Bridgewater Associates’ flagship hedge fund jumped 11.3% this year through last week, benefiting from market swings set off by President Donald Trump’s trade wars.
The gains in Bridgewater’s Pure Alpha II, which invests in stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities, accelerated during the first half of March, according to a person familiar with its performance. The S&P 500 fell 5.3% in that span, while all of the G7 currencies gained against the dollar.
The firm profited while some other macro peers lost money. Brevan Howard Asset Management’s $11.7 billion Master Fund slid 1% in the first week of March, extending the year’s decline to 5.4%. DE Shaw & Co.’s Oculus fund, which mostly makes macro wagers, fell 4.4% through March 7.
Last year, Bridgewater’s main macro fund returned 11.3% — its best performance since 2018. Even so, that gain trailed its biggest macro competitors.
Nir Bar Dea, who was named Bridgewater’s sole chief executive officer in 2023, has taken steps meant to increase the firm’s returns, including capping the size of its flagship funds and focusing more on artificial intelligence.
Oregon-based Eagle Wealth Management and Idaho-based West Oak Capital give Mercer 11 acquisitions in 2025, matching last year's total. “We think there's a great opportunity in the Pacific Northwest,” Mercer's Martine Lellis told InvestmentNews.
Osaic has now paid $17.2 million to settle claims involving former clients of Jim Walesa.
Osaic-owned CW Advisors has added more than $500 million to reach $14.5 billion in AUM, while Apella's latest deal brings more than $1 billion in new client assets.
The up-and-coming Los Angeles-based RIA is looking to tap Merchant's resources to strengthen its alts distribution, advisor recruitment, and family office services.
US wealth advisory business will get international footprint boost with new tie-ups.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.
