The funds in Australian Fund Monitor’s database have fallen by an average of 2.47 per cent in May, based on the results of 31 per cent of funds in the database.

This is five per cent less than the fall of the ASX 200, which fell by almost eight per cent in May.

Equity funds fared worst, down 3.75 per cent, while non equity based funds posted a positive 0.81 per cent for May, based on the 19 per cent which have reported to date.

Taking a 12 month view, equity based funds are up 14.46 per cent against the ASX which has risen 16.01 per cent over the year, having fallen close to ten per cent since January.

On a year-to-date basis 95 per cent of hedge funds have outperformed the ASX, and 63 per cent have provided investors with positive returns.