Last year was the second-worst for hedge fund performance on record, according to data from Eurekahedge. But Agecroft Partners, a third-party marketing group based in the US, thinks things will be better in 2012 and has outlined its reasons for predicting $100bn of net inflows.

If Agecroft is proved right and hedge funds do go on to attract $100bn from investors this year, it would make 2012 the best year for inflows since 2007. Below are 10 trends that Agecroft thinks will impact inflows in the sector this year.