AI market round up: Citadel funds upgraded

Standard & Poor’s has raised the long-term counterparty credit ratings for two of Citadel’s funds from Triple B to BBB+. "The funds’ performance in 2006 was strong and at the top of their peer group based on strong contributions across nearly all of the firm’s nine business units," said S&P’s report. "In 2006, Citadel Group reaped the rewards of years of restructuring and investments but also strongly benefited from its acquisition of the energy business of failed hedge fund Amaranth Advisors. Last year saw a significant increase in returns compared with 2004 and 2005, accompanied by an increase of the volatility of returns as measured by the standard deviation of monthly returns, but at all times well within the prescribed risk limits of the funds. The funds have never had an unprofitable year."