All Comments
Hedgeweek Comment: Market travails make Mayfair addresses more affordable
Wed, 19 November 2008
The price of commercial office space in Mayfair and St. James's, the London districts famous for their concentrations of hedge fund and private equity managers, is already falling under the impact of the ongoing financial crisis. 
Hedgeweek Comment: The re-emergence of private equity?
Tue, 18 November 2008
Not much more than a year ago, private equity players dominated the front pages, until the credit crunch began and the leverage fuelling the buyout industry to a large extent dried up. Over the past 12 months the industry has seemed to be in hibernation, bar the occasional deal that has been modest by historical standards. But is the beast waking up?
Hedgeweek Comment: For hedge funds, little news from G20 is good news, so far
Mon, 17 November 2008
The recommendations on hedge fund oversight of the G20 leaders meeting in Washington at the weekend, such as they were, were probably music to the ears of many fund managers. The modest suggestions on financial sector regulation were pretty much limited to a pledge to boost co-operation and harmonisation rather than any concrete measures.
Hedgeweek Comment: Vanilla - with a little chocolate
Fri, 14 November 2008
In the midst of determining what is the right strategy to implement during these troubled times, hedge fund managers are opting for plain vanilla strategies - but with a sprinkling of chocolate.
Hedgeweek Comment: Investors still like hedge funds
Wed, 12 November 2008
Despite all the moaning from politicians about hedge funds and the negative press coverage they have been receiving over the past few months, they are set to play a greater role in many investors' portfolios in the years ahead. According to a survey by Morningstar, 25 per cent of financial advisors polled and 30 per cent of institutions expect hedge funds to become somewhat or much more important in the future.
Hedgeweek Comment: The power of the spoken word
Tue, 11 November 2008
Many people would agree that discussion is the best way to resolve any conflict. At a time when blame is freely being flung around for the global financial turmoil, hedge fund managers must be glad that they are getting a chance to voice their opinions and listen to others' concerns with US lawmakers this week.
Hedgeweek Comment: Emanuel's appointment offers reassurance to hedge fund industry
Mon, 10 November 2008
US president-elect Barack Obama has asked Rahm Emanuel, a one-time aide in the Clinton White House, to be his chief of staff - a choice that is likely to reassure hedge fund managers, even though the Illinois congressman's relationship with the alternative industry is far from that of an unalloyed cheerleader.
Comment: Cayman hedge funds and the credit crunch
Fri, 07 November 2008
Paul Scrivener and Laura Hatfield of Cayman Islands law firm Solomon Harris note the continuing strength of the world's largest offshore hedge fund domicile and examine the implications for the jurisdiction of US court decisions on the bankruptcy of two Bear Stearns hedge funds.
Hedgeweek Comment: Garden state governor stands up for hedge fund investment
Thu, 06 November 2008
It's not all hostility to hedge funds in the so-called blue states that helped deliver the US presidency to Barack Obama on Tuesday night. Jon Corzine, the Democratic Party governor of New Jersey, has come out in defence of the state pension system's decision to add USD143.5m to its investment in a BlackRock credit hedge fund that has been falling in value.
Hedgeweek Comment: New president, new hedge fund rules?
Wed, 05 November 2008
Last week the US Treasury Department formally dropped its proposals for anti-money laundering regulations governing the hedge fund industry. This was partly because of the difficulties in enforcing such a system on an unregulated industry with no oversight body in place to do so, but also because Treasury experts say that hedge funds are an unlikely choice of vehicle for money laundering or terrorist financing because of their risk profile and...
Hedgeweek Comment: Coffey about-turn reflects changed environment
Tue, 04 November 2008
Greg Coffey is playing it safe and joining veteran fund manager Louis Bacon as co-chief investment officer of Moore Capital Management's London-based European operation. Until last week the star emerging markets manager at GLG Partners, Coffey is joining Moore with a 12-strong team.
Hedgeweek Comment: Porsche manoeuvre puts squeeze on German markets regulation
Mon, 03 November 2008
It wasn't as if hedge fund managers needed another reason to dislike Germany, what with its insistent calls for increased regulation of the industry, but last week's game played by luxury auto firm Porsche has left many managers seething with anger.
Hedgeweek Comment: The weeding-out process
Thu, 30 October 2008
As the domino effect from the credit crunch continues, it is becoming increasingly clear that many hedge funds will be forced to shut down due to the interplay of shrinking access to leverage, disappointing investment performance and investor demands for redemption.
Hedgeweek Comment: Consolidation beckons for battered industry
Wed, 29 October 2008
The hedge fund industry could well be the next big victim of the credit crunch, according to the Bank of England, which says in its latest financial stability report that in the wake of one of their worst quarters on record, hedge funds were having to sell off assets to meet redemption requests.
Hedgeweek Comment: Hedge funds bear brunt of party games
Tue, 28 October 2008
It was only a matter of time, wasn't it? Amidst chaotic financial markets, unsettled investor sentiment and hedge fund redemptions, the German politicians who dubbed hedge funds as "locusts" are again seeking to rein in alternative fund managers.
Hedgeweek Comment: SEC may take a leaf from UK's book
Mon, 27 October 2008
The chief executive of the UK's Financial Services Authority, Hector Sants, may have seen his comment about hedge funds not needing additional regulation splashed all over the UK media, but it is the comments of the former US Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, that will make the experts take note.
Hedgeweek Comment: Capital requirements move up the agenda
Thu, 23 October 2008
Capital adequacy requirements is a topic that lately may have become lost amid the chaos of the financial markets, but now the Alternative Investment Management Association says the hedge fund industry needs make this a priority if managers are to come through the current turbulence intact.
Hedgeweek Comment: Aussie regulator hesitates to lift short-selling ban
Wed, 22 October 2008
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission yesterday extended the ban on covered short-selling for non-financial stocks until November 19, but announced that its ban on shorting financial stocks would continue until January 27.
Hedgeweek comment: Hedge fund activism is alive and kicking
Tue, 21 October 2008
The power of hedge fund activism should never be underestimated. After months of disputes between Deutsche Börse and two activist investors, Atticus Capital and The Children's Investment Fund Management, on various changes sought by the hedge funds at the German stock market operator, the hedge funds have got what they wanted - partially, anyway.
Hedgeweek Comment: Hedge fund sees opportunity in "new sub-prime"
Mon, 20 October 2008
As world grapples with the consequences of the implosion of the US sub-prime mortgage sector, some hedge fund managers seem to have already spotted a comparable market, following reports that funds are now turning their attention to student loans.
