Each business day HedgeCo.Net keeps you informed with the top hedge fund industry news, opinion and insight from around the globe. From the latest hedge fund launches, to the impact of regulation, competition, and investor activism - we track the topics and people that make a difference to you.
West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Platts 3rd Annual European Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) conference is assembling the CCS community to discuss and review CCS projects in their various stages and look to uncover opportunities in what will become a changed regulatory environment to ensure CCS lives up to its potential.
Some of the issues to be covered include, delivering EU Regulatory Framework, finance and investment, public perception, international CCS case-studies and storage selection and liability among others. Some leading companies are also planning to highlight their latest CCS projects.
Carbon Capture and Storage has developed in a short space of time from coal-fired power’s much-heralded saving grace, to Europe’s energy policy catchphrase to real, on-the-ground pilot project status.
With these first-stage investments underway, the energy industry is closer than ever to a genuine assessment of CCS’ viability. CSS says they are looking for updates from the major actors – how are the pilot projects progressing? Is there an adequate spread of projects in the pipeline to test all potential technologies?
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) – FactSet Research Systems Inc. announced the first quarter results ending November 30, 2008, showed revenue increase to $155.6 million, an increase of 16% compared to the prior year.
Operating income for the first quarter advanced to $51.3 million, up 21% from $42.5 million in the same period of fiscal 2008. Net income rose to $35.6 million as compared to $29.4 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.73, up from $0.58 in the same period of fiscal 2008. Included in the just completed first quarter were income tax benefits of $1.4 million or $0.03 per diluted share related to the reenactment of the U.S. Federal R&D credit in October 2008, retroactive to January 1, 2008. The first quarter of fiscal 2009 marked the first full quarter of operations for FactSet Fundamentals. FactSet Fundamentals increased revenues by $0.8 million and reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.03 per share.
Philip A. Hadley, Chairman and CEO said, "Our earnings results in the first quarter clearly demonstrate the strength of FactSet’s business model. In the most turbulent three moths for our clients in decades, FactSet was able to find productivity solutions for them and grow both our ASV and EPS."
ASV increased $7.0 million when excluding currency effects during the first quarter and rose 14.5% or $78.4 million over the prior year. Including foreign exchange, ASV increased $5.2 million during the quarter.
ASV was $620 million at November 30, 2008. Of this total, 79% of ASV is derived from buy-side institutions and the remainder derives from the sell-side firms who perform M&A advisory work and equity research. Many sources are predicting that the current market turmoil will result in a reduction of the number of hedge funds. The contribution from hedge funds to FactSet’s total ASV is 6%. ASV at any given point in time represents the forward-looking revenues for the next 12 months from all annual subscription services currently being supplied to clients.
The company will host a conference call today, December 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. (EST) to review the first quarter fiscal 2009 earnings release. To listen, please visit the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.factset.com.
About FactSet
FactSet Research Systems Inc. combines integrated financial information, analytical applications, and client service to enhance the workflow and productivity of the global investment community. The Company, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, was formed in 1978 and now conducts operations from more than twenty-three locations worldwide.
West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Alternative money managers and hedge fund restructuring advisers, Grisons Peak and IGS, have formed a joint venture to launch the Alternative Investment Merchant Banking (AIMB). The AIMB is to advise on M&A and restructuring deals for firms in the alternative assets industry, the business will be co-led by Paul Sullivan, Partner of Grisons Peak, and John Godden, CEO of IGS Group..
“With a 30% decline in AUM and an expected 50% decrease in the number of Fund managers and no incentive fees for 2008," John Godden, CEO of IGS Group, said, "we will see a continuing surge in merger and acquisitions activity as the Hedge Fund industry goes into an accelerated Darwinian phase. The alternative assets industry has traditionally been formed of boutiques which make for particular and complex merger issues requiring specialist knowledge of both Hedge Funds and M&A expertise.”
“The reduction in AUM in 2008 and the expected continuation of this trend in 2009 will increase the pressure on the owners and managers of alternative investment firms. Many of these firms will seek partners in order to improve profitability and increase their attractiveness to investors.” Paul Sullivan, Partner of Grisons Peak, concluded.
The 50:50 joint venture AIMB targets UK and European deals deal involving single fund managers with AUM of between $250m to $750m or Fund of Hedge Fund managers with AUM of between $400m and $1bn.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - In the monthly report from Dow Jones Indexes on the performance of Hedge Fund Strategy Benchmarks, only one of four strategies, merger arbitrage, posted net-of-fee gains in November.
After hedge funds experienced two of the most volatile months in market history, merger arbitrage emerged with a small positive net-of-fee gain in November, returning 0.15%. The small gain held YTD performance for merger arbitrage at approximately the same level as last month, down about -9%.
Convertible arbitrage was hit the hardest with a loss of -4.80%, followed by event driven and distressed securities, which were down -6.35% and -7.47%, respectively, for November.
The equity market neutral and equity long/short benchmarks were suspended at the start of the month as a result of the temporary risk mitigation measures taken by the investment manager of the managed account platform that supports the Dow Jones Hedge Fund Strategy Benchmarks. It has not been determined when calculation of these benchmarks will resume.
On a float-adjusted basis, the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000, the only broad measure of the domestic equity market, lost -8% (-8.15% on a full-cap basis) in November decreasing its YTD return to -38.30% (-38.37% on a full-cap basis).
The fixed income asset class, as measured by the Dow Jones Corporate Bond Index was up 4.88% this month and its cumulative return is down -5.99% for the year. Finally, the Dow Jones Wilshire Global Index, the broadest measure of global equity market, lost -6.73% for the month decreasing its YTD return to -44.68% for 2008.
November 2008 figures for the Dow Jones Hedge Fund Strategy Benchmarks are based on daily estimates net of fees.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Hong Kong-based hedge fund manager PMA has chosen to more than triple the number of users of PerTrac CMS in the company’s Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, London, and Dubai offices.
PerTrac CMS is an alternative investment workflow management solution used for investor relations, capital raising and investment management workflows.
"PMA’s marketing reach has expanded significantly over the last 12 months and we now has marketing teams based in our Dubai and London offices as well as representations in New York," noted PMA Chief Technology Officer Shane McPherson.
PMA was established in July 2002 to provide investment advisory and investment with assets over $2 billion, PMA currently has over 70 professionals employed in Hong Kong, Sydney, London and Dubai, and became a member of the SPARX group in April 200, the largest publicly listed asset manager in Asia.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Vienna based hedge fund manager Salus Alpha Group Services GmbH said that any exposure to Madoff funds were systematically prevented by the proprietary investment approach of their funds at all times.
"I am not shocked that Madoff did blow up but I am shocked that so many obviously unqualified naive fund of hedge fund managers who are obviously doing no due diligence nor do they understand hedge fund strategies do manage so much amounts of money and wonder why this happened to them" said Oliver Prock, CIO of Salus Alpha.
"We never invested into US and UK hedge funds which work under the rules of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’," the hedge fund manager said, "We always scrutinized this model by one simple question to the biggest hedge fund manager?. A ‘No’ always meant that there are problems behind such as in the Madoff situation."
The investment approach of Salus Alpha consists of state of the art due diligence and executing investments as managed accounts only, which the fund manager says has prevented and will prevent the company at from investing into Illusion Alpha.
"We did not get any inquiry form existing investors since they know that all funds Salus Alpha manages are fully regulated under UCITS III and do invest in liquid alpha strategies through managed accounts only and are therefore protected at all times," Salus Alpha concluded.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - US-based Stream Asset Management announced the launch of a credit dislocation fund and a multi-strategy credit hedge fund, the company said in a press statement.
The move is part of Gulf Stream’s aggressive expansion strategy to capitalise on current market opportunities. To further support the firm’s growth, Gulf Stream has also opened a New York City office, the statement added.
Earlier this year, Istithmar World Capital, the private equity and alternative investment arm of Istithmar World, acquired a majority stake in Gulf Stream. Gulf Stream Asset Management is majority owned by Istithmar World Capital.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - The Opalesque South Africa Roundtable was held November 10th 2008 in their Cape Town Office. There, the participants also discussed the particularities of investing in Africa (ex-South Africa).
South Africa’s equity and fixed income markets displayed exemplary robustness during 2008. Many global allocators may not be aware that the South African financial market infrastructure matches or exceeds its "first world" counterparts in many respects.
The equity and fixed income markets demonstrated exemplary robustness throughout the turbulences of 2008: no short-selling ban, no trading halt and no failed trades. Offshore investors can benefit from efficient and proven ways to get pure South African alpha without taking currency risk.
During the Roundtable, portfolio managers explained new ways to construct hedges, and informed on new and upcoming products. How global investors can benefit from the "Africa story", which is probably the largest opportunity set in the new investment paradigm called "frontier investing"? How do you deal with restricted liquidity, and is Africa really uncorrelated?
The following experts participated in the Opalesque South Africa Roundtable: James Gubb, Founding Partner of Clear Horizon Capital St. John Bungey, Partner, Praesidium Capital Management James Addo, Portfolio Manager, Finch Asset Management Simone Lowe, Portfolio Manager, Thames River Capital Andy Pfaff, Founding Partner of Trendline Funds Ian Hamilton, Founder, IDS Group Ryan Proudfoot, Co-Head RMB Prime Broking Warren Chapman, Head of Peregrine Prime Broking Kevin Ewer, Portfolio Manager, Blue Ink Investments.
South African hedge fund managers and hedge fund investors share surprising insights. For example, – South African single strategy hedge funds offer transparency "far superior to anything anywhere else", according to investors – South African hedge funds suffered their first – and only until that point – net redemptions in October 2008, but only 2.5% of total assets – South Africa is the first country in the world that actually distinguishes between normal fund managers and hedge fund managers, with higher criteria required for hedge fund managers.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - In an interview with Geneva based Forex trader and currency specialist Robert Paulson, he said; "Trading the Forex market is for serious investors seeking alternative investment opportunities."
Clients pulling out of hedge funds due to the current state of affairs has raised questions about short term options and the possibility that investors may find a managed account more suitable.
"Understanding the dynamics of diversification and proper asset allocation is an easy formula to understand. To some investors currency trading is considered a “must” and a “cannot do with out” investment class. In Forex there are no “bull markets” or “bear markets”, having the mobility to trade virtually anywhere in the world is essential when it comes to proper investing.”
Currently operating a managed account program in Geneva, Paulson said he is looking to Dubai and the UAE for the next wave of investors, "The dynamics of the current investment environment offers opportunity for those with a realistic appetite for risk. The Foreign Exchange (Forex) markets have been an asset class most enjoyed by the informed. With over a trillion dollars being traded each day opportunity is mentioned often. In the current financial environment we hear about stock markets falling, commodities selling off and real estate prices dropping. What we don’t hear much about is where serious money is being made."
Making money has never been easy and respectable returns are often taken for granted. To achieve consistency one must thoroughly analyze, track, and monitor economic conditions around the globe.
Paulson also warned, "There is an enormous amount of time needed to ensure intelligent representation in a fast moving environment. One should understand that where there is a loss there is also a profit, zero-sum is not a game but a way of life. It is also a breeding ground for those who understand."
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Hedge fund manager OakRun Capital announced the appointment of Rolando Hermoso as director of funds. Their newly launched Short Term High Yield Fund also delivered November annualized yield of 9.58%.
Hermoso has over 27 years in the investment banking industry at various senior executive levels specializes primarily in the structuring, marketing and the execution of structured finance products. With 10 years at the Bank of America he was also Head of the Investment Bank for Citicorp for Venezuela and the Antilles. He holds Masters degrees in Management and Operations Research from Stanford University and B.S. degrees in applied mathematics and physics.
The Cayman Islands exempted fund launched on October 1st and came in at 9.48% annualized in its first month. The fund’s objective is to generate above average current income with a lower overall credit risk profile and maintain a stable NAV.
"We do not believe that simply managing for relative performance is satisfactory to our clients or ourselves." says Scott Rhodenizer, Founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer, "While we work to outperform the markets, we strive to do so without excessive risk."
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) – Due to their recent share decrease, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. has agreed to sell majority interest to asset manager Neuberger Berman. The transaction will create a new, independent investment management company to be called Neuberger Investment Management, managing approximately $160 billion of assets as of 30 November 2008.
Lehman Brothers Private Equity Partners Limited (LBPE) and certain of its affiliates will be a part of this transaction. The sale is subject to final Bankruptcy Court approval, and closing is expected in the first quarter of 2009.
LBPE’s Board of Directors believes this transaction will significantly benefit the Company by providing the management team of the Investment Manager a strong platform from which to continue managing LBPE’s high quality private equity portfolio and support the long term success of the Company.
LBPE will also host a conference call later this week for investors and analysts to discuss the Investment Manager update and the Company’s performance. An updated investor presentation will be published on the Company’s Web site prior to the conference call on 12 December 2008.
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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Satellite communications company Intelsat is launching a joint venture with a South African alternative investor group led by Convergence Partners.
The joint venture plans to finance, build and launch a new satellite, Intelsat New Dawn, featuring a payload optimized to deliver wireless back haul, broadband and television programming to the continent of Africa, it is expected to enter service in early 2011.
The group recently concluded agreements for financing of the project, which is expected to cost around $250 million. The project is to be funded approximately 15% with equity and 85% with debt, the debt being in the form of non-recourse project financing provided by African institutions. Pre-orders for satellite capacity currently total more than $350 million, with some contracts for up to 15 years of service on the satellite.
"Today marks an important milestone in the development of Africa’s infrastructure," Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Convergence Partners said, "The New Dawn joint venture, with its optimized satellite and African-led financing, represents a solution for Africa by Africa. Over the course of this satellites life, it will provide world-class connectivity, allowing businesses to grow and rural communities to connect. Convergence Partners believes that investments in African projects of this nature can offer superior returns while also accelerating the socio-economic development of the continent."
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