Editor's Note

Changes and Opportunities

It is hard to keep up with all the new rules proposed for the financial industry. Here are guides to regulatory change. Jonathan Golub, a lawyer who works with hedge funds and commodity trading advisors, gives the Inside Talk on US regulations of particular interest to futures traders. In Regulators, Scott Alintoff and John Avery from SunGard review the regulatory overhaul of over-the-counter derivatives and suggest how to prepare for what’s coming.

That’s one kind of change. Other developments already underway are at least as important. Investors want more for their money—more reward for the risk, longer track records. But perceptions of managed futures have not always been accurate. In Futures Lab, a report from MF Global throws light on some of the common myths.

One of these myths is about volatility. The widely used Sharpe ratio is misleading because it does not distinguish upside from downside volatility. Increasingly investors are using the Sortino ratio, which does not have this problem. Our Top Ten are ranked by Sortino ratio. And Founder Francisco Vaca has an exceptional Sortino ratio.

Another CTA with a distinguished track record is Ken Kinkopf. In Manager Profile he discusses the system he’s been trading since 1999.

As for the challenges posed by changes, Adam Rochlin from MF Global says those who see the opportunities will do well.

Chidem Kurdas,
Editor

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Zurich University Center for Alternative Investments: Hedge Funds Investor Conference: 29. Aug

ZHAW School of Management and Law and The Swiss Council of Hedge Funds invite to their free conference which starts 13:30 at the Au Premier, Zurich with the following speakers:

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  • Jean-Christophe Van Tilborgh, Responsable du Service des Placements, Retraites Populaires, Lausanne
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To register contact Andrea Blättler at +41-58- 934 77 37, Email blae@zhaw.ch.

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Research & Due Diligence for Wealth Management Platforms, New York NY United States, September 15-16, 2014

Network with industry leaders in wealth management from wirehouses, regional and independent broker/dealers, RIA platforms, and consultancies. Profit from rarely shared perspectives on the current business priorities, advisor use of home office resources, innovative screening techniques, the rise of the consultants, and the challenges of offering alternative investments.

Opalesque Subscribers are eligible for a 10% registration discount. Mention Code FMP127 during registration to enjoy this offer.

Top Reasons to Attend:

  • Investigate the top research and business priorities for major wealth management platforms
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View the conference brochure: https://www.frallc.com/pdf/B927.pdf

For more information and to register, contact Whitney Betts at 704-341-2445 or wbetts@frallc.com. Don't forget to mention your 10% registration discount code: FMP127.

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Establishing a '40 Act Alternative Fund, New York NY United States, September 17-18, 2014

By popular demand, Financial Research Associates' Establishing a '40 Act Alternative Fund conference is back and expanded!

What's especially unique about this program is the design. On day one - Successfully Operating a ‘40 Act Alternative Fund - take a deep dive into what it takes to efficiently run a fund in this space. On day two - ‘40 Act Alternative Fund Growth Strategies -explore the overall marketplace and how to distribute your fund through various lucrative channels. Attend day one, day two, or for optimum value and substance attend both days!

Opalesque Subscribers are eligible for a 10% registration discount. Mention Code FMP127 during registration to enjoy this offer. Top Reasons to Attend:

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View the conference brochure: https://www.frallc.com/pdf/B933.pdf

For more information and to register, contact Kathie Eberhard at 704-341-2439 or keberhard@frallc.com Don't forget to mention your 10% registration discount code: FMP127.

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About OFI

This new publication addresses the interests of the managed futures community, including commodity trading advisers, fund managers, brokerages and investors in managed futures pools. Published every two weeks, Opalesque Futures Intelligence (OFI) provides original research by industry members as well as interviews with veteran industry players and upcoming managers. The coverage includes:

  • Performance information from different data bases, accompanied by commentary.
  • Top funds of the year or month.
  • Regulatory and legal developments that affect managed futures.
  • Manager profiles.
  • Results from proprietary surveys.
  • Analysis of futures strategies and markets.
  • Summary of relevant news from the global media.

A sophisticated newsletter for a growing community, OFI meets a need currently not served by other publications. It is a must-read for anyone interested in futures trading or investing.

Opalesque Futures Intelligence is edited by Chidem Kurdas. Chidem is an economist by training and a hedge fund specialist by experience. In the past she held positions as research analyst at Thomson Reuters, New York bureau chief at HedgeWorld and news editor at Infovest21. Earlier she taught economics at Pennsylvania State University and published a book about technology investing.

She writes about funds and financial regulation for a number of blogs and publications, including The Independent Review. She is a member of the New York University Colloquium on Market Institutions, Finans Network for Turkish finance professionals and the New York Financial Writers Association.

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