Key Investment Strategies to be Unveiled at Hedge Funds World Middle East in Dubai

·        Emerging Markets Hedge Funds Receive $5.8 Billion, Largest Inflow since July 2008  - signaling bullish investor sentiment for alternative assets

·        Legendary economist Nouriel Roubini to outline his investment outlook for 2011 at the conference from March 7-11

Dubai, UAE, 22 February 2011: Hedge fund launches raised more money in 2010, a sign that investor confidence began to recover enough to back new managers, according to an industry survey.

According to Hedge Fund Research, investors committed $13.1 billion net new capital to hedge funds in 4Q bringing total 2010 net inflows to $55.5 billion, the highest annual total since 2007. The hedge fund industry concluded 2010 with the largest quarterly increase in assets in its history – total industry assets grew to $1.917 trillion, reflecting a quarterly increase of nearly $149 billion, topping the previous record increase of $140 billion in 2007.

Echoing buoyant investor sentiment, Hedge Funds World Middle East conference will bring together over 40 international and local institutional investors and representing over $ 3 trillion in capital in one place to benchmark the best hedge fund strategies in 2011. The conference will take place at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai from March 7-10, 2011, with a stellar speaker line-up that includes leading economist Nouriel Roubini, who accurately predicted the current economic crisis and its outcome; and key fund managers like William Ackman of Pershing Square Capital Management, Scott Lawin of Moore Capital, Steven Bell of GLC Ltd and Gerlof De Vrij of APG, one of Europe’s largest pension funds, among others.

“As a result of rapid growth from emerging and frontier markets, investors are now looking beyond the traditional emerging market countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China to deliver alpha. By bringing together sophisticated investors and star fund managers, we want the conference to be a forum that helps attendees identify and capitalise on investment opportunities,” said Sally Fleming, conference director.

Outstanding individuals and companies who have contributed to the development of the Middle Eastern hedge fund industry will be lauded at the Hedge Funds World Awards on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Award categories include Best Hedge Fund Manager, Best Service Provider, Best Performing New Fund, Hedge Fund World 2011 Investor Award, Best MENA Hedge Fund, Best Shariah Compliant Product Provider and a Special Merit Award for Outstanding Industry Contribution.

Risk appetite among hedge fund investors is soaring. Emerging markets funds hauled in $5.8 billion (2.5% of assets) in December, the largest inflow since July 2008.  It has been reported that majority of hedge fund managers have recovered from the losses they suffered in 2008 and continued aggressive investing is a huge plus for asset prices.

“Macro funds delivered $13.9 billion in 2010 which made them the most popular hedge fund strategy,” said Fleming. “We look forward to hearing top managers share their strategies for 2011.”