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The retail trading frenzy, hopes of U.S. stimulus measures and vaccine roll-outs have lifted prices in several assets and pushed global stocks to record highs.
According to Refinitiv Lipper data, the short-bias funds have declined 10.2% on average and their fund value fell to $26.9 billion at the end of January, from $29.5 billion at the end of 2020.
Direxion Daily S&P Biotech Bear 3X Shares and MicroSectors US Big Oil Index -3X Invrs Lev ETN were the worst performers in the list, shedding over 40% each.
Global equity markets have rallied this year, with the MSCI world equity index touching a fresh all-time high on Wednesday.
Brent crude, which lost more than a fifth of its value last year, has climbed 18.5% so far this year, supported by producer supply cuts and hopes that vaccine rollouts will drive a recovery in demand.
Meanwhile, the data showed big gains in funds that invest in energy and biotechnology sectors. MSCI World Energy index has risen about 10% this year, while MSCI World Biotechnology index has added 4.3% this year.
