New York (HedgeCo.Net) – After a year when most hedge funds grudgingly reported month after month of losses, Och-Ziff Capital Management was happy to showcase their gains for January in a recent regulatory filing.

The New York-based hedge fund reported positive returns for all four of their funds, sending share prices up and giving investors a jolt of confidence.

The OZ Master Fund saw gains of 3.12 percent while the Asia Master Fund returned 2.49 percent.  Also following suit was the Europe Master Fund, which rose 1.05 percent and the Global Special Investments Master Fund which posted returns of 0.84 percent.

Another positive note was the rise in assets under management.  Och-Ziff, who once managed nearly $34 billion, took a large hit last year along with many hedge funds.  With the economic turmoil and investors pulling out approximately $5 billion in a rush for redemptions, assets under management fell to just over $21 billion in late 2008.  According to the filing, that number is steadily climbing, up to $22.3 billion.

Och-Ziff, who unlike most hedge funds is a publically traded company, saw their share prices rally amidst the news.  Shares closed yesterday at $5.31, up 3.91 percent.

Julie Scuderi
Senior Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: julie@hedgeco.net

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Charleston Gazette – Whether it’s a buildup of Civil War troops, Depression-era bureaucrats or defense contractors after Sept. 11, the region has prospered in times of crisis. Today, the financial meltdown is delivering a jolt of its own.

Lawyers, lobbyists and public relations experts — many of whom live and work in Virginia and Maryland suburbs — are benefiting as companies from Wall Street to Motor City seek a piece of Washington’s $700 billion financial bailout, and try to influence any regulatory strings attached. Business is also percolating as President-elect Barack Obama prepares an economic stimulus package comprised of infrastructure spending and tax breaks that could exceed $800 billion.

"There will be a mad rush to have influence on where that money should go,” said David Rubenstein, co-founder and managing director of The Carlyle Group, the Washington-based private-equity firm whose partners include former high-ranking U.S. and foreign government officials. Far from struggling, the Washington region could be on the verge of "boom times,” Rubenstein said.

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