

Hedge fund assets passed the $4 trillion mark during Q1 2021, ending the quarter at $4.15 trillion.
Why it matters: As hedge funds have grown in size — almost doubling their $2.3 trillion assets under management in 2012 — so has their power to influence markets.
What to watch: Preqin's 2020 survey of hedge fund managers identified that a shift toward ESG-friendly investment policies is percolating.
- While just 39% of funds have an active environmental, social and governance policy, another 16% are considering or implementing ESG plans.
- One example: Ray Dalio's Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, in April launched a new sustainable investing venture.
Go deeper: Hedge funds find new favorite short