Since early December, Merger Arbitrage and L/S Equity Market Neutral has outperformed, while L/S Equity remains under pressure. Relative Value Arbitrage was resilient. Based on a peer group of 28 onshore L/S Credit strategies, the median performance was -0.3% month-to-date (up until December 12th) and -1.3% quarter-to-date.

Nordea Asset Management announces the launch on 06 December 2018, the Nordea 1 – European Long/Short Equity Fund (‘the Fund”). The Fund is a liquid alternative strategy designed for investors searching for yields higher than traditional fixed income products, while at the same time seeking lower volatility than long-only equity funds.

Risk assets failed to reach a bottom early December despite the U.S and China agreeing to negotiate on trade at the G20 summit. The near-term outlook remains unclear from political uncertainties, which prevent investors from adding risk in portfolios despite lower equity valuations and wider credit spreads.

L/S Equity and Event-Driven strategies underperformed due to their elevated market beta. L/S Equity strategies also suffered due to the rotation in risk factors which saw growth/ momentum stocks underperforming value and low beta stocks.