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Why hedge funds investing in tech stocks got clobbered in January

The S&P 500 and technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 5.3% and 9% in January in their worst month since March 2020

Stock markets’ selloff in January dealt double-digit losses to a range of hedge funds investing in technology and other fast-growing companies, sparking questions about whether a popular and lucrative strategy for these firms is running out of steam.

Whale Rock Capital Management’s hedge fund lost 15.9% for the month in the share class that invests in public and private companies, following a 9% loss last year, according to a person familiar with the firm. Tiger Global Management’s hedge fund, which also lost money last year, lost 14.8% for the month, another person said. Melvin Capital Management and Light Street Capital Management both lost 15% following double-digit losses in 2021, clients said.

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