Shifting Strategies:
How institutions are embracing
fixed income hedge funds

A new global research report of 450 of the largest institutional investors in the world shows that sentiment towards fixed income hedge funds is improving. This is fueled by these funds’ strong returns, competitive fees, and enhanced liquidity. But investors still have some reservations, and assets under management (AUM) and a long track record are critical.

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Key finding 1:

Growing confidence in fixed income hedge funds has led to mainstream adoption

Global institutional investors’ appetite for hedge funds is growing, with the biggest demand in fixed income hedge fund strategies. Notably, investors are seven times more likely to increase hedge fund exposure than decrease it.

60%

allocate to hedge funds

84%

of hedge fund investors allocate to fixed income hedge funds

62%

of hedge fund investors expected to increase their allocation in the next 12 months

25%

looking to fund new allocations to hedge funds from other alternatives

 

Expected changes to fixed income exposures over the next 12 months.

Key finding 2:

Institutional investors bullish about the return potential from fixed income hedge funds

Future return expectations remain strong for fixed income hedge funds, despite a mismatch between expected and actual returns. The positive sentiment is underpinned by strong performance, flexible fees and increased liquidity.

63%

expect fixed income hedge funds to deliver 10%+ returns per annum

52%

experienced fixed income hedge fund performance of 5-9% per annum

55%

more positive on their outlook of fixed income hedge fund

65%

cited strong performance as a reason for the positive sentiment

 

The evolution of views on hedge funds over the past 3-5 years.

Key finding 3:

Institutional investors favor established hedge fund strategies with strong track records

The asset class and returns predictability are important when considering allocations. Smaller fund sizes and lack of track record can be deal-breakers when choosing managers.

61%

rank AUM size as a priority when selecting a hedge fund manager

47%

only consider hedge funds with at least $100m in assets under management

58%

not invested in or looking to consider a first-time hedge fund

 

 

 

Important criteria when choosing a hedge fund manager.

Background

Just after the November 2024 US presidential election, RBC Global Asset Management gathered insights from 450 senior investment decision-makers across the US, Europe, and Asia who manage assets of between US$5 billion and more than US$100 billion.

The purpose was to provide the industry with an overview of the trends and priorities that are shaping investor sentiment and decision-making of some of the largest institutional investors in the world, with a focus on alternatives forms of fixed income.

Source: RBC Global Asset Management as at December 2024, unless otherwise stated.

 

 

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Polina Kurdyavko 160x128.jpg

“We believe we are in the golden age for hedge funds. Geopolitical tensions and interest rate policies continue to be top of mind for investors, and the resulting uncertainty in is likely to create volatility in the markets. Funds that can play the markets from both the long and short side are particularly well placed to capitalize on the mis-pricings and inefficiencies created by this volatility to deliver positive returns, regardless of the market direction.”

Polina Kurdyavko

Head of BlueBay Emerging Markets

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