New York – Citadel, the global financial powerhouse founded by billionaire Ken Griffin, has reported strong performance across its flagship and specialized funds, according to a source familiar with the matter. The firm’s flagship Wellington fund posted a 1.8% return in October, bringing its year-to-date performance to 6.8%.

This performance reflects Citadel’s continued ability to deliver positive returns in a volatile market environment, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading hedge fund managers.

Citadel’s Fund Performance in Detail

Beyond the flagship Wellington fund, other Citadel funds also demonstrated robust gains in October. The Global Equities fund, based in Miami, outperformed the broader market, achieving a 2.3% increase for the month. This translates to a 10.4% return year-to-date through October 31, slightly surpassing the S&P 500’s 2.2% monthly gain.

The firm’s Tactical Trading fund delivered even more impressive results, posting a 2.7% gain in October and an impressive 13.4% growth from January through October. Meanwhile, the Global Fixed Income fund saw a more modest but steady increase of 1.1% in October, boosting its year-to-date performance to 7.3%.

“These returns underscore Citadel’s diverse investment strategy and its ability to capitalize on opportunities across multiple asset classes,” said the source, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the figures.

Hedge Fund Industry Trends

Citadel is not alone in reporting gains. Other prominent hedge funds, including Millennium Management and Balyasny Asset Management, also posted positive returns in October, according to insiders.

The broader hedge fund industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to Hedge Fund Research, global hedge fund capital reached a record high of nearly $5 trillion in the third quarter of 2025. This surge coincided with approximately $34 billion in new investor inflows, marking the highest quarterly net asset increase since the third quarter of 2007. Analysts attribute this growth to a combination of market volatility, rising investor interest in alternative assets, and confidence in hedge fund managers’ ability to deliver consistent returns.

Citadel’s Strategic Position

Founded by Ken Griffin, Citadel has long been recognized for its innovative trading strategies and sophisticated risk management practices. Its performance in October and year-to-date underscores the firm’s ability to maintain steady growth even amid global market fluctuations. With diversified portfolios across equities, fixed income, and tactical trading, Citadel continues to attract significant institutional and individual investment.

As the hedge fund sector expands to a decade-high number of active funds and record levels of capital, firms like Citadel demonstrate how strategic investment management can achieve consistent returns for investors worldwide.