Bridgewater Associates has raised over $800 million for a new hedge fund strategy designed to protect investments during equity bear markets by generating returns negatively correlated to equities, according to a report by Reuters.

Bridgewater Associates has raised over $800 million for a new hedge fund strategy designed to protect investments during equity bear markets by generating returns negatively correlated to equities, according to a report by Reuters.

The report cites analysis conducted by alternative funds data specialist Convergence Inc at Reuters request, as revealing that regulatory filings at the end of October showed that the new 'Defensive Alpha' strategy launched in July last year, and that two fund vehicles bearing that name have subsequently attracted $836.4 million from investors.

According to an unnamed Reuters source Bridgewater initially offered the strategy to a limited set of clients including seed investors, but is now making it available to a wider spread of investors.