UCITS HFRU Indices: Mid-January Performance Update

Global financial markets posted mixed performance to begin 2014, as the expectations for continued US economic improvement remained robust, with both Gold and the US Dollar gaining to begin the year, despite the weak employment report. Global equity markets were also mixed, with European gains offsetting Asian and Emerging Market declines while US equities differed across sectors and market caps. European gains were led by strong gains in Italy and Spain, while Switzerland, Germany and the UK also posted gains; China led declines across Asia, with additional declines across Korea, Japan & Australia. US equities were led by Biotechnology, REITs, Healthcare and Commodity sensitive, which were partially offset by declines in Energy and Retail. The US Dollar gained against the British Pound Sterling and Euro to start the year, despite declining against the Japanese Yen. Yields declined across developed markets including the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Japan, with the US curve flattening on gains in long dated maturities, while high yield and investment grade credit tightened. Metals gained led by Gold, Platinum and Silver, while Oil and Energy Commodities declined. Sugar and Wheat led agricultural commodity declines, only partially offset by Cattle and Cocoa. UCITS compliant Hedge funds posted gains, with the HFRU Hedge Fund Composite Index gaining +0.82% through mid-January.

HFRU Equity Hedge Index posted a gain of +1.39% through mid-January, with positive contributions from Global Healthcare, European and MENA equities offset by declines in exposures to Brazil and China.

HFRU Event Driven Index posted a gain of +0.73% through mid-January, with contributions from European Equity Special Situations and Emerging Markets Fixed Income strategies, while Merger Arbitrage managers had mixed performance and Asian exposure experienced declines.

HFRU Macro Index posted a gain of +0.18% through mid-January, with performance from Commodity – Precious Metals and Systematic Fixed Income strategies, partially offset by declines in discretionary macro managers.

HFRU Relative Value Arbitrage Index posted a gain of +0.66% through mid-January, with gains in Global Convertible, Fixed Income and Real Estate strategies, offset by declines in Volatility managers.

Comments reflect performance figures as of January 15, 2014.

 

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