April 8, 2010 – New York, NY – Hennessee Group LLC, an adviser to hedge fund investors, announced today that the Hennessee Hedge Fund Index advanced +3.05% in March (+3.50% YTD), while the S&P 500 increased +5.88% (+4.87% YTD), the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced +5.15% (+4.11% YTD), and the NASDAQ Composite Index advanced +7.14% (+5.68% YTD). Bonds fell slightly, as the Barclays Aggregate Bond Index decreased -0.12% (+1.78% YTD).
“The financial markets seem to have quickly forgotten about sovereign risk and concerns about central bank exit strategies. Investors remain willing to assume greater levels of risk, and equity markets rallied sharply in March,” commented Charles Gradante, Co-Founder of Hennessee Group. “However, as the second quarter begins, hedge fund managers are generally cautious. Their key concern is that the Fed is moving forward with its plans to end and eventually reverse its easing of credit.”
“Hedge funds posted a strong, positive month in March, but underperformed the sharply rising equity markets due to conservative positioning and difficulty shorting,” said Lee Hennessee, Managing Principal of Hennessee Group. “Top performing strategies included emerging markets, financial equities, and distressed. All underlying hedge fund strategies were positive in March, with the exception of short biased.”
The Hennessee Long/Short Equity Index advanced +3.07% in March (+3.45% YTD). The equity markets continued to move higher in March, erasing losses from earlier in the year and leading to broad based gains for most major market indices in the first quarter. A solid earnings season coupled with additional data points suggesting that a sustainable economic recovery could be in place served as the primary catalysts for the equity markets and led to a number of indices reaching 18 month highs. All ten sectors were positive for the month, led by industrials (+8.9%), and financials (+8.8%). The positioning of long/short equity funds heading into the month was largely defensive as concerns regarding a near term correction mounted and resulted in the majority of funds lagging during the broad based equity rally in March. During the month, hedge funds took profits on long positions, resulting in lower exposures at month end. Managers also express frustration with short portfolios as they continue to be a drag on performance. Small cap stocks led the equity markets higher with the Russell 2000 Index leaping a strong +8.0%. Many funds shifted to small caps in recent weeks and that has helped many drive strong returns. While sentiment has clearly improved, there is concern that much of the positive news is already priced into the markets and the direction of stocks going forward is highly uncertain. Given the near term uncertainty, long/short equity funds will remain cautious with lower net exposures while emphasizing individual security as the primary alpha generator in 2010.
“Some managers are worried that the velocity of money is collapsing. Velocity of money is a measure of how many times a dollar is re-used in the economy. According to managers, this ratio peaked in 1997 near the top of the dotcom bubble and has been in decline ever since. Some interpret this to signal the end of ‘a 50 year super cycle in lending’,” commented Charles Gradante. “Since lending has been a key driver of economic growth over the past decades, this points to more muted growth over the long term. Managers state that this is partly the result of banks refusing to lend and are closely monitoring the banking industry.”
The Hennessee Arbitrage/Event Driven Index advanced +3.10% in March (+4.72% YTD). U.S. corporate credit markets declined slightly as the Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index fell -0.12% in March. Losses were driven by Treasuries, especially on the longer end of the curve, while investment grade and high yield bonds were positive for the month. The spread on the Merrill Lynch High Yield Index tightened from 671 basis points to 584 basis points during the month. Spreads have significantly tightened over the past 12 months but remain wide by historic standards. New debt issuance remains extremely strong, with more than $31 billion in new high-yield debt coming to market in March, surpassing the November 2006 monthly record. Managers remain optimistic on credit, but are assuming less directional risk by adding to hedges. The Hennessee Distressed Index increased +5.32% in March (+8.37% YTD). March was another positive month for distressed funds as credit spreads tightened and several companies emerged from bankruptcy. Generally, the distressed markets continue to present ample long and short opportunities for investors. Managers believe slow economic growth going forward will prove challenging for many companies and industries. In addition, many are looking forward to 2012 to 2014 when a daunting corporate maturity schedule should prove problematic to refinance and will provide investment opportunities. The Hennessee Merger Arbitrage Index advanced +1.96% in March (+2.90% YTD). Despite manager expectations for a rise in M&A activity in 2010, deal activity has been relatively unimpressive. In the first quarter, global M&A activity totaled $650 billion, up only 14% from the first quarter of 2009. While there have been several large announced deals, including two in March related to AIG, there has not been much activity in mid-sized companies. However, managers remain optimistic that activity will accelerate as companies have significant cash balances, which needs to be put to work. The Hennessee Convertible Arbitrage Index returned +3.00% (+3.60% YTD). Convertible securities increased in March as investor confidence improved and the sector finally saw significant new issuance. In addition, credit spreads tightened, benefiting managers.
“Managers report that undistributed corporate profits hit an all-time high of $527 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate. In addition, according to a Strategas report, nonfinancial companies in the S&P 500 have a record $830 billion of cash on their books,” commented Charles Gradante. “Many believe that these cash stockpiles could lead to a pick up in mergers and acquisitions, which could serve as a catalyst for higher prices as it did in 2006 and 2007.”
The Hennessee Global/Macro Index increased +3.14% in March (+2.49% YTD). International equities rallied with the MSCI EAFE Index climbing +5.81% (+0.22% YTD) during the month. Gains were broad based, with emerging markets performing very strongly. The Hennessee International Index gained +2.89% (+2.78% YTD) as managers had conservative exposures. During the month, international managers decreased their U.S. equity exposure in favor of international markets. The Hennessee Macro Index advanced +1.12% for the month (+2.64% YTD). Managers generated gains on commodity bets, including oil and copper. Oil prices advanced in March, and have posted their fifth consecutive quarterly gain. Copper prices, a common long bet, gained +8% during the month. Managers generated gains short Treasuries as yields rose sharply, especially on the longer end of the yield curve. This remains a common theme in the industry with many funds heavily invested in a U.S. curve steepening trade. Managers also remain short the Euro and Yen in favor of the U.S. dollar.
“Hedge funds continue to be bearish against the euro, with several recent reports finding record short bets on the euro,” stated Charles Gradante. “Managers point out the fact that the spread between 10 Year German bonds and 10 Year U.S. Treasuries is the largest in 3 years, which should bode well for a stronger dollar.”
For more information on hedge fund strategy performance in 2010, please see the Hennessee Hedge Fund Review, our monthly hedge fund publication, at: http://www.hennesseegroup.com/hhfr/index.html.
About the Hennessee Group LLC
Hennessee Group LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser that consults direct investors in hedge funds on asset allocation, manager selection, and ongoing monitoring of hedge fund managers. Hennessee Group LLC is not a tracker of hedge funds. The Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices® are for the sole purpose of benchmarking individual hedge fund manager performance. The Hennessee Group does not sell a hedge fund-of-funds product nor does it market individual hedge fund managers. For additional Hennessee Group Press Releases, please visit the Hennessee Group’s website. The Hennessee Group also publishes the Hennessee Hedge Fund Review monthly, which provides a comprehensive hedge fund performance review, statistics, and market analysis; all of which is value added to hedge fund managers and investors alike.
Description of Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices®
The Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices® are calculated from performance data reported to the Hennessee Group by a diversified group of over 1,000 hedge funds. The Hennessee Hedge Fund Index is an equally weighted average of the funds in the Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices®. The funds in the Hennessee Hedge Fund Index are derived from the Hennessee Group’s database of over 3,500 hedge funds and are net of fees and unaudited. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This material is for general information only and is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security including any interest in a hedge fund.
