Features

By James Bibbings -- For the past several years’ social media sources such as Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube have been the centers of attention for marketers the world over.  Beyond the so called “big three” social media players, similar more user specific sites like Twitter, LinkedIn, and other industry blog networks have also emerged as useful tools for promoting a business or brand. 

The past 18 months has been tumultuous for the prime brokerage industry. On Sept. 15, 2008, the day Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, hedge funds woke up to the fact that their assets could actually be frozen if a large bank failed. The practice of using multiple prime brokers and having several custody relationships took on new urgency. Hedge funds began to reevaluate their existing prime brokerage relationships en masse. 

By Saul Singer -- Over the last decade the global diamond industry has been focused on reinforcing the message that diamonds are the leading emotional and aspirational gift item in the mind of consumers across the globe. Millions of dollars in marketing expenditure is allocated on an annual basis to produce seductive and effective marketing campaigns which are of particular prevalence at this time of the year in the lead-up to the Holiday Season.

By Rickard Lundquist, Portfolio Specialist, SEB Private Banking -- Hedge funds continued to rise sharply in value during the third quarter of 2009, but early in the fourth quarter they showed a small decline in overall returns, according to the HFRX Global Hedge Index. In contrast, the Credit Suisse/ Tremont Index rose marginally (see table below).

By Jeff Malec -- November was a good month for many multi-market managers who reaped the benefits of volatility and trendy market conditions across many commodity markets.  

By Alternative Latin Investor -- The combination of pro-renewable energy legislation, economic stability and industrial demand are fuelling a vibrant wind power sector in Chile.  

The Latin American nation has limited indigenous energy resources, with the exception of hydropower. As a result, the country must import the bulk of its energy needs.

Lawrence Cohen“How do men act on a sinking ship? Do they hold each other? Do they pass around whiskey? Do they cry?” -- The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger (1997)

By Lawrence Cohen, Esq., Director, Gibbons P.C. -- Last month, the SEC brought criminal charges against the founder of Galleon Management L.P., Raj Rajaratnam, and five other individuals for alleged insider trading violations.  The Galleon fund capsized within days.

Scottish investment management firm Martin Currie is well-known in the long-only space, but the firm has been managing hedge funds since 2000. As of the end of September, the firm had $19.1 billion in assets under management, with $1.3 billion of this dedicated to hedge funds. With 45 investment professionals and a staff of 250 based around the globe, Martin Currie calls itself a ‘big boutique’.

FINalternatives recently sat down to chat with Clayton Cheek, who joined the firm in September to expand Martin Currie’s hedge fund sales in the U.S. 

Publically-listed middle market investment bank FBR Capital Markets recently launched a prime brokerage unit. The 20-year-old firm hired a veteran team from Shoreline Trading Group to form the core of the new initiative. The team includes Michael Murray, Matthew Ventura, Paul Havens and Donald Marigliano.

FINalternatives recently sat down with Murray, managing director and head of prime brokerage services at FBR, to discuss the new unit and his views on the changing landscape of the prime brokerage industry.

By Damian Hampson – Cash needy investors have hit the hedge fund industry hard with many managers experiencing significant redemptions during the first half of 2009.  In exclusive interviews with Alternative Latin Investor, Brazilian fund managers have voiced their concerns about surviving the current worldwide economic downturn.