South African hedge funds recorded their second best month for the year, adding a median 1.03% in August to sit 4.44% higher year to date.
By comparison, the FTSE/JSE All Share Index added 2.34% on a total return basis to edge into the blue for the year so far, while the All Bond Index dipped 1.87%. The MSCI World Index gained 1.04%, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index declined 2.9% and the MSCI Frontier Markets Africa Index fell 3.75%.
Long/short hedge funds were the best performers, gaining a median 1.57%.
Market neutral and quantitative funds had another steady month, adding 0.68%, while multi-strategy funds added 0.78%. Fixed income funds continued their consistent gains, gaining 0.54%.
Africa-focused funds had a disappointing August, with nearly all ending in the red. The HedgeNews Africa Pan-Africa/AME Index declined by a median 3.35%. Copyright. HedgeNews Africa – October 2018.
| Median | Mean | |||
| South African Medians | Aug-18 | YTD-2018 | Aug-18 | YTD-2018 |
| Long/Short Equity | 1.57% | 2.89% | 2.28% | 3.21% |
| Market Neutral & Quantitative Strategies | 0.68% | 3.65% | 0.98% | 4.41% |
| Single Manager Multi-Strategy | 0.78% | 3.65% | 1.06% | 2.66% |
| Fixed Income | 0.54% | 7.22% | 0.62% | 6.78% |
| Event Driven | 0.78% | 7.88% | 0.78% | 7.88% |
| African Medians | ||||
| Pan-Africa / AME | -3.35% | -2.16% | -3.15% | -2.54% |
| SA Single-Manager Composite | 1.03% | 4.44% | 1.48% | 3.83% |
| HedgeNews Africa Single-Manager Composite | 0.58% | 3.34% | 0.22% | 2.09% |