Business Online – Concern is mounting across the City of London’s thriving $400bn (£267.6bn, €305.8bn) hedge fund industry that it is soon to be the target of a vilification campaign similar to that being waged against private equity.
The fears were intensified after last weekend’s calls from the G7 central bank officials and finance ministers for more “vigilance†on hedge funds. One senior hedge fund executive told The Business: “We are being targeted like pariahs by the very individuals who gain pecuniary advantage from our legitimate business – it is rank hypocrisy.â€Â
Another said: “We have been watching what has happened to private equity, with Damon Buffini [boss of Permira, the private equity giant] being singled out by trade unions and Labour MPs. We will be next. These guys had better watch out or else they will chase the industry awayâ€Â.
