In its May 2010 investment outlook, Sweden’s SEB shows hedge funds are continuing to perform well, with 2010 a better year than normal.

The ZEW-Zephyr M&A-Index declines to 110 points in March 2010, standing above its starting point of 100 points in January 2000. However, it now stands considerably below its long-time average of 126 points. This release from Bureau van Dijk and ZEW suggests hope of a quick recovery of worldwide mergers and acquisitions could be illusory.

Following the onset of the financial crisis, late 2008 and early 2009 saw a number of institutional investment portfolios enter a state of disharmony and distress, reveals alternative assets data provider Preqin in this 2010 market review.