Summary
Hedge fund trends in 2026 will be shaped by AI initiatives, multi-strategy platform growth, Middle East expansion, private credit risk, and renewed macro volatility. As alpha becomes harder to source, managers are turning to commodities, external manager platforms, operational optimization, and disciplined AI deployment to stay competitive.
James Horridge
James' focus is on determining technology and often managed services solutions that enables EMEA and APAC hedge funds to address their complex problems; scale their businesses; and achieve their goals.
Sources:
[i] Forbes, November 13, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/carriemccabe/2025/11/13/hedge-funds-pass-5-trillion-milestone-as-strategies-evolve/
[ii] Alternatives Watch, December 23, 2025. https://www.alternativeswatch.com/2025/12/23/hedge-fund-returns-allocator-activity-increase-in-2025/
[iii] Business Insider, December 26, 2025. https://www.businessinsider.com/big-name-hedge-funds-big-commodities-push-despite-tough-2025-2025-12
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[v] Hedgeweek, December 15, 2025. https://www.hedgeweek.com/are-allocators-backing-hedge-funds-private-market-push/
[vi] Reuters, December 8, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hedge-fund-brevan-howard-says-abu-dhabi-staff-has-reached-150-2025-12-08/
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[viii] DIFC, December 15, 2025. https://www.difc.com/whats-on/news/difc-becomes-top-five-global-hub-for-hedge-fund-managers---over-100-hedge-funds-now-registered
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[xi] Hedge Fund Journal, 2011. https://thehedgefundjournal.com/macro-investing/