Awards 2026

South African hedge funds have faced a complex 2026, with high energy prices, geopolitical concerns and low domestic growth putting pressure on the local market, while a broadening AI theme has driven key global indices higher.

The HedgeNews Africa Composite added 2.3% in the first three quarters of 2026, while the FTSE/JSE All Share Index declined 3.22% and South Africa’s All Bond Index added 3.53%.

By comparison, the MSCI World Index is ahead by 10.66% to the end of September, while the HFR Fund-Weighted Composite Index of global hedge funds was around 7% higher by the end of the third quarter.

With the first nine months of returns in the bag, there is just one quarter to go in deciding the shortlists for the HedgeNews Africa Awards 2026.

Following a buoyant year for markets in 2025, conflicting signals, both locally and globally, have led to a wide dispersion of returns among managers this year. With the final quarter still to come, the performance picture could yet change significantly.

Now in their 17^th year, the Awards, which are highly regarded in the industry, are based on calendar-year returns in various categories.

Using an established quantitative methodology based on risk-adjusted return, the award in each category goes to the fund with the highest return amongst the nominees, provided its Sharpe ratio is within 25% of the top Sharpe amongst the nominees.

To be nominated, funds must have a minimum of R80 million under management (averaged over the period, or $10 million in the case of dollar-based funds) or R160 million in the longer-term awards.

First provisional nominations will be announced in November, based on 10 months of data, with the next round announced in December, based on 11 months of returns. Final nominations will be announced in January.

The Awards will be celebrated at a gala dinner in Cape Town on February 23, 2027.

For more on the Awards go to https://hedgenewsafrica.com/awards/

To list your fund in our database email data@hedgenewsafrica.com

Awards categories include:

• Long/short equity
• Market neutral and quantitative
• Multi-strategy
• Fixed income
• Fund of funds
• Specialist
• Pan-Africa
• Five-year performance
• Ten-year performance
• Best new fund
• Fund of the year

Awards are based on risk-adjusted return. The award in each category goes to the fund with the highest return amongst the nominees, provided its Sharpe ratio is within 25% of the top Sharpe ratio amongst the nominees in each category.

To be nominated, funds must have a minimum of R80 million under management (averaged over the period, or $10 million in the case of dollar-based funds) or R160 million in the longer-term awards.