2008 was a tough year for investors in almost all asset classes. Even the hedge fund industry was not immune as deleveraging, investor redemptions, and market losses caused total industry assets to fall to around $1.4 trillion, a level not seen since 2006, according to Hedge Fund Research. Assets peaked at just under $2 trillion in June 2008.

In this report Credit Suisse examines the industry's assets and fund flows. Credit Suisse also review the profile of the industry by number of funds, redemption terms, and a breakdown of AUM by strategy

Hedge funds, like most other asset classes, suffered a good deal in 2008. Among the superlatives:

- Most fund closings ever
- First time more funds were liquidated than launched
- Largest amount of redemptions in a single month, quarter and year
- Worst market returns in nearly 20 yrs

To view the report, please click here (460KB)