Latest figures show that the world's hedge fund sector marked time in February, but at least halted the bloodletting of January.

The hedge fund industry was becalmed in February, collectively logging, on average, a loss of 0.06 per cent in that month. This was an improvement on the 2.69 per cent monthly loss in January, according to Preqin, the research house.

Macro strategies posted the greatest gains (0.55 per cent) and are the only leading hedge fund strategy to hold a positive 2016 year-to-date return (0.88 per cent).

In comparison, credit strategies continued to struggle, recording their fourth consecutive month of negative returns with losses of 0.86 per cent. Year-to-date performance for that strategy is now at 1.92 per cent.