Assets in SA Hedge Funds Grow 36% in 2025
South African hedge funds reported a 36% jump in assets under management for 2025, marking the strongest annual growth in the sector’s recent history. The surge pushed total AUM to a record high, reflecting heightened investor appetite for alternative strategies. Inflows were driven by both domestic investors seeking diversification and foreign capital attracted by the continent’s emerging‑market opportunities. The growth coincides with recent regulatory reforms that have streamlined fund registration and reporting requirements.
Hedge Funds Take a Hit in March
South African hedge funds posted a median decline of 3.23% in March, their worst month since March 2020. The decline lagged the broader market, with the FTSE/JSE All‑Share Index down 10.45% and the All Bond Index falling 6.91%. Fixed‑income funds were...
Fairtree Leadership Reflects on DNA that Drives Them
Fairtree’s senior team—Andre Malan, Bradley Anthony, and Kobus Nel—shared how the firm’s core DNA shapes its strategy, client service, and growth trajectory. They highlighted a purpose‑driven culture that blends technology, ESG focus, and disciplined risk management. The leaders emphasized that...
Hedge Funds Show Their Worth in Times of Turmoil
Hedge funds demonstrated resilience during the market turbulence that began in early 2026, delivering returns that outpaced traditional equity indices. Their flexible strategies, including long/short equity, macro, and event‑driven approaches, helped capture upside while limiting downside exposure. The article highlights...
Visio Adds Three New Hires
Visio, the African digital payments platform, announced three senior hires on May 2, 2026. The appointments include a Vice President of Product, a senior data scientist, and a regional sales director focused on East Africa. Executives say the new talent will accelerate...
Nigeria Rebound Exposes Global Benchmark Blind Spot in African Markets
Nigeria’s equity market posted a sharp rebound in April 2026, rallying over 15% after months of underperformance. The surge highlighted a systematic blind spot in global benchmark indices, which largely exclude or underweight Nigerian and broader African equities. Analysts argue...
Protea Launches AMC to Mirror Worldwide Fund
Protea Asset Management announced the launch of a new Asset Management Company (AMC) designed to mirror a worldwide equity fund. The feeder structure will give South African investors direct exposure to a diversified global index while handling currency conversion internally....
Fund of Funds Dip as Markets Retrace
Fund of funds (FOF) assets slipped in early April as equity markets retraced from recent highs. The sector saw a 3% decline in net asset value during the first quarter, driven by heightened volatility and a surge in investor redemptions....
Funds Limit Losses in March Mayhem
In March 2026, heightened market volatility triggered sharp equity declines, but active fund managers successfully limited losses through disciplined risk‑management tactics. Average drawdowns among large‑cap equity funds fell to 1.8%, well below the 4.5% benchmark loss recorded by passive indices....
Multi-Strategy Leads in February
Multi‑strategy hedge funds led South African hedge fund performance in February, posting a median 1.52% gain, while the HedgeNews Africa Single Manager Composite rose 1.33%. The broader market rallied, with the FTSE/JSE All‑Share Index up 7.01% and the All Bond...
Returns Vary in February’s Positive Markets
February closed with broadly positive market momentum, yet returns diverged sharply across asset classes and regions. U.S. equities posted a 2.3% gain, while emerging market indices lagged, delivering negative performance. Commodities rallied, led by oil and copper, whereas fixed‑income remained...
Solid Year for SA Hedge Funds, Underpinned by Retail Investor Support
South African hedge funds posted a strong performance in 2025, delivering double‑digit returns across most strategies. Assets under management rose by roughly 18%, driven largely by fresh capital from retail investors. The sector benefitted from a stable macro environment, lower...
Multi-Strategy Leads in January
South African hedge funds opened 2026 with a median gain of 1.49%, led by the multi‑strategy segment. The FTSE/JSE All Share Index rose 3.72% and the All Bond Index added 1.93% in January, providing a supportive backdrop. Long/short equity funds...