November 30, 2009 – New York, NY – Hennessee Group LLC, an adviser to hedge fund investors, believes the equity markets are likely to continue their momentum heading into the end of the year and lead to additional gains for investors during the month of December. Charles Gradante, Co-Founder of the Hennessee Group, stated “We believe the ‘December Effect’, whereby investors choose to defer paying taxes on equity market gains until the following year, will provide additional support to the equity markets as we close out the year. And historical data seems to support this thesis as the equity markets have experienced gains during the final month of the year 70% of the time when positive through the month of November.” Gradante added, “In addition, hedge funds have experienced gains in December 100% of the time during these same calendar year periods.”
“DECEMBER EFFECT”: EQUITY MARKETS AND HEDGE FUNDS
Hennessee Group recently conducted a brief study examining the historical performance of the equity markets and hedge funds when entering the final month of the year with positive year-to-date gains. Hennessee Group focused on the calendar year periods dating back to 1995; using the S&P 500 Index and the Hennessee Hedge Fund Index as proxies. As illustrated in the chart below, dating back to 1995, the S&P 500 Index has generated positive returns through November in ten calendar year periods and experienced additional gains in December 70% of the time. In comparison, hedge funds managed to generate gains in nine of the calendar year periods the S&P 500 Index was positive through November and experienced gains in December 100% of the time.
Gradante stated, “The data supports the ‘December Effect Theory’ and bodes well for investors as we close out 2009. Hennessee Research indicates that when the equity markets were positive through November, they gained on average +2.1% in December while hedge funds gained +1.9%.”
|
YTD Performance Through November |
December Performance |
Year |
S&P 500 Index |
Hennessee Hedge Fund Index |
S&P 500 Index |
Hennessee Hedge Fund Index |
1995 |
31.82% |
15.79% |
1.74% |
1.65% |
1996 |
22.91% |
17.67% |
-2.15% |
1.20% |
1997 |
28.98% |
16.84% |
1.57% |
1.16% |
1998* |
19.91% |
-0.28% |
5.64% |
1.70% |
1999 |
12.97% |
22.57% |
5.78% |
6.70% |
2003 |
20.28% |
16.75% |
5.08% |
1.76% |
2004 |
5.57% |
6.31% |
3.25% |
1.82% |
2005 |
3.12% |
6.10% |
-0.10% |
1.66% |
2006 |
12.23% |
9.99% |
1.26% |
1.28% |
2007 |
4.44% |
10.85% |
-0.86% |
0.33% |
Positive |
10 |
9 |
7 |
10 |
Note: Hedge funds experienced a challenging period in 1998 due in large part to the failure of Long-Term Capital Management.
OPTIMISTIC HEDGE FUND OUTLOOK FOR 2010
While the Hennessee Group is optimistic for both the equity markets and hedge funds heading into the final month of the year due to the “December Effect”, we are more optimistic that hedge funds are well positioned for a good year on a relative basis in 2010. The Hennessee Group believes fundamentals will matter again in the coming year which should lead to an increase in dispersion between sectors and individual stocks, particularly as the rally gets long in the tooth. In addition, the equity markets are likely to trade in a range as opposed to trend in one particular direction in 2010. The Hennessee Group believes such an environment should favor hedge funds relative to their traditional counterparts as they will have the opportunity to generate alpha on the both the long and short side of their portfolios while not having to rely on market direction or beta for returns.
* For a more in depth monthly review of the economy, capital markets, and hedge fund performance and strategies, the Hennessee Group offers the monthly Hennessee Hedge Fund Review (www.hennesseegroup.com/hhfr/).
About the Hennessee Group LLC
Hennessee Group LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser that consults direct investors in hedge funds on asset allocation, manager selection, and ongoing monitoring of hedge fund managers. Hennessee Group LLC is not a tracker of hedge funds. The Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices® are for the sole purpose of benchmarking individual hedge fund manager performance. The Hennessee Group does not sell a hedge fund-of-funds product nor does it market individual hedge fund managers. For additional Hennessee Group Press Releases, please visit the Hennessee Group’s website. The Hennessee Group also publishes the Hennessee Hedge Fund Review monthly, which provides a comprehensive hedge fund performance review, statistics, and market analysis; all of which is value added to hedge fund managers and investors alike.
Description of Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices®
The Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices® are calculated from performance data reported to the Hennessee Group by a diversified group of over 1,000 hedge funds. The Hennessee Hedge Fund Index is an equally weighted average of the funds in the Hennessee Hedge Fund Indices®. The funds in the Hennessee Hedge Fund Index are derived from the Hennessee Group’s database of over 3,500 hedge funds and are net of fees and unaudited. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This material is for general information only and is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security including any interest in a hedge fund.
