Active investment funds face rising pressure

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Asset Price ◽  
Equity Markets ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Exchange Traded Funds ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Price Bubble ◽  
Specific Index

Subject Passive and active fund management. Significance Active investment, actively buying and selling assets to try and outperform the market, was already under fire because of poor performance, high fees and passive funds (tracking a specific index) performing well due to the surge in global equity markets. Exacerbating this, the decision on June 2 by Neil Woodford, one of the United Kingdom's best-known fund managers, to suspend withdrawals from his flagship Equity Income Fund is triggering a scandal in UK asset management. Impacts Passive funds performing well fuels asset price bubble fears as they tend to lead to more money being directed to larger firms and sectors. Exchange Traded Funds, popular passively run vehicles, have momentum, holding almost 5.5 trillion dollars, six times as much as in 2009. The dollar may rise as geopolitical uncertainty will drive ‘safe haven’ interest but doubts over US growth and policy will cap the trend.

Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) highlights operating, control and compliance deficiencies in asset management industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Marie Godfrey
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Asset Management ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Investment Fund ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Best Execution ◽  
Asset Managers

Purpose To examine the nine common areas of non-compliance in managing investment funds and discretionary accounts, detailed in a Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) circular dated September 15, 2017, directed at SFC-licensed asset managers. Design/methodology/approach Discusses a July 2017 circular indicating the SFC’s general concerns and analyzing the following nine common areas of non-compliance cited in the September 15, 2017 circular: (1) inappropriate receipt of cash rebates giving rise to apparent conflicts of interests, (2) failure to follow investment-suitability and discretionary account mandates during solicitation, (3) failure to implement liquidity-risk management processes, (4) deficiencies in governance structures and fair-valuation procedures, (5) deficiencies in systems for ensuring best execution, (6) failure to safeguard fair order allocation, (7) inadequate controls for protection of client assets, (8) inadequate systems to comply with investment restrictions, and (9) inadequate safeguards to address market misconduct risk. Findings The nine examples of non-compliance provide a useful insight into key “problem areas” indicated to currently be of particular concern to the SFC. Practical implications All SFC-licensed asset managers would be well advised to revisit their internal governance structures and operational policies and procedures in order to ensure that they are compliant with applicable standards and requirements. Originality/value Practical guidance from a lawyer with extensive experience advising investment managers and advisers, fund administrators, trustees and other fund service providers on investment fund-related issues.

Portraits of five hedge fund fraud cases

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majed R. Muhtaseb ◽  
Chun Chun “Sylvia” Yang
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Hedge Funds ◽  
Hedge Fund ◽  
Investment Fund ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Management Group ◽  
Fund Industry ◽  
Asset Managers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is two fold: educate investors about hedge fund managers' activities prior to the fraud recognition by the authorities and to help investors and other stakeholders in the hedge fund industry identify red flags before fraud is actually committed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates fraud committed by the Bayou Funds, Beacon Hill Asset Management, Lancer Management Group (LMG), Lipper & Company and Maricopa investment fund. The fraud activities took place during 2000 and 2005.FindingsThe five cases alone cost the hedge fund investors more than $1.5 billion. Investors may have had a good opportunity for avoiding the irrecoverable costs of the fraud had they carefully vetted the backgrounds of the hedge fund managers and/or continuously monitored the funds activities, especially during turbulent market environments.Originality/valueThis is the first research paper to identify and extensively investigate fraud committed by hedge funds. In spite of the size of the hedge fund industry and relatively substantial level and inevitably recurring fraud, academic journals are to yet address this issue. The paper is of great value to hedge funds and their individual and institutional investors, asset managers, financial advisers and regulators.

The increasing popularity of private funds

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Jerry Koh ◽  
Jonathan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Private Equity ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Capital Inflows ◽  
Regulatory Regime ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose To introduce the various private fund structuring options available in Singapore, an important fund management hub that has increasingly also come to be recognized as a popular fund domicile with its pro-business environment, transparent and robust regulatory regime and government support through tailored investment structures, tax incentives and extensive double taxation treaties. Design/methodology/approach This article provides an overview of the available private fund structures as well as the key legal issues and considerations that fund managers and investors should take into account when structuring a private fund. It also provides a brief summary of the available tax incentive schemes for funds in Singapore. Findings With growth in private market assets under management fueled by private equity funds over the last decade, the use of private investment funds established in Singapore has become a popular means to tap the large capital inflows into Asia. Singapore offers a wide range of fund structures to suit different fund strategies and considerations, including the variable capital company (“VCC”) structure, a legal structure tailored for use as investment funds that was introduced in January 2020. Practical implications There are a range of Singapore private fund structures available with different features, including the VCC, which is a corporate structure that allows for umbrella-sub-fund structures with segregated assets and liabilities, and the limited partnership, which is familiar to international investors and permits a large degree of contractual flexibility. Other structures such as unit trusts and private companies may also be suitable depending on the particular circumstances and objectives of the fund. Fund managers who are exploring setting up fund vehicles to tap Asian capital or to invest in Asia should be aware of the possible options, and their pros and cons. Originality/value Practical analysis and guidance and market commentary from experienced investment funds lawyers.

16 The Global Frontiers of Private Investment Funds

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spangler Timothy
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Asset Management ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
First Century ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Private Monitoring ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Financial Centre ◽  
Financial Transactions

This chapter discusses the global expansion of private investment funds in the twenty-first century, focusing on two regions: Asia and the Middle East. In particular, it examines questions about the balance of power between fund managers and investors, the role of top-down regulation in non-public financial transactions, and the ability of private monitoring solutions to provide a meaningful alternative to such approaches. The chapter first describes the asset management industry in the United Arab Emirates, with emphasis on the roles of the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Dubai Financial Services Authority, before turning to Saudi Arabia and Islamic investment funds. It also considers Hong Kong and Singapore as centres of private investment funds in Asia, along with passporting and recognition that facilitate the cross-border offering of funds in other participating jurisdictions throughout the continent.

Behavior of fund managers in Malaysian investment management industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zamri Ahmad ◽  
Haslindar Ibrahim ◽  
Jasman Tuyon
Keyword(s):  
Bounded Rationality ◽  
Behavioral Finance ◽  
Asset Management ◽  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Institutional Investor ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Investor Behavior ◽  
Investment Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relevance of bounded rationality to the practice of institutional investors in Malaysia. Understanding institutional investor behavior is important, as it can determine the asset prices and consequently the market behavior. Design/methodology/approachA set of questionnaires is used to solicit information regarding the understanding and practical application of behavioral finance theories and strategies among fund managers in the Malaysian investment management practice. In the process, bounded rational theory is aimed to be validated. Fund managers’ possible bounded rational behavior is assessed with reference to their investment management approaches and strategies right from individual beliefs and acquisition of information, as well as investment management and strategies used. FindingsThe findings lend support to the notion that institutional investors too, being normal human beings, are expected to think and behave in a boundedly rational manner as postulated in bounded rational theory. The sources of bounded rationality are individual, institutional and social forces. Thus, portfolio trading and investment management strategies are exposed to wide varieties of behavioral risks. Despite the notions that behavioral risks are real and the impact on fund performance could be pervasive, fund managers’ self-awareness regarding control and institutional readiness to govern behavioral risks in investment practices is still low. Research limitations/implicationsEmpirical evidence drawn in the current paper is subjected to small sample size and specific focus on Malaysian context. Despite this limitation, the sample is statistically sufficient and provides a fair representation, as well as quality opinions, of fund manager’s investment management behavior in Malaysia. This research provides valuable implications to practitioners (fund managers) and regulators (investment management and capital market policymakers). In practice, the current study draws some practical ideas, especially for buy-side institutional investors, on the source and impact of behavioral biases on fund management practices and performance. For regulators, this research highlighted the needs and possible ways to regulate these behavioral risks. Originality/valueThe current paper provides new insights on the theory and practice of the institutional investor. In theory, this research provides evidence of bounded rationality of institutional investor behavior, practicing in the asset management industry in the emerging markets of Malaysia. This evidence lends support to the validity of the bounded rationality theory in explaining institutional investor behavior. In practice, thisresearch provides new insights on the relevance of behavioral finance perspectives and strategies in the asset management industry practice and policy.

Emerging market mutual fund performance: evidence for China

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zia-ur-Rehman Rao ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Tauni ◽  
Amjad Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Umar
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Market Timing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Developed Markets ◽  
Timing Ability ◽  
Equity Funds

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find whether Chinese equity funds outperform the market and do Chinese fund managers possess positive market timing ability. This study also aims to investigate whether well-performing (worst) funds of last year continue to perform well (worst) in the following year. Design/methodology/approach Capital Asset Pricing Model and Carhart four-factor model are used for performance analysis, whereas for analyzing market timing ability, the Treynor and Mazuy (1966) and Henriksson and Merton (1981) models are applied. To investigate persistence in the performance of Chinese equity funds, all equity funds are divided, on the basis of performance in the past 12 months, into three equally weighted groups (high, middle and low) and then observed for next 12 months. After that, groups are again rebalanced according to their performance. This study uses a panel regression model for analysis. Findings Chinese equity funds are successful in providing higher than market returns, and fund managers possess positive market timing ability. The authors find that Chinese equity funds do not show persistence in performance as witnessed in developed markets. Well-performing funds (worst funds) of last year do not continue to provide higher (lower) return in the following year. Moreover, the authors detect positive relationship of fund size, age and expense ratio with the fund’s performance. Overall results suggest that emerging market equity funds show better performance than that of developed markets. Practical implications Investors are better off if they invest in equity funds instead of index funds, as results illustrate that equity funds outperformed the market. Further, the strategy of buying well-performing funds of last year and selling poorly performing funds of last year does not look very attractive in China. This study helps investors to understand the Chinese managed funds industry, and such an understanding is also helpful for fund managers and asset management companies who use performance information in marketing strategies. Originality/value This is the first study to investigate the performance persistence in Chinese equity funds and also contributes to the literature about the performance and market timing ability of equity funds. The study takes the sample of 520 equity funds for the period from 2004 to 2014, which includes a period of financial crisis of 2008.

ECB QE will boost credit growth, but not soon

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Asset Price ◽  
Quantitative Easing ◽  
Press Conference ◽  
Private Debt ◽  
Credit Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Portfolio Rebalancing ◽  
Price Bubble ◽  
Private Credit

Subject Is quantitative easing helping credit growth? Significance Economists are questioning whether the ECB's sovereign quantitative easing (QE) programme is boosting private credit growth, one of the key objectives of QE. At his June press conference, ECB President Mario Draghi said that "the dynamics of loans to non-financial corporations remain subdued". This followed his comments in May that the private sector is still "hesitant to take on economic risk". Impacts Regardless of encouraging signals from the credit front, both real borrowing costs and private debt ratios remain high. The QE programme's goal is encouraging banks to make new loans to corporates and households. QE also aims to trigger portfolio rebalancing from bonds to equities. If non-financial companies do not issue more equities or bonds, higher bank demand will fuel an asset price bubble.

SEC’s Division of Investment Management voices concerns over registered funds investing in cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency-related products

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
Vadim Avdeychik ◽  
Justin Capozzi
Keyword(s):  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Exchange Traded Funds ◽  
Investment Management ◽  
Investment Company ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Investment Companies ◽  
Management Staff

Purpose This paper aims to provide an overview of recent US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Investment Management staff (“Staff”) guidance related to investment funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that seeks to provide exposure to cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides analysis regarding the Staff’s view on registered investment companies that intend to invest in cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products, including an overview of the questions posed by the Staff with respect to registered investment companies that seek to hold cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products, which are divided into five categories: valuation, liquidity, custody, arbitrage (for exchange-traded funds) and potential manipulation and other risks. Findings The Staff is asking for additional information from industry participants to fully analyze and evaluate registered investment companies that seek to invest in cryptocurrencies. Practical implications The industry should continue to provide information to the Staff with the short-term goal of fostering an open dialogue and with the long-term goal of launching a registered investment company that invests in cryptocurrencies or cryptocurrency-related products. Originality/value This paper provides practical guidance from experienced lawyers of the Investment Company Act and Securities Act.

Exploring optimism and pessimism in the Indian equity market

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaya Mamta Prosad ◽  
Sujata Kapoor ◽  
Jhumur Sengupta
Keyword(s):  
Risk Premium ◽  
Asset Management ◽  
Equity Market ◽  
Asset Valuation ◽  
Time Series Regression ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Index Index ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to capture the presence and impact of optimism in the Indian equity market. Design/methodology/approach – The data set comprises the daily values of the Nifty 50 index, index options and Treasury-bill index for a period of five years (2006-2011). The focus of this paper is two pronged. It first investigates the presence of optimism (pessimism) using the pricing kernel technique suggested by Barone-Adesi et al. (2012). Second, it tries to analyze the relationship of this bias with stock market indicators like risk premium, market return and volatility using time series regression. Findings – The findings indicate that the Indian equity market has been predominantly pessimistic from the period 2006 to 2011. The interaction of this bias with market indicators also unveils some interesting insights. The study shows that high past volatility can lead to pessimism in the Indian equity market and vice versa. It further explores that when the investors are rational, their risk and return relationship is positive while it tends to be negative when they are irrational. The impact of investors’ irrationalities on asset valuation has also been accounted by Brown and Cliff (2005). Research limitations/implications – The findings of the paper have significant implications for fund managers and asset management companies. It is recommended that they should try to identify behavioral biases in their clients before designing their portfolios. Originality/value – This study is one of the very few attempts to capture the presence and impact optimism (pessimism) in the Indian equity market.

Comparison of regulatory regimes for closed-ended private investment funds: Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-262
Author(s):  
Kate Hodson ◽  
Alan Wong ◽  
Simon Schilder
Keyword(s):  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Virgin Islands ◽  
Cayman Islands ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
British Virgin Islands ◽  
Fund Managers ◽  
Regulatory Regimes

Purpose To introduce, compare and contrast the new regulatory regimes for closed-ended funds recently enacted in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Design/methodology/approach Explores similarities and differences between the two regimes, as well as practical implications for fund managers, with respect to (1) the regulatory frameworks governing the funds; (2) the definitions of the types of funds covered by the regulations; (3) registration requirements and associated timing; (4) operating requirements, including responsibilities for portfolio management, valuation and safekeeping of fund property; the number of directors; audits; valuation procedures; safekeeping of fund assets; cash monitoring; identification of securities; offering documents, term sheets and marketing materials; and representation in the respective jurisdictions; and (5) additional requirements, including numbers and qualifications of investors. Findings The new legislation has been enacted in order to respond to certain European Union and other international recommendations and has the effect of aligning the regulatory regimes applicable to such funds structured in Cayman and BVI to the regulatory regimes applicable to such funds in other jurisdictions. Originality/Value Expert guidance from lawyers with extensive experience in fund management, fund structuring and Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands laws and regulations.

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