Komfie Manalo

Managed futures gained 0.37% in April according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge.

Fitch Ratings has placed Man Group plc's (Man) Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of 'BBB+' on Rating Watch Negative following the announcement of its proposed acquisition of GLG Partners Inc (GLG). A complete list of ratings is provided at the end of this comment.

The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), the largest organization of hedge fund managers in the world said the new EU's Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive which aims to tighten control on hedge funds and private equity firms, are impractical and unworkable.

The Australian dollar fell over 3 U.S. cents on Thursday, its lowest in eight months after massive selling from hedge funds and mutual funds increased market volatility that feed more panic in the markets.

Australia's Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Thursday said that the government would remain impartial in the wake of the continuing violence in Thailand between the sitting Abhisit government and the Reds protesters.

The Western Australia government announced on Thursday that it is predicting a better-than expected surplus amounting to A$286 million for the fiscal year 2010-11 which starts on July 1.

Australia's fresh coffee beans experienced the most robust off-trade current value growth of 7% in 2009, a new study showed.

West Australian residents are being called to switch to SGIO Home Insurance and start enjoying rewards unmatched by the industry.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has hinted of leaving the interest rate at its present level until June on the back of the continuing debt crisis in Greece and the weakening euro.

The author of the controversial proposed 40 percent tax on resources particularly in the mining sector, has warned on Wednesday against tinkering with the new tax measure. Treasurer Ken Henry said the mining tax is facing the risk of becoming into a net tax subsidy for resource companies if the government gives in to the demands of the mining industry.

Finisterre Capital, an emerging markets total return specialist, said it is refocusing the liquidity terms of Finisterre Special Situations Fund to accommodate growing clients demand.

Morningstar France Holding, a subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research, has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Seeds Group, a leading provider of investment consulting services and fund research in France. The companies expect to complete the transaction within the next few months, subject to customary closing conditions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Japan's fund management sector needs to develop attractive products focused on fast-growing Asian economies and shift to a more incentive-based compensation structure to attract key talent, add clients at home and abroad, and lift profit margins to global industry levels, according to a new white paper by Casey, Quirk & Associates, LLC and the Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (NRI).

A controversial European Union draft law that would subject hedge funds and private-equity firms to tighter regulation cleared an important hurdle late Monday, winning committee-level approval from the European Parliament.

Final performance for the Credit Suisse/Tremont Hedge Fund Index (Broad Index) is confirmed up 1.24% in April.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has announced that its fund of funds unit Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners (AIP) has raised $585 million for Morgan Stanley Global Secondary Opportunities Fund LP (GSOF), a fund dedicated to acquiring interests in private equity funds in the secondary market. The capital raised exceeded MSIM's initial $500 million target.

Chi-X Australia Pty. Limited has announced that the firm is a step closer to delivering on its commitment to introduce faster, cheaper and smarter equities trading for the Australian market later this year, with the expansion of its business development unit.

The former director of International Consulting Group Pty Ltd (ICG), Dr Anula Daui Kumari Kauye, was ordered to stand trial after being charged by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on fraud.

The Australian government has announced plans to overhaul its immigration policy aimed at attracting "people we need" and not by people who by the virtue of low-value education courses, seeks a permanent residency in the country.

The Rudd government blinked first in the divisive resources tax and said on Monday that the administration is ready compromise some areas of the planned 40 percent tax on resources profits.

RBC Capital Markets was almost flat in April as the April 2010 the RBC Hedge 250 Index had a net return of 0.90 percent. This brings the year-to-date return of the Index to 2.81 percent. These returns are estimated and will be finalized by the middle of next month. The return for March 2010 has been finalized at 1.68 percent.

Hedge funds gained 1.31% in April according to the Barclay Hedge Fund Index compiled by BarclayHedge. The Index has gained 4.58% in the first four months of 2010.

As markets digested the latest multilateral effort to keep Greece 's fiscal woes from doing wider damage to the global recovery, investors sold perceived riskier asset classes during the second week of May.

The latest "Australian Automotive Intelligence Yearbook 2010" is already available. The book provides a depth of knowledge on Australia's automotive industry as well as the latest trend in the sector.

Marketing research group released its latest reports on the Australian passenger market for navigation, infotainment and telematics system entitled: "Strategic Analysis of Australian Passenger Market for Navigation Infotainment and Telematics Systems."

Australia's largest health insurers, MBF, has teamed up with the Zig Zag Foundation to help children in need. MBF Health Insurance will partner with the Zig Zag Foundation for its Gala Ball on the 22 May, which raises funds for sick, underprivileged and at risk children between the ages of 0-18 years.

The Dreyfus Corporation, part of BNY Mellon Asset Management, has announced the launch of Dreyfus Global Real Return Fund, Inc., a world allocation fund with an emphasis on global absolute return managed by Newton Capital Management Limited, a BNY Mellon Asset Management boutique, which specializes in global and regional equities and bonds, as well as multi-asset and absolute return funds.

International charity group ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) announced it has raised US$24.4m to finance two new programmes aimed at reducing maternal death in Zimbabwe and infant death in Zambia, and develop new South African education programme with Her Majesty Queen Rania of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), the global representative of hedge fund industry has warned that a flawed Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers being pushed by the European Union would have a far wider impact beyond the hedge fund and private equity industries.