Several hedge funds managed by multi-strat major Citadel delivered positive returns in February, outperforming the broader equity market during a volatile month marked by macro uncertainty and sharp swings in AI-linked stocks, according to a report by CNBC.
The report cites an unnamed person familiar with the figures as revealing that the firm’s flagship Wellington multi-strategy fund rose 1.9% over the month, taking its year-to-date gain to 2.9%. Returns were broad-based, with all five of Citadel’s core strategies — commodities, equities, fixed income, credit and quantitative — finishing the month in positive territory.
Citadel’s tactical trading fund advanced 1.5% in February, lifting its 2026 return to 3.5%. The equities fund gained 1.0% for the month and is now up 2.2% year to date, while the global fixed-income fund climbed 1.6% in February, bringing its gain for the year to 2.9%.
By contrast, the S&P 500 fell 0.9% over the month, as renewed selling pressure in artificial intelligence and software stocks weighed on sentiment. Concerns that automation could disrupt established business models and lead to job losses have unsettled investors, adding to market volatility.
Markets also came under renewed pressure following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which drove oil prices higher and added to geopolitical uncertainty.
