Global hedge funds have recorded their strongest first-half performance since 2013, according to new data from hedge fund analytics firm PivotalPath.
The industry’s rebound was fueled by successful trades in healthcare, technology, and energy sectors, which lifted returns despite a backdrop of persistent market volatility.
The data underscores a shift in alpha generation as managers navigated a complex macroeconomic environment.
While broad equity indices posted record-breaking performances in the first half of 2026, hedge funds demonstrated resilience by capitalizing on sector-specific dislocations.
The energy trade, in particular, benefited from surging costs and geopolitical risks that had weighed on broader market sentiment earlier in the year.
This performance marks a significant turnaround for the asset class, which has struggled to outperform benchmarks in recent years.