The Ellerston Australian Market Neutral Fund has won the 2015 Australian Hedge Fund of the Year award.
Ellerston’s outstanding performance was recognised last night when Hedge Funds Rock & the Australian Hedge Fund Awards announced the winners of the 2015 Australian Hedge Fund Awards. There were eight hedge fund winners across different categories, as well as two non-manager awards.
Kim Ivey, co-founder and president of Hedge Funds Rock, congratulated all winners and nominees across 10 categories, saying that hedge funds attention to risk management and capital preservation”are in demand by investors of all types”.
“Good risk managers, particularly smaller, nimble hedge fund managers have the capability to implement their investment decisions very efficiently. They are being picked for their skills by investors who in aggregate are increasing their allocation to hedge funds.”
“These investors include platforms and wraps in the retail financial services sector, as well as family offices that are ramping up their in-house capabilities to invest directly in hedge funds that offer a wide choice of investment styles.”
Ivey said that the current market volatility had provided an ideal environment for some hedge fund managers to shine.
“That’s one of the reasons why Ellerston has been awarded the Australian Hedge Fund of the Year – the ability of its market neutral strategy to outperform in volatile markets.”
The other outstanding manager this year is Qato Capital that has been awarded the best emerging manager for the Qato Capital Market Neutral Long/Short Fund.
Ivey said this year had presented challenges for the industry.
“One aspect which is heartening to see is the increased focus on manager due diligence that has increased dramatically post the GFC.
“All funds now have to work in the new regime where a large amount of data is available to investors and their advisors. Not just the investment information, but also staff and operating data. It is a welcome trend towards transparency and proactive disclosures, which bodes well for the long-term health of the industry.”
He also thanked the industry for again contributing generously to raise money for its chosen charity – RedKite – where an estimate of over $50,000 was raised on the evening from pledges and surplus ticket revenues.
The complete list of winners:
Best Long Short Equity Fund
Acadian Wholesale Global Equity Long Short Fund
Best Global Macro / Futures Fund
AQR Wholesale Managed Future Fund
Best Fixed Income and Credit Fund
Laminar Credit Opportunities Fund
Best Market Neutral Fund
Ellerston Australian Market Neutral Fund
Best Multi Strategy Fund
AMP Super Easy Alternatives Fund (managed by K2 Advisors)
Best Emerging Manager
Qato Capital Market Neutral Long/Short Fund
Best Offshore Manager Operating in Australia
Henderson Global Investors Australia
Australian Hedge Fund of the Year
Ellerston Australian Market Neutral Fund
Contribution to the Australian Hedge Fund Industry
Mark Bennett
Best Investor Supporting Australian Managers
Boris Liberman Family Office – Jagen
