Contribution guideline FAQs*

NakedShorts’ InvestorLetters is, as the headline suggests, a repository of market commentary, arch observations, interesting disclosures and related ephemera and esoterica from the investor letters, client presentations and other communications of - mostly - alternative investment asset managers.

Contributions should be emailed by selecting the link under the mugshot at the top right of this page. If the document in question is only available in hard copy, you can either:

• Email a request for the snail mail address, or
• Save me some trouble by running it through your scanner, which is probably bigger and quicker than mine, and operated by somebody who knows what they’re doing. Then email the work product, preferably in .pdf format.

What should I send?
Anything you like; the guidelines are deliberately broad. If you want to point me at what you think is the most interesting snippet, feel free.

Some managers do a really good job of communicating strategy, market ideas, and other observations – think Michael Lewitt, from Harch Capital Mgt, or John Taylor, from FX Concepts, for example – and this is what this blog is really about. Not that entries relating to the Seven Degrees of Dirt – from mere spin to the ‘Risk of Leverage’ section in LTCM MotherRock Amaranth’s PPM – will be thoughtlessly cast aside.

Egregiously self-serving and/or boastful carp is especially appreciated.

What if it’s kind of old?
Age is not important, so long as it’s interesting (in NakedShorts’ sole opinion). One of the services this blog hopes to perform is the archiving of historic documents – think George Soros’s letter announcing his decision to participate in The Mania from 10 minutes before the whole thing went phfffft – for historic reference purposes.

Those old press releases announcing new funds targeting 18 percent annual returns with two percent vol are always fun, especially five years later when it’s churned out four percent (annualized) with 30 percent vol.

What will NakedShorts’ InvestorLetters do with the information?
Mostly, just pick the appropriate quote, source it, and move on. With a link back to the manager’s website, or the original document if that’s outside the password firewall, credit where it’s due and all that. Occasionally, post the complete document, if, in NakedShorts sole discretion and opinion, it’s worth the bandwidth.

Circumstances – such as the submission of strange-looking things from strange-sounding places, like ertyu.xcvbm@hotmail.com – may require NakedShorts to conduct some level of due diligence, but that’s my lookout.

Will you disclose who sent the document?
In the normal course, no. The usual NakedShorts Judy Miller confidentiality deal applies. For your information, the kind of stuff covered on this blog falls well within the parameters of the SEC’s latest guidelines beating on journalists – i.e. it will, by definition, be available from somewhere else – so the chances of NakedShorts getting the whole Guantanamo deal are somewhat remote. Regrettably in the view of some, but such is life.

If you want the credit, no problem. Although you might want to think that through.

What happens if the manager doesn’t like having their newsletter included?
My problem.

Can I pay to get my newsletter quoted in NakedShorts’ InvestorLetters?
Certainly. And right under the quote will be a little announcement saying that you’ve paid for the privilege. NakedShorts doesn’t accept credit cards, but PayPal, used bills in small denominations and your NetJets card – not necessarily in that order – are satisfactory tender. The line forms on the right.

Can I pay to not be quoted in NakedShorts’ InvestorLetters?
Certainly. Included in the price will be a free entry saying that you’ve paid for the privilege of omission. Same payment terms as above, but this line forms on the left.

What’s in this for me?
Not a lot. But not exactly nothing:

1. NakedShorts’ eternal gratitude, AND a free lifetime subscription.
2. The satisfaction of contributing to something that might occasionally contribute just a little something to everybody’s worldview.
3. Dirty little secret time: Like any publication, a blog is as interesting as its sources. So, source away.

* FAQ = Frequently asked questions. These would be more accurately characterized as NAQs - for never asked questions - but...you get the idea.

Comments

[whoami]

If you are looking for strange things made by fund of hedge funds managers you should look into this

http://www.ise.ie/app/announcementDetails.asp?ID=1309181

http://www.ise.ie/app/announcementDetails.asp?ID=1301153