West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.Net)- The Managed Funds Association (MFA) and the Coalition of Private Investment Companies (CPIC) called on SEC Chairman Christopher Cox in a letter to not extend the emergency order on short selling beyond the announced expiration date.

"While we recognize that the financial sector is undergoing an extraordinarily difficult period," Richard H. Baker, MFA President and CEO, said, "we believe that these difficulties are the result of poor fundamental conditions and not a mysterious conspiracy or, more to the point, the inadequacy of current rules related to short selling."

"Such action would severely burden short selling activity, which the SEC itself repeatedly has acknowledged plays a vital role in the stability of securities markets." James S. Chanos, CPIC Chairman said, "Restrictions on short sales distort the fundamentals that drive market prices and are, in the long run, counter-productive because they remove liquidity and healthy skepticism from the marketplace."

The current expiration date is 11:59 pm on July 29, 2008.

CPIC is a coalition of private investment companies whose members and associates are diverse in both size and investment strategies managing or advising an aggregate of over $100 billion in assets.

MFA members represent the majority of the largest hedge fund groups in the world who manage a substantial portion of the approximately $2 trillion invested in absolute return strategies. MFA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with an office in New York.

Alex Akesson
Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: alex@hedgeco.net

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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.Net)- The Managed Funds Association MFA and CME Group (CME), a Strategic Partner member, recently arrived back from a jointly arranged trip to meet with Chinese government officials, policy makers and financial services representatives.

The MFA and CME co-sponsored a conference, "Global Markets and the Role of Alternative Investments" was held in June with the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government and China Foreign Exchange Administration Magazine.

"The conference agenda helped us to continue a dialogue about the important role of alternative investments in the capital markets and to strengthen relationships
in China as its economy and financial markets grow." Richard H. Baker, MFA President and CEO, said.

Members who participated in the conference included; Citadel Investment Group,
L.L.C.; Fairfield Greenwich Group (FGG); Harbinger Capital Partners Funds; Moore Capital Management, LLC; Tudor Investment Corporation; the D.E. Shaw Group; Paulson & Co., Inc.; and S.A.C. Capital Advisors, LLC.

"MFA’s visit to China is part of its ongoing international outreach with policy makers and its mission to provide information about the global alternative investment industry." MFA said.

MFA is the voice of the global alternative investment industry. Its members include
professionals in hedge funds, funds of funds and managed futures funds. MFA Members represent the majority of the largest hedge fund groups in the world who manage a substantial portion of the approximately $2 trillion invested in absolute return strategies.

Alex Akesson
Editor for HedgeCo LLC
Email: alex@hedgeco.net

HedgeCo.Net is a premier hedge fund database and community for qualified and accredited investors only. Membership on www.hedgeco.net is FREE and EASY. We also offer FREE LISTINGS for Hedge Funds!
Be sure to check out our sister sites. www.hedgefundlounge.com, www.hedgefundtools.com, and www.hedgefundemployment.com

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