Archive for December, 2011
Investment Series 2012
Dec 8th
North Sea Capital: International Asset Protection
 | Lauge Sletting of North Sea Capital, an independent private equity adviser at the marcus evans Alternative Investments Europe Summit 2012 and Middle East Alternative Investments Summit 2012, shares his views on asset protection in today’s uncertain economic environment. Interview with: Lauge Sletting, Managing Partner, North Sea Capital |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
It is crucial for investors to ensure asset protection and be aware of future inflation risk and recessions scenarios, says Lauge Sletting, Managing Partner, North Sea Capital. Portfolio diversification will allow investors in the alternatives space to reduce risk and successfully plan for the future, he adds.
From an independent private equity adviser at the upcoming marcus evans Alternative Investments Europe Summit 2012 and Middle East Alternative Investments Summit 2012, Sletting talks about how investors could benefit from the negative cycle that has arisen from the economic crisis.
How can investors ensure assets are protected in today’s uncertain environment?
Several private equity funds are coming back into the market, but due to the economic climate and debt crises, many investors are reluctant to make any commitments.
For the most part, investors can guarantee asset security by investing in companies with strong market positions and the ability to mark-up prices. Companies that are leveraged appropriately will be able to reduce debt overtime and safeguard assets from inflation.
This is one of the advantages of investing into private equity, as managers are able to control the level of leverage and manage true and inflationary scenarios. Looking at inflation is critical, as we see increasing risk due to the immense money supply that has arisen from debt structuring and the capital issues at national banks. The other advantage of control investing is that private equity managers transform companies to be more profitable and even in a down cycle, add alpha to the returns.
From your perspective, why is portfolio diversification essential?
Growth can come and go in all industries. We have seen this through emerging markets and non-cyclical trends, such as the telecom and Silicon Valley boom. Having a diversified portfolio allows investors to capture a range of developments around the world. Nevertheless, diversification is not only geographic, but also specified to corporate governance and management experience.
There is a high degree of developed corporate governance in Northern Europe, and as a result many organisations in the region are export orientated, benefiting from growth in emerging markets such as Asia and Latin America. Therefore, investing in these companies that have an awareness of diversity would allow investors to benefit from the growth that they are experiencing in emerging markets, instead of investing directly into markets which can prove to be risky.
The major hazards in the alternative investments space today are corporate governance risk, geographic risk and risk in the private equity arena where there are many undeveloped teams. We are seeing many new teams that are not as mature and cohesive as in Northern Europe and the US.
How can investors recognise successful fund managers?
Investors and investment firms alike must be ready to identify successful private equity managers as soon as they create their first fund. For example, our due diligence processes focus on alpha and the added value generated from experienced private equity managers. We are in the position to capture, test and prove that specific managers have generated returns that are better from the general market. Even in the downturn, the managers we have selected have been able to add value to companies by increasing their profit beyond their peers.
What advice would you give to alternative asset class investors today?
Focus on global investing instead of one specific area. Explore investment opportunities in Europe, Asia, Latin and North America in order to achieve a successfully balanced portfolio that focuses on emerging and developed markets. A mix of expansion growth funds and turn around investments as a supplement to a core mid-market buyout portfolio will add to that solidity.
Having the patience to wait for access to the right private equity managers in the market is also crucial. All of these factors together should generate a high, stable private equity return of at least 20 per cent per annum.
Contact:
Stacey Melvin
Journalist
marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event websites below:
Alternative Investments Europe Summit 2011: www.aie-summit.com
Middle East Alternative Investments Summit 2012: www.meai-summit.com
marcus evans group – investment sector portal
Complementing our summit format, the Investment Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.
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Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About North Sea Capital
NorthSea Capital, based in Copenhagen, is a leading independent private equity adviser that serves institutional, corporate and high net worth clients including some of the largest Nordic pension funds. Providing investors with access to top tier private equity managers as well as advisory services within the private equity asset class.
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com
All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com
Top 10 Online Scams to Avoid
Dec 6th
Nobody wants to get ripped off. Some online scams are obvious even to the casual observer, but others have evolved into sophisticated schemes that are difficult to spot.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) keeps tabs on online scams and can give you information about a business before you act. The online world is no different than the real world. If it sounds like you’re getting something for nothing or you’re having one of those “it’s too good to be true” moments, trust your instincts.
BBB Top 10 Scam Warnings
Job Hunter Scams
You must provide bank information or pay a fee to be considered for a job.
Debt Relief and Settlement Services
For big upfront fees they’ll eliminate most or all of your debt.
Work from Home Schemes
Make money assembling items at home or “mystery shopping,” but only after a big investment.
Timeshare Resellers
For big upfront fees, they promise fast action on reselling your timeshare, but have no intention of delivering.
“Free” Trial Offers
It’s free for a while, but you must opt out later to avoid monthly billings.
Rogue Home Repair/Roofers
Huge down payments are required for home repairs that never happen.
Lottery/Sweepstakes Scams
You must pay “taxes” before receiving your big lottery/sweepstakes winnings.
Advance-Fee Loan Scams
You qualify for a large loan but you must pay some upfront fees.
Over-Payment Scams
“I accidentally sent you too much money, would you please wire some back?”
Identity Theft
They’re from a “legitimate” business and need to “confirm” your private information.
The bottom line is when in doubt, check it out – before you make a move. If you think you may have been the victim of a scam, you can file a complaint with the BBB.
The BBB produced an infographic showing the top online scams, check it out by clicking here:
European Pensions & Investments Summit 2012
Dec 5th
Partners Group:
Recognising Investment Opportunities within the Secondary Market
 | Erik Kaas from Partners Group, an investment management firm at the marcus evans European Pensions & Investments Summit 2012, on prospering from the secondary market. Interview with: Erik Kaas, Partner, Partners Group |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Investors are exiting positions at a discount due to changes in the regulatory environment or their portfolio strategy, which is creating immense opportunities for other investors, says Erik Kaas, Partner, Partners Group. “Market players with an integrated approach, proprietary sourcing channels and timely in-house execution capabilities will be able to take advantage of such market cycles,” he adds.
From an investment management firm at the upcoming marcus evans European Pensions & Investments Summit 2012, Kaas discusses how to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the secondary market.
What is your long-term macroeconomic outlook? How can investors be positioned for growth, bearing in mind the continuing weak global economic recovery?
Already in 2009, we forecasted a stagflationary scenario with three to five years of a stagnant economic environment in the Western world, followed by increased inflation at the tail end, which would manifest in the form of asset inflation without classical wage inflation. This led us to adjust our investment strategy accordingly, with a focus on stable businesses in the defensive sectors and inflation-linked asset classes, such as infrastructure and real estate.
Although our forecast in 2009 was right, it was too optimistic. At the end of the day, the European debt crisis can only be solved by solidarity within the eurozone.
The European Central Bank will begin buying up volumes of European bonds from weaker member states, which will result in an unparalleled increase in the capital supply. Financially healthy nations such as Germany or the Netherlands will end up paying for the rescue mission through increased debt levels and higher financing costs, while the whole eurozone will have to cope with asset inflation followed by classical wage inflation in three to five years.
How can investors successfully identify the right assets? How have investing strategies evolved post crisis?
A global vertical depth approach is essential. Investors must drill down into the sub-sector level and into individual portfolio companies, taking into account valuations, leverage and relative industry and marketing positions to identify defensive, cash-generating companies and assets with strong revenue visibility. This is the tactic for identifying the right assets.
However, investors should not overlook the fact that the current market environment offers attractive opportunities. Many new opportunities are arising from the secondary market when existing investors are exiting positions at a discount because of changes in the regulatory environment or in their portfolio strategy. Market players with an integrated approach, proprietary sourcing channels and timely in-house execution capabilities will be able to take advantage of such market cycles.
What long-term investment strategies could you share?
Investors can prosper by keeping a focus on direct investments, primaries and the purchase of portfolio companies on the secondary market. Investing in this manner provides maximum advantage of market opportunities at a specific stage of the economic cycle.
In addition, we offer the whole range of private markets strategies from private equity to private real estate, infrastructure and private debt which allows investors to choose the most attractive strategy at a given point in time and to benefit from synergies and information advantages.
Contact:
Stacey Melvin
Journalist
marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
About the European Pensions & Investments Summit 2012
Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes visionary presentations and interactive forums on looking beyond volatility to pinpoint innovative investment approaches, modernising risk models and delivering returns in the new era of pension investing.
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.epi-summit.com
marcus evans group – investment sector portal
Complementing our Summit format, the Investment Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.
| | | |
Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About Partners Group
Partners Group is a global private markets asset manager with USD 28 billion under management in private equity, private real estate, private infrastructure and private debt. Over 500 professionals based in 15 offices around the world focus on private markets investments on behalf of an international clientele of institutional investors. Partners Group is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange with a clear majority owned by its employees.
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com
All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com