Rumours of the death of hedge funds appear to be grossly exaggerated - to borrow a certain Mark Twain expression - according to latest data.

Investors worldwide put $13.4 billion into hedge funds in August, while total assets under management in the sector reached a record of $3.209 trillion, defying some claims of languishing sector, according to eVestment.

Despite a broadly positive picture, however, there were some difficulties for emerging markets-focused hedge funds. After two-month inflow rally in June and July, August saw investors pull out $1.69 billion from these funds. Some investors might be losing faith that emerging markets funds’ winning streak can continue or may be taking some gains to invest elsewhere, the report said.

Multi-asset hedge funds logged strong inflows in August, with AuM up $7.09 billion during the month, bringing year-to-date 2017 inflows to $13.03 billion.

Assets in equity-based hedge funds rose $4.4 billion, bringing YTD inflows to $12.16 billion.

Macro hedge funds logged $4.36 billion in inflows, bringing YTD inflows to $17.86 billion; event-driven funds saw inflows of $2.1 billion in August, but flows are still negative for the past three months (at -$2.11 billion) and YTD (-$5.37 billion).
    
Relative value credit, distressed and market neutral equity all saw outflows for the month, although each saw less than $1 billion leave, the report added.