The managed futures industry reversed course in February, turning from January’s gains into negative monthly territory losing 0.22 per cent, according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. 

The Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index registered its strongest outperformance relative to underlying markets since February 2009, outperforming the MSCI AC World Index by 6.11 per cent in February. Long volatility and tail risk hedge funds led the performance tables in February and have outshined most other strategies as market volatility level remained elevated during the month.

Hedge fund losses picked up in February with the industry down 2.81 per cent for the month, according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. By comparison, the S&P Total Return Index was down 8.2 per cent for the month.

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index, which provides a representative baseline for how the broad liquid alternative investment category performs, returned -1.99 per cent in February, underperforming the -1.44 per cent monthly return of the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index. 

The gross return of the SS&C GlobeOp Hedge Fund Performance Index measured -0.42 per cent for February 2020.

The Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index returned 8.67 per cent in 2019, supported by the risk-on sentiment among investors and positive geopolitical developments throughout the year. 

The gross return of the SS&C GlobeOp Hedge Fund Performance Index for January 2020 measured -0.22 per cent.

The Wilshire Liquid Alternative Index, which provides a representative baseline for how the broad liquid alternative investment category performs, returned -0.31 per cent in January, underperforming the 0.41 per cent monthly return of the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index. 

The managed futures industry stepped into 2020 on a positive note with a 0.51 per cent return in January, according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. It was the third consecutive profitable month for CTAs.

Continuing the positive run from 2019, CTAs kicked off 2020 with all Societe Generale CTA indices in positive territory and the SG CTA Index closing the month at 0.83 per cent. Performance was led by the Short-Term Traders Index, which ended the month up 2.61 per cent.