New site for TSP info

Check out tsper.com for a portal to the world of TSP related stuff

TSP voting privileges

The Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act of 1986 (and the accompanying conference report), which established the TSP, prohibited the Board (and TSP participants) from voting proxies in the firms whose stocks make up the TSP stock index funds.

Barclays, nowever, (as the asset management contractor) is directed by the Board to “Vote all proxies and address all corporate actions in a manner which will result in maximum financial benefits to TSP participants and in accordance with fiduciary responsibilities.” So how does Barclays decide what will result in the max financial benefits for TSP investors? Is there a record of their votes anywhere?

the casino managers step in with reassuring words

As the week comes to an end, it is great to listen to the talking heads on Bloomberg, etc. frame the losses of the week in positive terms. "This is a good thing" "Bring people back to reality" "Maybe a bit more downside movement but we'll be back on track soon enough" We shall see...

Whew

Well I tried not to notice but world stock markets dropped on Tuesday by a bunch...Was it Greenspan's "recession" comment, perhaps the troubles in the sub-primeslending market or the drop of Chinese stock prices...perhaps all of the above combined with the general jitteryness of money managers. Is this the correction people have been speculating about for months? Who knows but we should find out over the next couple of weeks.

Global Matrix! New Site!

http://globalmatrix.blogspot.com

Hedge Fund Egos Exposed - Alex Fleiss

1. INFO - - Alexander Fleiss (Amhurst, '05) started "Rebellion Research", and it's twin hedge fund, with Johnathan Knight Sturges (Amhurst), and Spencer Greenberg (Columbia):
(Info source: http://integrityresearch.blogdrive.com/comments?id=718)

2. GOSSIP - - Apparently, while a student at Amhurst, Alex was...attacked by an "Asian" gang!?
but he just wanted to help his friends pick up more "friends" at Mount Holyoke...
*This is a must read!*:
http://halogen.note.amherst.edu/~astudent/2003-2004/issue05/news/01.html

3. GOSSIP - - Comment about "hedge fund toddlers" post. See, http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_31/c3995026.htm

Hedge Fund Heirs Is More Like It

"Hedge fund toddlers" (News: Analysis & Commentary, July 3) gives the impression that no prior hedge fund experience is necessary to start a fund and that launching one is "easy" because all it requires is filing some "paperwork." At first, I was impressed by Rebellion Research Technologies because it seemed they had started from the ground up, with no experience.

I became less impressed as I read that Alexander C.E. Fleiss's mother manages her own hedge fund, and Spencer G. Greenberg's father manages another. What's more, Fleiss started the hedge fund with money he inherited from his grandfather. What person would not attempt to capitalize on these facts (i.e., pedigree)? Their "start" is no different than that of Donald Trump. Let's face it, Trump would not be where he is today if it were not for the wisdom, experience, and money inherited from his father, who was himself in the business.

Christopher Siegle
Pompano Beach, Fla.

4. FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES - - Mum Karen Fleiss indeed seems well connected...and missing that 1.7 million...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB108690562744434417.html?mod=home_whats_news_us

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&sid=aMQfnq0s7IQk&refer=columnist_lewis

Hedge Fund Egos Exposed - Chris Lahiji

Chris Lahiji
(See photo by Hal Bergman - http://www.halbergman.com/blog/lahiji1.html)


1. INFO - - Chris' website (apparently selling advice is a better gig than...)


2. GOSSIP - - A brief silly interview with Chris and someone (that pretended to be from the NYTimes?):
http://www.electronicmayhem.net/satire/1054112982.shtml

3. INFO - - A bit more serious interview:
http://www.dealbreaker.com/2006/11/better_know_a_trader_chris_lah_1.php

4. INFO - - An article:
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2004/05/10/free-realtime-garbage.aspx


5. GOSSIP - - He was one of the 'whiz kids' of hedge funds:
http://www.rgm.com/articles/bloomberg.html