(Bloomberg) -- Hedge funds posted a loss of 5.7 percent last year as managers struggled to capitalize on volatility and were roiled by political uncertainty.
For December, funds lost 1.9 percent, according to preliminary figures from the Bloomberg Hedge Fund Database.
The industry suffered through one of its worst years in 2018. Many managers not only failed to make money but did worse than the broader market. The return of volatility posed a challenge. The prospect of a trade war with China and the combative stance of President Donald Trump didn't help.
Read more: Volatility Is Only Making Matters Worse for Hedge Funds
For the year, the worst performers were Equity Hedge and CTA/Managed Futures strategies, which tumbled 7.8 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively. The only bright spots were Fixed Income Directional and Fixed Income Relative Value, which gained 0.2 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
In December, the worst performers were Event Driven funds, which slid 3.5 percent. Equity Hedge funds declined 3.1 percent. Macro funds, by contrast, rose 0.2 percent.
Final December and year-end data become available around Jan. 14. All data are total return including reinvested dividends.
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To contact the reporter on this story: Alan Mirabella in New York at amirabella@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Margaret Collins at mcollins45@bloomberg.net, Colleen McElroy, Vincent Bielski
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