Multistrategy hedge funds face rising risks from leverage and crowded trades
Large multistrategy hedge funds are increasingly exposed to overlapping investments and elevated leverage, raising concerns that a market shock could trigger widespread losses and forced selling across the sector, according to research from PivotalPath. The ten major multistrategy firms examined in the study managed approximately $2.2tn in gross assets, including borrowed capital, at the end of…
A new study from PivotalPath reveals that large multistrategy hedge funds are grappling with heightened risks stemming from excessive leverage and the concentration of their investments. The research examined ten of the biggest multistrategy firms, which together managed around $2.2 trillion in gross assets at the end of 2025, a figure more than three times their exposure in 2018.
These firms held a combined $360 billion in net assets, suggesting a leverage ratio of roughly six times the capital invested by individuals. The study found that leverage was notably high among six firms operating multiple investment pods, employing leverage between eight and 14 times their net capital.
The findings also highlight a trend of increasing similarity in the investment positions of the ten largest multistrategy firms, with their US equity holdings more heavily overlapping with one another compared to other hedge funds. Additionally, returns across this group have become more correlated since 2019, indicating a greater exposure to common market risks.
While the study does not predict an immediate market disruption, it underscores growing concerns over potential systemic vulnerabilities within the multistrategy hedge fund sector. The research particularly warns that a simultaneous market shock affecting highly leveraged managers with concentrated positions could lead to amplified selling pressure and liquidity challenges, especially for funds with shorter periods for investor redemptions.
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