Credit Suisse Releases Mid-Year Hedge Fund Investor Sentiment Survey

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Jul 29, 2015, 09:39 ET

NEW YORK, July 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Credit Suisse announces results of its mid-year Hedge Fund Investor Sentiment Survey, which polled over 200 global institutional investors representing nearly USD 700 billion in hedge fund investments. This survey follows Credit Suisse's Annual Global Investor Sentiment Survey published in March 2015.

Participants were surveyed on their current strategy appetite and allocation activity. 93% indicated that they plan to maintain or increase hedge fund allocations during the second half of this year. The top three preferred investment strategies by region were:

Americas: Equity Long/Short (56%), Event Driven (47%) and Global Macro (38%)
EMEA: Global Macro (54%), Equity Long/Short (46%) and Event Driven (43%)
APAC: Global Macro (44%), Multi-Strategy (44%) and Credit Long/Short (39%)

Robert Leonard, Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Services at Credit Suisse commented:

"Despite ongoing volatility in the global marketplace, institutional investors remain steadfast in their approach to hedge fund allocations.

At the mid-year mark, Global Macro continues to be the most favored strategy by institutional investors globally, as it was at the start of the year. Interest in Event Driven and Equity Long/Short strategies also remains high.

One of the more notable developments from our annual survey conducted earlier this year is the marked increase in interest around Multi-Strategy funds, reflecting investor's reaction to the fast changing investment environment we are experiencing at this time."

Key highlights from the 2015 Credit Suisse mid-year Hedge Fund Investor Sentiment Survey:

Global Macro (46%) retained the top spot in the survey – and was also the most popular selection in our Annual Survey. This was the only strategy to rank among the top three investor preferences in all regions. The ability to capitalize on macroeconomic opportunities, e.g. a potential Fed rate increase, appears to be driving its popularity.

Event Driven (44%) remained the second most popular strategy among global investors surveyed, while appetite for Equity Long/Short (43%) increased to 3^rd position, after ranking 4^th in the annual survey. Interest in Multi-Strategy (32%) had one of the biggest positive swings, moving from 14^th place to 6^th place in the mid-year survey.

CTA/Managed Futures saw one of the largest declines at this mid-year point, moving down from the 3rd most sought after strategy in our annual survey to 9th place at mid-year. Increasing concerns about China's economy appear to be a significant factor in this lower ranking.

In the first half of 2015, investors most actively allocated to the traditional Master/Feeder (Onshore/Offshore) structure, Managed Accounts and UCITS funds. Looking to the second half of the year, investors report higher appetite for UCITS and Managed Account products, as well as Co-investment structures for Equities.

About the respondents
The survey covered institutional investors on a global basis, including fund of funds, family offices, consultants, endowments & foundations, private banks and pension funds; 52% of responses came from the Americas, while 38% came from EMEA based investors and 10% came from APAC.

Credit Suisse AG
Credit Suisse AG is one of the world's leading financial services providers and is part of the Credit Suisse group of companies (referred to here as 'Credit Suisse'). As an integrated bank, Credit Suisse is able to offer clients its expertise in the areas of private banking, investment banking and asset management from a single source. Credit Suisse provides specialist advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high net worth private clients worldwide, and also to retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is headquartered in Zurich and operates in over 50 countries worldwide. The group employs approximately 45,600 people. The registered shares (CSGN) of Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group AG, are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Certain information contained in this document constitutes "Forward-Looking Statements" (including observations about markets and industry and regulatory trends as of the original date of this document), which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "target", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue" or "believe", or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Due to various risks and uncertainties beyond our control, actual events, results or performance may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Credit Suisse has no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this document.

This document was produced by and the opinions expressed are those of Credit Suisse as of the date of writing and are subject to change without obligation to update. It has been prepared solely for information purposes and for the use of the recipient. It does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of Credit Suisse to any person to buy or sell any security. Any reference to past performance is not a guide or indicator to future performance. The information and analysis contained in this publication have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable but Credit Suisse does not make any representation as to their accuracy or completeness and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use hereof.

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SOURCE Credit Suisse AG