An elite group of hedge fund managers were recognised last night for their excellent performance and contribution to the industry at the annual Hedge Funds Rock & The Australian Hedge Fund Awards.
Kim Ivey, a founder of the event, now in its 15th year, and an industry stalwart, congratulated the winning hedge fund managers and said that this year’s winners showcase high performing fund managers.
The awards overall recognise fund managers in the Australian hedge fund industry who have produced superior returns over the 2015/2016 period and those groups or individuals who have made exemplary investment or commitment to the local alternatives industry, he said.
“Regal was a natural choice for the judges for as the Hedge Fund of the Year award as it has successfully broadened its product range over the past couple of years, with several of its funds performing strongly within their respective strategy sector,” said Ivey.
And the winners are:
1. HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR 2016: Regal Funds Management Pty Limited
2. BEST INVESTOR SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN MANAGERS: NWQ Capital Management
3. BEST OFFSHORE MANAGER OPERATING IN AUSTRALIA: Aspect Capital
4. CONTRIBUTION TO THE AUSTRALIAN HEDGE FUND INDUSTRY: Jon Pye
5. BEST LONG SHORT EQUITY FUND: Regal Atlantic Absolute Return Fund
6. BEST GLOBAL MACRO/ FUTURES FUND: ISAM Systematic Trend Fund
7. BEST MARKET NEUTRAL FUND: Bennelong Funds Management Ltd – Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund
8. BEST MULTI STRATEGY FUND: CQS – CQS Directional Opportunities Fund
9. BEST FIXED INCOME & CREDIT FUND: BlueBay Asset Management LLP – The BlueBay Credit Alpha Long Short Fund
10. BEST EMERGING MANAGER: Antipodes Partners Limited
“In the current distorted environment of negative bond yields and widespread central bank liquidity, the performance bar for hedge funds has never been higher.
“Unlike the traditional asset management industry, the prime determinant of hedge fund manager return is their investment skill, rather than any lift they might obtain from strategy tail winds or market movements. They use a variety of tools unavailable to traditional managers to capitalise on the investment skills that they bring to the process. ”
Simon Ibbetson, Head of the HFR judging panel, states “One of the driving principles for many hedge fund strategies is the preservation of capital. This requires these managers to assess and manage the absolute level of risk in their portfolios, aiming to generate positive returns agnostic of market movements.”
The event also raised funds from net sponsorships, ticket sales and donations for Redkite charity, adding to about $4 million raised by the hedge fund industry since the first event in 2002.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Hedge Funds Rock family. On behalf of the children and young people with cancer we support, we would like to thank the entire Hedge Funds Rock community for their ongoing generosity,” said Tyler Juel, Redkite National Corporate Partnerships Manager.
The important funds raised will ensure families across Australia can access Redkite’s essential services from the hospital bedside to the family home, she added.
Over 400 guests attended the 2016 Hedge Funds Rock & The Australian Hedge Fund Awards at The Ivy ballroom on Thursday night.
The finalists were selected upon by a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors agreed by the following panel of judges: Simon Ibbetson (Chair) from 358 Pty Ltd., Matthew Jeremy from Caravel Consulting Services , Daniel Liptak from Arkaba Advisors, Angela Ashton from Evergreen Consultants, as well as Kim Ivey from Vertex Capital.
