Connect with Me

A lot of my hedge fund related networking occurs over Linkedin.com which hosts over 50,000 professionals of professionals which work in the hedge fund industry.

I personally have around 3,000 direct connections on Linkedin.com you can benefit from that by connecting directly to me if you would like, here is my profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcwilson. You may connect directly to me by referencing the email address Richard@hedgefundgroup.org.

Tags: Linkedin.com, hedge fund managers on linkedin.com, hedge fund, hedge funds, private equity, investments, investment networking

Brazil Hedge Fund Performance

Below is an article on Brazilian hedge funds, the most under-estimated group of portfolio managers in the world. In Sao Paulo alone there are over 300 hedge fund managers and due to currency exchange rates they can remain profitable at far smaller AUM levels than a US or European hedge fund. I will be in Sao Paulo this December/January and will probably host a networking event there, let me know if you would like to come.

Here is an article excerpt about hedge funds in Brazil:

Brazil’s hedge fund industry was battered by weak performance and redemptions last year. Although overall performance has improved this year, several managers remain weak and are fighting for survival, say experts.

Up to 20 of about 100 hedge fund managers could be forced to close their funds following an exodus of clients. They have seen assets under management drop by up to 85 per cent in the past year to an average of R$75m ($37m, €27m, £23m) and are no longer profitable. source

For more information on Brazilian hedge fund please see our Hedge Fund Guide to Brazil.

Related to Brazil Hedge Fund Performance

• Hong Kong Hedge Fund Industry
  
• Indonesia Hedge Fund
  
• Japan Hedge Funds
  
• Mexico Hedge Fund
  
• Russian Hedge Fund Guide
  
• Singapore Hedge Funds
  
• Spain Hedge Fund
  
• Switzerland Hedge Fund Guide
  
• South African Hedge Funds
  

Tags: Brazil, Hedge Fund, Hedge Funds, Alternative investments, private equity, investing, equities, trading, international hedge funds

Connect with Me

A lot of my hedge fund related networking occurs over Linkedin.com which hosts over 50,000 professionals of professionals which work in the hedge fund industry.

I personally have around 3,000 direct connections on Linkedin.com you can benefit from that by connecting directly to me if you would like, here is my profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcwilson. You may connect directly to me by referencing the email address Richard@hedgefundgroup.org.

Tags: Linkedin.com, hedge fund managers on linkedin.com, hedge fund, hedge funds, private equity, investments, investment networking

Connect with Me

A lot of my hedge fund related networking occurs over Linkedin.com which hosts over 50,000 professionals of professionals which work in the hedge fund industry.

I personally have around 3,000 direct connections on Linkedin.com you can benefit from that by connecting directly to me if you would like, here is my profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcwilson. You may connect directly to me by referencing the email address Richard@hedgefundgroup.org.

Tags: Linkedin.com, hedge fund managers on linkedin.com, hedge fund, hedge funds, private equity, investments, investment networking

Connect with Me

A lot of my hedge fund related networking occurs over Linkedin.com which hosts over 50,000 professionals of professionals which work in the hedge fund industry.

I personally have around 3,000 direct connections on Linkedin.com you can benefit from that by connecting directly to me if you would like, here is my profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcwilson. You may connect directly to me by referencing the email address Richard@hedgefundgroup.org.

Tags: Linkedin.com, hedge fund managers on linkedin.com, hedge fund, hedge funds, private equity, investments, investment networking

Single Family Offices Losing Ground

As a follow up to a post we put out a few weeks ago, here is some more evidence that multi-family offices may still be growing as some wealth management operations and single family offices struggle:

Citing a collapsing investment market and increased demands from family members, many single-family offices are worried about keeping their doors open, saying that “sustainability” is the biggest challenge they face.

That was a key finding from the “Single-Family Office Study” released last month by Family Wealth Alliance LLC of Wheaton, Ill.

“For single-family offices, assets are down and expenses are up,” said Thomas Livergood, chief executive of Family Wealth Alliance.

“When things are hunky-dory, as they’ve been for the past few years, nothing is questioned,” he said. “When things start going wrong, everything is questioned.”

Many single-family offices “will need to change,” Mr. Livergood said. source

Related to Single Family Offices Losing Ground

• Hedge Fund of Funds by Family Offices
• Family Office Marketing
• Family Office Profiles
• Family Office Wealth Management
• Family Office Industry
• Private Banking and Wealth Management

Tags: Family office, family offices, private equity, business, marketing, alternative investments, hedge fund, hedge funds, stock market, equities, trading

Single Family Offices Losing Ground

As a follow up to a post we put out a few weeks ago, here is some more evidence that multi-family offices may still be growing as some wealth management operations and single family offices struggle:

Citing a collapsing investment market and increased demands from family members, many single-family offices are worried about keeping their doors open, saying that “sustainability” is the biggest challenge they face.

That was a key finding from the “Single-Family Office Study” released last month by Family Wealth Alliance LLC of Wheaton, Ill.

“For single-family offices, assets are down and expenses are up,” said Thomas Livergood, chief executive of Family Wealth Alliance.

“When things are hunky-dory, as they’ve been for the past few years, nothing is questioned,” he said. “When things start going wrong, everything is questioned.”

Many single-family offices “will need to change,” Mr. Livergood said. source

To learn more about family office wealth management firms please visit FamilyOfficesGroup.com.

Related to Single Family Offices Losing Ground

• Hedge Fund Tracker Tool
• Fund Marketing and Sales Advice
• Top Hedge Fund Managers
• Geographical Guides
• Hedge Fund Startup Tools

Tags: Family office, family offices, private equity, business, marketing, alternative investments, hedge fund, hedge funds, stock market, equities, trading

Private Equity Comeback

Is Private Equity Posed to Make a Comeback?

The private equity industry has suffered during the financial crisis, and as Julie Macintosh of the Financial Times says “things can’t get much worse.” The following CNBC video explores the question of when will the inevitable comeback occur, or has it already started? Experts are pointing to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s plan to have public-private partnerships purchase toxic assets, giving private equity firms an opportunity to invest in struggling businesses. Click the image to watch the video:

Tags: private equity, private equity videos, private equity comeback, private equity valuation, private equity geithner, private equity ppip, private public partnerships

New Fund Regulations in Connecticut

Half a dozen professionals today sent me the news stories on the new hedge fund regulations being put into place in Connecticut. The good news – they don’t appear to be extreme and they won’t affect many managers who are already registered with the SEC. While many managers don’t want to increase costs of compliance I think almost every manager would like to see tools put into place to raise investor confidence in the industry.

Here are some article excerpts discussing these new regulations:

Prompted by the Bernard Madoff investment scandal and other financial failures, Democratic senators called Tuesday for Connecticut to become the first state in the nation to require more disclosure and transparency for hedge funds, private-equity firms, and venture capitalists.

Led by Senator Bob Duff of Norwalk, senators said the move was necessary in order to protect consumers and investors. The bill, which is supported by the Managed Fund Association, states that any firm that is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission must still abide by the SEC rules that state that material conflicts of interest must be disclosed to the investors.

“We’re not changing the rules. These are the rules the SEC has,” said Duff, who has been pushing for legislation for three years.

Hedge funds are sparsely regulated pools of money that belong to highly wealth individuals, who generally must put a minimum of $1 million into the fund. Many hedge funds are involved in risky investments and many have closed or are closing because of the collapse on Wall Street that started last September with the implosion of Lehman Brothers. source

We are looking forward to seeing all the hedge funds move to Nevada. Actually, when you think about it, the convenience factor alone is reason enough to make the move. A lack of proximity to Washington is also a major point for the trip West. source

For more information on hedge fund regulations and compliance please see our Hedge Fund Regulation Corner.

Related to New Hedge Fund Regulations in Connecticut

• Hedge Fund Registration and Compliance Services
• 99% Chance of New Hedge Fund Regulations
• SEC Investigations of Hedge Fund Managers
• Charlie McCreevey on Hedge Funds in the EU
• Connecticut Hedge Fund Regulations Proposed

Tags: New Hedge Fund Regulations, New Hedge Fund Regulations in Connecticut, hedge fund, hedge funds, private equity, alternative investments, Connecticut, CT, fund management

Hedge Fund Investments & Risks

Below is a short video on hedge fund investments, current market risks and how hedge funds have been involved within the recent crisis. This video discusses the blame placed on hedge funds, the importance of trust in the industry right now and whether fund of hedge funds are going to continue to exist within their traditional form. If you are reading this article through our daily email newsletter and would like to watch the embedded video on our website please click here.

View over 100 hedge fund videos for free within our Hedge Fund Video Library

Related to Hedge Fund Investments & Risks | Video

• Colbert on Software Trading Algorithms
• Structured Securities
• Hedge Fund Trends
• Short Selling & Liquidity

Tags: Hedge Fund Investment Risks, Loss of trust in the hedge fund industry, fund of hedge funds, hedge funds, hedge fund, alternative investments, private equity, stock market

Private Equity Startup Event

We are putting together a panel for an investment fund startup up event scheduled for June 18th, 2009.

We are looking for a private equity fund manager who would like to be on a panel sharing startup stories with other small hedge fund managers. We are looking for tips on forming a fund, raising capital, hiring talent and wearing multiple hats while running a private equity fund business.

If you are a private equity fund with less than a 5 year track record and under $100M in assets under management please email me directly at Richard@HedgeFundgroup.org.

Tags: Private Equity Fund Startups, Private Equity Event, private equity, Starting a private equity firm

Investing in Diamonds

Here is a short video on investing in diamonds as an alternative investment. To view this video through your email inbox please click here.

View over 100 hedge fund videos for free within our Hedge Fund Video Library

Related to Investing in Diamonds as an Alternative Investment

• Hedge Funds Selling Securities Shares of Stocks Video
• Hedge Fund Performance Data Hedge Funds Video
• What is a Hedge Fund?
• Children’s Investment Fund Management TCI
• US Economy Recession
• Congressional Hearings on Hedge Funds Video

Tags: Investing in Diamonds, Alternative Investments, hedge fund, private equity, hedge funds, investing, stock market, stocks, equities, trading

April 2009 Hedge Fund Performance

Here a recent video on hedge fund performance in April 2009. If you are viewing this through our email newsletter please click here to see the embedded video below.

View over 100 free videos within our Hedge Fund Video Library

Related to April 2009 Hedge Fund Performance Video

• Thinning of the Hedge Fund Herd
• Congressman Scott Garrett on Hedge Fund Registration
• Andrew Lo on Hedge Funds + Pension Funds
• Obama Hedge Fund Regulation 2009 2010 2011
• Hedge Fund Macro Fund Performance Video
• Mark Fuchs Interview on Hedge Funds

Tags: Hedge Fund Performance, Hedge Fund, Hedge Funds, Investing, Investments, Alternative Investments, Private Equity, stock market, stocks

Hedge Fund Industry Update Video

Below is a short news video on recent hedge fund industry activity. If you are viewing our daily hedge fund newsletter you must click here to watch the embedded video below.

Free Online Hedge Fund Videos

Related to Hedge Fund Industry Update Video

• Hedge Fund Tracker Tool
• Fund Marketing and Sales Advice
• Top Hedge Fund Managers

Tags: hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, alternative investments

Hedge Fund Developments This Week

Our team has been updating several Hedge Fund Tracker profiles over the last week. To read these news updates on specific hedge fund managers please see the following links:

• Traxis Partners LP
• Moore Capital Management, LP
• Dalton Strategic Partnership
• Gottex Fund Management
• BlueCrest Capital
• Satellite Asset Management
• Odey Asset Management
• Highbridge Capital Management LLC

Tags: hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, hedge fund managers, investing, investments

Blackstone Group Investment

The Blackstone Group’s Recovering in Q1 2009

The Blackstone Group, one of the largest private equity firms, can be seen as a barometer for the private equity industry. The firm has weathered almost a quarter of a century in private equity although this recession has proved difficult for even the most experienced private equity groups. Blackstone Group appears to be recovering although it still posted a negative economic net income.

Considering that in the last quarter of 2008 the company posted a net economic income loss of $827 million, it is good news that the Blackstone Group (BX) only had a $93 million loss in 1Q 2009. Another positive sign was the total segment revenue of $48 million in the first quarter this year, a big boost from -$621.4 million in the previous quarter. Net fee related earnings from operations improved by 32% from the first quarter of last year to this year. During the same period of time, adjusted cash flows from operations went from $-4 million in Q1 2008 to positive $75 million in Q1 2009.

Like many of the major private equity firms, Blackstone also seems to be sitting on a good deal of cash with $776.3 million in available cash and $400.1 million invested in liquid Blackstone funds.

Source

Tags: Private equity, blackstone group, bx, blackstone, blackstone group llc, blackstone group report, blackstone group 2009, blackstone group stephen schwarzman, blackstone group investment

Alan Grayson

Alan Grayson Testimony on Risk

Here is a short video on systemic risk in the banking and hedge fund industries. To watch the embedded video below please click here.

Related to Alan Grayson Testimony on Systmetic Risk

• What To Know About Hedge Funds
• Hugh Hendry Eclectica Asset Management Interview
• Congressman Scott Garrett on Hedge Fund Registration
• Obama Hedge Fund Regulation 2009 2010 2011
• Hedge Fund Macro Fund Performance Video
• Mark Fuchs Interview on Hedge Funds

Tags: Alan Grayson, Hedge Fund, Alternative Investments, Systemic Risks, investments, investing, private equity

Hedge Fund Job

How to Get a Hedge Fund Job

One of the top 10 types of questions we get in running this site are those around how to get a hedge fund job, or how to move from an area such as investment banking to hedge fund work. On HedgeFundBlogger.com we have a Hedge Fund Career Guide, we also host Hedge Fund Job Listings.

Below please find links to many of our articles on hedge fund jobs:

• Hedge Fund Jobs
• Hedge Fund Job Listings
• Certified Hedge Fund Professional (CHP)
• Join the Hedge Fund Group (HFG)
• Investment Designation | Training on Hedge Funds
• Top 4 Hedge Fund Career Tips
• Hedge Fund Internship
• Jobs at Hedge Funds | Interview
• Hedge Fund Manager Career Path
• Hedge Fund Marketing Job
• Hedge Me Book Review
• Investment Internships
• Hedge Fund Forum
• Hedge Fund Careers
• Hedge Fund Associations
• Hedge Fund Analysts / Associates
• Hedge Fund Work
• Hedge Fund Recruiters
• Investment Book Reviews
• Investment Certification
• Prime Brokerage Jobs
• Why Work at a Hedge Fund | Top 5 Reasons to Work in the Hedge Fund
• Family Offices Group .com
• Hedge Fund Salaries
• Hedge Fund Pay
• Investment Training
• Hedge Fund Compensation
• Hedge Fund Salary
• Marketing Hedge Funds
• Hedge Fund Ethics
• Hedge Fund Newsletter
• Hedge Fund Training Courses

Related to How to Get a Hedge Fund Job

• Hedge Fund Tracker Tool
• Fund Marketing and Sales Advice
• Top Hedge Fund Managers
• Free Online Hedge Fund Videos
• Careers & Employment Guide

Tags: how to get a hedge fund job, how to get a first hedge fund job, hedge fund job, hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, investments

Socialist Hedge Funds

I am not here as a political commentator but I do take note of the daily battering of the industry in the mainstream news outlets. Late last week and early this week I published a few posts on Obama and his blasting of hedge funds for looking out for their investors. You may read these posts here and here and here.

Today we have a hedge fund professional standing up for hedge funds in the same way I have tried to here on this blog, here is an excerpt:

Asness of AQR Capital (who says he is speaking for himself and not his company) says the hedge funds are acting as they should act. “It is the job and obligation of all investment managers, including hedge fund managers, to get their clients the most return they can. They are allowed to be charitable with their own money–and many are spectacularly so–but if they give away their clients’ money to share in the “sacrifice,” they are stealing,” he says in the letter.

Hedge funds haven’t received a bailout, Asness notes, and haven’t asked for one. “The hedge funds were singled out only because they are unpopular, not because they behaved any differently from any other ethical manager of other people’s money.” source

Related to Obama & The Dream of Socialist Hedge Funds

• Hedge Fund Tracker Tool
• Fund Marketing and Sales Advice
• Top Hedge Fund Managers
• Hedge Fund Terminology
• Geographical Guides
• Hedge Fund Startup Tools

Tags: Hedge Fund, Hedge Funds, Obama, Barack Obama, Socialist hedge funds, socialism, alternative investments, private equity, real estate, investing, investments

Private Equity in New York

Private Equity Hurt By New York Ban on Middlemen

The private equity industry suffered a blow from New York State as the comptroller banned the use of middlemen directing the pension fund’s investments. The comptroller made the ban as a response to a growing investigation by the SEC and the New York Attorney General into possible bribes and fees received by two aides to the former comptroller. However, private equity funds may be the biggest victim in the aftermath.

Private equity firms rely heavily on such middlemen as placement agents, paid intermediaries and registered lobbyists to establish relations with big investors like the New York State Pension Fund. All of these intermediaries are now banned under the current comptroller’s recent decision. The biggest fear for private equity firms is that this move is the start of a trend that will be copied by other states. Michael Holland, a former partner at the Blackstone Group and founder of Holland & Co. believes this is probable, “I think it is very likely to gather momentum. I’d be very surprised if other states don’t follow that lead.” (Reuters)

The ruling especially hurts smaller private equity funds which rely primarily on placement agents to attract capital. The use of placement agents has been growing in size over recent years and according to research firm Preqin, “Of the private equity firms that raised funds in 2008, 54 percent used a placement agent, up from 45 percent in 2007 and 40 percent in 2006.” Those in the private equity industry call the decision unfair and say that placement agents serve a legitimate purpose for private equity.

Tags: Private equity, New York State Pension, Private Equity Fund, private equity investment, private equity placement agents, private equity lobbyist, blackstone group, private equity pension

Hedge Fund Growth Insights

I went out to a Moroccan restaurant last night with a few investors and business professionals. The general sentiment on their side of the table was that “hedge funds are dead.” I disagreed, the number of fund startups, the need for more skilled asset management and the regulation of banks who traditionally held prop desks all point in favor of the hedge fund industry.

Embedded below is a recent video on the current hedge fund industry. The videos view of the industry is line with my own – I believe that the opportunities within the industry are greater than ever before. Assets are at low levels and many investors have very significant allocations waiting for the right managers and timing to allocate those funds. A recent survey showed that many institutional investors are wanting to soon re-allocate back into the hedge fund industry.

The video also confirms that the myth of pension funds and endowments moving away from hedge funds is false. Many endowments and foundations are not only going back to hedge funds, but they are looking to increase allocations.

Tags: Hedge Funds Are Dead, hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, hedge fund performance, due diligence, investing

Hedge Fund Growth Insights

I went out to a Moroccan restaurant last night with a few investors and business professionals. The general sentiment on their side of the table was that “hedge funds are dead.” I disagreed, the number of fund startups, the need for more skilled asset management and the regulation of banks who traditionally held prop desks all point in favor of the hedge fund industry.

Embedded below is a recent video on the current hedge fund industry. The videos view of the industry is line with my own – I believe that the opportunities within the industry are greater than ever before. Assets are at low levels and many investors have very significant allocations waiting for the right managers and timing to allocate those funds. A recent survey showed that many institutional investors are wanting to soon re-allocate back into the hedge fund industry.

The video also confirms that the myth of pension funds and endowments moving away from hedge funds is false. Many endowments and foundations are not only going back to hedge funds, but they are looking to increase allocations.

Tags: Hedge Funds Are Dead, hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, hedge fund performance, due diligence, investing

Hedge Fund Growth Insights

I went out to a Moroccan restaurant last night with a few investors and business professionals. The general sentiment on their side of the table was that “hedge funds are dead.” I disagreed, the number of fund startups, the need for more skilled asset management and the regulation of banks who traditionally held prop desks all point in favor of the hedge fund industry.

Embedded below is a recent video on the current hedge fund industry. The videos view of the industry is line with my own – I believe that the opportunities within the industry are greater than ever before. Assets are at low levels and many investors have very significant allocations waiting for the right managers and timing to allocate those funds. A recent survey showed that many institutional investors are wanting to soon re-allocate back into the hedge fund industry.

The video also confirms that the myth of pension funds and endowments moving away from hedge funds is false. Many endowments and foundations are not only going back to hedge funds, but they are looking to increase allocations. If you are one of the 5,000+ professionals viewing this article through our daily Hedge Fund Newsletter please click here to view the embedded video below.

Related to Hedge Funds are Dead

• Hedge Fund Tracker Tool
• Fund Marketing and Sales Advice
• Top Hedge Fund Managers
• Free Online Hedge Fund Videos
• Careers & Employment Guide
• Hedge Fund Startup Tools

Tags: Hedge Funds Are Dead, hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, hedge fund performance, due diligence, investing

Birthday Discounts

Many of you already know that my background is in capital raising and third party marketing but starting in 2008 I began working full time on my networking associations, consulting, and websites. I now make my living by providing a lot of free information and articles on hedge funds, family offices, prime brokerage and private equity.

A few of the ways by which I make my living is through the online products and services seen below. Today (4.22.09) is my birthday and if you register or email us about starting to use one of these services or tools over the next 48 hours we will provide you with a 20% discount off the regular price. While signing up mention the birthday discount before 5PM EST on April 24th, 2009.

• Advertising – Our websites currently receive over 350,000 pageviews of traffic each month. We host 33 advertisers within these websites, mostly through our service provider directory listings. For an example of a listing please click here. We have 5 niche websites which host these directory listings, they cost $47/month – $397/month depending on the category. Email Richard@hedgefundgroup.org to setup a listing for your firm.
• Family Office Directory - The Family Offices Group is a 5,000 person strong networking association of HNW family office wealth management related professionals. Our networking group now offers an Excel-based database of over 500 family office contacts through this website: http://familyofficesdatabase.com/.
• Recruiter Profiles – We are now building profiles of recruiters on our website and also on HedgeFundRecruiting.com. Registering for a profile also grants you publishing rights to HedgeFundsCareer.com. These cost $47/month, email Richard@hedgefundgroup.org to set one up this week.
• Job Listings – Looking to hire a hedge fund or alternative investment professional? HedgeFundBlogger.com helps fill dozens of open hedge fund positions each year here. Register for a listing using this page and then email us for the instant 20% refund off this price.
• Professional Bios – We also host bios of hedge fund professionals on our website, these describe your experience and the position you are looking for. These cost $19/month and are hosted on both HedgeFundBlogger.com and HedgeFundRecruiting.com. To set one up email Richard@hedgefundgroup.org.

Related to Hedge Fund & Investor Products

• Hedge Fund Job Listings
• Hedge Fund Marketing Tools
• Hedge Fund Attorneys
• Hedge Fund Administrators
• Prime Brokers
• Hedge Fund Recruiters

Tags: hedge fund, hedge funds, alternative investments, private equity, online investment tool

Alpha Magazine Top 100 Hedge Funds

Alpha magazine just came out with their annual list of the top 100 hedge funds. Below please find the top 10 listed by total assets under management:

1. Bridgewater Associates
2. JP Morgan Asset Management
3. Paulson & CO.
4. Brevan Howard Asset Management
5. Man Investments
6. Och-Ziff Capital Management Group
7. Soros Fund Management
8. Goldman Sachs Asset Management
9. Farallon Capital Management
10. Renaissance Technologies Group

For more information on these funds please click on their names above, otherwise you may browse profiles of over 1,000 hedge fund managers within our Hedge Fund Tracker Tool.

Related to Alpha Magazine Top 100 Hedge Funds 2009

• TPG-Axon Capital
• Trafelet & Co.
• Traxis Partners LP
• Tremblant Capital Group | Bret Barakett
• Tudor Capital
• Vallea Capital
• Veritas Asset Management
• Viresco International Capital Management

Tags: Alpha Magazine, hedge fund, hedge funds, Top 100 hedge funds 2009, alternative investments, private equity, hedge fund performance, rankings, marketing, investments