The New Alternative

KPMG recently did an investment management survey, and concluded that the only way for the investment management industry to rebuild trust with their investors is by going back to basics. Building client relationships by improving communication as well as knowledge sharing are one of the most important aspects of this, according to the same survey. At Opalesque Solutions, we have built communication tools such as the IR Suite as well as the White Label Solution. Both these web-based applications are simple to use for hedge fund managers and service providers, and are also affordable compared to the alternatives. The IR Suite lets managers create their weekly and monthly newsletters securely online, and delivers them to the managers’ investor and prospect lists through our email servers. Managers can also use the IR Suite to track the performance of their communication by using the reports feature, so they know who’s read their newsletters, and who haven’t. We’re giving free accounts to anyone who sends to 100 or less recipients, and this can be registered for here: www.opalesquesolutions.com/irsuite. The White Label Solution lets you and your team create your very own newsletter campaigns, manage your mailing lists, and view campaign reports from a web-based platform. You don’t have to install any CDs, download any software, or worry about upgrades, as this White Label Solution is completely web-based. More information about the White Label Solution can be found here: http://www.opalesquesolutions.com/products/white-label-solution/.

Here’s an article I extracted from THFJ which I find a good read for those of you out there looking for seed investors.

FRM`s Patric de Gentile-Williams comments on the current state of hedge fund seeding

• - The environment for hedge fund seeders has changed dramatically over the last 12 months
  - There are now fewer seeders in the market
  - Even established funds are looking for seed capital after redemptions have hit their funds
  - Some start ups have suffered as their original seeders have withdrawn from the market
  - Investors are more stringent than ever before on issues such as corporate governance, use of third party administrators and transparency

Just as some investors pulled assets out of the hedge fund industry in 2008, the amount of capital and the number of firms in hedge fund seeding also reduced. However it is important to stress that this reduction is due to stresses in the parent businesses of the seeders not in the seeding business itself. Today far fewer players are active in providing seed capital to hedge funds. This, combined with the increased difficulty that hedge funds face in raising capital, has created a favourable environment for the remaining seeders.

The full article can be found here

Despite the new book cover, Michael Covel’s updated Trend Following book doesn’t horse around.  When I received my copy in the mail, my first thoughts were “Ok, here we go again…. another trend trading book…” BUT WAIT! The first 10 pages immediately changed my mindset, in typical Michael Covel fashion. Micahel went straight for the kill, no bull, by saying that this book was not going to teach you any trading strategy in particular, nor was it going to show you how to read charts (or tea leaves). Rather, the book highlights and discusses the most important points that both traders and fund managers tend to overlook when they trade the markets – Trend Following and Price.

Go with the flow or drown in the flood is really the best way to describe what Michael highlights in his book.

If you’re a Market Wizards fan, you’re definitely going to like the interviews and case studies that Michael puts in this book. Just the case studies and interviews conducted by Michael inTrend Following (Updated Edition) is akin to Market Wizards on steroids. There is so much data in this book that an amateur would miss if taken lightly. The case studies, side bar quotes, and the personal stories and philosophy of successful trend followers are extremely good reads and useful in a trader’s business. Fund managers and investors would also find this book a good read, as it explains reasonably well the reason why most lost (a lot of) money in 2008.

Learn more about the book and the other interesting stuff Michael has on his website, http://www.trendfollowing.com/