Paulson and Co

  • 23 Oct 2012 at 2:39 PM

He’s Too Modest To Ask, But “John Paulson’s Bethesda Fountain” Does Have A Nice Ring To It

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As does “John Paulson’s Central Park.” Or simply: “Paulson Park.” Or, at the very least, some kind of life-size bronze statue, possibly inspired by his most famous photo-shoot. He’d never explicitly ask for it, so let’s make something happen. 1) Because he’s been really quite generous and 2) This year’s been tough. We all need our pick-me-ups. Read more »

  • 11 Sep 2012 at 6:19 PM

John Paulson Is The Most Resourceful Hedge Fund Manager In The World

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In a pinch, Steve Cohen has made himself a few zip-up fleece jackets with only a travel sewing kit and some Silly Putty at his disposal. Alone in the woods and miles from home, Ray Dalio has been known to fashion slingshots out of the remains of wildebeests. Having blown through all his 100-count packs already and in a race against the clock, George Soros has constructed condoms out of strips of bacon; old tea bags; and British pounds. According to Dealbook, however, today they must all bow down to the master. Read more »

Peyton Manning Isn’t The Only Legend In The Midst Of A Return To Glory

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“John Paulson, the billionaire hedge- fund manager coming off record losses in 2011, reported increases in most of his funds in August as rising stock markets lifted the value of holdings, according to two people briefed on the returns. Paulson’s Gold Fund led gains with an 11 percent jump in August, which reduced losses this year to 15 percent, said the people, asking not to be named because the information is private. The Advantage funds, which seek to profit from corporate events such as takeovers and bankruptcies, and Paulson Enhanced, which aims to make money from companies involved in mergers, also rose last month.” [Bloomberg]

For The First Time In Its Life, Citigroup Gets To Be Tired Of Someone Else’s Underperformance

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Citigroup’s private bank is pulling about $500 million from Paulson & Co., the hedge fund run by billionaire John Paulson seeking to reverse record losses in 2011, according to two people familiar with the matter. The private bank is redeeming from Paulson’s Advantage Fund and Advantage Plus Fund, said the people who asked not to be identified because the information is private…Citigroup’s private bank in May advised clients not to add money to the Paulson funds, a person familiar with the matter said at the time. [Bloomberg]

So Long As John Paulson Doesn’t Work Up The Nerve To Send That Redemption Letter To A Certain Hedge Fund Located At 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, 10020, Paulson & Co. Will Be Around For Years To Come

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Was 2011 a very kind year to John Paulson? No, it was not. Is 2012 shaping up to be any different? Not really, no. His proclamation that last year’s losses were but an “aberration” has not exactly been backed up by the fact that AP was down 16 percent through June.  A few clients have not only quit the fund but told anybody who will listen that leaving was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. Also not great is the fact that assets under management have declined 44.9 percent to $21 billion from $38.1 billion, due to a combination of unfortunate performance and redemptions. Happily, though, there is a silver lining that perhaps few people have thought of, namely that John Paulson’s got mucho of his own dinero in the firm and he hasn’t given up on the place yet. Read more »

Former Paulson Protégé In A Charitable Places About Losses

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Remember Paolo Pellegrini? For those who need a refresher, the Italian Stallion is the former Paulson and Co. employee who helped John come up with a highly lucrative subprime trade, later leaving the firm to set up his own shop (the delightfully named PSQR AKA Pellegrini Squared) after some reported friction re: whether or not he was getting enough credit for netting the hedge fund billions via ‘the greatest trade ever.’ PSQR returned 40% in 2008 and 61.6% in 2009 and then in August 2010, Pellegrini gave back all outside investor capital, stating that he would be focusing on managing his own money. And speaking of Paolo’s pennies, the ones he had invested with Paulson have taken a li’l bit of a hit lately. But according to Big P, who previously dabbled in DJ’ing and efforts to get pot legalized, it’s all good. Read more »

Paulson And Co Not Shedding Any Tears Over Investors Who Don’t Know What’s Good For Them

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“We know that about investing with John Paulson. He makes macroeconomic calls,” says Joelle Mevi, the chief investment officer of the New Mexico PERA [which piled into the fund after 2007 and has since  liquidated its holdings]. But “we started to notice a consistent underperformance of the fund, and we were noticing a bit of style drift” — investor-speak for getting into areas outside one’s expertise. And, Mevi says, “The Sino-Forest issue was notable.” “If you’re going to come in and then leave, come in and leave, I don’t think you’ll reap the benefits of investing with us,” Paulson says. “Investors that do the best, and have done the best, are those that stay and compound at above-average rates over the long term.” [Bloomberg Markets, earlier]

Former Paulson LP Pleased To See Her Ex Hasn’t Changed His Deadbeat Ways, Not That She Actively Looks In On Him And Would Take Him Back In A Heartbeat Or Anything

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As you may or may not have heard, the last 18 months have not been the best of times for John Alfred Paulson. His Advantage Plus fund was down fifty percent last year, he got screwed big time by a bunch of fake trees, his proclamation that 2011′s losses were but an “aberration” has not exactly been helped by the fact that AP was down 10 percent through May 2012, Morgan Stanley’s prime brokerage put Paulson and Co. on a list of firms it warns clients not to invest with, some investors ” have expressed their growing unease,” and others have called it quits. But! JP can take solace in knowing that at least one Limited Partner, and probably more, are so not over him. Read more »

Dear Paulson Investors

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Paulson, the billionaire hedge-fund manager seeking to reverse record losses in 2011, posted a 13 percent decline last month in his gold fund as bullion and mining stocks fell, a person briefed on the returns said today. The loss leaves the $1.2 billion fund, which can buy derivatives and other gold- related investments, down 23 percent this year. Paulson & Co., which manages about $24 billion, posted losses during May in its Advantage funds, Recovery Fund and Partners Enhanced fund. Paulson’s Credit Opportunities Fund rose 0.9 percent last month and 5.3 percent in 2012. [Bloomberg]

  • 30 Mar 2012 at 2:37 PM

When Lucky Brass Balls Fail

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“Of the top 25 earners of 2010, 15 did not make this year’s list [of highest paid hedge fund managers]. Among them: Appaloosa’s David Tepper, whose Palomino fund fell 3.33 percent, and Edward Lampert of ESL Partners, which plunged 12 percent on big losses from Sears Holdings. Mr. Tepper did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for ESL declined to comment. Mr. Paulson — the $5 billion manager in 2010 — failed to make the list this time. One of his largest funds lost more than 50 percent, after bets on the economic recovery soured. A spokesman for Paulson declined to comment.” [Dealbook, AR, related: "Mr. Tepper keeps a brass replica of a pair of testicles in a prominent spot on his desk...He rubs the gift for luck during the trading day."]