Forbes - U.S. activist hedge fund Atticus Capital has lost more than $5 billion this year, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, after its funds were hit by heavy falls in financial stocks. Atticus, a high-profile player in deals such as Barclays‘ unsuccessful bid for ABN Amro last year, saw total assets under management fall to around $14 billion at end-July from more than $20 billion last year, the source said.

The losses were mainly due to a 32.9 percent loss in the $7 billion Atticus European fund from the start of the year to the end of August and a 25 percent fall in the Atticus Global fund.

The firm, which employs a variety of investor lock-ups, saw few investor redemptions. Atticus declined to comment. The firm, which views itself as a long-term investor, has nevertheless delivered strong performance in recent years.

In 2006 founder Tim Barakett earned $675 million, according to hedge fund industry publication Alpha Magazine.

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