Amaranth won't face SEC enforcement action

The SEC will not bring an enforcement action against Amaranth Advisors following a three-year investigation, according to an Aug. 19 letter to Amaranth's attorney from Philip Koski, assistant regional director in the SEC's Boston office, which was obtained by P&I Daily.
APR 21, 2011
The SEC will not bring an enforcement action against Amaranth Advisors following a three-year investigation, according to an Aug. 19 letter to Amaranth’s attorney from Philip Koski, assistant regional director in the SEC’s Boston office, which was obtained by P&I Daily. The investigation focused on whether Amaranth employees violated Section 17 (a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and made false statements or failed to disclose material facts about the firm’s natural gas futures investments. John Heine, an SEC spokesman, declined to comment. “Needless to say, we are very pleased with the decision,” Nick Maounis, founder, CEO and CIO of the hedge fund, wrote in an investor letter obtained by P&I Daily. On Aug. 12, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced they had concluded a two-year investigation into allegations that Amaranth attempted to manipulate natural gas futures. The firm agreed to pay a $7.5 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing. Amaranth lost about $6.6 billion in the fall of 2006 from failed natural gas bets, and the firm’s funds were closed and remaining assets returned to investors in January 2007.

Latest News

Warren and Wyden press FINRA on ACATS transfer fraud gap
Warren and Wyden press FINRA on ACATS transfer fraud gap

Senators say brokerages leave accounts exposed to fraudulent transfers without verification, intensifying pressure as FINRA weighs its own fraud-hold rule

Forbes advisor list update: Morgan Stanley drops it, owner says changes are coming
Forbes advisor list update: Morgan Stanley drops it, owner says changes are coming

Meanwhile, the founder of advisor list gives reasons for secret $6 million payment to editor.

U.S. Bank names chief private banking officer for wealth unit
U.S. Bank names chief private banking officer for wealth unit

Internal C-level promotion comes as US Bank builds out private banking, athlete-focused advice and alternatives infrastructure.

Why planning is the only strategy that holds in every market
Why planning is the only strategy that holds in every market

A structured financial plan doesn't just prepare clients for the future, it transforms how they respond to the present.

Gemini, Apex deal reflects prediction markets move towards mainstream retail investing
Gemini, Apex deal reflects prediction markets move towards mainstream retail investing

Regulated prediction markets for retail brokerage clients is the latest sign that prediction markets are entering the mainstream investing toolkit.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income