Monthly Research & Market Updates

January 2026 was characterized by record-breaking performance and historically elevated positioning across global fundamental long/short strategies. Asia-based managers delivered a return of 8.0% driven by technology tilts and extreme gross leverage in the 99th percentile, while European managers saw 3.5% returns with strong alpha gains in Industrials and Utilities. In commodity markets, the ANZ World Commodity Price Index climbed 2.0% led by wool and aluminum, while uranium spot prices surpassed $100/lb, fueling growth in nuclear-related equities and small modular reactor developments. Sector rotations favored Information Technology and Cyclicals, whereas Consumer Discretionary and Forestry faced headwinds from persistent weakness in Chinese construction. Retail metrics showed a decline in industry-wide home furnishing markdowns to 34%, signaling a tighter promotional environment despite decelerating construction activity. Finally, macroeconomic focus remains on Turkiye, where headline inflation accelerated to 4.8% in January, prompting the central bank to implement tighter credit caps to manage upside risks to its 2026 targets.