Hedge Fund Research’s HFRI Composite Index inched closer to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in November with a 2.25% return. The main HFRI index returned 11.44% through the end of November, putting it within spitting distance of the S&P’s 12.2% through the same period.

The index’s big month was driven by especially strong returns in its emerging markets and macro indices, which returned 4.34% and 2.62%, respectively. The emerging markets index is up 20.26% this year through November, by far the best-performing HFRI index. Other top performers include merger arbitrage (up 1.57% in November, 14.4% YTD), distressed securities (1.83%, 13.96% YTD) and event-driven (1.94%, 13.72% YTD).

Funds of funds also posted a strong month, with the HFRI Fund of Funds Composite Index rising 1.85% to 8.45% YTD.