Funds
GAM Investments has launched an offshore version of its alternative risk premia strategy, which currently has USD1.8 billion of assets under management, as at 28 September 2018.
The new product will complement GAM’s existing range of strategies available to institutional investors, including existing systematic strategies managed by the GAM Systematic team. GAM Systematic has USD 4.7 billion of assets under management, as at 30 June 2018.
GAM’s alternative risk premia strategy typically targets around 15 risk premia strategies across the style categories of value, momentum and carry. The team uses a disciplined research process to design, systematically implement and
Private equity funds managed by Blackstone – together with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and GIC – have completed the previously announced partnership transaction with Thomson Reuters for Thomson Reuters’ Financial & Risk (F&R) business.
The Blackstone-led consortium now owns 55 per cent of the equity in a new corporation created to hold the F&R business, and Thomson Reuters retains a 45 per cent equity stake, at an overall valuation of USD20 billion. The Financial & Risk business is now known as Refinitiv.
Refinitiv is one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure, providing leading
In September 2018, the European Energy Exchange (EEX) increased volumes on its power derivatives markets by 42 per cent to 377.1 TWh (September 2017: 265.8 TWh) and, as a result, reached the highest monthly volume since November 2016.
In particular, record volumes in Phelix-DE Futures (232.8 TWh) and Phelix-AT Futures (0.5 TWh) as well as in Futures for the Italy (62.1 TWh) and Spain (12.2 TWh) contributed to this development. Furthermore, volumes in power options increased by 60 per cent to 12.2 TWh (September 2017: 7.7 TWh).
The September volume comprised 204.6 TWh traded at EEX via Trade Registration
September was a tough month overall for hedge funds, with several strategies down according to benchmark liquid indices. L/S Equity and Macro/CTA strategies underperformed with sector rotations having a negative impact on the former, and higher bond yields and the US Dollar reversal impacting the latter.
According to the latest Weekly Brief from Lyxor’s Cross Asset Research team though, there were some very bright spots.
Lyxor writes: “Fixed Income Arbitrage managed to protect bond portfolios against the rise in bond yields which took place in the largest economies over the recent weeks. Meanwhile, Merger Arbitrage was fuelled last week
Picton Mahoney Asset Management (Picton Mahoney) has added three Fortified Alternative Funds to its existing Fortified Fund family. providing Canadian retail investors with additional access to the sophisticated hedging techniques and alternative investing strategies that Picton Mahoney has been offering since 2004.
“Today is an extremely exciting day for Picton Mahoney. We think the timing is excellent to be able to provide Canadian retail investors with more tools to better position their portfolios against the emerging headwinds of tomorrow’s markets,” says David Picton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Picton Mahoney. “We are pleased to expand our family of Fortified Funds
Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (‘Hang Seng Indexes’) announced it has licensed the Total Return Index (TRI) Series of the Hang Seng Index and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, to Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) to serve as underlying indexes for the creation of four index futures.
The TRI Series includes: Hang Seng Index (Gross Total Return Index); Hang Seng Index (Net Total Return Index); Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (Gross Total Return Index); and Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (Net Total Return Index).
Unlike price indexes that only measure the price performance of constituents, the
Investment fund assets worldwide increased by 4.4 per cent to EUR45.65 trillion at end Q2 2018, according to the European Fund and Asset Management Association’s (EFAMA) latest International Statistical Release.
In US dollar terms, due to the appreciation of the US dollar, worldwide investment fund assets decreased by 1.3 per cent to stand at USD 53.22 trillion at end Q2 2018.
Net cash inflows into funds worldwide amounted to EUR190 billion, down from EUR502 billion in Q1 2018. Net inflows reached EUR29 billion in Europe, compared to EUR113 billion in the United States.
Long-term funds (all funds excluding money
Ultimus Fund Solutions is the latest firm to join the The North American Fund Administration Association (NAFAA), a representative group for the alternative investment fund administration industry.
“With the recent acquisition of Woodfield Fund Administration, Ultimus has broadened its mutual fund administration services to include alternative investment funds and we are delighted to have them partner with us in enhancing the alternative fund administration industry,” says founding director, Chris Meader.
“Our involvement with NAFAA allows us to collaborate with other administrators in the US to bring new ideas and standards that will be beneficial for our firm, our clients
The asset-weighted Mizuho-Eurekahedge Index – USD was down 0.41 per cent in August, underperforming the equal-weighted Eurekahedge Hedge Fund Index which declined 0.05 per cent throughout the month.
Nearly half of the fund managers overseeing assets in excess of USD1 billion posted losses in August.
North American fund managers generated 1.04 per cent return in August, outperforming their peers from other regions, as they enjoyed the support of the underlying equity market rally. On a year-to-date basis, the mandate was up 3.39 per cent, indicating their resilience against the recent trade tension.
Long/short equities hedge fund managers managed
The State Street Global Investor Confidence Index decreased to 88.3 in September, down 5.7 points from August’s revised reading of 94.0. Confidence among North American investors further declined, with the North American ICI decreasing from 92.0 to 84.5.
The Asian ICI also decreased by 2.5 points to 100.0. Meanwhile, the European ICI rose by 1.0 points to 101.0.
The Investor Confidence Index was developed by Kenneth Froot (pictured), and Paul O’Connell at State Street Associates, State Street Global Exchange’s research and advisory services business. It measures investor confidence or risk appetite quantitatively by analysing the actual buying and selling
