Hedge Funds Fall In March

The first quarter came in like a lamb for hedge funds, but went out somewhat more fiercely than the industry would have liked.

After two mostly positive months, all hedge fund strategies lost ground in March, according to the Credit Suisse Liquid Alternative Beta indices. The overall index dropped 0.83%, cutting its year-to-date gain to 2.21%.

By contrast, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose about 3% and is up more than 10% on the year.

Managed futures funds were hardest hit on the month, dropping 1.41% to wipe out its 2012 gains. The strategy is down 0.79% on the year.

Event-driven funds shed 1.18% (up 3.11% YTD), global strategies lost 0.9% (up 1.04% YTD), merger arbitrage lost 0.35% (up 0.26% YTD) and long/short funds fell 0.12% (up 4.76% YTD).