Archive

IDS Group, South Africa's leading hedge and specialist fund administrator, has been appointed by Sanlam Investment Management as the independent administrator for its range of hedge funds.

Craig Sorour and Sven Thordsen have made a promising start with their Bell Rock market-neutral fund, which launched in January 2009. The fund has had 10 positive months to the end of October, returning a net 20% return since inception.

HedgeNews Africa is pleased to announce the provisional nominations for the annual HedgeNews Africa awards, to be celebrated at a gala dinner at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town, on the evening of February 18, 2010.

The lack of new inflows into the hedge fund industry in this part of the world remains a major concern to many market participants. While assets have remained more or less static in the recent financial crisis (against heavy outflows globally), significant new inflows have not been as forthcoming as they have elsewhere.

London-based Stephen Greene sits down with HedgeNews Africa to discuss the global hedge fund landscape after a tumultous 12 months for the industry.

With a successful seven-year collective track record in hedge funds, the Gen-X duo feel at ease in the current market environment and aim to soft-close before year end.

BlueAlpha's Flip Du Plessis blends his practical knowledge of farming with agricultural investment ideas to great effect in the Polar Star Fund, predicting the supply and demand of commodities on a global scale.

With R3 billion under management, Fatima Vawda's 27four has made significant headway since opening in 2007, and her latest recruits, including CIO Given Phaladi, are representative of a new generation of bright South African talent.

The South African hedge fund industry proved its resilience in the year to June 2009, according to the latest research from Novare Investments, which manages the Mayibentsha range of fund of hedge funds. Assets shrunk by only 2% over the 12-month period to just under R30 billion compared with far greater outflows globally.

Tokai-based Storm Capital has made a healthy start with its Storm Capital Long/Short Fund, gaining 10.9% in the six months since launch. With its initial track record and product positioning in place, the fund is now being opened to additional investors.