Hedge fund assets climb back above $2 trillion

December 9, 2009

Heartened by improved market conditions, new hedge fund launches picked up again in the third quarter and exceeded the number of liquidations for the first time since the height of the financial crisis. ... (read more)

Advisors Face Knowledge Gap

December 10, 2009

Financial advisors are shifting to more conservative investing approaches and making greater use of alternative investments, a move that requires an education in new types of risk, among other issues. ... (read more)

Hedge Fund Managers Confident About 2010 Prospects

December 17, 2009

Fund managers are positive about market prospects for the year ahead, with almost three-quarters thinking markets will rise during the next 12 months. ... (read more)

Common Sense and Private Equity

December 16, 2009

Pivate equity has long lost its mantle as the enemy at large in the capital markets. The banks now have become the focus for public opprobrium, to such an extent that there is little ire left to be expended on other corners of the financial world. The European Union, belatedly, seems to be acknowledging this as it moves in the direction of common sense in shaping the regulation of private equity. ... (read more)

Hedge Fund Manager Pay on the Rise

December 14, 2009

Hedge fund managers and employees expect comfortable increases in pay this year, with an average salary of almost $300,000 and over 7% anticipating pay of over $1 million. ... (read more)

Hedge Funds See $150 Billion Inflows In First Nine Months of 2009

December 14, 2009

Barclays Capital today announced the findings of Raising the Game, a report on the state of the hedge fund industry after the first nine months of 2009, released by the firm's Prime Services division. The report, based on interviews with hedge fund managers whose funds manage a combined total of $387 billion of assets (AUM), approximately one third of the industry, found that hedge funds across the globe are now devoting greater resources to more clearly differentiate themselves in light of the industry reshaping turmoil of the past 18 months. ... (read more)

Alternative Assets for the Masses

December 17, 2009

Institutional investors have long used private equity and hedge funds to achieve overall returns far higher than those eked out by individuals. In the 10 years ended Dec. 31, 2008, Hedge Fund Research's Fund Weighted Composite Index gained 7% per year, on average, while the Thomson Reuters U.S. Private Equity Performance Index returned an annual average of 17%. That compares with a 13% cumulative loss for the Standard & Poor's (MHP) 500-stock index.

Until recently the masses lacked easy access to these asset classes. Over the past year, however, the number of products that offer individual investors ways to invest in alternative assets has swelled. Should individuals jump in now that they have the chance? ... (read more)

Hedge fund employees optimistic about 2009 pay

December 11, 2009

Roughly one out of every four hedge fund firm employees expects to take home more money this year than last, according to data that offers evidence the industry is on the mend after 2008's heavy losses. ... (read more)