By Aaron Vermut, Ron Suber, and Patrick McCurdy of Merlin Securities

Merlin's latest white paper examines the hedge fund business model and aims to share the best practices among "green zone" hedge funds that are well positioned for sustainability across a variety of economic and market conditions.

Download the full article here.

From the March 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

Portfolio Construction Technique: Overlay/Underlay Alternatives Blend

2011-03-10T15:58:00.006-06:00

By Ranjan Bhaduri, PhD, Chief Research Officer, AlphaMetrix Alternative Investment Advisors

In his paper, Bhaduri demonstrates that invoking an overlay/underlay of CTAs and hedge funds is better than investing in either CTAs and hedge funds alone. Different nuances of how to blend hedge funds with CTAs are explored.

Download the full article here.

From the March 2011 issue of Barclay's Insider Report. Accredited investors can subscribe to the full newsletter for free.

TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers - February Survey

2011-03-10T14:07:00.006-06:00

The topical study from the March 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. Gain insight into industry trends and hedge fund asset flows before you make your next important decision.

Hedge fund managers have turned bearish on U.S. equities. About 40% of the 89 managers we surveyed in the past week are bearish on the S&P 500, up from 26% in January, while only 26% are bullish, down from 37%. Bullish sentiment less bearish sentiment is negative for the first time since November. Note that most respondents completed the survey on Tuesday, February 22 when the S&P 500 sank 2.1%.

Historical data does not suggest that the three-month rally will lead to a correction. The Dow Jones posted 79 three-month win streaks in the past 74 years, and the index generally increased in the following months.

Short interest data confirms the bearish turn in sentiment. NYSE short interest increased 2.8% (353 million shares) in the first half of February, the largest increase since August 2010. Short bets are concentrated in Consumer Discretionary and Materials, two of the most economically sensitive sectors. . .

Accredited investors can read the entire article for free.

From the March 2011 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. The Hedge Fund Flow Report combines the accuracy of the BarclayHedge database with the analytical insight of TrimTabs Investment Research. The report is generated by TrimTabs Investment Research using the most current data on thousands of hedge funds. An annual subscription includes 12 monthly updates as well as a spreadsheet containing historical flow aggregates by category.

To download a free sample of the entire TrimTabs Hedge Fund Flow Report, simply fill out this short request form.

Hedge Fund Managers Turn Bearish on U.S. Equities According to Survey

2011-03-07T11:20:00.003-06:00

New York, NY – March 7, 2011 – Hedge fund managers have turned bearish on U.S. equities, according to the TrimTabs/BarclayHedge Survey of Hedge Fund Managers for February. About 40% of the 89 hedge fund managers the firms surveyed in the past week are bearish on the S&P 500, up sharply from 26% in January, while only 26% are bullish, down from 37%.

“Bullish sentiment less bearish sentiment is negative for the first time since November,” said Sol Waksman, founder and President of BarclayHedge. Increased caution might owe in part to excellent recent performance. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index has posted a positive return for six straight months.”

Read the entire TrimTabs Asset Flows into Hedge Funds Press Release by clicking here.

Barclay CTA Index Down 0.41% in January; Most CTAs Start 2011 in the Red

2011-02-16T11:02:00.005-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, February 16, 2011– Managed futures started the year with a 0.41% loss in January according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge.

“The chief drivers of CTA performance in January were an improving economic outlook and geo-political uncertainty in the Middle East,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Managed Futures Press Release by clicking here.

Barclay Hedge Fund Index Up 0.52% in January

2011-02-15T10:42:00.001-06:00

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, February 15, 2011– Hedge funds gained 0.52% in January according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge.

“Equity markets in the USA and across Europe continued to rally for a fifth consecutive month,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.

Read the entire Hedge Fund Press Release by clicking here.