Adapting to the current market slowdown and financial crisis means re-evaluating asset allocation models, uncovering investment ideas and carefully positioning a portfolio. Emanuel Balarie of Balarie Capital Management examines the role that managed futures can play in managing wealth wisely during a bear market.
Given the credit crunch and market crisis, does private equity still work as a sustainable core holding? Pictet & Cie takes a closer look at private equity in the current market context and argues that it does work, that it should not be affected significantly by market cycles and that private equity fund-raising is on track to set new records this year.
The gap between individual and institutional traders has narrowed, resulting in a sophisticated online trader with knowledge, confidence, and a well diversified and balanced portfolio. In this white paper, Barclays Wealth takes a closer look at the activity of these individuals and what the future may hold for them.
An unprecedented low in the purchasing manager index suggests China faces an imminent negative growth shock. New orders and new export orders fell sharply; import orders look very poor; and input prices are dropping. The PMI tends to be volatile, a Credit Suisse report notes, but it has a decent track record of predicting the direction of the economy.
Two notices from Withers Worldwide discuss changes to U.S. tax rules in the deferred remuneration area that take effect on 1 January 2009. These rules (found in Sections 409A and 457A of the U.S. tax code) target deferred payments that do not satisfy complex technical requirements, imposing a compliance burden on non-U.S. as well as U.S. employers. (Section 409A)
Many officers of family offices serve on boards of directors for family-owned businesses or companies in which they have made equity investments. If these companies move into distressed status, litigation by investors and creditors may follow – and agents of family offices may appear to have the deepest pockets. This report from JD Ford & Company considers the role of these agents, noting potential land mines and offering suggestions for handling these situations successfully.
A concise review of past and present hedge fund environments can potentially provide an important context for understanding what the future may hold for hedge fund investing and what the resulting implications could be for qualified investors.
The IRS revenue ruling regarding the deductibility of management fees by limited partners of partnerships that invest in other partnerships tends to target funds of funds. WTAS believes this ruling may have a wider effect on any tiered partnership structure.
The United Nations' 2008 World Investment Report states that developing and transition economies attracted nearly $600 million in foreign investment in 2007, a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Much of that money came from trans-national corporations, but much more is needed, particularly to shore up the infrastructure of these nations. The 411-page report analyzes trends in corporate giving as well as the roles of both the giver and the developing country.
Solving complex social problems can require breaking down the barriers of centuries-old political, social and ethnic conflicts. This article from Synergos explores the concept of bridging leadership as a method of bringing opposing groups and diverse leaders together for social change.