September Hedge Fund Performance Analysis Revealed
September proved to be a notable month for hedge funds, as performance data indicated varying outcomes across strategies and regions. According to a JPMorgan analysis released on October 3, hedge funds saw an average return of 1.3% during September. Interestingly, hedge fund managers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East outperformed their counterparts in North America.
Performance Overview of Hedge Funds in September
The global equities market experienced a rise of 3.4% in September. Additionally, developed market sovereign bonds increased by roughly 0.7%. The core of JPMorgan’s report highlighted that hedge funds had a somewhat bullish outlook on U.S. stocks, pointing towards an anticipated rise in equities, albeit with limited enthusiasm.
Regional Insights
In Europe, stock-picking strategies generally reflected a positive sentiment towards rising equities. Conversely, multi-strategy funds and quantitative funds displayed a more cautious approach, betting on potential declines in stock prices. In Asia, hedge funds maintained a higher number of positions anticipating market downturns, despite positive stock performance.
Top Performing Funds
- Bridgewater Associates: The firm’s Pure Alpha fund achieved a remarkable 26.2% return year-to-date, with a monthly gain of 6% as of September 29.
- Other Bridgewater funds: Asia Total Return (32.5%), All Weather (15.3%), and China Total Return (28.4%) also posted strong performances.
- Marshall Wace: Their Eureka Fund delivered a September return of 1.32% and a year-to-date gain of 8.04%.
- Market Neutral Tops fund: This fund reported a 0.45% return for September, totaling 13.66% for the year.
- Balyasny Asset Management: This $28 billion firm recorded a monthly increase of 1.3%, pushing its annual return to 10%.
Systematic Trading Trends
Systematic stock-trading funds, like those managed by Marshall Wace, have performed well, gaining over 13% in 2025, as noted by Goldman Sachs. In contrast, multi-strategy funds experienced little change for the month.
Conclusion
The September Hedge Fund Performance Analysis highlights a complex landscape for investors, with varying results dependent on geographic focus and trading strategies. As the year progresses, these insights offer crucial guidance for future investment decisions in the hedge fund space.
