Merrill buys big stake in GSO hedge fund

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. is purchasing a 20% minority stake in a hedge fund with $8 billion in assets under management.
MAY 21, 2007
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. is purchasing a 20% minority stake in a hedge fund with $8 billion in assets under management. GSO Capital Partners LP is a registered investment-management firm. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a Wall Street Journal report said that Merrill will own a stake slightly less than 20%, paying an amount less than what the deal would have generated in the public market. As part of the transaction, Merrill will invest capital in several of GSO's strategies. GSO is a New York-based hedge fund which helps finance deals for private equity firms who buy struggling companies and then sell them off. "This investment in GSO is a continuation of our strategy to invest in best-in-class alternative investment managers worldwide," said Rohit D'Souza, head of Global Alternative Investments and global head of Equities at Merrill Lynch, according to a statement. Merrill Lynch joins other investment banks, including Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., which have made investments in hedge funds in recent months to increase income. Merrill Lynch manages $1.6 trillion in assets.

Latest News

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker
Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker

Professional athletes are often targets of scam artists and are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day
Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day

The brokerage giant tells Wall Street it will use artificial intelligence to reach clients it has never been able to serve — and turn the technology's perceived threat into a competitive edge.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline