Below is a list of the 5 largest hedge funds in the world and their top stock picks. For a detailed discussion about hedge funds, please see the 20 Largest Hedge Funds in the World and Their Top Stock Picks.
5. AQR Capital Management
Assets Under Management: $100 billion
Cliff Asness, a billionaire, founded AQR Capital Management in 1998 and grew it into one of the largest hedge funds in the world. The investment philosophy of its founder, who achieved great success for the Goldman Sachs Global Alpha Fund and was famous for his achievement in developing algorithms, has been the driving force behind this success. His approach to investing mixes conventional and non-conventional methods, spreading out his holdings across multiple assets. By the end of 2023’s second quarter, AQR had approximately $100 billion in AUM. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) were among AQR’s top stock picks.
4. Renaissance Technologies
Assets Under Management: $106 billion
Established by Jim Simmons, Renaissance Technologies currently manages $106 billion in assets, making it one of the largest hedge funds in the world. The firm uses quantitative models for analysis and stock selection. Jim Simmons’ Medallion Fund was the best fund so far, according to Insider Monkey data, returning more than 66% annualised before fees from 1988 to 2018. Renaissance Technologies has a $106 billion 13F portfolio as of the end of June. Its top stock picks include Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META).
3. Man Group
Assets Under Management: $163
Man Group, headquartered in London, is a British hedge fund that manages $163 billion in assets. It is one of the oldest financial firms, with roots dating back to 1783. It operates through six investment engines and provides systematic and discretionary long-only and alternative strategies in both liquid and private markets. It trades in more than 800 markets worldwide and employs more than 600 quants and technologists. Man Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
2. Bridgewater Associates
Assets Under Management: $196 billion
The legendary investor Ray Dalio’s firm, Bridgewater Associates, was founded in 1975 and currently manages $196 billion in assets. Due to his ability to correctly forecast future market movements and global market trends, his firm has made huge returns over the last fifty years. Historically, Dalio’s company has made significant investments in a volatile market environment. In 2022, his firm built over $10 billion in short positions in European stocks. Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) were its largest stock picks as of the end of June.
