Emerging Markets (EM) hedge funds, led by funds investing in India, Russia, China, and the Middle East, extended strong gains through mid-year 2021 as EM hedge fund capital eclipsed another record, with performance again topping gains in EM regional equity markets and complemented by volatile cryptocurrencies.
The HFRI Emerging Markets (Total) Index has returned +8.1 per cent YTD 2021 through July, led by the HFRI Emerging Markets: India Index, which surged +33.3 per cent, while the HFRI Emerging Markets: Russia/Eastern Europe Index vaulted +16.3 per cent YTD, as reported today with the releases of the HFR Asian Hedge Fund Industry Report and the HFR Emerging Markets Hedge Fund Industry Report from HFR. The investable HFRI 500 Fund Weighted Composite Index, which includes funds across all regions in both Emerging and Developed markets, has gained +8.8 per cent YTD 2021 through July.
Total Emerging Markets hedge fund assets increased to a record of USD273.7 billion to end 2Q21, representing an increase of USD8.87 billion over the prior quarter and USD17.0 billion since year end 2020.
While EM hedge fund performance was led by India and Russia, other EM regions also posted strong performance. The HFRI MENA Index jumped +11.0 per cent through July while the HFRI EM: China Index added +7.0 per cent YTD 2021, topping the performance of the Chinese equities. The HFRI EM: Latin America Index posted a modest gain of +1.1 per cent YTD through July, though still topping the moderate decline of Brazilian equities.
Hedge funds across EM regions including Korea, Russia, China, and the Middle East (as well as Japan) have become increasingly active in cryptocurrency trading. Despite recent volatility, the HFR Cryptocurrency Index has surged +174 per cent YTD 2021 through July, though paring gains in recent months as many currencies fell sharply from record highs.
Total capital invested in Asian hedge funds increased to a new record of USD138.5 billion to end 2Q21, representing an increase of USD5.9 billion over the prior quarter and USD12.6 billion since year end 2020.
“Emerging Markets hedge funds performance and capital extended to 2021 surge as the global economy reopening progressed through mid-year, albeit with complications from new virus variants. Inflationary pressures remain present across both EM and developed markets, with EM hedge fund performance topping the performance of most respective EM regions. Once again, hedge funds across both EM and Japan have continued to increased exposure to cryptocurrencies, mirroring expansion of consumer adoption and usage of cryptocurrencies in EM regions,” says Kenneth J Heinz, President of HFR. “Leading global institutions and investors extended their increases exposures to EM and Cryptocurrency hedge funds, positioning for continuation of powerful and favourable EM and cryptocurrency trends through H2 20221.”
