NEW YORK (Reuters) -Global hedge funds had their strongest inflows in the first half of the year since 2015, gaining popularity in turbulent markets amid U.S. President Donald Trump's new trade policies, data from provider HFR showed.

Hedge funds lured $37.3 billion in inflows in the first half of 2025, while they attracted $7.2 billion in the same period a year earlier, according to HFR.

Roughly $30 billion in fresh was were invested into hedge funds with over $5 billion in assets under management.

The record inflow came at a period hedge funds on average posted gains of 3.88%, while the S&P 500 was up 5.5% and closed the first half at an all-time high.

Some funds, however, posted double digit gains. Bridgewater Associates' flagship fund gained 17%, Rokos Capital Management rose 12.26% and Caxton Associates had a 14% return.

The industry ended June with $4.74 trillion in assets under management, combining the new inflows and returns it posted, HFR added.

Kenneth J. Heinz, president of HFR, said in a statement he expects more inflows through the end of the year. "Institutions are likely to continue expanding allocations to funds which have demonstrated their strategy's ability to deliver strong, uncorrelated performance gains through the dislocation and disruptive market cycles of the first half of 2025."