Noci Pictures Entertainment, A Chicago film finance and production company is offering an innovative way for high net worth investors, hedge funds and private equity groups to receive 100% deductions for film investments as well as state income tax credits.
Yuri Rutman’s Noci Pictures Entertainment is shooting a slate of films in Illinois using a hybrid of tax, finance, risk minimization and exit strategies that offer dollar for dollar Federal Tax Deductions and state income tax credits.
"I don’t know of any other alternative investment that can offer tax incentives, multiple exit strategies, as well as giving back to the local economy, while being involved with the moviemaking process, Rutman states, "that would add to the long
line of recent films either shot in Illinois or about to be shot, including “The Dark Knight”, the upcoming John Dillinger film with Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, as well as a lot of other Hollywood films."
The American Jobs Creation Act Of 2004, the 2004 enactment of Section 181 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") marked an unprecedented change in U.S. policy toward the phenomenon known as "Runaway Production".
Runaway Production refers to a film or television production that leaves one state or country to be filmed in another purely for economic reasons. This movement occurs
because producers tend to film in the location where they can minimize production costs through tax incentives, cheaper labor.
An individual or company who makes an investment into Section 181 qualified productions can take a 100% deduction of their investment against their passive
income in the year their investment was made.
But since Section 181 also allows for all other recourse debt costs which are usually associated with film finance, a $10 million dollar film, where only $3.5 million is equity, an investor can deduct $3.5 million dollars against the $10 million, especially if the latter is mezzanine or gap finance. Plus, an additional 20% in Illinois tax credits can be generated.
Regarding Section 181 as an alternative investment for hedge funds that want to offset their tax liabilities, Rutman adds "That I am redefining film finance that is more serving to the community, local economies, and people who need jobs. Plus, I have so many risk minimization strategies in place and several exit scenarios, there are a lot of hedge and private equity funds who are now starting to feel a bit shafted with their film fund deals simple because they did not do their homework."
5 Feb 2008
Special Situations Mergers & Acquisitions Launch
In response to client needs and evolving capital markets conditions, Duff & Phelps Corporation announced the formation of a Special Situations Mergers & Acquisitions practice.
This group formalizes Duff & Phelps' long-standing expertise advising middle market companies, lenders, and private equity sponsors on transactions occurring in challenging operating and financial environments.
According to Dow Jones, private equity fundraising designated specifically for distressed investments topped $48 billion in 2007, a 300% increase in funds raised over the previous year.
"Hedge funds, sponsors and institutions are amassing large pools of capital for distressed investing, and they are scouring the market for investment opportunities," said Russell Belinsky, Senior Managing Director of Restructuring and co-founder of Chanin Capital Partners, which was acquired by Duff & Phelps in November 2006.
"Meanwhile, the credit crunch is putting a strain on companies and their ability to borrow. As a result, some of these companies will look to sell underperforming operations or assets to raise capital. This puts our Special Situations M&A practice in an ideal position to leverage our relationships and find natural buyers for these assets."
The announcement of a Special Situations M&A practice formalizes an existing service offering of Duff & Phelps. The specific services offered include merger and acquisition advisory services in situations where the target company or its owner is significantly underperforming or experiencing financial distress, including out-of court divestitures and Chapter 11 Section 363 asset sales, and private capital raising for refinancing or recapitalization in times of financial distress.
This group formalizes Duff & Phelps' long-standing expertise advising middle market companies, lenders, and private equity sponsors on transactions occurring in challenging operating and financial environments.
According to Dow Jones, private equity fundraising designated specifically for distressed investments topped $48 billion in 2007, a 300% increase in funds raised over the previous year.
"Hedge funds, sponsors and institutions are amassing large pools of capital for distressed investing, and they are scouring the market for investment opportunities," said Russell Belinsky, Senior Managing Director of Restructuring and co-founder of Chanin Capital Partners, which was acquired by Duff & Phelps in November 2006.
"Meanwhile, the credit crunch is putting a strain on companies and their ability to borrow. As a result, some of these companies will look to sell underperforming operations or assets to raise capital. This puts our Special Situations M&A practice in an ideal position to leverage our relationships and find natural buyers for these assets."
The announcement of a Special Situations M&A practice formalizes an existing service offering of Duff & Phelps. The specific services offered include merger and acquisition advisory services in situations where the target company or its owner is significantly underperforming or experiencing financial distress, including out-of court divestitures and Chapter 11 Section 363 asset sales, and private capital raising for refinancing or recapitalization in times of financial distress.
PIPEs & Opportunities For Hedge Fund Managers
On Febuary 15th, 2008, a reduction in the Rule 144 holding period for restricted shares of public companies will take effect. The holding period, which is being shortened from one year to six months, will result in billions of shares from thousands of companies becoming eligible for public resale on that day.
A new report by Restricted Stock Partners examines 300 transactions and 258 issuers, showing 66% of the issuers highlighted as having greater than three months of their average daily trading volume eligible for sale on Febuary 15th.
The report is based on research on companies that issued unregistered securities in connection with Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) deals during the affected period. Hedge funds are the primary investors in the affected shares (many of which are from PIPEs).
37% of affected issuers will have greater than one year of their average daily volume eligible for sale and one-third of affected issuers in the Report will have greater than 25% of their market capitalization eligible for sale on the same day.
“Hundreds of companies may see share amounts equal to 100 or more times their average daily trading volume available for sale on Feb. 15,” according to Barry E. Silbert, founder and CEO of Restricted Stock Partners. “While it is difficult to predict what impact this will have on share prices, investors will certainly want to be familiar with the companies that may be affected.”
The RSTN has already attracted more than 400 members, including global financial institutions, hedge funds, mutual funds and other institutional investors, who collectively manage over $200 billion in assets.
A new report by Restricted Stock Partners examines 300 transactions and 258 issuers, showing 66% of the issuers highlighted as having greater than three months of their average daily trading volume eligible for sale on Febuary 15th.
The report is based on research on companies that issued unregistered securities in connection with Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) deals during the affected period. Hedge funds are the primary investors in the affected shares (many of which are from PIPEs).
37% of affected issuers will have greater than one year of their average daily volume eligible for sale and one-third of affected issuers in the Report will have greater than 25% of their market capitalization eligible for sale on the same day.
“Hundreds of companies may see share amounts equal to 100 or more times their average daily trading volume available for sale on Feb. 15,” according to Barry E. Silbert, founder and CEO of Restricted Stock Partners. “While it is difficult to predict what impact this will have on share prices, investors will certainly want to be familiar with the companies that may be affected.”
The RSTN has already attracted more than 400 members, including global financial institutions, hedge funds, mutual funds and other institutional investors, who collectively manage over $200 billion in assets.
4 Feb 2008
2007's Most Generous Givers Generate Huge Numbers
BusinessWeek's annual ranking of 'Most Generous Givers' lists some of 2007's deepest pockets, although many of the donations also bought the renaming of the recipients projects.
Sixteen of the 50 philanthropists gave more than $100 million, while nine donated $200 million or more. The largest donation coming from Jon Huntsman, who gave over $700 million to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah.
David Koch, a newcomer, donated $100 million for a cancer research center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lorry Lokey gave a $74.5 million donation to the University of Oregon, bringing his total to $132 million so far.
George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael and Susan Dell, were also high on the list of generous givers. T. Denny Sanford gave $400 million in a pledge to Sioux Valley Hospitals & Health System in South Dakota, renamed Sanford Health.
Robert Day gave $200 million to the Robert Day Scholars Program and Sandy and Joan Weill donated more than $300 million to Cornell University and its Weill Medical College, which focuses on stem cell research.
Sixteen of the 50 philanthropists gave more than $100 million, while nine donated $200 million or more. The largest donation coming from Jon Huntsman, who gave over $700 million to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah.
David Koch, a newcomer, donated $100 million for a cancer research center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lorry Lokey gave a $74.5 million donation to the University of Oregon, bringing his total to $132 million so far.
George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael and Susan Dell, were also high on the list of generous givers. T. Denny Sanford gave $400 million in a pledge to Sioux Valley Hospitals & Health System in South Dakota, renamed Sanford Health.
Robert Day gave $200 million to the Robert Day Scholars Program and Sandy and Joan Weill donated more than $300 million to Cornell University and its Weill Medical College, which focuses on stem cell research.
RCB Launches Indian Office For High Net Worth Individuals
RBC announced that it has entered the Indian market by opening its first office in the financial hub of Bandra Kurla, Mumbai, in order to provide wealth management services to high net worth individuals and provide capital market services including global debt funding to Indian banks, corporations and financial institutions.
"The strong growth of the Indian economy presents huge opportunities," said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC president and chief executive officer. "RBC is committed to expanding outside North America into areas where we can show competitive strength and India is a natural choice for our strategy in Asia. India is showing an increasing demand for areas in which RBC has competitive strengths, infrastructure and project finance, energy, metals and mining, structured products, currency and bond trading, and wealth management services."
Akhauri Sinha, country head, RBC India, will lead RBC's overall operations in India, while Dipendarra J. Singh will lead RBC's wealth management business with a focus on high net worth individuals, and Vikas Jambotkar will focus on providing RBC services to Indian financial institutions, as well as capital markets services to corporations.
With people from India comprising the second highest Asian immigrant population in Canada after China, RBC is now well positioned to help them invest back into India's buoyant economy. "Indo-Canadians have made and continue to make a huge contribution to the fabric of Canadian life. Their presence and cosmopolitan imprint on our cities, especially Toronto and Vancouver, have been profound. They form an important, indeed critical, link between India and Canada," continued Mr. Nixon.
RCB (The Royal Bank of Canada) serves more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients throughout offices in Canada, the U.S. and 36 other countries.
"The strong growth of the Indian economy presents huge opportunities," said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC president and chief executive officer. "RBC is committed to expanding outside North America into areas where we can show competitive strength and India is a natural choice for our strategy in Asia. India is showing an increasing demand for areas in which RBC has competitive strengths, infrastructure and project finance, energy, metals and mining, structured products, currency and bond trading, and wealth management services."
Akhauri Sinha, country head, RBC India, will lead RBC's overall operations in India, while Dipendarra J. Singh will lead RBC's wealth management business with a focus on high net worth individuals, and Vikas Jambotkar will focus on providing RBC services to Indian financial institutions, as well as capital markets services to corporations.
With people from India comprising the second highest Asian immigrant population in Canada after China, RBC is now well positioned to help them invest back into India's buoyant economy. "Indo-Canadians have made and continue to make a huge contribution to the fabric of Canadian life. Their presence and cosmopolitan imprint on our cities, especially Toronto and Vancouver, have been profound. They form an important, indeed critical, link between India and Canada," continued Mr. Nixon.
RCB (The Royal Bank of Canada) serves more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients throughout offices in Canada, the U.S. and 36 other countries.
30 Jan 2008
Russia's Hedge Funds Show Stong Growth & Potential
Russia’s strong economic growth, rapidly expanding domestic market and increasing financial market liquidity has been fuel for rapidly expanding hedge funds and specialist investors in Russia and the former Soviet Union (FSU).
One such company is the Pharos Financial Group, which now runs three hedge funds, the Pharos Russia Fund, the Pharos Small Cap Fund, and the one-of-a-kind Pharos Gas Investment Fund.
Pharos has been Moscow based since 1997, making it one of one of the oldest Russian hedge funds, positioning it well for the new Russian market of 2008. The team has over 90 years of combined Russian and Western market experience. Their hedge fund strategy is long biased with shorting capability and has been stress tested with a track record featuring high returns with lower volatility.
Prior to founding Pharos Financial Group in 1997, CEO Peter Halloran was the principal contributor toward building the CS First Boston equity and fixed income brokerage businesses in Russia and the CIS.
He has been working with the development of the Russian capital markets since their inception in 1994, bringing more than $8 billion to the markets through debt, equity and private placements. Halloran has also acted as adviser to Soros Fund Management(the largest investor in Russia to date).
John J. Papesh, marketing director for Pharo said, "Since the Western public perception is different than the reality of the Russian market, I think it would be great to set the record straight when comparing Russia to that of Brazil, India and China, especially at a time when Russia is in favor to other EMs."
The Pharos Russia Fund has been in existence since 1997, offers daily liquidity and is a multi-sector Russia and FSU fund. It has a diverse portfolio of liquid equities, and can short and use derivatives. The fund is up 20% over the past 12 months.
The Pharos Gas Investment Fund is designed to take advantage of the transformation of the gas sector in Russia and Eurasia. As the only hedge fund focused on this sector, it invests in listed equity and offers monthly liquidity. The fund is up 21% over the past 12 months.
The Pharos Small Cap Fund invests in undervalued second and third tier companies and offers monthly liquidity. The fund is up 14% over the past 12 months. Two Pharos Funds have ranked in the Top 15 hedge funds globally by Bloomberg and in the Top 10 by Eurohedge.
One such company is the Pharos Financial Group, which now runs three hedge funds, the Pharos Russia Fund, the Pharos Small Cap Fund, and the one-of-a-kind Pharos Gas Investment Fund.
Pharos has been Moscow based since 1997, making it one of one of the oldest Russian hedge funds, positioning it well for the new Russian market of 2008. The team has over 90 years of combined Russian and Western market experience. Their hedge fund strategy is long biased with shorting capability and has been stress tested with a track record featuring high returns with lower volatility.
Prior to founding Pharos Financial Group in 1997, CEO Peter Halloran was the principal contributor toward building the CS First Boston equity and fixed income brokerage businesses in Russia and the CIS.
He has been working with the development of the Russian capital markets since their inception in 1994, bringing more than $8 billion to the markets through debt, equity and private placements. Halloran has also acted as adviser to Soros Fund Management(the largest investor in Russia to date).
John J. Papesh, marketing director for Pharo said, "Since the Western public perception is different than the reality of the Russian market, I think it would be great to set the record straight when comparing Russia to that of Brazil, India and China, especially at a time when Russia is in favor to other EMs."
The Pharos Russia Fund has been in existence since 1997, offers daily liquidity and is a multi-sector Russia and FSU fund. It has a diverse portfolio of liquid equities, and can short and use derivatives. The fund is up 20% over the past 12 months.
The Pharos Gas Investment Fund is designed to take advantage of the transformation of the gas sector in Russia and Eurasia. As the only hedge fund focused on this sector, it invests in listed equity and offers monthly liquidity. The fund is up 21% over the past 12 months.
The Pharos Small Cap Fund invests in undervalued second and third tier companies and offers monthly liquidity. The fund is up 14% over the past 12 months. Two Pharos Funds have ranked in the Top 15 hedge funds globally by Bloomberg and in the Top 10 by Eurohedge.
Hedge Fund Finance Chief Sentenced To 20 Years
U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon said of Daniel Marino, the former finance chief of the bankrupt hedge-fund firm Bayou Group LLC, "You are as much a career criminal as any mobster or any drug kingpin." The Judge then sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
His prison time will be followed by three years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date, but the judge said it likely will be in the amount of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Hedge fund founder Samuel Israel III and finance chief Daniel Marino pleaded guilty in 2005 to using fake results and a phony auditing firm. Investors lost approximately $400 million according to court papers, but the government put the loss at over $450 million.
The co-founder James G. Marquez was also implicated in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Israel is awaiting sentencing.
"I am truly sorry," Marino said.
His prison time will be followed by three years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date, but the judge said it likely will be in the amount of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Hedge fund founder Samuel Israel III and finance chief Daniel Marino pleaded guilty in 2005 to using fake results and a phony auditing firm. Investors lost approximately $400 million according to court papers, but the government put the loss at over $450 million.
The co-founder James G. Marquez was also implicated in the conspiracy and was sentenced to 51 months in prison. Israel is awaiting sentencing.
"I am truly sorry," Marino said.
29 Jan 2008
SEC Comissioner Says Hedge Funds May Help Solve Market Turmoil
SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins recommended that European and US regulators should learn from each other’s approach to regulating hedge funds, particularly as the hedge fund industry became more international. Atkins said he also expects hedge funds to help solve the market turmoil surrounding sub-prime US mortgage loans.
The Comissioner resisted the agency’s efforts to become involved with hedge funds since he joined the SEC as a commissioner in 2002, the Republican has also questioned the agency’s practice of not allowing hedge funds to market themselves to the general public.
"Most importantly, we must remember that hedge funds are likely to be an important part of the solution to the sub-prime crisis," he told French business school Edhec that, as far as he was able to see, hedge funds could not be blamed for the sub-prime problems.
"Hedge funds and other shareholder activists may have created a negative impression by pursuing their own self-serving agenda at times. This problem may be exacerbated by 'empty voting' and similar practices that are based on decoupling voting rights from economic interests. This is why good disclosure is so important in this area." Atkins also warned that, while shareholder activists can play a valuable role in corporate governance, they will be acting in their own interests and these will not necessarily be the same as the interests of their fellow shareholders.
The Comissioner resisted the agency’s efforts to become involved with hedge funds since he joined the SEC as a commissioner in 2002, the Republican has also questioned the agency’s practice of not allowing hedge funds to market themselves to the general public.
"Most importantly, we must remember that hedge funds are likely to be an important part of the solution to the sub-prime crisis," he told French business school Edhec that, as far as he was able to see, hedge funds could not be blamed for the sub-prime problems.
"Hedge funds and other shareholder activists may have created a negative impression by pursuing their own self-serving agenda at times. This problem may be exacerbated by 'empty voting' and similar practices that are based on decoupling voting rights from economic interests. This is why good disclosure is so important in this area." Atkins also warned that, while shareholder activists can play a valuable role in corporate governance, they will be acting in their own interests and these will not necessarily be the same as the interests of their fellow shareholders.
Indian Policymakers Looking At Hedge Funds To Neutralize Rupee Appreciation
India has been looking to hedge funds and loans since this year's decline began in industrial growth from 11% a year ago to 9.5% in the first half of 2007-08, coupled with a fall in the expansion of India's exports demanded the rationalisation of credit rates by the central banks.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations president Ganesh Kumar Gupta requested India's policymakers to consider establishing a hedge fund to neutralize rupee appreciation along with an apportionment of low-cost dollar loans to exporters among small and medium enterprises.
"It seems that inflation has become the sole concern of the central bank," said V.N. Dhoot, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), reacting to the central bank's monetary policy review.
He also expressed concern for the small and medium scale sector, which in the absence of funding from equity markets and competition from cheaper imports was bearing the maximum brunt of a demand slowdown and cost of funds.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations president Ganesh Kumar Gupta requested India's policymakers to consider establishing a hedge fund to neutralize rupee appreciation along with an apportionment of low-cost dollar loans to exporters among small and medium enterprises.
"It seems that inflation has become the sole concern of the central bank," said V.N. Dhoot, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), reacting to the central bank's monetary policy review.
He also expressed concern for the small and medium scale sector, which in the absence of funding from equity markets and competition from cheaper imports was bearing the maximum brunt of a demand slowdown and cost of funds.
28 Jan 2008
Northern Trust FoHF's To Recieve Daily, Instead of Monthly Data
Northern Trust has announced the setup of a worldwide partnership with financial applications company youDevise, it will offer funds of hedge funds daily portfolio management data. Typically, funds of hedge funds ("FoHF") can only get this type of information from their administrators on a monthly basis and without nearly as much detail.
"The combined Northern Trust-HIP solution represents a tremendous step forward in management information systems for the US$1.5 trillion global fund of hedge funds industry," said Wilson Leech, head of Northern Trust's Global Fund Services group. He noted this development comes at a particularly crucial time for the industry as it faces increasing demand from institutional investors for more transparency, governance, and detailed reporting.
The HIP will be fully integrated onto Northern Trust's single, global technology platform so that FoHF clients can obtain daily information about their hedge fund holdings, current value, performance, liquidity, hedging, and a detailed breakdown of assets and transactions. The information will be accessible through Passport, Northern Trust's interactive web portal, which provides clients with secure access to account information and portfolio reports.
"As a result of this integration, funds of hedge funds will no longer have to run shadow accounting and will have online access to data which will have been fully reconciled against, and integrated with, the official month-end NAV(i)," said Peter Cherecwich, head of Global Product and Strategy for Northern Trust's asset servicing business. "This supports Northern Trust's drive to offer comprehensive asset servicing capabilities to the global fund of hedge funds industry."
"The combined Northern Trust-HIP solution represents a tremendous step forward in management information systems for the US$1.5 trillion global fund of hedge funds industry," said Wilson Leech, head of Northern Trust's Global Fund Services group. He noted this development comes at a particularly crucial time for the industry as it faces increasing demand from institutional investors for more transparency, governance, and detailed reporting.
The HIP will be fully integrated onto Northern Trust's single, global technology platform so that FoHF clients can obtain daily information about their hedge fund holdings, current value, performance, liquidity, hedging, and a detailed breakdown of assets and transactions. The information will be accessible through Passport, Northern Trust's interactive web portal, which provides clients with secure access to account information and portfolio reports.
"As a result of this integration, funds of hedge funds will no longer have to run shadow accounting and will have online access to data which will have been fully reconciled against, and integrated with, the official month-end NAV(i)," said Peter Cherecwich, head of Global Product and Strategy for Northern Trust's asset servicing business. "This supports Northern Trust's drive to offer comprehensive asset servicing capabilities to the global fund of hedge funds industry."
President Bush' Economic Stimulus Package
Stephen Horan, CFA, head of private wealth for CFA Institute, commented today on the economic stimulus package proposed by President Bush and the U.S. House of Representatives.
“What’s interesting about this proposal is the yet-to-be-determined impact it will have on the soft housing market and the durable goods sector,” said Horan. “The more than $200,000 increase in the jumbo mortgage limits is significant because it might provide some refinancing opportunities to homeowners who are finding it difficult to pay their existing mortgage. Banks, knowing that they can possibly repackage these jumbo loans and sell them back to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, might now be willing to refinance at lower rates.”
Horan added that “when it comes to the impact consumer spending will have on sector performance we may possibly see improvements in the consumer non-durable sectors, such as retail. However, time will tell how this plays out.”
“What’s interesting about this proposal is the yet-to-be-determined impact it will have on the soft housing market and the durable goods sector,” said Horan. “The more than $200,000 increase in the jumbo mortgage limits is significant because it might provide some refinancing opportunities to homeowners who are finding it difficult to pay their existing mortgage. Banks, knowing that they can possibly repackage these jumbo loans and sell them back to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, might now be willing to refinance at lower rates.”
Horan added that “when it comes to the impact consumer spending will have on sector performance we may possibly see improvements in the consumer non-durable sectors, such as retail. However, time will tell how this plays out.”
25 Jan 2008
Hedge Fund Report
There are more than 8,100 hedge funds globally managing over $1 trillion in assets today. Speculative energy trading has a strong future, but it will not be the traditional utilities and energy merchants that will create and maturate that market.
The report concludes that energy trading will now be dominated by more sophisticated and well-capitalized financial players such as hedge funds and investment banks, as well as by multinational energy companies with a global footprint. Evidence of the fund's influence on oil markets has been the 55% growth in open interest on Nymex crude, heating oil, and gasoline contracts over last year and the more volatile intraday trading moving during recent months. These market drivers are bringing greater financialization and maturation to the energy complex
Other Topics covered in this report include:
Basics of Hedge Funds
Performance and Management Fees
Hedge Funds & Energy Trading
Energy Trading Exchanges
Leading Energy-related Hedge Funds
This reports sells for $497 and can be ordered at http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=1458&affillink=EPRW20080123
About the Publisher: "Energy Hedge Funds" is published by Energy Business Reports (www.EnergyBusinessReports.com), an energy industry think tank and leading source for energy industry information and research products. Details on all reports can be found at http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=1458&affillink=EPRW20080123
The report concludes that energy trading will now be dominated by more sophisticated and well-capitalized financial players such as hedge funds and investment banks, as well as by multinational energy companies with a global footprint. Evidence of the fund's influence on oil markets has been the 55% growth in open interest on Nymex crude, heating oil, and gasoline contracts over last year and the more volatile intraday trading moving during recent months. These market drivers are bringing greater financialization and maturation to the energy complex
Other Topics covered in this report include:
Basics of Hedge Funds
Performance and Management Fees
Hedge Funds & Energy Trading
Energy Trading Exchanges
Leading Energy-related Hedge Funds
This reports sells for $497 and can be ordered at http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=1458&affillink=EPRW20080123
About the Publisher: "Energy Hedge Funds" is published by Energy Business Reports (www.EnergyBusinessReports.com), an energy industry think tank and leading source for energy industry information and research products. Details on all reports can be found at http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=1458&affillink=EPRW20080123
Six Asian FOHF Launches
3A SA, the hedge fund management division of Swiss banking group SYZ & CO, has launched six new sub-funds of its $1.3bn Luxembourg-domiciled umbrella fund SICAV, offering Asian and opportunistic fund of hedge fund strategies in US dollar, euro and Swiss franc versions.
The step is envisaged as a complement to an existing portfolio of hedge funds. The new funds are part of Alternative Capital Enhancement, an open-ended investment company (Sicav) structure that currently comprises 20 sub-funds representing various hedge fund strategies including multistrategy, arbitrage, long/short, macro and natural resources.
The surge in investment opportunities has prompted vigorous growth in the alternative investment industry in Asia, where some 1,200 hedge funds manage about $150bn in assets.
The ACE Opportunity Fund is currently invested in 17 hedge funds representing various distinct strategies: US economic slowdown (macro), rising default rate (credit), Russia/technology/gold (long/short equity), increased volatility in Asia (long volatility) and opportunistic managers.
Both new strategies are available in US dollar-, euro- and Swiss franc-denominated versions and in three share classes. Class A and B shares for private investors and discretionary asset managers require a minimum subscription of 1,000 and 10,000 dollars, euros or francs respectively, and carry a 1.5 per cent annual management fee, while Class C for institutional investors has a 5 million dollar, euro or franc minimum and a 1 per cent management fee. The performance fee for all three share classes is 7.5 per cent; all six sub-funds are open for subscription and redemption on a monthly basis.
The alternative management division of Syz & Co, 3A had total assets of more than $4bn at the end of last year.
Syz & Co specialises in asset management through three interconnected area of activity, high-level private banking offered by Banque Syz & Co, the Oyster range of investment funds and 3A as the group's alternative investment unit. The group manages CHF31bn in assets and employs 320 staff at its Geneva headquarters and offices in Zurich, Lugano, Locarno, London, Luxembourg, Nassau, Salzburg, Milan, Rome and Hong Kong.
The step is envisaged as a complement to an existing portfolio of hedge funds. The new funds are part of Alternative Capital Enhancement, an open-ended investment company (Sicav) structure that currently comprises 20 sub-funds representing various hedge fund strategies including multistrategy, arbitrage, long/short, macro and natural resources.
The surge in investment opportunities has prompted vigorous growth in the alternative investment industry in Asia, where some 1,200 hedge funds manage about $150bn in assets.
The ACE Opportunity Fund is currently invested in 17 hedge funds representing various distinct strategies: US economic slowdown (macro), rising default rate (credit), Russia/technology/gold (long/short equity), increased volatility in Asia (long volatility) and opportunistic managers.
Both new strategies are available in US dollar-, euro- and Swiss franc-denominated versions and in three share classes. Class A and B shares for private investors and discretionary asset managers require a minimum subscription of 1,000 and 10,000 dollars, euros or francs respectively, and carry a 1.5 per cent annual management fee, while Class C for institutional investors has a 5 million dollar, euro or franc minimum and a 1 per cent management fee. The performance fee for all three share classes is 7.5 per cent; all six sub-funds are open for subscription and redemption on a monthly basis.
The alternative management division of Syz & Co, 3A had total assets of more than $4bn at the end of last year.
Syz & Co specialises in asset management through three interconnected area of activity, high-level private banking offered by Banque Syz & Co, the Oyster range of investment funds and 3A as the group's alternative investment unit. The group manages CHF31bn in assets and employs 320 staff at its Geneva headquarters and offices in Zurich, Lugano, Locarno, London, Luxembourg, Nassau, Salzburg, Milan, Rome and Hong Kong.
23 Jan 2008
Turkey Investment Fund Launch
Strateji Asset Management this week announced a newly launched equity hedge fund, the VV Madaus Strategy Turkey. The new fund is Euro based with a 50.000 mimimum investment($73.000), a 1.5% management fee and a 10% performance fee.
The Luxembourg based fund is registered for sales and marketing in Germany and Austria, with signed distribution agreements with eight major banks across Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland and other countries.
Strateji was founded in Istanbul in 1995 and has approximately $85 million in assets under management. They have partnered with Berlin based ValVeri Invest GmbH, and Munich based Madaus Capital Partners to produce this fund.
The Luxembourg based fund is registered for sales and marketing in Germany and Austria, with signed distribution agreements with eight major banks across Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland and other countries.
Strateji was founded in Istanbul in 1995 and has approximately $85 million in assets under management. They have partnered with Berlin based ValVeri Invest GmbH, and Munich based Madaus Capital Partners to produce this fund.
22 Jan 2008
Brazilian Hedge Fund Manager AFX Acquired by $20 Trillion NY Mellon Corporation
Hedge fund manager ARX Capital Management has been acquired by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
The Brazilian hedge fund manager is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and specialises in multi-strategy, long/short and long only investment strategies and has more than $2.8 billion in assets under management.
Founded in 2001, the company manages 20 equity and hedge funds, in domestic and offshore versions. ARX will be integrated with BNY Mellon Asset Management Brasil with the combined business becoming one of the leading asset managers in Brasil.
Jose Alberto Tovar, CEO of ARX Capital Management, will become the head of the integrated asset management business in Brazil. "We are already seeing new business as a result of the acquisition which is testament to our teams working successfully during integration." Tovar said.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. It has more than $20 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services $11 trillion in outstanding debt.
Alex Akesson
Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: alex@hedgeco.net
HedgeCo.Net is a premier hedge fund database and community for qualified and accredited investors only. Membership on www.hedgeco.net is FREE and EASY. We also offer FREE LISTINGS for Hedge Funds!
Be sure to check out our sister sites. www.hedgefundlounge.com, www.hedgefundtools.com, and www.hedgefundemployment.com
The Brazilian hedge fund manager is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and specialises in multi-strategy, long/short and long only investment strategies and has more than $2.8 billion in assets under management.
Founded in 2001, the company manages 20 equity and hedge funds, in domestic and offshore versions. ARX will be integrated with BNY Mellon Asset Management Brasil with the combined business becoming one of the leading asset managers in Brasil.
Jose Alberto Tovar, CEO of ARX Capital Management, will become the head of the integrated asset management business in Brazil. "We are already seeing new business as a result of the acquisition which is testament to our teams working successfully during integration." Tovar said.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. It has more than $20 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services $11 trillion in outstanding debt.
Alex Akesson
Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: alex@hedgeco.net
HedgeCo.Net is a premier hedge fund database and community for qualified and accredited investors only. Membership on www.hedgeco.net is FREE and EASY. We also offer FREE LISTINGS for Hedge Funds!
Be sure to check out our sister sites. www.hedgefundlounge.com, www.hedgefundtools.com, and www.hedgefundemployment.com
Emerging Markets Fund Of Hedge Funds Launched By Matrix
West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.Net)- Matrix announced the launch a new fund of hedge funds (FOHF), the Matrix Emerging Markets Index Fund. The FOHF is designed to allow participation in the upside of emerging markets, whilst reducing downside risk. The initial offering opens on the 28th of January through the 20th of February 2007.
The FOHF is being managed by Maxam Capital Management LLC, with approximately 40 underlying hedge funds, the portfolio will be broadly diversified across emerging market regions and asset classes.
According to the predicted launch portfolio of the new fund, back tested, the FOHF would have provided total returns of 305% but with a maximum drawdown of only 9.71% over the period from the beginning of 2000 to the end of November 2007.
"The portfolio will consist of around 40 Underlying hedge funds heavily diversified across the Far East, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and will include equities, debt, distressed securities and currency managers, " Bridget Guerin, managing director of Matrix Money Management said, "The managers in the portfolio will be able to hedge out risk via short exposure and other techniques."
The FOHF is being managed by Maxam Capital Management LLC, with approximately 40 underlying hedge funds, the portfolio will be broadly diversified across emerging market regions and asset classes.
According to the predicted launch portfolio of the new fund, back tested, the FOHF would have provided total returns of 305% but with a maximum drawdown of only 9.71% over the period from the beginning of 2000 to the end of November 2007.
"The portfolio will consist of around 40 Underlying hedge funds heavily diversified across the Far East, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and will include equities, debt, distressed securities and currency managers, " Bridget Guerin, managing director of Matrix Money Management said, "The managers in the portfolio will be able to hedge out risk via short exposure and other techniques."
21 Jan 2008
Hedge Fund Scam Artist to be Deported
Ayferafat Yalincak, also known as "Jackie Yalincak," and "Irene Kelly," age 50, has been ordered deported to her native Turkey. Her son, Hakan Yalincak, also known as "Hagen Yalincak," age 21, also a Turkish citizen, may also be deported after he completes his 3.5 year sentence, according to officials.
The mother and son team were charged in March of 2007 with operating a multi-million dollar investment hedge fund fraud scheme. According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, Ayferafat Yalincak and Hakan Yalincak solicited approximately $7 million from several investors for their fake hedge fund.
The conspiracy charge carried a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. She completed her prison term in November after getting credit for serving more than 14 months in prison before her sentencing. She is now in the custody of federal immigration officials.
Prosecutors say Hakan Yalincak charmed his way into the exclusive world of Greenwich high finance by posing as an heir to a wealthy Turkish family. He moved counterfeit checks and brokered deals with a Kuwaiti financier. Ayferafet Yalincak told a federal judge last year that she attended meetings with investors and allowed her son to present her as a member of an exceedingly wealthy Turkish family who was going to invest millions in his hedge fund.
Prosecutors say Ayferafet Yalincak was responsible for an intended loss of $5.3 million and an actual loss of $3.9 million after some of the money was returned to investors.
The mother and son team were charged in March of 2007 with operating a multi-million dollar investment hedge fund fraud scheme. According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, Ayferafat Yalincak and Hakan Yalincak solicited approximately $7 million from several investors for their fake hedge fund.
The conspiracy charge carried a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. She completed her prison term in November after getting credit for serving more than 14 months in prison before her sentencing. She is now in the custody of federal immigration officials.
Prosecutors say Hakan Yalincak charmed his way into the exclusive world of Greenwich high finance by posing as an heir to a wealthy Turkish family. He moved counterfeit checks and brokered deals with a Kuwaiti financier. Ayferafet Yalincak told a federal judge last year that she attended meetings with investors and allowed her son to present her as a member of an exceedingly wealthy Turkish family who was going to invest millions in his hedge fund.
Prosecutors say Ayferafet Yalincak was responsible for an intended loss of $5.3 million and an actual loss of $3.9 million after some of the money was returned to investors.
Mutual Fund to Replicate Hedge Fund in Japan
BNP Paribas Securities announced plans to launch a mutual fund in Japan which will go after similar investment returns to those generated by hedge funds.
The mutual fund will target regional banks and other institutional investors replicating the structure and investment methods of hedge funds.
Japanese regional banks have begun to hold back on hedge fund investments since the requirements for new capital ratios mandate stricter assessment of credit risks for institutions. Since this move last year by the Bank for International Settlements, a growing number of overseas brokerages have begun offering mutual funds and other investments that replicate methods adopted by hedge funds but offer greater transparency.
A Canadian asset management company in which BNP Paribas holds a stake will oversee management of the fund. Because the fund invests in exchange-traded funds and bond futures, it offers higher liquidity and lower costs compared with individual hedge funds charging high fees, according to the Canadian firm.
The mutual fund will target regional banks and other institutional investors replicating the structure and investment methods of hedge funds.
Japanese regional banks have begun to hold back on hedge fund investments since the requirements for new capital ratios mandate stricter assessment of credit risks for institutions. Since this move last year by the Bank for International Settlements, a growing number of overseas brokerages have begun offering mutual funds and other investments that replicate methods adopted by hedge funds but offer greater transparency.
A Canadian asset management company in which BNP Paribas holds a stake will oversee management of the fund. Because the fund invests in exchange-traded funds and bond futures, it offers higher liquidity and lower costs compared with individual hedge funds charging high fees, according to the Canadian firm.
18 Jan 2008
Alternative Hedge Fund Website
Interesting site here at; Albourne Viilage.com. They have a Mayor, a Town Hall, and an entire village that you can become a resident of.
I like the set up and the alternate assumation of assignation, if you will. Anyhoo, touch base with me if you find any cool investing sites as differentially assimilated.
Also see; AdultVest.com (No connection to Alborne Village)
14 Jan 2008
SMH Capital Fined $450 K for Improper Hedge Fund Sales
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced that it has fined a Houston company, SMH Capital Inc., $450,000 for failing to adopt adequate procedures in its prime brokerage and soft dollar services to hedge funds.
As a result, SMH made improper payments of $325,000 in soft dollars to a hedge fund manager. The firm's failures also included drafting and distributing hedge fund sales materials that did not adequately disclose material investment risks to potential hedge fund investors.
In addition to the fine, SMH was ordered to retain an Independent Consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of the adequacy of the firm's policies, systems, procedures and training with regard to its hedge fund operation.
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Susan L. Merrill, FINRA Executive Vice President and Chief of Enforcement said, "As broker-dealers increasingly provide services to hedge funds, they need to carefully tailor their supervisory systems and procedures to ensure they guard against conflicts of interest that result in securities law violations," Merrill said, "SMH's inadequate procedures resulted in the firm making soft dollar payments without a reasonable inquiry into red flags indicating the payments were improper."
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States.
In 2006, members of the public used this service to conduct more than 4.7 million searches for existing brokers or firms and requested more than 207,000 reports in cases where disclosable information existed on a broker or firm.
As a result, SMH made improper payments of $325,000 in soft dollars to a hedge fund manager. The firm's failures also included drafting and distributing hedge fund sales materials that did not adequately disclose material investment risks to potential hedge fund investors.
In addition to the fine, SMH was ordered to retain an Independent Consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of the adequacy of the firm's policies, systems, procedures and training with regard to its hedge fund operation.
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Susan L. Merrill, FINRA Executive Vice President and Chief of Enforcement said, "As broker-dealers increasingly provide services to hedge funds, they need to carefully tailor their supervisory systems and procedures to ensure they guard against conflicts of interest that result in securities law violations," Merrill said, "SMH's inadequate procedures resulted in the firm making soft dollar payments without a reasonable inquiry into red flags indicating the payments were improper."
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States.
In 2006, members of the public used this service to conduct more than 4.7 million searches for existing brokers or firms and requested more than 207,000 reports in cases where disclosable information existed on a broker or firm.
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