here is a growing number of causalities for Asian hedge funds as markets continue to suffer. The latest victim was APAC Greater China Fund which folded after suffering heavy losses through the end of last quarter, Reuters is reporting. The International Herald Tribune reported Asia-Pacific focused hedge funds had $156 billion in assets by the end of February after five years of double digit percentage gains....more...

Argentina's Senate approved a takeover of $23 billion in private pension funds. Senators voted 46-18 in favor of the nationalization, bringing an end to a 14-year-old pension system. All that’s left to make it law is President Cristina Fernandez's signature. Critics have called it a government money grab while analysts argue the plan will protect retirees in the short term, potentially hurting them in the long run. Government protection is especially important in Argentina...more...

De-regulation and lack of governmental scrutiny are often two explanations for the collapse of financial markets. Oddly enough, hedge fund managers are already biting their nails with anticipation of the potential regulation increase from the new president-elect according to recent findings. Over 70% of survey participants reported having $100-750 million in assets, and the remaining with over $750 million. The survey also found 98% of hedge managers believe the new administration is likely to increase government surveillance on the hedge fund industry...more...

The Oxford Private Client Group equity management has launched its “Oxford Global Total Return Fund” open-ended mutual fund, managed by Bo Beckman. Beckman, senior portfolio manager for the MN-based Oxford Private Client Group, disclosed the Oxford Core Portfolio is ahead of the index through the first 10 months of 2008. Investing in The Oxford Global Total Return Fund involves management style risks, no history of mutual fund operations risks, equity market risks, issuer-specific risks, fixed income risks, foreign risks, currency trading risks, credit risks, ADR risks, sector risks, leverage risks and may not be suitable for all investors...more...

There are certain events that happen in your lifetime that you always remember, such as getting married, the birth of a child, etc. Experiencing the worst market decline ever is probably not an event you want to have on your list. These are definitely historic times...more...

As the world adjusts to a hyper-connected and transparent global market spurred by the Internet, each industry encounters its own opportunities and challenges. To merely survive, industry players must keep pace with change. To compete, they must leverage technology and best business practices to distinguish themselves in overcrowded markets. The Over the Counter (OTC) markets are no exception. Market giants and upstarts alike recognize the competitive advantage of leveraging technology to facilitate trading activity with counterparties through more effective and productive vehicles of communication...more...

Reflecting the organization’s tradition of promoting from within, Neil Petroff Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Senior VP has been appointed Executive VP, Investments and CIO effective January 1, 2009. Prior to his having joined the organization in 1993, where he has been a member of the executive management team for 13 years, Bertram’s experience includes 18 years with the Telus Corporation. With more than 30 years’ financial industry experience, Neil has overseen inflation-sensitive, fixed income, public and private equities portfolios. Petroff’s education includes a BBA and an MBA from York University...more...

The Equity 11 security-focused independent private-equity firm has appointed James M. Juliano as its new partner. To identify strong corporate acquisition targets and guide Equity 11's portfolio companies in his new role, Juliano will help the organization manage its existing portfolios, acquire interests in new businesses and head its real estate asset development practice...more...