Global hedge fund assets surge to $1.5 trillion

New York, Monday 27^th March 2006

The HFI research found that the U.S. Billion Dollar Club – which identifies only those hedge fund firms with assets of at least $1 billion – have reached combined total assets of more than $850 billion. The research, which was completed February 2006, also found smaller funds in the US – below $1 billion - have reached combined assets of at least $200 billion, leading to a total asset figure of well over $1 trillion for the US hedge fund industry.

European hedge funds have also seen strong growth in assets, with total funds under management for the region reaching more than $325 billion, according to HFI’s latest data. This represents an increase of over 25% from the year before.

In the Asia-Pacific region hedge fund assets almost doubled during the survey period, passing the landmark level of $100 billion. Total FUM for the region is now over $115 billion.

Added to the three largest regions, further research suggests there is at least a further $50 billion of assets being managed by hedge funds in other markets in the rest of the world. Markets showing robust asset growth include Canada, Brazil and South Africa.

HedgeFund Intelligence Managing Editor, Neil Wilson, commented:

"The passing of the $1.5 trillion mark shows how strongly the hedge fund sector is growing, particularly given the difficult market conditions encountered by many hedge fund managers in the past 12 months. All three of the major regions are attracting a good flow of new investment money. Europe and Asia are growing very quickly off relatively small bases, and the US funds are doing remarkably well in a market that could be called ‘mature’ in hedge fund terms"

© 2006 HedgeFund Intelligence Ltd.