Main News

 

Supplies the Worry as Oil Price Spike Continues
April 22, 2008 0612 GMT
While oil demand — especially from China — grows, there are worries about supply, with issues emerging also about the long-term contribution of ethanol.
http://www.stratfor.com/podcast/supply_worry_oil_spike_continues

 

North Korea was helping Syria build a plutonium-based nuclear reactor, the Bush administration is set to tell Congress, a revelation that could undermine diplomatic efforts to dismantle Pyongyang's nuclear-weapons program.
For more information, see:
http://wsj.com?mod=djemalertNEWS

 

Until now, losses at many banks have come from multibillion dollar write-downs on toxic debt. But analysts believe the costs of building bad-loan reserves could cause just as much pain -- and for a lot more banks.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120882005523032941.html?mod=djemheard

 

Growing Emerging Markets Reduce The Global Impact Of The U.S. Recession
The U.S. is no longer the dominant economic power. The growth of China and India and the unification of the European economies have created true economic rivals. The addition of these large locomotives to the world economic train makes the global economy less vulnerable to a U.S. recession. We expect world growth to slow to 3.9% this year from 4.8% last year, still healthy by historical standards.
To learn more, click or copy and paste the URL below:
(subscription required)
http://standardandpoors.rsys1.net/servlet/cc6?kHiQACTYQTVsLgHxhilpuHQJhuV2VR

 

Credit FAQ: For Mortgage Insurers, It's The Worst Of Times
In most years, mortgage insurers are reliable generators of profitability, especially if the housing market is healthy. When an economic crunch hits, however--particularly after a boom time--the housing market and mortgage insurers usually take it squarely on the chin. Since such difficulties in the industry usually emerge about once a decade, the current downturn is particularly overdue and, not unexpectedly, quite severe.
To learn more, click or copy and paste the URL below:
(subscription required)
http://standardandpoors.rsys1.net/servlet/cc6?kHiQACTYQTVsLgHxhilpuHQJhuV2VS

 

Regulation and baseball: why the Paulson plan makes no sense

Posted: 21 Apr 2008 03:58 PM CDT

 

UPDATE 1-Fed's Kroszner urges clearer mortgage standards
Reuters - USA
Restricted access to credit for many consumers and small businesses since the subprime mortgage crisis erupted in 2007 has been a factor in squeezing ...

 

TOKYO (Reuters)—Low government bond yields and volatile currency markets are pushing Japan's traditionally conservative life insurers into riskier investments to boost returns, with hedge funds and private equity set to get more of their huge cash piles. With little prospect of higher interest rates this year as the U. ......

 

Citi annual mtg: It's Pandit-monium!

Angry Citigroup shareholders lashed out at Citi CEO Vikram Pandit and Chairman Win Bischoff at the bank's annual stockholder's meeting
» Read the Full Story

 

Turmoil at Wall Street Journal
Managing editor will step down. A Murdoch man is expected to take control. Read More

 

Does Bloomberg Want The NY Times? Perhaps his brush with papal royalty went to New York Mayor Michael Bloombergs head, but news reports claimed he was considering merging his all-biz news services with the grande dame of daily publications, The New York Times. [more]

 

Iraq Hedge Fund Down in March Most equity-focused hedge fund firms keep an eye on trends that may affect the sector or region in which theyre invested. But Godvig Capital Managements Iraq-focused fund also has to keep its eye on the American-led war that doesnt appear to be winding down anytime soon. [more

 

GIC warns of worst global recession in 30 years
The world economy will suffer its most serious recession since the oil crisis of the mid-1970s with little sign of success for policymakers' attempts to end the credit crunch, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation predicted on Monday.  (The Independent)
http://mail2.efnmail.co.uk/r/357420/MTk4MTI1OjE3MDU5/

 

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Yield Curve Corner

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Natural Disaster Corner

 

Climate Prediction  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/predictions.php

World Meterological Organization http://severe.worldweather.org/

Tornadoes: http://www.disastercenter.com/tornado.htm

Great Sat Pictures of events: http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Current/TRCrosie113_GJ.jpg

 

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Iranian Situation and Other Man Made Disasters

 

Bin Laden's deputy says Iran trying to undermine al-Qaida
AP via Yahoo! News Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:54 AM PDT
Al-Qaida's No. 2 leader issued a new audiotape Tuesday accusing Shiite Iran of spreading a conspiracy theory about who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks to discredit the power of the Sunni terrorist network.

 

Clinton says U.S. could "totally obliterate" Iran
Reuters via Yahoo! News Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:43 AM PDT
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned Tehran on Tuesday that if she were president, the United States could "totally obliterate" Iran in retaliation for a nuclear strike against Israel.

 

Iran, Iraq, U.S., Afghanistan: Al-Zawahri Says Rumor of Israeli Involvement In 9/11 A Lie
April 22, 2008 1516 GMT
Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahri on April 22 denied a rumor that Israel was responsible for the Sept....
http://www.stratfor.com/sitrep/iran_iraq_u_s_afghanistan_al_zawahri_says_rumor_israeli_involvement_9_11_lie

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Opalesque’s Corner

 

- Latin America: Opalesque Exclusive: LatAm strategies toughed it out during a turbulent March, Investors can side-step the crunch by investing in emerging markets
- Fund Performance: Gottex says Q1 assets under management down 1.9%, China fund -8.1% in 2008 after finishing 2007 +35.4%, Kinetics` funds losing energy
- Fund Launches: Union Bancaire Privee preps distressed funds of hedge funds, New Fox-Davies Capital global natural resources fund targets 35% return
- Trends: At $16bln hedge funds see lowest increase in quarterly assets since 2005
- M&A: GE Capital to acquire most of CitiCapital
- Equity managers: Merrill Lynch survey: Fund managers favour US over other markets,  UK equity managers seek stocks with strong overseas earnings on weak pound
- Regulators: FSA under fire over collapsed broker Global Trader Europe
- Credit Crunch Update: Analysts cut Citigroup`s `08 outlook, Funds have to move fast for credit market bargains, UBS admits it rushed hedge fund Dillon Read`s creation, Fitch Ratings update On U.S. subprime and alt-a: performance and rating reviews
- Legal: SEC charges filed against Scott B. Gann, Private equity exec.`s in-law hit with insider trading complaint, Kerviel boss sues to join SocGen and investors as victim
- Northern Rock Update: Rock hedge funds blast Bank of England `u-turn`
- People: Opalesque Exclusive:  Optima Fund Management adds senior level hire to research team and announces client relations hire, Private Advisors announces three senior hires, Oakley Multi-Manager Funds names Christopher Parkinson as portfolio manager, Okapi Partners adds senior managing director, Citisoft announces new director of business development
- Institutions: Second largest Japanese life insurer plans to add hedge funds to investment strategy, SRI-focused pioneer pension fund to make first investment in hedge funds, Greenwich Associates research shows DC plan participants still need greater international investment allocations, Pensplan sizes up Euro partners for strategic alliances
- Tech Update: Research firm releases beta version of hedge fund stock transaction database, State Street announces updates to its product and technology offerings , Ballista introduces electronic equity options liquidity pool for block trades and delta-neutral/complex transactions, Calypso releases integrated trading suite v10.0
- Commodities: CFTC to webcast: April 22 agricultural forum discussion of recent events in the agricultural markets, CFTC official says traders not to blame for rising crop prices, Online bullion trading platform to start in a month`s time
- Europe: World`s largest stock clearers and settlers will try and better compete with the US
- Asia: Barclays survey says wealth industry to boom in Asia with revenue growth of over 15% p.a., HSBC launches clearing services in India, Societe Generale wealth management arm opens office in Osaka
- Niche Investing: Art fund to launch in June with $50 million, Equine company raising $100 million for horse racing vehicle `to operate like hedge fund`
- Biotech: Hedge fund wins big as FDA approves migraine drug
- Activist News: CSA amendments ease proxy solicitations by dissident shareholders, Sears falls 6.9% as BofA declines renewal of $1bln letter of credit
- Environmental Investing: Opalesque Exclusive: CalPERS expands environmental, diversity corporate governance guidelines, Carbon market exchanges ripe for consolidation
- 130/30 View: Numbers don`t add up for faddish 130/30 funds, Media turns hostile on 130/30
- Sovereign Wealth Fund Views: Fortune Group CEO predicts `flood` of institutional money once advantages of transparency are better known to institutions
- News Briefs: BNP reportedly in advanced talks for BoA PB unit, MSCI Barra Launches MSCI Global Minimum Volatility Indices,  PWC to host IAFE event: The need for second generation models for structured credit products
- ...And Finally: Pensioner on 4mph scooter found on UK Autobahn
- Logon: http://www.opalesque.com/index.php?act=archive

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Misc. Items of Interest

 

ENTERPRISE, By Anjali Cordeiro

Eureka Ranch plans to unveil the USA National Innovation Marketplace, a new online registry that will let small businesses find researchers with ideas to sell -- and pitch their own work to big companies.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/enterprise?mod=djemtct  

 

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Funnies, Facts, Quotes, etc….

 

lionize LY-uh-nyz, transitive verb:

To treat or regard as an object of great interest or importance.

 

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Conference, Courses, Books, Papers

 

Great Research Sites:

 

Merrill Lynch research Link to full report including important disclosures see example

 

John Mauldin’s Weekly Analysis

 

James Altucher’s Website:

 

Other useful sites:

 

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Index Corner

 

The CSFB/Tremont Hedge Fund Index www.hedgeindex.com.

The Cogent Dynamic Averages http://www.cogenthedge.com/home/inv_strategy.asphttp://www.cogenthedge.com/home/inv_strategy.asp

The Dow Jones Indices: http://www.djhedgefundindexes.com/index.cfm?event=viewPremiumContent (free registration)

HFRX Indices https://www.hedgefundresearch.com/hfrx_reg/index.php?fuse=login&1170880431

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Regulatory Info

 

 

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Disclaimer

 

The information contained in this document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell any security or other type of vehicles to or by anyone in any jurisdictions, nor should it be regarded as a contractual document. Under no circumstances should the information provided on this document be considered as financial advice, or as a sufficient basis on which to make investment decisions. The information contained herein has been gathered by Investor DNA, LLC from sources deemed reliable as of the date of publication, but no warranty of accuracy or completeness is given. Investor DNA, LLC is not responsible for and provides no guarantee with respect to any of the information provided herein or through the use of any hypertext link. Past results are no indication of future performance. All information in this newsletter is for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute investment, legal, tax or accounting advice. All materials are the property of the respective publishers, as referenced by header and appropriate hypertext links.