Strong line-up for 13th annual HedgeNews Africa Awards

Cape Town: The Steyn Capital SNN Retail Hedge Fund won the prestigious Fund of the Year award at HedgeNews Africa Awards 2021, where a total of 13 awards were presented across various categories.

The Steyn Capital SNN Retail Hedge Fund, managed by Andre Steyn at Steyn Capital Management, delivered a net 51.63% return in 2021 on a Sharpe ratio of 4.38.

Steyn Capital had an exceptional 2021, taking home a total of three trophies on the night. Its Steyn Capital SNN QI Hedge Fund won best long/short fund, the industry’s biggest category, with a return of 51.05% and a Sharpe ratio of 4.95, while its Steyn Capital Africa Fund took the honours in the pan-Africa category, with a return of 32.23% and a Sharpe ratio of 2.28.

Another multiple winner was Alexander Forbes Investments, which took double honours. Its AF Investments Performance QI Hedge Fund of Funds won for best Fund of Funds in 2021, with a return of 21.92% and Sharpe ratio of 6.35, while the AF Investments Performance QI Hedge Fund of Funds took best fund of funds over five years, with an annualised return of 10.26% and Sharpe of 0.81.

In the market neutral and quantitative category, the All Weather H4 Market Neutral Retail Hedge Fund was victorious with a net gain of 28.42% and a Sharpe ratio of 5.28.

In the fixed income category, the Oakhaven SNN Strategic Fixed Income QI Hedge Fund won top honours with a return of 22.71% and a Sharpe ratio of 3.83.

In the multi-strategy category, the Blue Quadrant Capital Growth Prescient RI Hedge Fund was the clear leader, with a gain of 99.46% and Sharpe ratio of 6.12.

Amongst global strategies, the Optis Global Opportunities Fund won for the second consecutive year, with a stellar return of 151.13% and a Sharpe ratio of 2.69.

Amongst specialist strategies, the winner was the property-focused Catalyst Alpha Prescient QI Hedge Fund, with a 2021 return of 32.69% and a Sharpe of 3.41.

In the longer-term categories, the Fairtree Assegai Equity Long Short SNN QI Hedge Fund won for best single-manager performance over five years, its fourth consecutive win in this category, with a net annualised gain of 21.67% on a 0.53 Sharpe ratio.

The Polar Star SNN QI Hedge Fund won for best single-manager fund over 10 years – again a fourth consecutive win – with an annualised return of 22.17% and a Sharpe of 1.08.

For best fund of funds over 10 years, the Old Mutual Multi-Managers Long Short Equity FoHF took the trophy for the fourth consecutive year, with a net gain of 11.38% on a Sharpe ratio of 0.89.

Now in their 13th year, the Awards measured the best risk-adjusted returns of funds across 13 different categories. They are based on monthly data submitted to the HedgeNews Africa database, which includes South African hedge funds as well as other pioneering strategies applied across the broader African markets.

The Awards use an established methodology and independently verified data submitted to HedgeNews Africa, the region’s leading independent publisher focused on the hedge fund and alternative asset management industries.

“Many funds in our universe delivered exceptional returns in 2021, while protecting against downside risks, extending the industry’s convincing track record during both up and down markets,” notes Gwyneth Roberts, the publisher of HedgeNews Africa.

In total, 58 nominations were given across 13 categories, with the one-year awards ultimately going to those funds with the top return provided their Sharpe ratio was within 25% of the top Sharpe amongst the nominees – a method to appraise consistency of returns.

The annual awards were hosted in partnership with top industry service providers, namely Investec, RMB, Absa and Peresec, and presented at a gala dinner in Cape Town.

For more on the HedgeNews Africa Awards go to www.hedgenewsafrica.com