Recent Trends in Alternative Funds

The past year has been mixed for alternative funds. In the hedge fund space, industry assets under management increased by $70 billion to $3.22 trillion, despite lackluster overall returns and noisy withdrawals by certain institutional investors. In the private equity space, industry assets under management grew 4.2 percent to $2.49 trillion, and 8,975 new funds were launched. Regulatory requirements and investor preference for established managers have increased barriers to entry in both sectors. Meanwhile, competition for investor capital has created a buyer’s market with significant negotiation of fund terms. In this article, partner Stephanie Breslow and associate Patrick Dundas discuss current industry trends affecting hedge and investment funds and provide information regarding regulatory developments impacting the market.