Preqin, which specialises in providing data for the alternative assets industry, said Asia-Pacific-focused hedge funds delivered net returns of 18.61% over the 12 month period ending July, compared with 15.38% and 11.97% achieved by North America and Europe focused funds, respectively.
The company’s research also revealed investor appetite for Asia-Pacific hedge funds is strong, with 41% of Asia-Pacific based investors surveyed by Preqin planning to increase their allocations to hedge funds over the coming 12 months.
Furthermore, 53% of non-Asia-Pacific-based investors said they will look to increase their allocation to hedge funds targeting investments in the region over the next 12 months.
Additionally, Preqin data shows Asia-Pacific-focused hedge funds have outperformed the overall hedge fund benchmarks in both 2013 (as of 31 July) and 2012, as well as on an annualised basis over the past two, three and five years.
Preqin added that over the course of 2013 so far, Asia-Pacific-focused funds managed by firms based in the region have produced a net return of 6.91%, which is nearly three times higher than funds managed by firms based elsewhere focused on the region at 2.4%.