Alternatives

1. Dutch wealth manager awards $9m fund mandate

   Dutch wealth manager Attica Vermogensbeheer has awarded a $9m (€5.7m) mandate to Nedgroup Investments, the fund of hedge funds manager, for its Premium Portfolio Fund, according to a Hedge Week report.

2. Hedge fund groups oppose longer ban on naked short selling

   Two hedge fund trade groups have sent a letter to the US Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Christopher Cox requesting that the emergency order on naked short selling not be extended, a sharp contrast to how other market participants have reacted.

3. As the markets throw knuckle balls hedge-fund stars still hit home runs

   Some hedge-fund stars of 2007 are having an encore year. In the process, they are defying sceptics who questioned whether they could keep their runs going.

4. Swiss-based hedge fund faces €500m in redemptions

   Absolute Capital Management's chairman today said investors could withdraw up to €500m ($796.8m) from the hedge fund manager's portfolios in November, when lock-ups are removed from several of its vehicles which were frozen after it was discovered they were invested in illiquid assets.

5. Thames River Capital swims against the tide

   Independent hedge fund Thames River Capital has no regrets for bucking the trend among peers of listing on exchanges, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.

6. Investors fear higher risk of lending to hedge funds

   Hedge funds are increasingly providing finance to their peers as banks tighten credit lines. Fund managers including Cerberus Capital Management and SAC Capital Advisors in the US have established direct finance arms which could lend to hedge funds.

7. Hedge funds take top spot in equity trading volumes

   Hedge funds outpaced mutual funds in US equity trading volume and helped shape the landscape for brokers serving institutional investors last year.

8. Ashmore adds nearly $6bn to assets

   Ashmore Group is looking to raise at least $2.8bn (€1.76n) for its latest emerging markets private equity and distressed debt fund, after announcing $6bn asset growth for the year to June 30.

9. Champagne prices maintain their fizz

   An index tracking the price of 25 of the top vintage Champagnes has risen 27% in the past year, outperforming the broader wine market as well as most equity markets.

10. Investors pull $1.1bn from hedge funds

    Hedge funds recorded net outflows of $1.1bn (€691.1m) for the first five months of the year as investors pulled money from a variety of strategies with equity-focused funds topping the list.