Short-selling activity in UK-listed companies reached record levels during the first half of 2026, with hedge funds expanding their focus beyond small-cap stocks to target larger companies across multiple sectors, according to new research from law firm White & Case.
Escalating conflict between the US and Iran has pushed crude prices towards their strongest weekly performance since April, creating fresh opportunities—and risks—for commodity-focused hedge funds as concerns mount over disruptions to global energy supplies, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Morgan Stanley believes the evolving artificial intelligence investment cycle, increasing market dispersion and diverging central bank policies are creating a supportive backdrop for specialist hedge fund strategies through the remainder of 2026.
Global hedge funds significantly increased short positions against manufacturing companies in June as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East fuelled concerns over supply chain disruption and rising input costs, according to a report by Reuters citing new securities finance
Citigroup is advising hedge fund clients to take short positions in bonds issued by French shipping group CMA CGM, arguing that the recent rally in the company’s debt may prove difficult to sustain as additional container shipping capacity enters the
Credit-focused hedge fund Carronade Capital Management is set to close its flagship fund to new investors at the end of 2026 after assets under management climbed to approximately $3.7bn, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Hedge funds faced another bout of volatility on Friday as a broad sell-off in artificial intelligence-linked stocks spread across global equity markets, prompting investors to unwind some of the year’s most crowded technology trades, according to a report by the
Hedge fund manager Sculptor Capital Management has reduced risk across most of its investment strategies after delivering a net return of 7.9% for the year to date, citing growing signs of stress in financial markets despite retaining confidence in long-term
Wall Street’s largest investment banks are enjoying record revenues from their prime brokerage businesses as elevated market volatility, strong hedge fund performance and growing demand for financing continue to fuel client activity, according to a report by Reuters.
Hedge funds maintained strong conviction in AI-related investments during the first half of 2026 despite heightened geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns, with positioning becoming increasingly concentrated in semiconductor and AI infrastructure stocks, according to new data from Hazeltree.
