Insights

Section 475(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provides that a trader in securities or commodities can make elections to “mark-to-market” their securities and/or commodities and treat increases or decreases in value as ordinary. A fund must be a trader, and not an investor, in order to be able to make a…

Client Alerts | March 11, 2019 | Hedge Funds

On December 14, 2018, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE“) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC“) issued a risk alert (the “Risk Alert“)[1] to remind SEC-registered investment advisers (“RIAs“) of their obligations when their personnel use electronic messaging, such as text messages, instant messaging, personal email or messaging apps, and to…

Client Alerts | January 15, 2019 | Hedge Funds

On December 20, 2018, the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (“OCIE“) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC“) announced its 2019 examination priorities for registered investment advisers.[1] OCIE grouped the priorities into six general thematic areas: (1) matters of importance to retail investors, including seniors and those saving for retirement; (2) compliance and…

Client Alerts | January 8, 2019

This newsletter is a brief follow-up to our recent year-end tax newsletter. Click here for our year-end newsletter. Since our 2018 year-end newsletter was distributed, the stock market has been very volatile and decreased significantly (although the market was up a lot today, December 26th, fortunately). Many funds may have significant unrealized losses. This newsletter…

Client Alerts | December 26, 2018 | Hedge Funds

On October 31, 2018, the staff in the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (the “Staff”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued a risk alert (the “Risk Alert”)[1] describing some of the most common deficiencies the Staff has cited relating to Rule 206(4)-3 (the “Cash Solicitation Rule”) under the Investment Advisers…

Client Alerts | December 18, 2018 | Hedge Funds

The recent proliferation of cryptocurrencies, digital tokens and initial coin offerings (ICOs), facilitated by advances in blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies, has engendered substantial optimism among segments of the investing public. Some envision that these developments will transform financial markets and systems, and hope to benefit from these changes through early investments in digital…

Client Alerts | December 4, 2018

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC“) Division of Investment Management has announced the withdrawal of two no-action letters[1] that provided guidance to registered investment advisers regarding their use of proxy advisory firms consistent with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Proxy Rule“). [2] Under the Proxy Rule, registered…

Client Alerts | October 24, 2018 | Investor Activism | Hedge Funds

Following tax reform, there is a restriction on the deductibility of business expenses. Under the new “excess business loss” rules, trade or business expenses are not deductible to the extent they exceed trade or business income. (Provided that taxpayers filing joint returns are allowed to deduct up to $500,000 of such excess expenses, and other…

Client Alerts | October 18, 2018 | Hedge Funds

On July 20, 2018, the National Futures Association (“NFA”) issued an interpretive notice (the “Interpretive Notice”) detailing new disclosure requirements for registered commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) and commodity trading advisors (“CTAs”) to address certain risks stemming from the recent growth of the virtual currency and virtual currency derivatives markets.[1] On August 9, 2018, the NFA issued…

Client Alerts | August 16, 2018 | Hedge Funds