Last week, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) told the EU’s executive European Commission that asset managers based outside the EU should get a “passport” to continue offering services to investors across Europe. This new directive replaces a country-by-country private placement authorization system that has been in place for some time. Read the story here
This is welcome news to hedge fund and private equity managers. It means that it will be easier and more efficient for managers to target investors across the European Union and increase assets under management. It is unclear what effect, if any, it will have on UK-based managers once Brexit is complete. In short, dear friends, hedge funds and private equity funds are not dead.
Investors need alpha generators and, while this year and last has been trying on many so-called Wizards of Wall Street, there is still a call for investments that zig when the markets zag. For investors, it comes down to understanding how managers manage money.
It is easy to look at a long-only S&P Indexed mutual fund or exchange-traded fund and know what you are getting. The same can’t be said for investing in a hedge fund. Investors need to do the spade work. They need to do the deep dives, ask questions, get answers and make decisions based on figures and facts.
It is all too easy to make decisions on name recognition. Smart and thoughtful investors look behind the signage and want to see the factory in motion.
One quick note – the Operations for Alternatives series of events is expanding to NYC this fall. OFA is hosting a first of its kind hedge fund compliance event. Learn more and register by clicking here. Like all OFA events everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. I hope to see you there.
Things that drive me crazy
I continue to be annoyed by the lack of people’s ability to pick up a phone. Email and text is just awful. People are afraid to call each other. I cannot stand it. If I want to speak to someone, I actually call them. On the phone. Shock of all shocks – I have even committed some important phone numbers to memory. The reality is that people hide behind their keyboards and screens. It is embarrassing. Adults should not be afraid to pick up a phone. I love it when a colleague says, “Well, they don’t respond to my email.” My response: “Pick up the phone, you ninny!” Make the call. What’s the worst that can happen – you actually talk to someone?