New York (HedgeCo.Net) – New York-based Harbinger Capital Partners has capped year-end withdrawals from its largest hedge fund after investors moved to pull $3.5 billion of capital. The hedge fund, run by Philip Falcone, will only honor 60 to 70 percent of the requests, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
The Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund, which manages approximately $10 billion, has never posted a losing year since its launch in 2001. While 2007 saw returns of 115 percent, the fund has lost 23 percent through the end of November, according to the report which cited people familiar with the matter.
Harbinger is just one of dozens of hedge funds who has suspended redemptions this year amidst unfavorable market conditions. Large firms like RAB, Pardus and Citadel are just among a few who have halted withdrawals in hopes of waiting out the storm and avoiding a liquidity crunch.
Harbinger likes to invest in companies either going through mergers or in companies they feel they can strategically change for the better. The firm made headlines when they sought seats on both the New York Times and Media General; two companies in which they invest. They won their board seats after a much publicized proxy battle earlier this year.
Hedge funds as a whole have suffered this year, posting record losses. According to the Credit Suisse/Tremont Hedge Fund Index, hedge funds are down over 19 percent on the year through the end of November. It is estimated that the once $3 trillion industry will manage a mere $1 trillion at the start of the new year.
Julie Scuderi
Senior Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: julie@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
