Digital Assets Report

Latest News

Four European trade associations representing investors, issuers and other market participants have come together for the first time to support the new framework for securitisation regulation. The Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME), the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA), the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and Insurance Europe have issued a joint paper backing efforts by EU policymakers to develop a robust and successful framework for simple, transparent and standardised (STS) securitisation.   In line with the Commission’s flagship Capital Markets Union initiative, the associations believe that a new framework for securitisation could play a pivotal role
Markets proved volatile across asset classes in February. The MSCI World index showed equities down over 6 per cent from their peak on 1 February through the trough on 11 February but by month-end had rallied back to almost flat. Bonds had a positive month with the Barclays US Aggregate Bond index up 0.7 per cent. February’s volatility came partly as a result of softer economic data reinforcing investor concerns on the global growth outlook, according to Anthony Lawler (pictured), portfolio manager at GAM.   “Fears on China contagion and a broader global slowdown have manifested themselves in a number
The Preqin Investor Outlook: Alternative Assets, H1 2016 finds that investors are mixed in their attitudes to the alternative assets industry. The majority (65 per cent) of investors holds a positive general perception of private equity, and only 6 per cent have a negative perception. However, more hedge fund investors hold a negative view of the asset class (38 per cent) than have a positive perception (32 per cent), and almost twice as many natural resources investors currently have a negative perception (33 per cent) compared to those who are positive about the asset class (17 per cent).   This
50 South Capital Advisors, the investment advisory subsidiary of Northern Trust is to acquire the hedge fund solutions provider Aurora Investment Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management. The addition of Chicago-based Aurora will offer clients of both firms access to an expanded global alternative investment platform with the size and resources to deliver comprehensive hedge fund, private equity and real asset solutions.   “This strategic acquisition supports our objective as a trusted asset manager to provide solutions that are suited to client investment objectives and risk tolerances,” says Northern Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frederick H
Preserver Partners has launched a liquid alternatives mutual fund – the Preserver Alternative Opportunities Fund – to provide investors with access to multiple asset classes and strategies in a single diversified portfolio, while providing daily liquidity and transparency. The new fund trades under the symbols PAOIX and PAORX.   Liquid alternative mutual funds are one of the fastest growing segments in the mutual fund industry as investors and financial advisors seek to hedge downside risk, protect principal and manage volatility. A 2013-2014 Alternative Investment Survey sponsored by McKinsey & Company reports that alternatives represent 12 per cent of mutual fund
Cowen Group has appointed Fred S Fraenkel as a Vice Chairman. Peter A Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cowen, says: “Fred is a highly accomplished leader on Wall Street with an impressive track record as an investor, strategist and advisor, among other roles, at many well-respected organisations. With his extensive experience, he will provide relevant and valuable perspectives on our business. I have known Fred for many years. I could not be more pleased to have someone of his caliber and character join our organisation.”   Fraenkel says: “My career has been about harnessing the intellectual capital of
Tradeweb Markets, an operator of global fixed income and derivatives marketplaces, has acquired CodeStreet, a specialist in data-driven trade identification and workflow management software development. The transaction will leverage the technology and expertise of both firms to enhance corporate bond trading on a global scale, delivering innovative tools that help identify likely counterparties and improve quality of execution with greater information protection.   The acquisition of CodeStreet enables Tradeweb to pair effective trade execution and processing with better trade identification tools for the buy-side and enhanced workflow management for liquidity providers, which will enable buy-side investors to better source liquidity. 
Opus Fund Services has been named Best Global Hedge Fund Administrator at the 2016 Hedgeweek Awards. The annual Hedgeweek ceremony recognises and rewards hedge fund industry participants, including funds and service providers for their success and contributions in their respective areas. The winners were announced in a ceremony which took place on 26 February at the Reform Club in London.   Paul Barlass, Head of Risk at Opus Fund Services, says: “We continue to grow methodically, globally and strategically within the space and have built a strong platform for clients of all sizes.”   Also commenting on the award, Jorge Hendrickson
Newly launched hedge funds continued to entice investors with management fee discounts while simultaneously tightening restrictions on redemptions, according to The Seward & Kissel 2015 New Hedge Fund Study. The 2015 findings reflect a give-and-take between hedge funds and investors. On the one hand, they show the continuation of a trend in which hedge funds are willing to incentivise investors to join their founders classes, offering discounted fees, and sometimes tiered management fees that step down as fund assets grow. On the other hand, hedge funds further tightened their redemption rules.   In 2015, 35 per cent of funds using equity-based
February average daily volume (ADV) at the CBOE Futures Exchange was up 23 per cent from February 2015, but down 25 per cent from January 2016. Exchange-wide total volume also rose in February compared with a year ago, up 29 per cent compared with February 2015, but down 21 per cent from January 2016. Total February volume in futures on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX Index) was 4.1 million contracts, up 29 per cent from February 2015, but down 21 per cent from January 2016. February VIX futures' ADV was 204,609 contracts, up 23 per cent from a year ago and

Special Reports

FeatureD

Events

16 May, 2024 – 8:30 am

Directory Listings