All News
Jersey administration industry continues to thrive amid start-up boom
Fri, 10 October 2008, 14:48
The credit crunch and its aftershocks may be wreaking havoc in the global financial markets and institutions around the world may be tottering, but for at least for now the fund services industry in Jersey is continuing to thrive. While growth in the island's assets under administration came to a halt in the second quarter and some promoters are hastily rethinking their investment strategy, service providers say their outlook continues to look... 
Competing on the global playing field
Fri, 10 October 2008, 14:43
Recent years have seen an increasing number of specialist funds launched in Jersey, including property, private equity and hedge funds as well as so-called 'alternative alternatives'. They have used traditional fund authorisation processes but also in recent times the fast-track routes offered by the Expert Fund Guide, the Listed Fund Guide and now the Unregulated Fund regime.
A growing reputation for Shariah fund expertise
Fri, 10 October 2008, 14:35
The rising price of oil and the emergence of sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf region have focused attention on the growing financial strength of the region and on its rapid emergence as a market for investment products. This has created new opportunities for Jersey because of the island's reputation for professionalism and experience in the structuring and servicing of specialised investment vehicles.
Unregulated funds give Jersey boost in turbulent times
Fri, 10 October 2008, 14:28
At a time when alternative funds are being blamed in some quarters for exacerbating the financial industry crisis, if not necessarily actually provoking it, and politicians throughout the world are calling for greater regulation of hedge funds and their managers, it might seem incongruous that Jersey is currently revelling in the successful introduction of a new fund regime that does not involve any regulation all.
Supporting managers' presence in Jersey
Fri, 10 October 2008, 14:26
Fund managers are increasingly looking to establish a physical presence in offshore jurisdictions, either to optimise tax efficiencies for their funds and management companies or simply because a lifestyle change is desired.
Appetite grows for unregulated funds
Fri, 10 October 2008, 14:24
Just months after the launch of Jersey's Unregulated Funds regime, there is already evidence that an appetite is starting to develop for this new category of funds, particularly from large pension fund managers in the UK looking to set up structures under the new regime. From RBC's perspective, these are the seedlings of what could become a significant area of growth for the unregulated fund regime among institutional investors.
European Midday Report: Markets drop on fears of global recession
Fri, 10 October 2008, 13:57
European stock markets tumbled following steep falls in Asia today. The FTSE 100 dropped to 4,010 by midday (GMT) losing 302.92, Frankfurt's Dax lost 432.05 to 4,454.95 and France's CAC 40 lost 283.43 to 3,159.27.
Natixis Global Associates launches hedge fund beta replication funds
Fri, 10 October 2008, 05:57
Boston-based Natixis Global Associates has launched two hedge fund beta replication funds in conjunction with AlphaSimplex Group, to be managed by Dr Andrew Lo, a pioneer in hedge fund beta replication.
Physically-backed gold ETCs see continued strong demand, says ETF Securities
Thu, 09 October 2008, 21:56
Exchange-traded commodities provider ETF Securities says it has experienced large inflows into physically-backed gold and silver ETCs over the past week as investors sought safe haven assets.
Private investors wary of hedge funds' perceived riskiness and lack of transparency
Thu, 09 October 2008, 06:02
Sophisticated private investor are aware of the potential for high returns offered by hedge funds, especially in the current environment, but are concerned about their perceived lack of transparency and greater riskiness than traditional investments, according to a survey by the UK's Association of Investment Companies.
New short selling rules will have little impact on 130/30 managers, says S&P
Thu, 09 October 2008, 06:01
The restrictions imposed on short selling of financial stocks by regulators of markets throughout the world are not having a significant impact on managers of absolute return and 130/30 equity funds, according to a survey by Standard & Poor's Fund Services.
Comment: Steven F. Molo, Shearman & Sterling: Wrong, maybe. But is it a crime?
Thu, 09 October 2008, 06:00
As the global financial crisis continues to unfold, governments will have a fundamental decision to make regarding how to address enforcement issues. There will be no shortage of those at whom fingers may be pointed. The central question will be: Should these people be prosecuted criminally, or are the regulatory process and civil litigation better suited to dealing with these issues?
Hedgeweek Comment: Does fund regulation matter?
Thu, 09 October 2008, 05:56
Last week Jersey Finance, the Channel Island's industry promotional agency, reported that 26 Unregulated Funds had been established in the nearly seven months since the introduction of the new regime, which industry members hope will come to be viewed by hedge fund managers as a European alternative to the extremely lightly regulated funds domiciled in the Cayman Islands.
European Midday Report: Central banks slash interest rates
Wed, 08 October 2008, 14:01
The Bank of England, the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and the central banks of Canada, Sweden and Switzerland, all moved to cut interest rates by midday (GMT) Wednesday in a coordinated move to try and halt turmoil in the stockmarkets.
Hedgeweek Comment: Sub-prime brokerage
Wed, 08 October 2008, 06:00
The tales of woe are growing from the many hedge fund managers that were prime brokerage clients of Lehman Brothers. Estimates of the volume of fund assets frozen in the bankrupt investment bank's London-based accounts run anywhere from USD40bn to USD70bn - even after Lehman lost as much as half of its prime brokerage assets in the last week of its life. Hedge funds could find themselves waiting weeks to recover their assets from the...
ETF investors switch from equities to commodities and fixed income, says BGI
Wed, 08 October 2008, 05:59
The first nine months of 2008 have seen investors move assets into fixed income and commodity exposure exchange-traded funds, while the assets in equity ETFs, especially global ex-US and Asian equity products have declined, according to a forthcoming report on industry trends and developments from Barclays Global Investors.
Arch Financial Products enters Asia and Middle East market with Financial Partners stake
Wed, 08 October 2008, 05:47
UK-based alternative investment manager Arch Financial Products has made a substantial investment in Financial Partners Group, an international firm of independent financial advisers with offices in the Middle East and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Ogier to offer private funds within new wealth planning service
Tue, 07 October 2008, 14:21
Ogier, an 'offshore magic circle' provider of legal and fiduciary services, is launching a new personalised wealth planning service for ultra-high net worth individuals and family businesses that will notably include the formation and administration of private investment funds.
Resolution Asset Management appoints Tim Sweeting as head of alternatives
Tue, 07 October 2008, 06:04
Resolution Asset Management has appointed Tim Sweeting to the newly-created position of head of alternatives, reporting to sales and marketing director Jonathan Polin and taking responsibility for the global distribution of the firm's alternatives products as it seeks to expand its role in this area.
Hedgeweek Comment: It ain't over
Tue, 07 October 2008, 06:03
Any lingering hopes that the eventual agreement last Friday on the US bailout package would provide a turning point in the market turbulence, finally convincing investors that it was safe to come back into the equity markets and persuading banks to resume lending to each other, were swiftly dashed in a grim day's trading on the world's stock markets.
