Hedge fund performance slumped while fees were cut in 2018. Industry insiders say equity managers, the battle for tech talent, and fee pressure are all coming up daily at hedge funds big and small. “It’s not a great time to be in the hedge fund business, relative to other times," says Adam Zoia, CEO of consulting firm CompIQ. Headlines about high-profile hedge fund closures and performance troubles commanded the industry’s attention in 2018. A year that started off with promise for both established managers and new players quickly tanked after the second quarter's close.