Reshaping Global Markets

On April 23rd the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association(CTHFA) and the Yale School of Management Investment Management Club presented the Spring Educational Symposium hosted by Bloomberg.

One of the featured guest speakers will be Robert J. Shiller, the Arthur M. Okun Professor of Economics, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, at Yale University, and Professor of Finance and Fellow at the International Center for Finance, Yale School of Management.

View Pictures from the Spring Educational Symposium

Moderator:   Ken Prewitt, Reporter, Bloomberg News

Panel: Robert J. Shiller, , Arthur M. Okun Professor of Economics, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University

Jeremy Grantham, Co-Founder, GMO

Thomas Lee, Chief US Equity Strategist, JPMorgan

Who May Attend:
1. CTHFA Members
2. CT Hedge Fund Employees (including
    Fund of Funds)
3. New York Based Hedge Fund Employees
    (including Fund of Funds)
4. Institutional Investors
5. Harvard and Yale Affiliates

Cost: This event is free.*

*No charge to attend the event; however there will be a "No Show Fee" of $100. That fee will be donated to the Yale University School of Management Investment Management Club.

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres following the Panel Discussion


When: Thursday, April 23, 2009
   
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
   
Where: Bloomberg, 731 Lexington Avenue at 58th Street, New York, NY


 


February 26, 2009: Are Distressed Assets Really
That Distressed: Danger and Opportunity Ahead

The Connecticut Hedge Fund Association is proud to announce that the Harvard Business School Club of CT will be joining its roster of academic partners in 2009. To kick off our new relationship, CTHFA and HBS Club of CT will host a symposium on February 26 in Greenwich, titled Danger and Opportunity Ahead.

We have assembled another world class panel including Harvard Business School alumni David Bailin, Head of Alternative Investments, Bank of America; Whitney Tilson, Founder & Managing Partner, T2 Partners; and Daniel H. Stern, Founder and Co-CEO, Reservoir Capital Group.

If you thought sub-prime was a disaster, wait until you learn about the coming storm from Alt-A and Option ARM mortgages. For a sample of what our upcoming symposium will cover, please click on the following link to view CBS' 60 Minutes "A Second Mortgage Disaster on the Horizon," featuring Whitney Tilson.

The Mortgage Meltdown
Click here for video from cbsnews.com

View Pictures from the meeting

Moderator: Leon M. Metzger, Former Vice Chairman, Paloma Partners Management Company

Panelists: David Bailin, Head of Alternative Investments, Bank of America
Whitney R. Tilson, Founder & Managing Partner, T2 Partners
Daniel H. Stern, Founder, Co-CEO of Reservoir Capital Group

When: Thursday, February 26, 2009
   
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
   
Where: L'Escale Restaurant at The Delamar Hotel, Greenwich, CT





December 4, 2008: Holiday Networking Reception

Our annual year end holiday networking recetption featured a wide selection of martinis, great food, and the company of good friends and colleagues in the hedge fund industry.

 

When: Thursday, December 4, 2008
   
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
   
Where: L'Escale Restuarant, Greenwich, CT




November 12, 2008

Credit Crash of 2008: Dawn of a New World Order

The Connecticut Hedge Fund Association is pleased to announce that NYSE Euronext CEO, Duncan Niederauer and J. Tomilson Hill, President & CEO, Fund of Hedge Funds Group and Vice Chairman, Blackstone will kick off our Fall Symposium: "The Credit Crash of 2008: Dawn of a New World Order" on November 12, 2008.

Immediately following the keynotes, a leading panel of experts will continue the discussion on the global financial crisis, the new financial world order and investment opportunities in a post crisis world.
This event is free for CTHFA members, non-member hedge funds, and institutional investors.

Presenters:

Duncan Niederauer, CEO, NYSE Euronext

J. Tomilson Hill, President & CEO, Fund of Hedge Funds Group; Vice Chairman, Blackstone

Steven Zamsky, Managing Director, Pequot Capital

Blythe Masters, Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer, J.P. Morgan Chase Investment Bank

Andrew G. White, CFA, Portfolio Manager, Southridge LLC

Brian Ruane, Head of Financial Institutions, The Bank of New York Mellon

When: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
   
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
   
Where: Bloomberg Headquarters
731 Lexington Avenue at 58th Street
New York, NY

 

September 16-18, 2008

Global Alpha Forum
The 2008 Global Alpha Forum brought together leaders from the alternative investment industry, academia and government. For more information, please
visit www.globalalphaforum.org or click here to view the photo gallery.

Global Alpha Forum



 

August 20, 2008

Regatta Finals
Shoreline Trading Won the 2008 event ! CT Hedge came in 5th at the finals and last overall, but was successful in raising money for Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. For more information on how you can support them, click here



 

August 12, 2008

"Commodity Mania"
"Are investors driving commodity prices or is it simple supply & demand?"

Some observers attribute the soaring commodity prices to institutional fund inflows into commodities, arguing that the surge of such funds, often called speculative or hot money, has led to large price jumps in everything from gasoline to gold jewelry to bread and clothing around the world. Others contend that financial contracts such as futures, options, swaps and ETFs enable farmers, producers, processors and merchants to hedge/manage much higher volatility in the commodities sector.

Our panel will discuss wherein lies the probable truth and will look to answer the questions and concerns that have resulted, including:

  • Have the economic booms in India and China; the developing infrastructure in places like Dubai; and the rising popularity of biofuels produced by corn and other crops increased demand

  • Have "hoarding" commodity exporting nations or other environmental factors, as well as panicking farmers, traders and consumers resulted in a decrease in supply?

  • Will regulation come into play that will influence how investment in commodities takes place as well as who can invest in them?

  • What are the potential remedies to price spikes and where can they be found

  • Is there a valuation problem…are we getting valuations right?

  • Is the securitization of commodities a contributing culprit to rising commodity prices?

  • Is the commodity bubble an early warning for the commodity meltdown – should we expect that there will be a commodity financial crisis?

Opening Remarks:
Christopher Earley, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business, University of Connecticut

Moderator:
Dr. Shantaram Hegde, Finance Professor, University of Connecticut (our academic partner)

Panel:
Panos Ninios, Managing Director, Head of Energy Research, Plainfield Asset Management
Steve Matthews, Commodities Strategist, Tudor Investment Corporation
Virginia R. Parker, President, Parker Global Strategies
Menachem Sternberg, Chairman & CEO, Eagle Trading Systems, Inc.

Closing Remarks:
Benjamin (Ben) Allensworth, Senior Legal Counsel, Managed Funds Association (MFA)

Please reserve your place early to join the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association members and guests for this event on August 12th.

When: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
 
Time: 5:30pm to 8:30pm
 
Where: Delamar Hotel, 500 Steamboat Road,
Greenwich, CT
 
Cost: CTHFA Members: No Charge
Non-Members: $150.00
UCONN Students: First 20 UCONN Students to Register are Free! ($75/ea after)
 


June 21, 2008

1st Annual Hedge Fund Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament
All proceeds donated to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Each Golfer played with PGA Tour Professionals from the field of the 2008 Travelers Championship and each received:

1 Round (18 holes) of Golf at The Course at Yale – 1 of the 50 Top Classical Golf Courses in the US

Breakfast, lunch and on course refreshments

Gift Package Valued at $500

1 Pro-Am Participant Badge valid for Grounds Admission all week (June 16 – 22) at the 2008 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands

1 Pre-Tournament Practice Round at TPC River Highlands

2 Pro-Am Pairing Party Invitations Sunday, June 15

2 Pro-Am Reception Invitations Wednesday, June 18
5 Daily L&T Infotech Sponsor Club Tickets each valid any one day Wed. – Sun., June 18 - 22
1 Lot Weekly Parking Pass Wed.-Sun., June 18 - 22

Individual entries were $2000 per golfer and foursomes were $8000. Sponsorship opportunities are always available. 100% of all proceeds from golfer entry to go directly to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Only 48 spots were available for this tournament, come play with a pro, all while helping a great cause.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded by Paul Newman in 1988 and is located in Ashford, Connecticut. Their program enables children with cancer and other serious illnesses to enjoy a quality camping experience. Camp attendance offers a critical experience in the life of a seriously ill child, providing the opportunity to participate in swimming, boating, horseback riding, crafts, sports and discovering along the way that they are able to do more than they every thought possible.

When: Saturday, June 21, 2008
   
Location:

The Course at Yale (Ranked in the Top 50 Classical Golf Courses in the United States)

   
   
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
   
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
   
Where: Bloomberg Headquarters
731 Lexington Avenue at 58th Street
New York, NY

 

January 30 - "Investing in Climate Change"

Climate change may be the most important issue of our time, and has taken center stage at the World Economic Forum and most recently at the UN’s Climate Change Conference in Bali. The Connecticut Hedge Fund Association together with the Yale University Center for Business and the Environment, our academic partner from Yale University, have organized a symposium of insurance and investment leaders to explore risks and opportunities as well as the new Green Exchange trading platform established by a NYMEX-led consortium of leading financial institutions. This event is being made "Carbon Neutral" through the purchase of emission offsets.

Welcome Remarks: Thomas R. Sullivan, Commissioner
Insurance Department, State of Connecticut
Opening Remarks: Win J. Neuger, Commissioner
Insurance Department, State of Connecticut
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Bradford S. Gentry, Co-Director, Center for Business and the Environment at Yale;
Co-Director and Director, Research Program on Private Investment and the Environment
Panel: Paul J. Ezekiel, Global Head of Carbon Trading for Credit Suisse
Andrew Ertel, President & CEO, Evolution Markets LLC
Benjamin Block, Senior Analyst, Renewable Energy Strategy, Ardsley Partners
Martin Whittaker, Director, Environmental Finance Strategy, Mission Point Capital Partners

When: Wednesday, January, 30, 2008
Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30pm
Where: Delamar Hotel
500 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, CT
Click here for directions
Cost: CTHFA Members: No Charge
Non-Members: $150.00
Yale Students: First 20 Yale Students to Register are Free! ($75/ea after)
Yale Alumni (SW CT & NY): $75.00

December 11 - Holiday Wine Tasting

The Connecticut Hedge Fund Association will ring in the holiday season with a networking reception for its members and supporters on December 11th at the Delamar Hotel in Greenwich. We hope you will all save the date and make plans to join us as we look to toast the year passed and look forward to an exciting 2008!

When: Tuesday, December, 11, 2007
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00pm
Where: Delamar Hotel
500 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, CT
Click here for directions
Cost: CTHFA Members: No Charge
Non-Members: $125.00
ACG Members: $50.00

 

The Return of Volatility and the Credit Crisis

The summer of 2007 will go down as one of the most volatile in history. With this as a back drop, the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association, together with the University of Connecticut School of Business will host a symposium to examine the return of volatility, the credit crisis, and global markets.

The venue will be the historic NYSE building on Broad and Wall and a panel of top hedge fund managers from AQR, Angelo Gordon, and Pequot Capital have been assembled.

Panel: Steven Zamsky, Managing Director, Pequot Capital
Michael Mendelson, Director of Global Trading Strategies, AQR Capital Management
Jonathan Kane, Managing Partner and President, The Patriot Group
Bruce Martin, Managing Director, Angelo Gordon & Co.
When: Thursday, October, 11, 2007
Time:

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm - Registration

5:00 pm - 6:30pm - Panel Presentation
   - Opening Remarks: Duncan Niederauser, President & COO, NYSE Euronext
   - Panel Presentation

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - Cocktail Networking Reception

Where: New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, NY 10005
Cost: CTHFA Members: No Charge
Non-Members: $150.00

4th Annual Hedge Fund Regatta
Thursday, July 12, 2007

The Connecticut Hedge Fund Association has sponsored 2 Boats in the 4th Annual Hedge Fund Regatta in New York’s North Cove to benefit the New York Harbor Sailing Foundation. Last year’s crew performed so well during our maiden voyage that this year we decided to sponsor two boats. If you would like to skipper a boat or serve on our crew, please contact the Connecticut hedge Fund Association at 203-319-1902.


Real Estate & Irrational Exuberance

The unprecedented rise in US Home prices from 1998 to 2006 has lead to an environment of irrational exuberance in the mortgage loan sector the likes of which have seldom been seen before. Much of the new lending has taken place in the sub-prime market which may be starting to show signs of collapse.

  • Is the US real estate “bubble” ready to burst or will home prices continue to their perilous assent?
  • Will a collapse of the sub prime market lead to US and global recession?
  • Are savvy investors navigating these treacherous waters and uncovering alpha generating opportunities?

Please join the Connecticut Hedge Fund Association and the Yale School of Management Investment Management Club as we explore these vital questions with our panel of experts.

Moderator: Brian Sullivan, Host, Bloomberg Tevelvision's In Focus
Panel: Steven Zamsky, Managing Director, Pequot Capital
Robert Shiller, Professor, Yale University
Owen Lamont, Portfolio Manager, DKR Capital
James Wong, Managing Director and Head of Investor Relations, Paulson & Co.
Omair Sharif, Vice President & Economist, RBS Greenwich Capital
When: Tuesday, June, 26, 2007
Agenda: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Registration
6:00 pm - 7:30pm - Program
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Cocktail Networking Reception
Where: Delamar Hotel
500 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, CT
Click here for directions

First Annual World Hedge Fund Forum
March 5 - 6, 2007

Click here for complete details


How Would Hedge Fudns Behave in a Crisis
Systemic Risk Yesterday and Today

The stock market crash of 1987 and the bond market paralysis of 1998 severely tested global financial systems. In the case of 1998, it was decisive action by the New York Fed and others that staved off global financial disaster.

Today, investor interest in absolute return investment management is fueling the rapid growth of the $1.3 trillion hedge fund industry. By using leverage and trading more frequently, hedge funds’ impact on global financial systems far exceeds their stated assets under management. In addition, the rise of hedge funds has corresponded with the astonishing growth of the Credit Derivative Market.

Are there new systemic risks that are not fully appreciated, and are current financial systems equipped to handle any new crisis?

Opening Remarks: John Thain, CEO, New York Stock Exchange
 
Moderator: Eileen Rominger, Co-Director, Center for Business and the Environment at Yale;
Co-Director and Director, Research Program on Private Investment and the Environment
Panel: Art Samberg, Founder & Chairman, Pequot Capital
William McDonough,Vice Chairman, Merrill Lynch, Former President, New York Federal Reserve
Hung Tran, Deputy Director, International Capital Markets Department, IMF
Blythe Masters, J.P. Morgan Chase Investment Bank
Michael Mendelson, Director of Global Trading Strategies, AQR Capital Management
Date: Wednesday, October 11th
Location: New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, NY 10005