It IS about performance
Just so we’re clear, the reason investors choose hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, mutual funds and other investment vehicles is that they’re looking to make money. I know this may come as a shock to some people, especially the ones who write for the popular press, but, once again, the reason people […]
Some live, some die
I take two weeks off from writing and nothing changes. Not sure if that is good or bad, but at least it is a bit amusing. Leading up to the holiday break, the papers (that is my blanket term for print and broadcast media) have been filled with stories of poor hedge fund performance, managers […]
Something to think about
It is clearly a crazy time, both in the markets and politically, around the globe. The markets are befuddled by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike, slipping equity prices and oil sliding lower daily. If that weren’t enough to keep people up at night, the increased threat of terrorism and the lack of leadership in […]
Thank you for telling me what I already know
Once again the popular press has come out against hedge funds and the lack of performance year to date. Congratulations, Barron’s and Forbes, you are now part of the club of financial journalists writing the same story over and over again. Whether performance is good, bad, or indifferent, hedge funds continue to be the evil […]
It is about process as well as performance
The sharks have smelled blood in the water, are circling, and are ready to chomp. Clearly, there’s excitement in newsrooms across the globe over a number of well-known hedge fund managers having once again suffered significant losses in November and that their year-to-date performance is abysmal at best. I won’t take time to name names; […]
Buyer beware
I highly suggest reading Jason Zweig’s “The Intelligent Investor” column in last Friday’s Wall Street Journal. It‘s a great piece about why investors need to be wary of hedge replication products and other types of investments that track or follow well-known investment managers. He astutely points out that there is more to investing then simply […]
Munger One, Ackman Zero
The recent spat between Charlie Munger and Bill Ackman is quite amusing. Doesn’t Mr. Ackman know this is one battle that he can’t win? Regardless of whether he is right or wrong, to attack the Oracle of Omaha and his partner is like attacking Santa Claus. Buffet and Munger are untouchable. And to think of […]
Shooting fish in a barrel
Hedge funds are clearly the evil that men and women do that live on and on. It is clear from recent reports in the media, comments from both sets of Presidential candidates, comments from the new Speaker of the House, comments from other members of the House and Senate, and comments even from an old […]
The Status Quo
I am passing up the opportunity to write about hedge funds this week because, frankly, there isn’t anything to say. Performance has been poor; investors are complaining, rightfully; the press is balking at manager acumen; so, what is new? The answer: Nothing. Things in the industry are status quo. Big funds are getting bigger, regardless […]
Who doesn’t hate hedge funds?
As summer draws to a close, the kids are back in school, the U.S. Open is over, the NFL playing for real (with TWO Monday night games) and anti-hedge fund rhetoric is everywhere. All the pundits seem to be over the top with joy that the funds were hit badly by the volatility that hammered […]