Inside the Profit-Making Strategies of the World's Largest Hedge Fund

Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, has long kept its investment tactics a secret. While founder Ray Dalio claimed to have cracked the "holy grail" of investing, the firm's descriptions of its investment approach remained vague. However, investigations by Wall Street figures and financial analysts revealed that Bridgewater's success largely relied on Mr. Dalio's personal decision-making rather than a sophisticated system or artificial intelligence. The firm's investment staff had limited involvement, and only a small group known as the "Circle of Trust" had access to the inner workings. Bridgewater also sought information advantages by cultivating relationships with government officials to gain insights into their economic interventions. Despite its size, Bridgewater's performance has lagged in recent years, but its marketing prowess and mystique have helped it maintain its status as the largest hedge fund.