Helen Avery

Recent stories by Helen Avery

• M&A: Why so quiet?

  US bank consolidation is hanging fire; Will private equity firms jumpstart the market?

  Euromoney July 2009

• Fixed income: Jefferies goes gangbusters in fixed income

  Boutique investment bank expanding in fixed-income trading; Plans origination expansion and a push into Europe

  Euromoney July 2009

• Real Estate: Reits are back in business

  $16 billion in Reit offerings have been made in Q2; Reits eye distressed debt opportunities

  Euromoney July 2009

• Investment banking: Citadel rewires for Wall Street

  It has already won a reputation as one of the world’s leading hedge funds. Now Citadel has its sights set on investment banking. Chief executive Ken Griffin sees a sweet spot where many firms have left the stage. He normally succeeds in his goals. Chief executive Ken Griffin believes his newly expanded business will be a force to reckon with on Wall Street, says Helen Avery.

  Euromoney June 2009

• Can Canada’s banks seize their chance?

  The credit crisis has left the country’s banks relatively unscathed, and regulators around the world want to find out why. But is a conservative culture stopping local players achieving their global potential? Helen Avery investigates.

  Euromoney June 2009

• Banks abandon proprietary trading

  As banks cut back, leading prop trading boutiques grow; Can banking and prop trading co-exist?

  Euromoney June 2009

• Private banking: Julius Baer splits businesses

  Euromoney June 2009

• Equity markets: Research revived as a selling point

  Boutique equity trading firms turn to research; Trend brings new forms of analysis

  Euromoney June 2009

• Tradeweb eyes derivatives boost

  Geithner wants greater oversight of OTC derivatives; Regulation benefits e-platforms and exchanges

  Euromoney June 2009

• Alternative investments: NZ managers lead hedge fund performance

  Kiwi funds outperform global index; Investor interest grows

  Euromoney June 2009

• US banking: What it will take for Talf to take off

  Two months in and only $6.4 billion in Talf loans from the $200 billion programme have been taken up. The number of investors lined up to participate is increasing and Ben Bernanke could end up with his $1trillion dream of Talf issuance and a revival of US consumer lending. Issuers need to get on board. But will they?

  Euromoney May 2009

• Start-ups: Hedge funds tempt staff away

  At first glance, it is not the right time to leave the safety of a large corporation to start up a business alone. But that is exactly what a number of financial professionals are now doing.

  Euromoney May 2009

• Hedge fund strategies: Developed opportunities in emerging markets

  Emerging markets hedge funds returned more than any other strategy in March, producing 4.63%, according to HFR, ending eight months of continuous losses. In 2008, average losses of emerging market hedge funds were nearly 37%, and investors withdrew $6.7 billion from them in the fourth quarter. Total hedge fund capital committed to emerging markets fell to less than $67 billion globally.

  Euromoney May 2009

• Film financing: Hedge funds say it’s a wrap, but should they?

  Hedge funds and banks are backing out of film financing deals because of liquidity issues.

  Euromoney May 2009

• AI market round up: HF assets to fall another 20%

  Euromoney May 2009

• AI market round up: BlackRock makes big push into fixed income

  Euromoney May 2009

• AI market round up: Cheyne Capital takes on FoHFs

  Euromoney May 2009

• Insurance: Axa stays its course

  Axa’s Gerald Harlin tells Helen Avery about the benefits of balance.

  Euromoney April 2009

• Insurance - Zurich: Diversification works

  Zurich reported net income of $3 billion for 2008. More impressive was its return of 1% on its investments. Helen Avery spoke to Martin Senn, CIO.

  Euromoney April 2009

• Insurance survey 2009: Insurers take cover to avoid capital crunch

  The demise of AIG has inflicted an identity crisis on the insurance industry. But insurers face exposure to distressed assets, accounting and valuation issues and a potential shortage of capital. Sounds familiar? Helen Avery reports on how insurers believe they will avoid the same fate as the banks.

  Euromoney April 2009