Citadel expects to return about $7bn in profits to its clients on the back of what is expected to be its most profitable year ever, said people familiar with the firm, highlighting the banner year some hedge funds have had even as others nurse deep wounds.

Citadel’s flagship fund gained about 32% for the year through November, benefiting from bets across the firm’s strategies, the people said. The firm plans to return some profits from all four of its funds in early January but still expects to start 2023 with more than $50bn in assets under management, one of the people said.