Hedge funds will need to bow to the demands of their asset owners according the findings of a recent survey of hedge fund risk managers by Algorithmics, the leading provider of enterprise risk solutions. Asked to name the key market challenges currently facing hedge funds, survey respondents listed regulation and the pressure from investors for greater transparency as their biggest challenges.

When asked about their investors’ concerns the same picture emerged: respondents considered these to be transparency of fund operations, assessment of risk systems as part of the due diligence process and costs of fund management. Liquidity, ideally daily, was also considered a high priority for investors. These findings were confirmed by another poll conducted by Algorithmics in a recent webinar, where 84% agreed that asset owners would place increasing pressure on external asset managers for greater risk transparency*.

Martin Botha, Director, Buy Side Solutions, Algorithmics, said: “These findings are supported by the fact that we are seeing enquiries from hedge funds for the institutional-strength risk systems they need to meet their asset owners’ due diligence requirements as part of their manager selection. Hedge funds are beginning to recognize the importance of best practice risk management in attracting funds from investors.”

Dr Andrew Aziz, Executive Vice President of Risk Solutions at Algorithmics, added: "Growing regulatory demands - including UCITS IV, AIFMFD and Dodd Frank - are driving the need for more frequent and higher quality risk reporting. At the same time, post Madoff, investors have no tolerance for weak operational risk management or weak governance at the funds managing their assets. These factors are driving investors’ demand for more transparency, solid operational infrastructure and reliable risk data from their hedge fund managers.”

For a copy of the full survey results, visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/EN/media/pdfs/Algo-RA0111-HF-Research.pdf

For more information about Algorithmics’ solutions for the hedge fund industry, visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/EN/solutions/myindustry/hedgefund.cfm

For more information about Algorithmics' award winning and patented solutions, visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Heather Smith, Senior Communications Manager, Algorithmics (UK) Ltd
Direct line +44 (0) 20 7392 5820  Mobile +44 (0) 7515 974223
E-mail Heather.smith@algorithmics.com

Notes to Editors:

Algorithmics is the world's leading provider of risk solutions. Financial organizations from around the world use Algorithmics' software, analytics and advisory services to help them make risk-aware business decisions, maximize shareholder value, and meet regulatory requirements. Supported by a global team of risk experts based in all major financial centers, Algorithmics offers proven, award-winning solutions for market, credit and operational risk, as well as collateral and capital management. Algorithmics is a member of the Fitch Group. http://www.algorithmics.com/

Algorithmics’ hedge fund survey was conducted in early 2011 and included hedge funds with AUM between £250million and £1 billion.  For a copy of the full survey results, visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/EN/media/pdfs/Algo-RA0111-HF-Research.pdf

* The BTPS webinar took place on 23 February 2011 and attracted over 100 attendees. For a link to the webinar, visit: http://www.algorithmics.com/EN/publications/BTPSM.cfm

Portfolio Construction and Risk Management for Hedge Funds
Algorithmics has a range of risk solutions for all hedge funds irrespective of their strategy, level of sophistication or assets under management.  With a clear migration path from pre-configured risk reports (Standard Edition) to fully customized risk systems (Enterprise Edition), Algorithmics can support our hedge fund clients as they develop and as their needs evolve. This means that hedge funds have the reassurance that their investment in the Algorithmics risk systems is fully scalable as their needs change in response to emerging client, regulatory, business model drivers.

Fitch Group is the parent company of Fitch Ratings, a global ratings agency committed to providing the world's markets with independent, timely and prospective credit opinions. With 49 offices worldwide, Fitch Ratings’ global expertise spans across capital markets in over 150 countries. Fitch Ratings is headquartered in New York and London.

The Fitch Group also includes Fitch Solutions, a distribution channel for Fitch Ratings products and a provider of data, analytics and related services; and Algorithmics, the world's leading provider of enterprise risk solutions.

The Fitch Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fimalac, S.A., headquartered in Paris, France.

For additional information, please visit http://www.fitchratings.com/  http://www.algorithmics.com/ and http://www.fimalac.com/

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