Ken Griffin's flagship hedge fund at Citadel rises 10.2% in volatile 2025

• Citadel's tactical trading fund led performance with 18.6% returns, while fundamental equity strategy gained 14.5%
• The firm will reduce assets under management from $72 billion to $67 billion by returning profits to limit capital growth
• Wellington fund continues its exceptional performance with 19% annualized returns since inception in 1990

Ken Griffin's Citadel hedge fund delivered strong performance in 2025, with its flagship Wellington multistrategy fund gaining 10.2% during a volatile market year. The firm's tactical trading fund, combining equities with quantitative strategies, achieved an impressive 18.6% return, while the fundamental equity strategy rose 14.5% and global fixed income fund advanced 9.4%.

The performance comes amid a challenging market environment characterized by sharp swings, trade tensions, and a late-year risk asset rebound. For context, the S&P 500 gained 16.4% in 2025, marking its third consecutive double-digit annual advance, despite nearly entering bear market territory at one point following President Trump's actions.

Citadel plans to return approximately $5 billion in profits to clients this year to limit capital growth, which will reduce assets under management from roughly $72 billion to about $67 billion. This capital return strategy demonstrates the firm's disciplined approach to managing fund size.

Wellington fund maintains a robust long-term track record with an annualized return of 19% since its 1990 inception. The 2025 results reinforce Citadel's position as a leading hedge fund capable of navigating complex market conditions while delivering consistent returns across multiple strategies.

The strong performance across Citadel's various funds highlights the firm's ability to generate alpha in both equity and fixed income markets, with quantitative and tactical trading strategies particularly outperforming during the volatile year.