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Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:

The second International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Hedge Fund Survey showed that the United States and the United Kingdom still are the two predominant regions where hedge fund managers/advisers are located.

IOSCO surveyed 1,044 qualified hedge funds representing assets totalling $1.94tln.

These hedge funds are typically domiciled in offshore jurisdiction – the Caymans being the most popular - to enjoy tax benefits and other regulatory perks.

In terms of investment strategy, equity oriented strategies are the favourites, while macro-oriented and multi-strategy funds are also significant.

"The report shows how financial leverage is used by firms to increase their market exposure," the survey announcement adds. "This data is at the core of the systemic risk analysis that regulators aim to better understand and capture."

As for liquidity risk, a key measure by which regulators estimate a fund’s potential for financial distress, the survey finds that under current market conditions few funds actually need to restrict investor liquidity.

IOSCO’s secretary general David Wright commented, "This work is an essential building block to develop a more transparent and open global financial system. It is essential that regulators have the full picture of all parts of the market from which to make appropriate policy judgments. The report also acknowledges the limitations involved in this data collection ex......................

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