Merchant Opportunities Fund Sweeps Private Debt Category at 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- /CNW/ – Merchant Opportunities Fund (the "Fund"), a Vancouver-based private credit fund focused on investing in small business financing and other specialty credit portfolios, announced today that it took first place in every return category at the 2026 Alternative IQ Canadian Hedge Fund Awards in the Private Debt category:

• First Place: 1-Year Return
• First Place: 3-Year Return
• First Place: 5-Year Return
• First Place: 10-Year Return

The 2026 results build on the Fund's recognition in prior years, including Best 5-Year Return in 2025 and Best 3-Year Return in 2024. These distinctions underscore the Fund's consistent performance, disciplined investment process, and ability to deliver strong, risk-adjusted returns through varying market conditions.

Since inception in 2010, Merchant Opportunities Fund has achieved a compound annual return (net of fees) exceeding 9.6%. Over the past three years, the Fund has delivered a compound annual return (net of fees) of approximately 12.6%.

"Winning first place across every time horizon, from one year to ten, speaks to the repeatability of our investment process and the durability of private credit as an asset class," said David Gens, Managing Partner & CEO of Merchant Opportunities Fund. "We remain focused on generating stable, attractive, risk-adjusted returns for our investors while continuing to provide vital capital to small businesses and individuals across North America."

The Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program exists to both celebrate excellence within Canada's hedge fund industry and to raise awareness of that expertise among the broader investment community.

About Merchant Opportunities Fund

Merchant Opportunities Fund offers private investors access to specialty credit portfolios which have consistently generated stable returns paired with flexible liquidity options. Investing primarily in short-term, small to mid-sized business and consumer loans originated by established specialty finance companies, the Fund has helped over 20,000 businesses and individuals since 2010 and advanced over $1.5 billion in these categories. To learn more, visit www.merchantopportunitiesfund.com.

SOURCE Merchant Opportunities Fund

Media & Investor Relations: Aidan Vaandering, Director, Fund Distribution, Merchant Opportunities Fund, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]