Cutter AdvantEdge

Time is Both Money and Risk (March 2010)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0600

“Time is money” as the saying goes, but time is also risk. Nowhere is this more evident than in post-trade execution processing and settlement.

Get a Grip on Market Data Costs (September 2009)

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0600

For the asset management firms of the CutterResearch consortia, managing market data means dealing with two primary concerns: reducing costs and maintaining or improving quality. But is it realistic to expect both? CutterResearch uncovered some effective strategies that do improve the cost-benefit ratio, without the slash-and-burn approaches we've seen over the last twelve months.

IT Cost Management: Preparing for 2010 (July 2009)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Recession, depression, or recovery—the debate among economists continues, but there is consensus in the financial services world that in 2009, IT budgets have been squeezed across the board. Financial management firms have cut costs significantly—canceling major initiatives, reducing staff, adjusting compensation plans, and in some cases, resorting to “lights on” only cost structure.

Mergers and Acquisitions: Now What? (June 2009)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Mergers and Acquisitions strike fear into the hearts of systems and operations professionals, who anticipate longer hours, increased stress, and greater job uncertainty. Effectively integrating two or more asset managers means properly controlling time, cost, and risk through impeccable planning and execution.

Fixed Income Systems: Challenges and Opportunities (May 2009)

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0600

The historic market volatility and dislocations of 2008 are bleeding into 2009 and continuing to challenge financial institutions worldwide. The contagion is forcing a retrenchment in balance sheets and risk taking, and few firms have found a place to hide amid the storm. Expected to emerge from the turmoil are a reconstructed global financial architecture and a more invasive regulatory environment—though the process will take years to play out.

The Current State of Trading Technology and The Search For Liquidity: An Interview with Seth Merrin (April 2009)

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Mark Bobseine, Founder and Chairman of Cutter Associates, recently had an opportunity to catch up with Seth Merrin, co-founder and CEO of Liquidnet, to hear his views on how buy-side trading is changing due to current market conditions.

The Outsourcing Option: Is the Time Right? (March 2009)

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0600

As the financial crisis intensifies, asset management firms are examining every possibility for cutting costs. With back office functions like custody and fund accounting already widely outsourced, managers are now looking at options for outsourcing the investment administration of their segregated institutional portfolios.

Riding A Tiger: When Risk Becomes Reality (January 2009)

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

“It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten.” So said B. Ramalinga Raju, Chairman of Satyam Computer Services Ltd., in disclosing the scam where Satyam had manipulated its financials including overstating profits, understating liabilities and creating a bogus cash balance of $1 billion.

Interview with Larry Kantor of Barclays Capital: Support and future plans for former Lehman Products (October 2008)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The acquisition of Lehman Brothers' North American investment banking and capital markets businesses by Barclays Capital raised red flags in the buy-side market regarding the firm's commitment to the Lehman indices, analytic data, and the POINT product. Reliance on these products within investment firms is substantial; any replacement would significantly impact business and technology processes, investment strategies, and potentially even fund performance.

Risk Management: Time for a Rethink (October 2008)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0600

As we all wait to see whether the worst of the turmoil in the markets is finally over, or merely taking a breather before the next storm, the blame game has started with a vengeance.

Application Service Providers: ASP on the agenda (September 2008)

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0600

With the turmoil and uncertainties in the global financial markets many asset managers have been casting a critical eye over their IT spending priorities and strategies in the coming months. Can they save money and manage risk without compromising their technology firepower? What are their options? There is a mood for change, for doing things differently.

Order Management Systems: A Good Fit For Hedge Funds? (August 2008)

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Hedge Funds can take both long and short positions, use arbitrage, buy and sell undervalued securities, trade options or bonds, and invest in almost any financial instrument where they see opportunity. Managing trades for hedge funds has created unique complexities that have challenged the capabilities of traditional order management systems (OMS).

Managing Your Outsourcer (June 2008)

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Many investment firms have endured the time-consuming, labor-intensive process of transitioning their investment administration functions to an outsourcer. Now they find themselves facing the ongoing burden of ensuring optimal performance from their outsourcer. These investment firms have assumed the added responsibility of managing the outsourcer, and they have surrendered direct control over the performance, responsibilities, and activities of the outsourcer’s staff and operations.