As of June 17, 2024, the most shorted stock was for, the American holographic technology services provider, MicroCloud Hologram Inc., with 66.64 percent of their total float having been shorted. This is a change from mid-January 2021, when video game retailed GameStop had an incredible 121.07 percent of their available shares in a short position. In effect this means that investors had 'borrowed' more shares (with a future promise to return them) than the total number of shares available for public trading. Owing to this behavior of professional investors, retail investors enacted a campaign to drive up the stock price of Gamestop, leading to losses of billions when investors had to repurchase the stock they had borrowed. At this time, a similar – but less effective – social media campaign was also carried out for the stock price of cinema operator AMC, and the price of silver. What is short selling? Short selling is essentially where an investor bets on a share price falling by: borrowing a number of shares selling these shares while the price is still high; purchasing the same number again once the price falls; then returning the borrowed shares at a profit. Of course, a profit will only be made if the share price does fall; should the share price rise the investor will then need to purchase the shares back at a higher price, and thus incur a loss. Short selling can lead to some very large profits in a short amount of time, with Tesla stock generating over one billion dollars in short sell profits during the first week of March 2020 alone, owing to the financial crash caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, owing to the short-term, opportunistic nature of short selling, these returns look less impressive when considered as net profits from short sell positions over the full year. The risks of short selling Short selling carries greater risks than traditional investments, and for this reason financial advisors often recommend against this strategy for ‘retail’ (i.e. non-professional) investors. The reason for this is that losses from short selling are potentially uncapped, whereas losses from traditional investments are limited to the initial cost. For example, if someone purchases 100 dollars of shares, the maximum they can lose is the 100 dollars the spent on those shares. However, say someone borrows 100 dollars of shares instead, betting on the price falling. If these shares are then sold for 100 dollars but the price subsequently rises, the losses could greatly exceed the initial investment should the price rise to, say, 500 dollars. The risks of short selling can be seen by looking again at Tesla, with the company causing the greatest losses over 2020 from short selling at over 40 billion U.S. dollars.

Hedge Funds Market Outlook

The global hedge funds market size was valued at approximately $3.5 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach around $5.7 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% during the forecast period. Driving this growth is a combination of market volatility, investor demand for diversified investment strategies, and the evolving landscape of financial regulations.

One of the primary growth factors for the hedge funds market is the increased appetite for risk-adjusted returns. Investors, especially in the wake of economic uncertainties and market volatilities, are increasingly gravitating towards hedge funds that promise higher returns compared to traditional investment vehicles like mutual funds. This is particularly true for institutional investors, who seek diversified portfolios that can weather market downturns while capitalizing on growth opportunities.

Moreover, advancements in financial technology are significantly contributing to the expansion of the hedge fund market. The application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics is enabling hedge fund managers to make more informed decisions, optimize trading strategies, and enhance portfolio management. These technological innovations are not only improving the efficiency of hedge funds but also attracting a new generation of tech-savvy investors.

Additionally, the evolving regulatory landscape is shaping the growth trajectory of the hedge fund industry. While stringent regulations can pose challenges, they also bring a level of transparency and stability that can attract more conservative investors. For instance, regulations that mandate higher disclosure standards and investor protections can enhance the credibility of hedge funds, making them more appealing to a broader investor base.

In terms of regional outlook, North America continues to dominate the hedge funds market, accounting for the largest market share. The presence of a robust financial infrastructure, a high concentration of institutional investors, and a favorable regulatory environment are some of the key factors driving the market in this region. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by the rising number of high net worth individuals and the increasing adoption of alternative investment strategies.

Strategy Type Analysis

The hedge funds market is segmented by strategy type into Equity Hedge, Event-Driven, Macro, Relative Value, and Others. Each of these strategies offers unique approaches to generating returns, catering to different investor risk appetites and market conditions. Equity Hedge strategies, which focus on equity markets by taking both long and short positions, dominate the market due to their capacity to mitigate risk while capturing stock market gains.

Event-Driven strategies, which capitalize on corporate events such as mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings, are increasingly gaining traction. These strategies are particularly appealing in volatile market conditions where corporate actions can lead to significant price movements. The ability to exploit inefficiencies around these events makes Event-Driven strategies a critical component of diversified hedge fund portfolios.

Macro strategies, which take positions based on economic and political views of entire countries or regions, offer a broad level of diversification. These strategies leverage global macroeconomic trends and are particularly valuable in uncertain economic climates. The growing interconnectedness of global markets has made Macro strategies increasingly relevant, as they can capture opportunities across various asset classes and geographies.

Relative Value strategies focus on identifying price discrepancies between related securities. This approach involves statistical arbitrage and market-neutral strategies that seek to profit from the relative price movements of securities rather than their absolute price movements. The rise of quantitative trading and algorithmic models has significantly bolstered the effectiveness and popularity of Relative Value strategies.

Lastly, the 'Others' category includes niche strategies such as distressed securities, multi-strategy, and fund of funds. These strategies offer specialized approaches that cater to specific market conditions or investor preferences. Multi-strategy funds, for instance, combine various hedge fund strategies within a s

As of August 2023, hedge funds in North America had the highest level of exposure to the healthcare industry. Information and technology ranked second as the net expense rate for North American hedge funds rested at roughly seven percent. The net exposure displays the difference between the long position (positions held) and the short position (positions borrowed) in a hedge fund. When calculated into a percentage this number informed investors worldwide of a fund's risk level to market fluctuations.

Global Hedge Fund market size is expected to reach $6019.79 billion by 2029 at 3.6%, segmented as by domestic hedge funds, equity long or short funds, event-driven funds, macro funds, fixed-income funds, multi-strategy funds

As of 2024, it was estimated that the vast majority of hedge fund assets were managed through funds following a multi-strategy or long/short equity investment approach. Hedge funds implementing an event-driven investment strategy ranked third by assets under management (AUM) having managed over 600 billion U.S. dollars in assets.

From 2021 through May 2024, the in-flow and out-flow of hedge funds varied. 2022, saw the largest fund outflow, with investors pulling over 100 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile long/short equity-focused hedge funds saw the largest share of investment outflows of almost 14 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. However, as of May 2024, fund outflows were reduced compared to the previous years.

Middle East and Africa Hedge Fund Software market will be USD 27.08 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.0% from 2024 to 2031. The market is foreseen to reach USD 68.2 million by 2031, owing to Expanding financial markets and rising demand for automation in fund management.

This statistic presents the annual returns of hedge funds in 2017, by hedge fund type. Equity focused hedge funds performed the best, with the long/short equity funds generating 13.41 percent and equity market neutral with 8.45 percent returns in that year.

Hedge funds reduce net-bullish crude positions, reflecting a cooling market sentiment influenced by trade concerns, the Ukraine conflict, and potential OPEC+ output changes.

Graph and download economic data for Investment Funds; Short-Term Debt Securities; Asset, Transactions (BOGZ1FU684022405Q) from Q4 1946 to Q4 2024 about short-term, transactions, investment, debt, securities, assets, and USA.

The global money market fund sales market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing demand for short-term, low-risk investment options and the need for liquidity management by both institutional and individual investors. Let's assume a 2025 market size of $5 trillion and a CAGR of 6% for the forecast period (2025-2033). This implies a substantial expansion to approximately $8.1 trillion by 2033. Key drivers include rising interest rates in some regions, increasing regulatory scrutiny of other investment vehicles, and the ongoing need for safe haven assets amidst global economic uncertainties. Growth is further fueled by the expanding adoption of digital platforms and fintech solutions, streamlining access and enhancing investor experience. Segment-wise, prime money funds maintain a significant market share due to their higher yields compared to government or treasury funds, particularly appealing to institutional investors. However, tax-exempt money funds are expected to witness increased growth driven by tax benefits. Sales channels are evolving, with the prominence of indirect sales (through financial advisors and intermediaries) complemented by a steadily growing direct sales segment fueled by increased investor sophistication and access to online platforms. Geographic distribution reveals a concentrated market share held by North America and Europe, predominantly the United States and the United Kingdom respectively. However, the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and India, is poised for significant expansion, fueled by burgeoning middle-class savings and increasing awareness of money market funds as a suitable investment option. While regulatory changes and potential economic downturns pose restraints, innovative product offerings and expansion into emerging markets will continue to shape the market landscape. Competitive intensity is high, with major players like BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity Investments vying for market share through diversified product offerings, strong distribution networks, and technological advancements. The market's future is influenced by macro-economic factors, investor sentiment, and ongoing regulatory evolution.

From 2022 to 2023, shifts in investment strategies occurred for many of the crypto hedge fund respondents. In 2022, over half of the survey respondents stated using either a quantitative long/short crypto strategy or a market-neutral strategy. A market-neutral strategy aims to avoid significant market losses, often by hedging long and short positions against each other, however by 2023, the level of hedge funds implementing a market-neutral strategy fell by 10 percent. Discretionary long only crypto was the second most popular strategy in 2023, with 19 percent of respondents stating they had followed this investment method.

Latin America's Hedge Fund Software market will be USD 613.01 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7% from 2024 to 2031. The market is foreseen to reach USD 172.0 million by 2031 due to the Growing interest in alternative investments and increased focus on risk management.

Brazil Inv Fund: Number: FI: Short Term data was reported at 31.000 Unit in Dec 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 32.000 Unit for Nov 2015. Brazil Inv Fund: Number: FI: Short Term data is updated monthly, averaging 44.000 Unit from Mar 2005 (Median) to Dec 2015, with 129 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53.000 Unit in Aug 2005 and a record low of 31.000 Unit in Dec 2015. Brazil Inv Fund: Number: FI: Short Term data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.ZC005: Investment Fund: Number of Investment Fund (Old).

Australia Liabilities: Stock: Non Money Market Financial Investment Funds: Short Term Loans & Placements: Other Depository Corporations data was reported at 0.000 AUD mn in Dec 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 AUD mn for Sep 2017. Australia Liabilities: Stock: Non Money Market Financial Investment Funds: Short Term Loans & Placements: Other Depository Corporations data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.000 AUD mn from Jun 1988 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 119 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 AUD mn in Dec 2017 and a record low of 0.000 AUD mn in Dec 2017. Australia Liabilities: Stock: Non Money Market Financial Investment Funds: Short Term Loans & Placements: Other Depository Corporations data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.AB030: SNA08: SESCA08: Funds by Sector: Financial Corporations: Non Money Market Financial Investment Funds: Stock.

Graph and download economic data for State and Local Government: Cash and Short-Term Investments: Money Market Funds (QPRHLDMMFCSHHOLDINGSUSNO) from Q1 2019 to Q4 2024 about short-term, pension, cash, MMMF, state & local, investment, government, and USA.

Cayman Islands KY: Portfolio Investment Assets: Equity: Short or Negative Positions data was reported at -44.649 USD bn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of -42.339 USD bn for 2022. Cayman Islands KY: Portfolio Investment Assets: Equity: Short or Negative Positions data is updated yearly, averaging -41.853 USD bn from Dec 2015 (Median) to 2023, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of -18.931 USD bn in 2015 and a record low of -74.141 USD bn in 2018. Cayman Islands KY: Portfolio Investment Assets: Equity: Short or Negative Positions data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Cayman Islands – Table KY.IMF.CPIS: BPM6: Portfolio Investment Assets: Short or Negative Positions: Annual.

This statistic presents the performance spread of different hedge funds as well as fund performance in top and bottom-deciles worldwide in 2017. In that year, the top ten percent of long/short equity funds generated a return rate of 21.9 percent, while the bottom ten percent lost 17.1 percent of their investments. This amounts to a 38.9 percentage point spread.

Graph and download economic data for Investment Funds; Short-Term Debt Securities; Asset, Level (BOGZ1FL684022405A) from 1945 to 2024 about short-term, investment, debt, securities, assets, and USA.