Survey Shows Nearly 75% of Single Family Offices Invest in Hedge Funds, With Plans to Increase

The alternative investment sector will continue to benefit from increasing asset allocations from Single Family Offices (SFOs), according to "On the Rise," the latest research report sponsored by CPA firm Rothstein Kass.

The white paper, co-sponsored by G Capital highlights the growing relationship between the alternative investment community and SFOs, entities established to serve the needs of individual high-net-worth families. "On the Rise" was co-authored by Russ Alan Prince, a leading authority and counselor on private wealth, and Hannah Shaw Grove, a widely recognized expert on behaviors and finances of high-net-worth individuals.

The findings include that almost three-quarters of SFOs currently invest in hedge funds, with nearly 60% of this group planning additional allocations in the coming year

SFOs with hedge fund allocations hold an average of 3.2 hedge funds or fund-of-funds in the portfolio. Nearly 70% of SFOs with hedge fund allocations report that these investments have met or exceeded performance expectations over the past 12 months.

Over 70% of SFOs with hedge fund allocations report "lack of transparency" as a key concern. Other concerns sited include lock-up periods (60%), style drift (55%) and fraud (37%)

"As SFOs consider an ever-expanding range of investment options, they are increasingly turning to the alternative investment sector and its proven ability to deliver superior returns independent of underlying market conditions," said Rick Flynn, a Principal in Rothstein Kass' Family Office Group. "Moreover, our findings suggest that performance continues to drive alternative investment allocations. Nearly 70% of those polled said that performance over the last 12 months has been 'as expected' or 'better than expected.'"

The "On the Rise" survey was based on telephone interviews with 146 SFOs and was concluded in August 2008. Investable assets ranged from $312.2 million to $1.3 billion, with a median of roughly $500 million. Just under 60% of the firms polled are based in the Americas, with the balance operating in Europe (21%) and Asia (20%). Additional results were generated from only those entities with reported allocations to the alternative investment sector. For the purposes of this research, SFOs are defined as "created exclusively for or by a single exceptionally wealthy family to provide control, negotiating leverage, and a defense for family members."

"'On the Rise' details the latest evidence of the growing interrelation between SFOs and the alternative investment community. While high-net-worth individuals generally recognize advantages of hedge fund investing, they are frequently confounded by the growing roster of products and services available. SFOs have had great success in bridging this knowledge gap," said Peter Gerhard, Chief Executive Officer of G Capital Management LLC. "Still, lingering challenges face this blossoming relationship. Both transparency (73%) and style drift (55%) rated as key concerns among respondents. It seems that although high-net-worth families are comfortable involving SFOs in the asset allocation process, they themselves retain a level of involvement. Investors need to feel confident that the funds that have been selected are not only good choices in the moment, but reflect overarching and longer-term investment objectives."

Rothstein Kass is a financial services firm, recognized nationally as a top service provider to the alternative investment industry. The Firm provides audit, tax, accounting and consulting services to hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds, broker-dealers and registered investment advisors. Rothstein Kass has offices in New York, New Jersey, California, Colorado, Texas and the Cayman Islands.

Hedge Fund Performance for the Third-Quarter Lowest In Morningstar History

Morningstar, Inc. reported that hedge funds reported the worst losses in the Morningstar Hedge Fund Index’s history, which began in January 2003.

In September, the Morningstar 1000 Hedge Fund index dropped 7.87%, more than double August`s losses. Hedge funds entered the third quarter virtually flat for the year, but the index`s 13.17% third-quarter drop dragged year-to-date performance into the red.

"In September, the financial world as we know it turned upside down. We saw a shakeout in the hedge fund industry all around the globe. Hedge funds experienced poor borrowing, hedging, and trading conditions while liquidity dried up and volatility skyrocketed," said Morningstar hedge fund analyst Nadia Van Dalen.

Hedge funds were affected by extreme and unforeseen events during the month, including failures and takeovers of mortgage agencies, banks, insurers, and prime brokers.

As the world watched in anticipation of a U.S. government bailout, the global equity markets roiled. The Morningstar Global Equity Hedge Fund Index lost 11.22% in September. The Morningstar Europe Equity Hedge Fund Index declined 9.62% during the month but outperformed the MSCI Europe Index by more than five percentage points, while the Morningstar US Equity Hedge Fund Index underperformed the SandP 500 Index by more than one percentage point.

Developed Asia and emerging markets equity hedge funds managed to avoid some of the market losses, as these indexes outperformed the MSCI AC Asia Index and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index by about five percentage points in September. For the year to date, however, these emerging markets funds have taken more than a 30% hit.

Hedging proved difficult for hedge funds this month. The SEC and the FSA announced temporary bans on shorting financial stocks. Many convertible arbitrage funds taking long positions in financial sector convertible bonds were unable to hedge with short stock positions. The Morningstar Convertible Arbitrage Hedge Fund Index lost 12.39% in September. Fortunately, some equity arbitrage hedge funds were able to avoid financials. The Morningstar Equity Arbitrage Hedge Fund Index lost only 4.60%.

Debt-oriented hedge funds also experienced hedging problems. Credit default swaps, a common way to hedge bond exposure, became more expensive and less attractive with fears of default and counterparty risk. Both the Morningstar Debt Arbitrage and the Morningstar Global Debt Hedge Fund Indexes underperformed global and U.S. bonds, losing 4.39% and 7.50% respectively. The Morningstar Distressed Securities Hedge Fund Index closed the month down 6.21% as risky debt yields rose.

Global trend following hedge funds actually profited from some of the downward trends in the market, as these funds trade stock index futures as well as interest rates, currencies, and commodities. The Morningstar Global Trend Hedge Fund Index lost only 1.26% in September, the best-performing category other than short equity. The Morningstar Global Non-trend Index, comprised of funds with a more macro-economic approach, slid only 1.56%.

Funds of funds performed in line with the Morningstar 1000 Hedge Fund Index, outperforming the index by about 20 basis points in September, but falling slightly short for the quarter and year to date. The Morningstar Multistrategy Hedge Fund Index underperformed the overall index by about 200 basis points in September.

Russian Trader Looses $50 Million In Risky Trades

Moscow's The Statesman reports that a Russian rogue trader lost his investment bank up to $50 million in risky trades that went wrong in the financial crisis, the Vedomosti business daily reported today. Quoting unnamed sources at Renaissance Capital, one of Russia’s biggest investment banks, Vedomosti reported that the rogue trader had disappeared.

A source close to the bank’s top management put the loss at about $50 million, although chief executive Mr Ruben Aganbegyan said it was only around $10 million. “He opened positions on blue-chip companies that were above the limits and outside of the controls. The market fell and we quickly found the problem,” he was quoted as saying.

The incident is eerily reminiscent of Nick Leeson ~ the rogue trader whose unchecked risk-taking caused the biggest financial scandals of the 20th century.
The collapse of Barings Bank (personal bank to Queen Elizabeth II) in 1995 and Leeson’s role in it is one of the most spectacular debacles in modern financial history, according to the Leeson website.

Edge Launches New Alternative Investment Site

Hedge fund advisor Edge Capital Partners, LLC has launched a new website (www.edgecappartners.com) highlighting the firm's offerings in the areas of asset allocation strategies, benchmarked investment options, corporate mergers and acquisitions and finance strategies, wealth management and individual portfolio management.

Designed by Glick Interactive, the Edge Capital Partners new website decribes the firm's culture and goals. "(our firm) is built on providing unbiased wealth management solutions. Our goal is to elevate the standards of wealth management and use our website as a tool to communicate our firm’s values in this challenging global market environment,” said Partner J. Peek Garlington III.

Edge Capital Partners, LLC is a provider of wealth management and investment advisory services to a select group of high-net-worth and institutional clients globally. Seasoned advisors understand the challenges of creating solutions that match clients’ unique and evolving needs and work in unison with clients, their advisors and accountants to capture, generate, and implement all points of strategy and service.

Overstock Settles After Gradient Apologises

Overstock.com Inc. announced it has settled all claims against Gradient Analytics and its principals and officers named as defendants in Overstock's defamation case filed in Marin County, California.

Overstock.com chairman and CEO, Patrick Byrne said, "I am pleased to publish this statement from Gradient Analytics:"

Having reviewed all SEC filings, relevant accounting literature, and all other information available to it, Gradient now believes that, to the best of it knowledge, Overstock's stated accounting policies did in fact conform with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and regrets any prior statements to the contrary.

Some of Gradient's prior reports asserted that certain Overstock directors, i.e., Allison Abraham, John Fisher and Gordon Macklin, were not independent directors according to Gradient's criteria for evaluating independence.

However, under NASD Rules, those directors were independent. Gradient extends its apology to the Macklin family for any remarks or observations concerning the suitability or independence of Mr. Gordon Macklin.

Gradient has examined and improved its internal policies concerning how it communicates with clients, including hedge funds, and the media.

Gradient regrets that the parties have been embroiled in litigation over its reports and looks forward to both sides' moving forward with their respective businesses.

Byrne added, "I wish Gradient Analytics the best in their future endeavors. Overstock.com will now focus on the remaining defendants, Copper River, David Rocker, and Mark Cohodes."

The details of the settlement reached are confidential.

$200 Million Designated to Alternative Investments by Chicago Media Company

New York based Elliott Associates has designated $1 billion into Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media which will finance a large slate of Universal Pictures' films over the next few years.

Noci Pictures Entertainment a Chicago and Los Angeles film production and structured finance company thinks it may have the answer and its own opportunity with its $100 million dollar international tax advantaged structured film deal that has an option to be principally protected as well using CPPI, including a stand alone 100% principal protected Prints and Advertising Fund which will insure the Company's U.S. theatrical distribution.

"No matter how bad things are in the world, people need to be entertained", states Yuri Rutman, Noci's CEO. "And while the crowd mentality of panic in the U.S. financial markets exists, overseas, properly structured commercial films generate more revenues which add to bigger distributor buys with the Euro vs. USD."

Apart from Elliott Associates, other investors including billionaires,family offices from Wall Street to Silicon Valley to the Middle East to Russia have been parking their money into Hollywood.

Larry Ellison Of Oracle, Paul Allen Of Microsoft, Steven Rales, Fred Smith of Federal Express, Norman Waitt, the Co-Founder of Gateway Computers, Jeff Skoll Of Ebay, Marc Turtletaub of The Money Store, Roger Marino Of EMC Corp, Sidney Kimmel Of Jones Apparel Group, Minnesota Twins owner Bill Pohlad; Real Estate Developers Tom Rosenberg and Bob Yari, and, financiers Sheikh Waleed Al Ibrahim, Michel Litvak, and Philip Anschutz are all behind the finance of a lot of films that range from box office hits to Academy Award winners.

While the glamour of the movie business may be appealing to most, at the end of the day, it is still an unknown business that many try to gamble on, and only a handful come out as winners. The real key is to minimize risk, maximize profits, and offer a steadier stream of revenues than what other alternative investments may offer such as real estate, oil & gas, commodities, hedge funds, or practically any other investment in today's market.

The Company is putting together a slate of films using an innovative hybrid public-private finance strategy aimed at investors who either want to take a 100% Federal deduction under Section 181 or "The American Jobs Creations Act" against their ordinary income, get an additional 20-40% in tradable and monetized state tax credits or cash rebates, have a hedge of revenues from 20-30 films, a possible exit IPO on the London AIM., as well as stimulating local economic development, and creating jobs, including for women and minorities. Plus the Company is offering an alternative 100% principal protection of capital using Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance.

"I don't know of any other alternative investment that can offer tax incentives, multiple exit strategies, an opportunity to guarantee 100% of capital, as well as giving back to the American economy and labor, while being involved with the moviemaking process", states Yuri Rutman,. "That would also add to the long line of recent film funds that have been structured with numerous hedge funds, private equity investors, corporate tax credit buyers, and institutions. Heck I don't even know of any business that someone can start where they know they will receive an exact ROI before they see any profits".

"I am also surprised how many investors, hedge funds, VC, tax planners, CPA's, tax attorneys, public and private companies have no clue about these benefits", Rutman adds. "Federal Preservation, New Markets Tax Credits, etc was the usual route for tax credit planning or alternative investments , but film production incentives offer a more liquid premium, equity, as well as a little Hollywood adventure and schmoozing with movie stars."

Rutman adds "Plus, I am reinventing 'conscious' film finance. A lot of competitor deals have proven that they didn't do their homework and won't be around in a few years because they didn't do their homework. I want to be making movies when I am 90".

Oversight Weaknesses in the Banking System Seen by an Obscure Breton Trader

In the October 20, 2008, issue of The New Yorker, in “The Omen", James B. Stewart uses police and psychological reports to tell the story of how the financial trader Jérôme Kerviel caused the French bank Société Générale to lose 4.9 billion euros, in what is “said to be the largest trading fraud in banking history.”

While some characterized Kerviel as an ambitious flambeur (“high roller”) and joueur (“gambler”), Stewart writes that “now that the financial world is enduring its most serious turmoil since the Great Depression, and public outrage is focussed on financial chief executives and their multimillion-dollar incomes, Kerviel looks even less like an isolated rogue trader, and more like a harbinger of systemic failure: the sophisticated investing vehicles that few understood; the impotence of internal risk controls; the moral blindness in the face of mounting profits; and, above all, greed.”

Kerviel, who grew up in a small town in Brittany and attended a trade university instead of a prestigious grande école, began his career at Société Générale in the middle office, where he helped to administer the bank’s database and computerized trading systems. Soon, Stewart writes, he was transferred to the trading floor, where he showed “an unexpected aptitude for arcane derivative strategies and developed an avid interest in trading.”

Kerviel felt unusual pressure to prove himself to his colleagues and superiors, Stewart writes, telling the police, “I didn’t go straight to the front lines—I went through the middle office, and was the only one who did.” “Well versed in the accounting system from his time in the middle office,” Kerviel soon observed that it was possible to take unauthorized positions and offset them by entering false trades into the computer system, a strategy that proved immensely profitable.

Kerviel told the police that when he shared news of this profit with his supervisors, “Their first reaction was satisfaction, naturally, although they told me ... to avoid such positions, because I could just as easily have lost.” “Kerviel saw this as a ‘mild’ admonition, not meant all that seriously,” Stewart notes.

Over the years that followed, Kerviel continued this ambitious, unauthorized form of trading, covering his positions with fictitious trades. Whenever compliance officers within Société Générale questioned him about his trades, Kerviel managed to deflect them with lies and evasions.

Kerviel earned forty-three million euros for the bank in 2007, which accounted for fifty-nine per cent of earnings for his department’s listed-products desk and twenty-seven per cent of earnings for the department as a whole. “His colleagues started calling him a ‘cash machine’ and a ‘star,’ ” Stewart writes.

Despite newly increased oversight, Stewart writes, “during the first half of January Kerviel amassed a large long position on futures, betting this time on a market recovery.…By mid-January, his exposure approached fifty billion euros.” Eight fictitious trades that Kerviel had created to offset his 1.5-billion-euro gain for 2007 were uncovered by Société Générale’s compliance officials.

Kerviel was called in for questioning, and the extent of his positions was eventually revealed. “The magnitude of the problem was almost unimaginable, and there was a serious risk that the bank could fail,” Stewart writes. Société Générales’s rush to liquidate his fifty-billion-euro position “likely contributed to the global sell-off and the mounting sense of panic.”

When questioned by the police, Kerviel told his interrogators, “I admit having taken large positions that could be qualified…as outside the limits of my mandate, and which I masked by a fictitious transaction. I had several motivations in making those orders, but first and foremost I had in mind to make money for the bank.”

Kerviel says he assumed that he had the tacit approval of bank officials, as there had been, by his count, a total of ninety-three alertes, or official notices, generated by his trading. “My positions made money, so, in a way, I told myself that…it legitimized what I was doing,” Kerviel told a court-appointed psychologist. Of his wildly successful first unauthorized trade, Kerviel told the police, “It makes you want to continue; there’s a snowball effect.” “When you’re used to making five hundred thousand euros every day, at some point it becomes normal,” Kerviel told the psychologist. “The results, the numbers, become banal.”

While the report produced by Société Générale after investigating the Kerviel affair “concluded that Kerviel had essentially acted alone,” Stewart writes, it also “included a catalogue of supervisory failures that reflected the culture and the regulatory climate,” and “noted that Kerviel’s superiors knew of intra-day trading outside his normal purview.” Kerviel’s immediate supervisor later admitted that he was “unqualified to supervise a trading desk,” Stewart writes.

As Kerviel told the psychologist, “I accept my share of responsibility, which I don’t deny, but it must be acknowledged that I was not alone in this thing, that my superiors were indulgent toward my activities, and that the responsibility is not mine alone.”

The October 20, 2008, issue of The New Yorker goes on sale at newsstands beginning Monday, October 13th.

Hedge Fund Manager Attempts Overhaul of Noront's Board of Directors

Hedge fund manager Rosseau Asset Management Ltd. and certain related parties have filed a dissident's proxy circular (the "Dissident's Circular") to Noront Resources Ltd., in which the hedge fund group controls over approximately 9.2% of common shares.

Rosseau asks Noront's shareholders to vote against the re-election of the Company's current Board of Directors and instead vote to elect a new slate of directors at the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on October 28, 2008.

During recent meetings between Rosseau and Noront's management, the hedge fund manager indicated it wanted significant changes to Noront's Board of Directors and some senior management.

Rosseau rejected Noront's compromise proposal and has commenced its proxy fight with the filing of the Dissident's Circular, saying, "Rosseau's action is not in the best interest of shareholders. It is an opportunistic attempt, in light of extraordinary recent market conditions......Norent will respond (to the circular) shortly."

Aviva Announces Increased Hedges

UK asset management group and hedge fund investor Aviva plc ("Aviva") is holding an investor and analyst briefing to announce the strengthening of its protection against further falls in global equity markets through increased hedges.

Such that even in the event of a further 40% fall in equity markets, its surplus regulatory capital would only be reduced by £0.7 billion ($1.1 billion). This is a significant improvement when contrasted with the position as at 30 June 2008 when a 40% fall in equity markets would have reduced the surplus regulatory capital by £1.3 billion ($2.2 billion).

"We are focused on accelerating transformational change to deliver a unified and more profitable company," Andrew Moss, CEO, commented, "This is clearly demonstrated both by the creation of Aviva Investors and the reshaping of our UK General Insurance business to focus on insurance excellence and deliver the promise of scale."

Moss also said, "We are pleased to confirm that in the face of the recent market turmoil, Aviva's capital position remains strong. Our active capital management ensures the group remains robust in the face of the current economic adversity, providing security for our customers and investors alike, and ensuring that the group is well positioned as confidence returns."

Moss will take the opportunity to provide an update on Aviva's continuing strong position in the current economic environment with Aviva's surplus regulatory capital estimated to be £1.9 billion ($3.2 billion) at 30 September 2008, compared to £1.8 billion ($3 billion) at 30 June 2008.

Global Future Analysis Review

I have been reading the somewhat lengthy (aprox.250 pages) Global Future Analysis report by the Planck Foundation, I’ll try to do a short(ish) review.

“It has been said that there are three types of people: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened,” it says on the cover of the report.

The Global Future Analysis report covers the interfacing/interaction between the energy crisis and credit crisis, which has been making headlines globaly, also analyzed is the water crisis and its effect on food prices.

The energy crisis has two effects, according to the report, energy will become much more expensive and no longer abundantly available. Firstly it will give a reach/distance contraction within the economy (less transport and less mobility, due to high energy prices). Secondly, due the fact that energy is used for everything, expenses will rise.

“You need to understand currency, credit, minerals, energy and water. Watching the news without some basic knowledge of those five is useless.” The report says, “knowledge of those five make the past, present and future clearer.”

The analysis is very up to date, covering the current dynamic credit and energy situation. Also the governmental bail-out fund (which it explains in depth, non-favourably) proposed by US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson which was turned down on September 29th by the House of Representatives.

”This big figure gambling can only lead to a disconnection with the rest of the world economy for the US, UK/Europe and Japan,” the report says, “due the fact that Euro and the Yen have today the highest possible dollar reserves ever, certainly since their massive support of the dollar of the last month. The Central Banks of Europe and Japan thought that they could fix the US problems overnight in buying lots of dollars since mid July till mid September.”

The report goes on to say, “production gives real payment power, that’s something the US economy is learning the hard way. Increasing production isn’t easy in these times of expensive energy. But combining the bail-out with production increase could do the job.”

One bright spot in all this, it says, “The Energy Crisis certainly will ‘bring the jobs back home’. Long distance travel will also decline (stimulating the national leisure industry) according to the report. Air travel, air transport, road transport and commuting are where we will see the effects of high oil prices instantly. Local is to be king of the 21st century.

The report approves of T. Boone Pickens proposal to re-energize America using peakoil/gas/coal, the benefits of wind energy and the exporting wealth facets (trade deficits and foreign policy) of oil imports. On the other side of the world, it also talks about the Chinese government deciding that sustainable prosperity is the most wanted/economic direction for the 21st century.

”Bail-outs without any structural change it will lead to nothing than more problems. And yes, Obama has a point when he said that mortgage bail-outs during the ‘30ties has proven to be successful. But those were other days: Back then there was no Energy Crisis that put restrictions to growth, something we certainly have now.”

The name of the commercial version is ‘The Perfect Storm: when the energy crisis joins the credit crisis.

Altos Ventures Leads $5.7 Million Mobile Funding

Trilibis Mobilen announced today that it has raised $5.7 million in Series B financing.

Alternative Investor Altos Ventures led the round with participation from ATA Ventures and several early individual investors. Ho Nam, General Partner and Co-Founder of Altos Ventures, has joined the board of Trilibis Mobile. Mike Hodges, Managing Director of ATA Ventures, has joined as a board observer.

"Trilibis has done a great job of establishing relationships with Tier 1 carriers and proving out the SmartPath platform with key content partners," said Ho Nam of Altos Ventures. "With this capital infusion, we look forward to working with the Trilibis team to continue to take market share and grow the business."

The newly raised capital will be used to fund development of the next generation of SmartPath to include support for native applications for BlackBerry, iPhone, Windows Mobile and Android devices. Additionally, Trilibis will devote some of the capital to boost its marketing and sales efforts.

"The tremendous increase in consumer adoption of smart phones has fueled the growth in mobile data services usage," said Alex Panelli, CEO of Trilibis. "Our objective is to capitalize on this emerging trend."

With this funding, Trilibis has raised a total of $8.3 million since inception.

Altos Ventures is a first-stage venture capital firm focused on leading investments in emerging technology companies with the goal of building market leaders. Altos manages $200 million in dedicated first-stage capital on behalf of leading endowment, fund-of-funds, financial and family office investors based in the United States and Asia. Altos Ventures is based in Menlo Park, California. Additional information is available at www.altosventures.com.

Hedge Funds Outperform Equity in September

Hedge funds measured by both the Greenwich Global Hedge Fund Index ("GGHFI") and the Greenwich Composite Investable Index ("GI2") significantly outperformed equity indices despite posting their greatest losses since August 1998 during September.

"It was a perfect storm for both credit/equity markets and hedge funds in September," said Thomas Whelan, Greenwich CEO, "The already deflated values of financial firms provided the perfect trap for value investors while government intervention limited the ability of hedge funds to effectively mitigate their risk. Simultaneously, the continued freezing of credit markets combined with investor redemptions forced fixed-income funds to liquidate or otherwise mark down assets at depressed prices. The results of the market turmoil and unpredictable regulatory environment are evident in their returns this month."

Long/Short Equity managers fared better than both US and foreign equity markets during the month, but still were subject to unpredictable market movements, losing -6.69%. Both Growth and Value funds struggled to find profitable trades, returning -8.16% and -7.05%, respectively. Short Selling managers by contrast enjoyed their most profitable month this year, advancing +9.27% on average. Year-to-date, Short Selling funds have gained 17% and remain the best performing subsector of hedge fund strategies.

Market Neutral funds were not immune to market forces during September, as they felt the effects of dysfunctional credit markets, declining -4.49%.

Despite the marked weakness in hedge funds in September, not all hedge fund strategy groups moved lower for the month. Directional Trading funds advanced by +0.51% on average, led by Futures managers who capitalized on declining commodity values. Macro managers did not fare as well, losing -3.62% on the month.

Specialty Strategy managers were the weakest performing strategy group for the month of September, with funds losing -7.33% on average. Emerging Markets funds were once again the main reason behind the losses as these managers shed nearly 10% during the month.

The Group Of Thirty Issues Supervisory Report

The Group of Thirty released a new report, 'The Structure of Financial Supervision: Approaches and Challenges in a Global Marketplace'.

The report was issued after the meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors in Washington DC. The Group of Thirty is an international body composed of central bank governors, leading economists, and private financial sector experts,

"The financial turmoil that has unfolded over the last year has tested the ability of regulatory authorities to respond effectively to financial crises. It is evident that a number of countries need to revise and reform financial regulatory structures," said Paul Volcker, Chairman of the Group of Thirty's Board of Trustees.

Volcker underscored that improvement in regulatory approaches is essential at the national and cross-border levels. The G30 report compares and analyses the financial regulatory approaches of 17 jurisdictions, including the UK, the US and Australia, in order to illustrate the implications of the four principal models of supervisory oversight: (1) the Institutional Approach, (2) the Functional Approach, (3) the Integrated Approach, and (4) the Twin Peaks Approach.

The US structure, which falls outside of these four approaches, combines institutional and functional approaches with the added complexity of a number of state level agencies and actors.

Roger W Ferguson, President and CEO of TIAA-CREF, former Vice Chairman of the US Federal Reserve Board and the Vice Chairman of the G30 Working Group, said, "As we start to re-examine regulatory structures, the G30 report can play a role by building the fact base that regulators, politicians, and financial market participants will consider."

In March, the US Treasury released its 'Blueprint for a Modernized Financial Regulatory Structure', which proposes a major restructuring of financial supervision toward a regulation by objectives approach, in some ways similar to the twin peaks model to supervision and regulation. The UK has already introduced modifications in its highly integrated approach.

In preparing the report, the G30 conducted interviews with key officials in the relevant jurisdictions, as well as practitioners, regulated parties, and those who may have been involved historically in the development of the current regulatory arrangements.

Potential for Hedge Fund Returns Is Still There For Investors - Report

According to a recent survey conducted by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), a poll of 1,300 sophisticated private investors showed that 15% believed that hedge funds offer the potential for strong returns in the current environment. However they are also concerned about their perceived lack of transparency (17%) and riskiness (17%).

Investors are also cautious about hedge funds because they believe that they are not regulated (14%), and are concerned about the reputation for high charges (12%). Some investors also find them confusing (11%) and believe they are only accessible to the wealthy (5%).

Although some sophisticated private investors are wary of hedge funds, 6% of those surveyed are already investing in hedge funds, 5% have invested in the past and 3% are planning to invest in the future. Interestingly, nearly half (46%) of investors believe they may possibly invest in hedge funds in the future whilst only 29% of investors surveyed would never invest in hedge funds.

"Many of these investors' concerns over hedge funds are addressed through the listed hedge fund and fund of hedge funds sectors," Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) said, "The listed structure of closed ended hedge funds and fund of funds means investors have access to a much higher level of transparency. Shares in listed funds are available on the stock market just like any other share so they are available to those of modest means as well as the super wealthy."

"This is a real growth area of the industry with the hedge fund sector making up 65% of the assets raised this year in the investment company sector. However, it is still a young sector, so long-term performance records are not available for the majority. Investors need to do their homework to make sure they select the right fund for them in this diverse sector and if they are unsure they should take independent financial advice," she concluded.

Ian Plenderleith, Chairman of BH Macro, said, "Hedge funds who can maintain the necessary standards of investment expertise and risk management have demonstrated that they can deliver superior returns on a consistent basis. Listed hedge fund vehicles give a wider range of investors access to alternative investment strategies through an avenue they are familiar with. They get the benefit of the regulatory safeguards and disclosure obligations, and the secondary market liquidity that go with stock exchange listing."

Robin Bowie, Chairman of Dexion Capital, said: "When dislocation in financial markets reaches the present level, it provides an ideal environment for hedge funds, which are well-placed to make opportunistic investments where they recognise value and can hedge out the market risk. Some of those positions will be illiquid, which will be unsuitable for most managers of open-ended funds. Closed-ended funds employ ‘permanent capital', raised on the stock exchange, which allow managers to blend liquid and illiquid assets and take advantage of the current mismatch in the markets. In essence, closed-ended funds bring liquidity to illiquid situations."

Airline Files For Chap.11 After Petters Arrest

Holiday airline Sun Country filed for bankruptcy yesterday, just 3 days after the arrest of investor Thomas Petters, founder of Petters Group Worldwide, the firm that owns Sun Country among other investments.

Petters was charged with mail and wire fraud, money laundering and obstructing justice.

"We were forced to take this action as a result of recent events at Petters Group Worldwide," said Sun Country Chairman and CEO Stan Gadek. The airline said that it would continue to fly its regular schedule.

A federal judge in Minneapolis order Petters to be held without bail after a taped phone conversation revealed that the disgraced entrepreneur planned to leave the country. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Petters has stated that he plans to fight to be released from custody and maintains his innocence.

Blackstone Closes China Investment in Bluestar

State-owned company China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) and hedge fund manager the Blackstone Group announced the closing of Blackstone’s investment in ChemChina subsidiary, China National Bluestar Corporation.

Bluestar has also completed its group restructuring and has registered as a Sino-foreign joint stock limited company. Blackstone will invest up to $600 million in Bluestar for a 20% stake. Two Senior Managing Directors of Blackstone, Antony Leung and Ben Jenkins, will join the board of Bluestar.

Headquartered in Beijing, ChemChina was founded in 2004, and administrated by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of China. Through fast growth in the last 4 years, ChemChina is now a large group corporation with both asset value and revenue exceeding RMB100 billion ($14.6 billion). ChemChina is ranked 35th among China's top 500 corporations, according to National Bureau of Statistics of China.

The Blackstone Group's alternative asset management businesses include the management of corporate private equity funds, real estate opportunity funds, funds of hedge funds, mezzanine funds, senior debt funds, proprietary hedge funds and closed-end mutual funds.

HedgeCo Launches Hedge Fund Calculator

HedgeCo Networks LLC today announced the launch of the next generation online analytical and reporting tool, the Hedge Fund Calculator.

Designed for hedge funds and funds of hedge funds, the calculator is available for a monthly or annual subscription service. HedgeCo says, "(the calculator) facilitates the rapid computation of quantitative statistics, net performance numbers and the creation of branded marketing materials."

Aaron Wormus, Managing Director of HedgeCo Networks said, "Through the HedgeCo.Net hedge fund database and Hedge Fund Websites platform, we have worked with thousands of funds worldwide to create statistical performance reports and compelling investor presentations."

"By combining our deep experience with cutting edge development technology, we have been able to deliver a powerful and cost-effective tool that can dramatically enhance marketing and reporting capabilities at any hedge fund firm." Wormus explained.

Key features of the Hedge Fund Calculator include:

* Online Access - Easily create, modify and distribute reports from any web-connected PC
* Branded & Customized Tearsheets - Quickly update fund information, customize statistics, select data points and generate PDF reports with a simple 3-click process
* Contact Manager - Efficiently manage investor and prospective investor lists, email fund marketing materials and track leads with integrated, easy-to-use contact management
* Benchmark Analysis - Compare fund performance to industry standard benchmarks, HedgeCo Indices or add your own benchmarks.

Agecroft Hires Hedge Fund Manager

Hedge fund third party marketing firm, Agecroft Partners has hired its 5th Managing Director, Jarratt Ramsey. Jarratt spent the last 11 years at multi-billion hedge fund Chesapeake Capital Management.

"Jarratt is a wonderful addition to our firm. Our business model is to introduce large well established hedge funds in a consultative manner to institutional investors," Agecroft Partners' Managing Partner Don Steinbrugge said, "It is imperative that the members of our firm are highly technically competent. Jarratt's educational and professional experiences are very impressive. Furthermore, his knowledge of the hedge fund industry, and security markets should give him a lot of credibility with large institutional investors."

Jarratt's responsibilities will include assisting with due diligence on potential hedge funds the firm may represent and introducing the firm's hedge fund clients to large institutional investors located within the Northern region of the United States.

Agecroft Partners recently received the 2008 Third Party Marketer of the Year award. It was founded by Donald A Steinbrugge, CFA, a Founding Principal of Andor Capital Management when it was the 2nd largest hedge fund firm in the world. Don was also Head of Institutional Sales for Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. Agecroft Partners, LLC is a Member FINRA and SIPC.

Mooring Hedge Fund Gains Amid Losses

Mooring Financial Corp., a private investment firm specializing in the management of alternative assets, has seen its hedge fund, the Mooring Intrepid Opportunity Fund gain 37% year-to-date, while global hedge fund returns have declined almost 10% this year.

The fund gained by capitalizing on corrections in the high-yield corporate bond, commercial mortgage-backed securities and subprime residential mortgage markets. The Fund has gained 132.1% since its inception on March 1, 2007, the Fund’s highest gain on investment to date.

"The centerpiece of our objective for Mooring Intrepid Opportunity Fund is the expectation of a repricing of risk in the credit markets," said president and founder John Jacquemin, "We mapped out a strategy two years ago in anticipation of the credit markets debacle now taking place. The fund’s positions are volatile and aggressive, and appropriate only for investors who understand these risks."

In recent weeks, the fund has begun to take additional bearish positions in financial and commercial real estate stocks as well as exchange traded funds in anticipation of continued deterioration within these markets.

"We believed strongly that the credit markets had reached a point of excess never before experienced in modern history." Jacqumin explained, "and we felt strongly that the risk/reward ratio was very much in our favor. This has proven to be the case."

The firm has acquired and managed more than $2 billion of financial assets since inception in 1982. Mooring Financial Corporation manages four funds across different asset classes, including distressed commercial loans, real estate tax liens, publicly traded equities and credit derivatives.

Pharos Funds Resilient, But Drop With Russian Market

Conservatively positioned given the high level of stress that existed on the global financial system, the 3 Pharos Russia Funds' current strategy uses alpha generation which comes from a combination of stock selection and active use of hedging tools available in the marketplace.

The three funds are showing the most resilience among funds in the Russia & CIS universe year-to-date. However, during the month of August, the Pharos Russia Fund was down 7.8%, the Pharos Small Cap Fund was down 8.8% and the Pharos Gas Investment Fund was down 2.3%. Meanwhile the MSCI Russia Index was down 14.7% over the same period.

August saw a continuation in the decline in markets globally, with Russian markets succumbing to the sell-off in global credit markets, continued pressure on commodities and dollar strength.

The Russian authorities have shown a willingness to intervene to protect against domestic dislocations caused by distressed selling. The Russian state has announced a liquidity package of more than $150bn.

It has increased its deposits held at the largest banks and offered them repo lending that references inflated asset valuations. The state-owned Vneshekenom Bank will also provide up to $50bn to Russian companies and banks to help redeem the $65bn of external debt coming due through 1Q'09. Meanwhile the interbank lending market is being supported by a government guarantee against defaults.

"Given the relative size of the economy," Pharos says, "Russia is better positioned than most to withstand a downturn in credit markets with its $581bn of reserves and over $200bn Stabilization Fund."

"Valuations are compelling and we expect to take advantage of these opportunities. We look for catalysts to the market to guide our entry points, such as stability in the industrial commodities markets, a reversal in measures of global risk aversion and global monetary easing."