Newsreel from the Danube

10 May 2008

In recognition of our legions of loyal readers in Budapest, Hungary, we are broadcasting live from the “Pearl of the Danube” today.  (Actually, no - we don’t quite have “legions” of Hungarian readers.  But yes, today’s newsreel was produced on the banks of the Danube where Alpha Male was sharing his two cents on alpha-centric investing with a meeting of European asset managers.)

(Note: as usual, free registrations may be required for some of these stories.  Rest assured, they’re all free though - we’re far too cheap to actually pay for stuff.)

NACM launches three 130/30 funds: CIO says “We believe 130/30 investing will become an integral part of institutional investors’ portfolios in the years ahead.”

Hedge funds banking on IPO route: Hedgeweek says that the spike in UK hedge fund managers’ interest in IPOs is a result of an easing of LSE listing rules.  

Fund managers overmarket, underperform as competition hits:  Watson Wyatt says fund managers are trying too hard to wow their prospects.  

California Firm Preps ETF Hedge Fund: Now we can have an “ETF hedge fund” to go with your “hedge fund ETFs.”

The $3-billion prophet of doom: Canada’s leading news magazine says “There are many who will reflexively point to Paulson’s success as yet more evidence that the hedge fund sector is somehow predatory. In reality, it is just the opposite, and it’s time we dispensed with the knee-jerk disapproval that continues to dog the industry.”  

Investors stand by 130/30 funds: Like Hillary Clinton once did, investors have so far chosen to “stand by their (130/30) man”

Pension worry from new accounting rules: Pending regulatory changes in Europe have some worried that pensions will have to yank assets from alternative investments.

Comas wants funds of hedge funds to drop the ‘diversification’ tag: Commerzbank’s hedge fund of funds business says the industry has lost sight of need for actual returns.

Investors expect hedge funds to raise $200bn this year: Despite the news about the pending death of hedge funds, things have apparently been worse.

The activities of the “new shorts”: Analyst says that “institutionalized, mainstream short-selling trade that is practiced by well capitalized hedge funds and traditional money managers…are much less prone than they have been in years past to flee when positions move against them, so the short-covering rallies fuelled by panicked short liquidation have become somewhat scarcer.” 

That’s all for now.  Viszontlátásra!

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