By Reuters Staff
2 Min Read
(Reuters) - Global mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that have net short positions in assets including stocks and commodities are the worst performers this year, according to Refinitiv data.
The retail trading frenzy, hopes of U.S. stimulus measures and vaccine roll-outs have lifted prices in several assets and pushed global stocks to record highs.
According to Refinitiv Lipper data, the short-bias funds have declined 10.2% on average and their fund value fell to $26.9 billion at the end of January, from $29.5 billion at the end of 2020.
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3X Shares and MicroSectors US Big Oil Index -3X Invrs Lev ETN were the worst performers in the list, shedding over 40% each.
South Africa's Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday that selling the AstraZeneca vaccine doses the country had bought was an option and that it was being considered.
Yields on Japanese government bonds pared gains on Wednesday after an auction drew solid demand, but many traders expect yields to rise in the future on hopes of a global economic recovery.