Funds Hub
Money managers under the microscope
GAIM 2009: Managers, investors cheer new austerity
This year’s GAIM conference was far smaller than the three previous summer events, with fewer organized events, no sponsored gala dinner and restricted cocktail sessions where two or three bar staff struggled to satisfy hundreds of thirsty conference-goers
The fact was duly noted, initially with some concern, by many of the investors and asset managers, several of them grumbling about the limited amount of liquid refreshment available to slake a healthy thirst worked up in the searing Monaco sun.
In the end, however, investors were left impressed by the quality of their numerous meetings with asset managers over the three-day event. Managers too said they were impressed by the incisiveness of investor questions.
The 500 or so investors and managers went home with new ideas, fresh plans and new found respect for each other.
GAIM 2009: Hendry goes long
Maverick hedge fund manager Hugh Hendry is rarely far from controversy and his appearance at the GAIM conference in Monaco this week was no exception.
Having been scheduled to give a short talk on the future of capitalism before getting into a longer discussion with Lombard Street Research chief international economist Charles Dumas, Hendry proceeded to overrun his slot, giving his views on pretty much anything to do with the world of investment.
GAIM 2009: Business card largesse signals hedgie sales push
Journalists have not needed to persecute and cajole hedge fund executives into handing over their business cards at GAIM this year, a sharp contrast to conferences in less troubled times.
At past GAIMs, or the Global Alternative Investment Management conferences, certain hedgies went to great lengths to duck journalists, and many even expressed concern or irritation that journalists were allowed in at all.
GAIM 2009: Numbers bear witness to crisis
Attendance numbers are down at this year’s Global Alternative Investment Management conference in Monaco. Fewer hedge fund salespeople, fewer investors, fewer stands.
It is not really such a surprise, and not only because the attendee list was visibly shorter this year than in 2008. Of the around 800 registered visitors, perhaps 500 have turned up.
John Paulson gains Buffett’s Midas touch
Hedge fund manager John Paulson, who made a fortune currectly betting on the U.S. housing market collapse in 2007 and then the broader financial crisis last year, is starting to wield a Midas touch long associated with Warren Buffett.
Thanks to its bearish views, Paulson & Co over the past few years vaulted to the top ranks of the world’s largest hedge fund, multiplying its assets and earning Paulson a king’s ransom.
How(ard) do you do it?
Brevan Howard Asset Management, Europe’s biggest hedge fund firm, has posted a 133 percent rise in operating profits to an astonishing 503 million pounds for the year to July 2008, demonstrating the benefits of being one of the (few) winners in last year’s market turmoil.
While the average hedge fund lost 19 percent last year, according to Hedge Fund Research, Brevan Howard’s main fund rose 21 percent.
Investors won’t forget
It seems that investors will have long memories of how hedge funds behaved in the bad times when it finally comes to putting money back into the industry again.
The wipeout of 50, 60 or 70 percent of the industry that was predicted by some commentators last year hasn’t quite happened, partly because redemptions have slowed dramatically of late, partly because some smaller firms are still limping along in the hope that conditions will improve soon, and partly because many funds imposed gates last year, limiting investors’ ability to get their money out.
Short selling – remember that one?
Plenty has happened since the UK brought in its temporary ban on short-selling financial stocks last year — Madoff, Weavering, hedge fund outflows, the EC’s controversial plans for hedge fund rules, and even a few hedge funds making money.
However, behind the scenes, the debate on how to handle this controversial practice rumbles on, and today the Investment Management Association published its response to the FSA’s discussion paper, now that the period for responses has closed.
Madoff Junkies
One of the more striking aspects about the Madoff affair is the large number of people who appear to have been ‘hooked’ on Madoff products.
Money managers were drawn by Madoff’s air of mystique, his stellar reputation as a market timer, the apparently steady returns with rock bottom volatility and the absence of fees, which some collected from clients anyway.
Short and Curlies
The Longpigs were one of the lesser lights of Britpop, best known for a number 16 hit with She Said and for launching the career of Richard Hawley. Now though, apparently, short pigs are all the rage.
News reaches us of exciting developments in the world of ETFs where the market is seeking out ways to play swine flu. ETF Securities has seen a surge in volumes and returns of its Short Lean Hogs ETC after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its pandemic alert for swine flu to the second highest level last Wednesday.
