Hedge Funds Maintain Strength Into 2026

Hedge funds closed 2025 with their strongest two year stretch in more than a decade. For the second year in a row, returns reached double digits and exceeded the results of traditional stock and bond portfolios. Industry assets rose to a record 5.15 trillion dollars, supported by more than 640 billion dollars in inflows and market gains. This marked the fastest pace of capital growth since the financial crisis era.

Performance was broad based, with composite industry benchmarks posted gains of about 11 percent through late 2025. Multi strategy funds led with average returns near 19 percent, followed by equity focused strategies and global macro. Healthcare, quantitative equity, and event driven managers benefited from strong technology spending, shifting policy signals, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Early results in January 2026 reinforced this trend, with equity long short funds lifting overall industry returns despite modest pressure in some systematic strategies.

Net inflows for 2026 are projected at roughly 24 billion dollars, with most institutions planning to increase exposure. European investors are expected to lead new commitments, followed by Asia Pacific institutions. Equity long short, event driven, credit, and multi strategy platforms remain the primary targets, reflecting expectations for higher dispersion in post election markets.

Several factors support these allocation choices. Discretionary macro has regained attention after strong gains in 2025, helped by shifting interest rate expectations and energy market volatility. Quantitative strategies continue to attract capital due to their stable return profiles and relatively low drawdowns. At the same time, separately managed accounts are growing as investors seek greater transparency, liquidity, and customization.

For investors, these trends point to a larger role for hedge funds in diversified portfolios. Nearly half of allocators now rank them as a top priority. Their ability to generate returns in varied market conditions, manage inflation risk, and operate across asset classes positions them as a core component of institutional strategies heading into 2026.

Melqart Hedge Fund Plans New Office in Dubai

London-based hedge fund Melqart Asset Management plans to open an office in Dubai, adding its name to the growing list of investment firms building a presence in the city. The move would further strengthen Dubai’s role as a regional base for global finance.

Melqart, founded in 2015 by investor Michel Massoud, manages about $1.4 billion and has applied for a license in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The firm aims to open the office in the second quarter of this year and expects to place both investment and support staff there.The hedge fund would be one of many managers expanding into Dubai as the emirate attracts more international capital and financial talent.

Dubai’s draw for firms like Melqart includes its established financial free zone, a strategic time zone between Asian and European markets, and its growing community of asset managers and family offices. The expansion gives Melqart a base closer to existing and potential clients in the Middle East while maintaining its London headquarters as a core center for trading and research.

Cantor Structures Phased O’Connor Acquisition

Cantor Fitzgerald LP is expanding its alternative investments business by acquiring select strategies and platforms from UBS Group AG’s O’Connor hedge fund unit. The firm has already completed the transfer of two investment strategies and an alternative investment platform, marking the first stage of a deal announced in May.

Additional funds and assets are expected to transition in stages through the first quarter of next year. A phased approach allows for a smoother transition and gives Cantor time to integrate each strategy into its broader investment platform. It also provides continuity for investors as the business changes hands.

The original agreement covered six O’Connor strategies. That scope later narrowed following losses linked to the bankruptcy of First Brands Group. The auto parts supplier filed for Chapter 11 protection in September. Court filings showed that O’Connor had exposure through supply chain finance arrangements tied to the company.

As those details emerged, Cantor revisited the structure of the transaction. The firm focused on aligning the acquisition with its risk standards and long-term priorities. Part of that review involved discussions around excluding the Working Capital Finance strategy, which was most directly connected to the First Brands exposure. The revised framework reflects a more selective approach to the assets being acquired.

The transaction comes during a period of transition for Cantor Fitzgerald itself. The firm is now majority owned by the children of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after he divested his personal business interests. Against this backdrop, the O’Connor acquisition signals Cantor’s intent to grow its alternatives business deliberately, with an emphasis on disciplined expansion and risk awareness.”

Hedge Funds Take on More Debt as Markets Stay Strong

Hedge funds are using more leverage than they have in years to try to boost returns. This is happening as stock markets continue to rise, helped in part by growth linked to artificial intelligence. Large banks that work closely with hedge funds say leverage levels are now close to recent highs.

According to Goldman Sachs, hedge funds globally now hold close to three dollars in market positions for every dollar their investors put in. JPMorgan reports even higher levels, saying leverage is at its highest point in five years. Morgan Stanley adds that many U.S. hedge funds are now taking on borrowing levels that are rarely seen.

Some funds go much further. By balancing long and short positions, managers can push overall exposure to many times their capital. Quantitative hedge funds tend to use especially high levels. Large multi-strategy funds also rely heavily on borrowing despite having a smaller share of total hedge fund assets.

So far, the strategy has paid off. Hedge funds have posted solid gains this year, and major stock indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have risen sharply. Strong markets have made it easier for funds to manage risk and absorb swings in prices.

Regulators are watching closely. Using more leverage can increase profits, but it also makes losses happen faster when markets fall. There is concern that if too many funds rush to exit the same trades, markets could move suddenly. Banks say large funds are acting cautiously. Many use strict risk limits, active hedging, and careful cash planning to help them stay positioned if market conditions shift. 

Pharo Hedge Fund Moves Africa Team to Abu Dhabi

Pharo Management, a $7 billion hedge fund based in New York, is setting up a new office in Abu Dhabi as part of its plan to expand its global presence. The firm, known for investing in emerging markets, is moving its Africa Fund teams from New York and London to the United Arab Emirates.

Pharo sees Abu Dhabi as a strategic location for managing its Africa-related investments because of its close time zones, easy travel connections, and growing reputation as a financial hub. The new office is expected to open by the end of the year, and more staff may relocate over time.

Pharo’s Africa Fund, worth about $819 million, trades in local currencies, credit, and interest rate markets. The fund has performed well, earning an 11.8% return through May this year, according to a person familiar with the results.

Abu Dhabi and neighboring Dubai have quickly become centers for global hedge funds. The United Arab Emirates offers several advantages, including no personal income tax, high living standards, and access to the region’s sovereign wealth funds. These benefits are drawing major investment firms from around the world.

Several leading hedge funds, including Brevan Howard, Marshall Wace and Arini, already have or are planning offices in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the Emirate’s growing influence in global finance.

Rettig’s Key Hire in Stockholm

Finnish family-owned investment company Rettig has made a strategic recruitment move by hiring Simon Borgefors as Investment Director for hedge fund strategies. Borgefors joins the company from Crescit Asset Management, a Swedish fund manager known for its focus on alternative investment strategies.

The position will be based in Stockholm, signaling Rettig’s intent to strengthen its foothold in the Nordic financial market and broaden its exposure to hedge fund opportunities. Founded in 1845, Rettig has evolved from its industrial roots into a diversified investment group with activities spanning real estate, private equity, and now alternative asset management.

Borgefors brings a track record of managing complex portfolios and developing innovative financial strategies—expertise that aligns with Rettig’s growing focus on active, diversified investment approaches. His appointment marks another step in the company’s long-term plan to expand internationally and enhance returns through alternative investments.

Rettig’s move underscores a broader trend in the Nordic region, where established family offices and traditional investors are increasingly turning toward hedge funds and alternative assets to navigate a changing economic landscape and market volatility.

FedEx Posts Revenue and Profit Gains in Q1 2026

FedEx recently shared its financial results for the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year. The company made more money than expected, with total revenue (all the money FedEx brought in from deliveries and other business) reaching $22.2 billion, up from $21.6 billion the year before. Its net income (the profit after all expenses are paid) was $820 million, or $3.46 per share, compared to $790 million, or $3.21 per share, a year earlier. After accounting for certain costs, adjusted profit was $910 million, or $3.83 per share. News of these results caused FedEx’s stock price to go up by more than 5%.

The main reason for this improvement was an increase in the number of packages sent in the United States, which was up by 6%. FedEx also benefited from cost-cutting programs and efforts to make its delivery network work more smoothly. However, its freight shipping business did not do as well, mainly because it earned less money and labor costs went up.

FedEx kept its forecast for the rest of the year, expecting to make $17.20 to $19.00 in adjusted earnings per share, and predicting its revenue will grow by 4% to 6%. The company also bought back $500 million of its own stock, which can reward shareholders. FedEx still plans to split off its freight business as a separate company by June 2026.

Britons Boost Charitable Giving by £500 Million

The latest Sunday Times Giving List reveals that the UK’s wealthiest individuals have increased their charitable contributions by nearly £500 million this year, bringing the total given by the top 100 donors to £3.7 billion. The findings, published in partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), show a notable rise from the previous year’s collective donation of £3.2 billion. For the first time, hedge fund managers lead the list, collectively donating £5.3 million each week.

Chris Hohn, a hedge fund manager with an estimated wealth of £8.15 billion, is named the most generous individual, having contributed £983 million to causes such as climate change, children’s health, and gender equality. Suneil Setiya and Greg Skinner, co-founders of Quadrature Capital, each worth about £980 million, have donated £270 million together over the past year and top the rankings when giving is measured as a proportion of wealth. Notably, Harry Styles has made his debut on the list at position 15, giving £5.2 million to social and humanitarian causes. Elton John is sixth, having donated £26.5 million to HIV/AIDS, the arts, and humanitarian initiatives.

The data indicates that philanthropy among the very rich is becoming increasingly important for charities facing high demand and rising costs. Ten out of the top 100 donors gave more than £100 million, while 64 donated less than one percent of their wealth. Experts like Neil Heslop of CAF and Jonathan Simmons of NPC emphasize the significant role that wealthy individuals play in supporting life-changing charitable work and highlight the need for ongoing, impactful, and strategic philanthropy to ensure every pound has the greatest possible effect on society.

Regal Partners Enters Hotel Sector

Regal Partners, an Australian investment manager, is expanding its activities beyond hedge funds to include private asset investments such as hotel properties. The organization has acquired a 50% interest in Ark Capital Partners, a hotel investment firm active in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2021, Ark has allocated over $350 million to upgrade premium hotels, marking Regal’s first step into the hotel sector.

One component of this strategy is the purchase of the Mayfair Hotel in Adelaide for $75 million. This acquisition forms part of the foundation for Regal’s new Australian Hotel Opportunities Fund. Financing for the purchase includes bank loans and investors from outside parties, with completion expected this month. Regal is hoping to take advantage of current changes in the hotel market, where prices and demand are still bouncing back after recent travel restrictions and disruptions.

According to Regal’s chief executive, the company considers buying the hotel a strategy that could help investors earn steady profits. Leadership at Ark Capital Partners cited ongoing demand and identified opportunities within the hotel sector in both Australia and New Zealand.

Regal’s activity in private assets is in line with its existing investment areas, which include credit, real estate, and alternative strategies. The company continues to invest across multiple asset classes.

Rokos Capital Management to Open Abu Dhabi Office in 2026

Rokos Capital Management is planning to open a new office in Abu Dhabi next year. This decision aims to help the company access more trading opportunities around the world, attract skilled employees, and build stronger relationships with important investors in the region.

The Abu Dhabi office will eventually include staff from various departments such as investment and trading, risk management, investor relations, operations, as well as legal and compliance experts. This will become the firm’s fourth office worldwide; Rokos already has offices in London, New York, and Singapore.

The company’s head of finance, Chris Irish, will move from London to Abu Dhabi and become the head of the Middle East business. The new office is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026.

The United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has become popular among major hedge funds in recent years. The area offers benefits like zero personal income tax and a time zone that makes it convenient for staff to communicate with clients in both the East and the West. 

Recently, Rokos Capital Management announced plans to limit the size of its hedge fund to $20 billion and return some money to investors. The firm also intends to raise its management and performance fees. In the first half of this year, Rokos posted a return of 12.3%.