
Executive summary
Market context
Risk assets generated positive performance in April. The outsized results were primarily a function of the announced ceasefire in the Middle East, as well as the continued earnings and capital expenditure growth in the corporate space, especially from the mega tech and AI companies. Solid macroeconomic data was also supportive of asset prices, as uncertainty related to the war has yet to restrict growth. US equities: Dow Jones 7.14%, S&P 500 10.42%, NASDAQ 15.29%. Europe: MSCI Europe 4.63, FTSE 2.43%, and DAX 7.33%. Asia: Nikkei 225 16.10%. Emerging Markets: Brazil -0.08%, China 5.66%. Rates/credit: US 2Y at 3.88% (from 3.79%) and the US 10Y at 4.39% (from 4.30%). Barclays US IG 0.45% and HY 1.69%. Commodities/FX: Gold -1.00%; oil +12.80%. The euro rose 1.51% (1.1558 → 1.1733), while the USD fell 1.52% versus the JPY (159.10→ 156.68).
Hedge fund highlights
Equity Hedge: Equity Hedged strategies rebounded strongly in April, driven by renewed risk-taking in technology and momentum stocks, positive fund flows, and strong Asian market performance. US and European managers saw gains, with technology, AI, and biotech leading. Risks remained from potential Middle East supply disruptions.
Relative Value / Event Driven: Relative Value strategies performed well in April, with quantitative equity and convertible bond strategies leading gains. Fixed income rebounded as volatility eased, and agency MBS remained positive.
Credit / Income: Credit/Income strategies posted slight gains in April, supported by long positions in corporate long/short strategies and positive carry from asset-backed, agency, and short-duration private credit, despite modest weakness in interest rate markets.
Trading / Macro: Trading strategies performed well in April, driven by gains in equity trading, interest rates, and energy commodities. Commodity managers benefited from rare earth and energy exposure.
Key takeaways for allocator
Geopolitical optimism drove risk asset gains: The Middle East ceasefire and strong corporate earnings, especially in tech and AI, fueled broad market rebounds and improved sentiment.
Equity hedge strategies benefited from tech and momentum: Hedge funds regained risk, with technology and momentum exposures leading. US and Asian equities outperformed, while Europe lagged due to lower growth and tech drivers.
Relative value strategies rewarded selectivity: Quantitative equity, convertible bonds, and fixed income RV performed well.
Credit/income strategies saw modest gains: Long-biased corporate and carry-focused credit strategies contributed, despite weaker interest rate markets.
Trading and diversifiers added resilience: Macro and commodity trading, especially in energy and rare earths, delivered positive returns.
Performance snapshot (in %)
Index | 26-Apr | 26-Mar | 26-Feb | QTD | YTD | 1Y Annualized Return | 3Y Annualized Return | 5Y Annualized Return | 10Y Annualized Return | 10Y Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI World Total Return - Net USD | 9.59 | -6.37 | 0.73 | 9.59 | 5.68 | 29.16 | 19.7 | 11.29 | 12.65 | 14.85 |
FTSE US Broad Investment-Grade Bond Index | 0.18 | -1.85 | 1.66 | 0.18 | 0.1 | 4.11 | 3.48 | 0.14 | 1.68 | 5.11 |
Barclays Global High Yield Index | 2.58 | -2.47 | 0.2 | 2.58 | 1.23 | 10.44 | 10.81 | 4.29 | 5.37 | 8.23 |
Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return | 4.21 | 11.5 | 1.1 | 4.21 | 29.65 | 44.82 | 15.75 | 13.17 | 7.58 | 13.55 |
ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 3-month T-Bill Total Return Index (G0O1) | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 1.14 | 3.95 | 4.73 | 3.4 | 2.28 | 2.02 |
HFRI Fund of Funds Composite Index | 4 | -2.17 | 1.12 | 4 | 4.76 | 15.96 | 9.86 | 5.19 | 5.58 | 5.04 |
HFRI Equity Hedge (Total) Index | 7.32 | -4.33 | 1.5 | 7.32 | 6.79 | 26.27 | 14.9 | 7.31 | 8.85 | 8.93 |
HFRI Event-Driven (Total) Index | 5.22 | -1.42 | 0.14 | 5.22 | 4.75 | 17.09 | 11.59 | 6.63 | 7.42 | 7.06 |
HFRI ED: Credit Arbitrage Index | 3.29 | -4.95 | -0.94 | 3.29 | 1.83 | 9.17 | 9.36 | 5.46 | 6.56 | 6.67 |
HFRI Macro (Total) Index | 1.84 | -2.35 | 2.68 | 1.84 | 6.69 | 16.82 | 6.88 | 5.63 | 4.39 | 5.07 |
HFRI Macro: Systematic Diversified Index | 2.33 | -1.42 | 3.36 | 2.33 | 9.95 | 17.75 | 3.93 | 3.74 | 2.68 | 7.71 |
HFRI Relative Value (Total) Index | 1.76 | -0.68 | 0.76 | 1.76 | 3.47 | 9.51 | 8.34 | 5.61 | 5.46 | 4.22 |
Strategy performance
Monthly hedge fund review
Overall market commentary
April was a broadly positive month for the UGA – HF platform. Most strategies contributed positively to performance, which was a sharp reversal from the broad based weakness witnessed in March. The rebound was driven primarily by optimism around the ceasefire deal between the US and Iran. Additionally, a robust earnings season and generally constructive macroeconomic data supported the notion that the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East would have a limited impact on global growth. Investor sentiment appeared increasingly focused on underlying fundamentals and forward-looking earning guidance. Asia and US equities outperformed Europe, consistent with the technology / AI leadership. Overall investor sentiment improved over the period as several market indices approached or set new all-time highs.
Equity Hedged
HFRI Equity Hedge Total Index:
MTD 7.32% / QTD 7.32% / YTD 6.79%
MTD 7.32% / QTD 7.32% / YTD 6.79%
Equity Hedged strategies were significantly positive in April. Following the sharp drawdown in March, hedge funds generally scaled back into risk, with a particular focus on core ideas largely centered in technology and momentum exposures. The negotiations post ceasefire in the Middle East allowed market participants to look towards the start of earnings season, while flow of funds became increasingly positive. Asian markets outperformed again amid supportive price action and improved forward earnings expectations. Korea and Japan were notable outperformers, while Chinese markets posted solid gains. While our exposure in this region was limited, it was impactful to portfolios where it was held. European managers also generated positive returns but tended to lag other regions due to lower growth potential, fewer technology and AI drivers, and greater vulnerability to supply shocks. US managers produced broad based gains across the platform, with results favoring those managers that were able to retain their net long bias during the market correction in March. Sector leaders for the platform included technology / AI and biotech, where there tended to be some early visibility around 2027 capital expenditures.
Forward looking earnings revisions for 2027 were also a catalyst for price appreciation. In terms of flows, systematic platforms bought back about half of what they have sold year-to-date. Pension-related equity supply has largely run its course, removing a headwind. Retail flows continued unbated with strong buying throughout the month.
Relative Value
HFRI Relative Value Total Index:
MTD 1.76% / QTD 1.76% / YTD 3.47%
MTD 1.76% / QTD 1.76% / YTD 3.47%
Relative Value strategies delivered positive performance in April. Quantitative equity strategies, the lone bright spot in March, delivered positive results again in April. Convertible bond strategies were also positive, driven by a strong issuance climate and positive credit landscape. Fixed income relative value strategies rebounded as interest rate volatility eased and macro themes were accretive. Agency MBS strategies have performed well where carry income was featured amid limited prepayments and only modest moves in the mortgage basis.
Credit / Income
HFRI ED: Credit Arbitrage Index
MTD 3.29% / QTD 3.29% / YTD 1.83%
MTD 3.29% / QTD 3.29% / YTD 1.83%
Credit / Income strategies were slightly positive in April. Interest rate markets were modestly weaker in line with some retreat in US Treasury yields. The moves in interest rates paled in comparison to the move in equities. Traditional corporate long / short strategies contributed to positive performance where long positions drove results. Carry themes across asset-backed, agency and short duration private credit sub-strategies were also accretive.
Trading
HFRI Macro Total Index:
MTD 1.84% / QTD 1.84% / YTD 6.69%
MTD 1.84% / QTD 1.84% / YTD 6.69%
Trading strategies were broadly positive in April. Both developed and emerging market macro strategies were supported by equity trading, long-biased interest rate exposure, carry and long-biased exposure to energy related commodities. Dedicated commodity managers produced overall positive returns as long-biased exposure to rare earth metals as well as length to the energy complex produced gains.
Endnotes
Archive
HFS Bulletin
- Monthly hedge fund update – March 2026
- Monthly hedge fund update – February 2026
- Monthly hedge fund update – January 2026
- Monthly hedge fund update – December 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – November 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – October 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – September 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – August 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – July 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – June 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – May 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – April 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – March 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – February 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – January 2025
- Monthly hedge fund update – December 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – November 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – September 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – August 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – July 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – June 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – May 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – April 2024
- Monthly hedge fund update – March 2024
