Reuters – Hedge funds are keeping borrowings and risk low and seeking sanctuary in safe-haven assets during the current market turbulence, but some are beginning to see opportunities to make attractive investments.
The events of the past few days — the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the $50 billion sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America and the $85 billion rescue of AIG — have hit funds’ returns and caused many to cut back their bets.
"Managers have been reining in leverage given the extreme volatility in the market. Sentiment is so bad, people are loath to make big bets," said Jack McDonald, chief executive of hedge fund service provider Conifer Securities.
Eclectica Asset Management, co-founded by high-profile hedge fund manager Hugh Hendry, told Reuters its hedge fund had 140 percent of net asset value invested in mid- and long-dated German bunds.
