Global Stock-Picking Funds Lose 2.9% in Week as AI Stocks Fall

The global fundamental long-short strategy declined 2.9% during the week ending Oct. 15, leaving it up 14.3% for 2026 as AI-linked equities weakened.

Asia-focused stock pickers were down 6.8% in October's first half and had relinquished over half their gains after reaching a late-June high above 40% for the year. Funds in the strategy posted losses on each trading day during the week. The weekly figure covers global fundamental long-short funds, a stock-picking strategy, rather than every hedge fund approach.

Inflation added to concerns about interest rates and whether large AI investments will generate returns soon enough. The September Consumer Price Index rose 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis and 3.7% over the prior 12 months. The figures were released Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8:30 a.m. ET (12:30 UTC).

U.S. stocks also fell Wednesday, Oct. 14, with the Nasdaq Composite down 1.9% and the S&P 500 down 1.1%. The declines sharpened questions about whether AI spending can produce returns quickly enough while borrowing costs remain elevated.