Author Archives: Alex Akesson

About Alex Akesson

Alex has been specializing in hedge fund and alternative investment news since April 2006. Working mainly in research and manager interviews, she has published breaking news on the hedge fund industry on her blog, as well as several industry publications. Her access to hedge fund managers gives her insight into news stories as well, and the ability to track press releases and other breaking news in real time.

Treasury Department Statement Regarding IMF Leadership

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following statement from Secretary Tim Geithner following the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “As Acting Managing Director, John Lipsky will provide able and experienced leadership to the Fund at this critical time for the global economy. We want to see an open process that […]

Hedge Fund Hot Topics: SEC Updates Response to Custody Rule

On April 1, 2011, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) updated its response, “Staff Responses to Questions About the Custody Rule” (the “FAQ”), which provides responses to questions about the rule 206(4)-2 (the “Custody Rule”). Hedge fund law firm Rothstien Kass reported. One particular FAQ, VI.8B, provides guidance to investment advisers who manage pooled investment vehicles that invest in […]

UCITS Alternative Index Blue Chip as of May 18, 2011

– The UCITS Alternative Blue Chip Index is down -0.19% this week, due mainly to a negative performance of its commodities and CTA constituents following the sharp decline in energy prices. Those strategies account for more than a half of this week’s losses. – 52% of the funds in the index recorded a negative weekly performance. – On a month-to-date […]

First Free-Standing Mareva Injunction Granted in Cayman

The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands has ordered a free standing Mareva injunction, an order never before granted in the Cayman Islands. “This case follows a modernizing trend, which is to be greatly welcomed, and is a significant contribution to cross-border co-operation and protection,” said Ogier Cayman Partner and Head of Litigation, Chris Russell, who together with Rachael Reynolds, […]

Robert Heim, a partner at Meyers & Heim LLP Says Rajaratnam Case Wake-Up Call for Hedge Funds

Lee Hennessee, Charles Gradante: April Hedge Fund Commentary

Lee Hennessee, Managing Principal of Hennessee Group “Hedge funds are underperforming for the year as the investment environment remains challenging for alpha generation. While managers generated gains in long portfolios as equity markets continued to rally, shorting continues to work against hedge fund managers, detracting from performance.” Charles Gradante, Co-Founder of Hennessee Group “Over the past couple months, the markets […]

EisnerAmper Research Report: The Pulse Of Private Equity

More than 100 fund managers, all from the US and predominantly along the Northeast corridor, responded to the survey which measured fund activity, debt availability and portfolio fund performance, among other items. Forecast for First Half 2011: More Fund Activity and More Debt Financing Available; Limited Partner/General Partner Relationship Under Increased Scrutiny. The Pulse of Private Equity results show a […]

Endowments and Foundations are back and better than ever as active allocators to hedge funds

By Don Steinbrugge, Chairman at Agecroft Partners Large Endowments and Foundations were early adopters of hedge funds in their portfolios with many allocating approximately 50% of their asset allocation. However, in the two years following the financial markets meltdown, these same investors stayed primarily on the sidelines for new hedge fund allocations. Over the past 6 months, Agecroft Partners has […]

Global Dow become the underlying index for State Street Global Advisors

Dow Jones Indexes, a leading global index provider, announced The Global Dow, which measures the stock performance of 150 of the world’s leading companies, will become the underlying index for State Street Global Advisors’ SPDR® Global Dow ETF, effective May 2, 2011. The equally weighted 150 stocks in The Global Dow are selected by an Averages Committee comprised of the […]

Dow Jones Islamic Market Indexes in April

Based on the close of trading on April 26, the global Dow Jones Islamic Market Titans 100 Index, which measures the performance of 100 of the leading Shari’ah compliant stocks globally, gained 2.99% month-to-date, closing at 2397.07. In comparison, the Dow Jones Global Titans 50 Index, which measures the 50 biggest companies worldwide, posted a gain of 2.46%, closing at […]