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24 Jun 2007

Congress Publishes Report on Hedge Funds

The Congressional Research Service recently published a report to Congress on pension fund investments in hedge funds.

The report indicates that pension funds that invest in hedge funds have increased to 24% in 2006, up from 19% in 2004. Total corporate pension fund assets allocated to hedge funds has grown from 1.3% in 2003, to approximately 2.1% in 2006.

The report also says that hedge funds have experienced a growth of 3,000% over the last 16 years.

It also describes the lack of SEC oversight, certain high-profile fund blowups, and the possible risk to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation associated with investments by pension funds in hedge funds.

"In our market based economy, market-discipline of risk taking is the rule and government regulation is the exception." Says The Presidents Working Group on Financial Markets.

$3 Billion Hedge Fund Hires New Manager

Henderson Global Investors, the independent asset manager with over £61 billion ($121.9 billion) under management, has appointed a new sales manager for their $3 billion hedge fund division. Jill Hodges joined last week and will report to Alastair Barrie, director of global hedge fund sales.

Kate O'Neill, Director of Pan European Distribution and Hedge Funds at Henderson, said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Jill's calibre to join the team. Henderson has built a credible hedge fund business exploiting the in-house talent we have developed across multiple asset classes. Jill's experience in financial markets and hedge funds combined with her strong network of contacts in Europe will support us in our efforts to continue to grow the business.”

Jill joins from Mt Thaler Investment Management where she was Director of Marketing responsible for sales, marketing and investor relations for European clients. She has also been an equity analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston in London and a Consultant for Ernst and Young Consulting in both Europe and the US. Jill has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Henderson currently has over $3 billion under management in its hedge fund business spread across 13 funds which are split into four groups: (1) long / short directional equity funds; (2) market neutral funds with a regional focus; (3) equity long / short style rotational funds; and (4) fixed income multi strategy and single strategy funds.