It does not get any better
With apologies to those looking for comments on the hedge fund industry, this week I digress to write a bit about the Trump phenomenon that is sweeping the nation and some other parts of the civilized world. This primary season really couldn’t get any better. It beats reality television — and it’s more real.The political […]
And now for more of the same
Another crazy week everywhere: the markets, politics and not least the future of the republic. We just can’t catch a break. Republicans are slicing each other to shreds in the fight for their nomination, a smaller number of Democrats are doing the same, and before you know it, the two survivors will be kicking each […]
A strange but profitable group
Everybody knows that things are strange at Bridgewater Associates LP. The stories of its confrontational meetings, its banning of cell phones, the instant feedback on superiors and subordinates are of part of the legend of the firm. But the article in Friday’s Wall Street Journal takes it to a new level. No matter how you […]
The fall will probably kill ya
One of my favorite films is the Newman and Redford classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It’s almost a perfect movie. One of my favorite scenes is when Sundance reveals that he doesn’t want to jump off the ledge because he can’t swim and Butch so eloquently says, “Why, you crazy — the fall’ll […]
Call me bullish
Everybody is down on the markets these days, except for me. True, I do believe the economy is weak and that there is little if any real job growth, but that being said, there are still opportunities out there and now is the time to start evaluating them. That being said, I am the last […]
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 […]
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 […]
It is all about liquidity…
Over the last few years, Wall Street’s leaders have changed from independent thinkers to drones marching to Washington’s drumbeat. The many who criticized the Street in the wake of the credit crisis, fueled by the failure of Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch, scared the Street into mediocrity. The resulting companies are massive behemoths […]