Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Top 25 Hedge Fund Managers Raked In Over $11 Billion Last Year


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published May 5, 2015

Modified May 5, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published May 5, 2015

Modified May 5, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The world's top 25 hedge fund managers made a collective $11.62 billion in 2014, an amount that was somehow racked up during a "mediocre" performance year. For comparison's sake, the median household income in he United States in 2013 was $51,759. Brooklyn's median household income was $44,850 in 2013, according to recent census numbers. My IKEA couch cost $580. $11.62 billion could buy so much self-assembled furniture.

The Times reports that though people who invested in hedge funds didn't get much in return this year, those who managed those funds did pretty well, provided you don't consider $1.1 billion a mere pittance. These managers include Bridgewater Associates' Raymond Dalio, who raked in that aforementioned $1.1 billion; Citadel manager Kenneth C. Griffin, who took home $1.3 billion, and Renaissance Technologies manager James H. Simons, who made $1.2 billion.

Of course, if it seems unfair that hedge fund managers earned swimming pools full of Benjamins in a year where the funds themselves saw an average return of only 2 percent, note that even these moneymakers have stumbled on hard times. In 2013, the top 25 managers earned a collective $21.15 billion, so 2014's numbers represent a startling dip. Multiple Waldorf-Astoria condos don't come cheap, after all.

Again, in case you're trying to grasp what $11.2 billion looks like, Zimbabwe's total GDP in 2012 was $10.81 billion. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, now considered the poorest country in the world, earned a per capita GDP of only $394.25 in 2013. Ken Griffin reportedly makes $90K while napping. Capitalism is such a fun game when you're winning.

Tagged

billionaires

cash moniez

hedge funds

money


Rebecca Fishbein

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year

The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.

By

Ryan Kost

Published Oct 4, 2026 at 4:44 p.m. ET


NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year

While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.

By

Michael Sol Warren

News

NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year

While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.

By

Michael Sol Warren


NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.

By

Emily Russell

NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens

By

Ben Feuerherd

NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim

By

Jill Webb


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .