While anecdotal evidence suggests that hedge fund launches are picking up in the second half of the year, the amount of seed capital available from institutional investors has dropped by 44%.

According to Acceleration Capital Group, which surveyed 50 top institutional hedge fund seeding firms globally, the amount of seed capital available in Q3/Q4 of this year is $1.32 billion compared with $2.35 billion that was available in the first half of the year.

The survey also reveals that 52% of hedge fund seeders currently prefer investing in distressed and global macro strategies, with equity long/short coming in third at 48%.

The list of top five preferred strategies was rounded out by volatility trading (38%) and event driven (38%) funds. See full report below.

Hedge Fund Seed Capital Report For Q3/Q4 2009