[Hedge Funds Withdraw from Global Equities at Fastest Rate in 13 Years in March] Investors are rapidly reducing their holdings in global equities as hopes for a swift resolution to the Middle East conflict fade. According to data collected by Goldman Sachs' institutional brokerage division, hedge funds sold off global stocks at the fastest pace in 13 years in March, the second fastest pace since Goldman Sachs began collecting such data in 2011. This move was primarily driven by increased short selling, highlighting concerns that the stock market could weaken further amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. The MSCI World Index fell 7.4% in March, its worst monthly performance since 2022, while the S&P 500 fell 5.1% over the same period.
