For several well-known funds, the start of 2019 has helped wash off the stink of last year, as big-name managers like David Einhorn, Bill Ackman, Joseph Edelman and Dmitry Balyasny all finished January with positive returns. The overall hedge fund industry had one of the best months in its history, returning 4% on average, after declining 2.2% in December, according to data tracker eVestment. With calls to increase taxes on the wealthiest and outrage at former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's presidential aspirations, 2019 has not been kind to billionaires so far.