Johan Poulsen
Achievements: The new york-based hedge fund manager made a record profit of $3.7 billion in 2007, and in 2008, he made another success of $7 billion, with an incredible return rate of 37.6%. Another smaller fund he managed had a return rate of nearly 590% last year, which is considered to be the highest annual return rate in the history of hedge funds.
Success story: In early 2008, Paulson started short-term operation of financial stocks, including bankrupt Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When the Belgian InBev Group's acquisition of Anheuser seemed to fall through, he went in and took a gamble. After the transaction was completed, he became the largest shareholder of Anheuser. But it was Paulson's restraint, not his radicalism, that kept him from falling into the quagmire of the recent economic crisis like other hedge fund managers. In the process of deepening the crisis, his fund did not buy mortgage securities and leveraged loans like other funds. Unfortunately, the big shots who witnessed the economic prosperity in 2007 and 2008 did not think that the economy would improve in 2009. In a letter to investors, he predicted that the economic recession may last until 20 10.
George Soros
Achievements: Although he claimed that he only cared about his own wealth and rarely set foot in fund management, Soros's quantum fund returned an astonishing 10% in 2008, while at the same time, two-thirds of hedge funds were losing money. This growth continued the "amazing" performance of 32% in 2007.
Success process: Like the way he dug up the first bucket of gold, his method was to "attack the pound". He beat the Bank of England and made a profit of $654.38 billion. For most of 2008, he took a "short" strategy against the pound. No one would be surprised if Soros predicted the financial storm. For years, he has been telling cautious investors that the huge bubble is about to burst. After six years of limited participation in quantum fund affairs, he returned to the market in 2007 to manage an account of the company and achieved great success. Soros made headlines again at this year's Davos Forum. He announced that he would not operate the pound in the short term because the exchange rate of the pound against the US dollar was lower than $65,438 +0.4.
Steve eissmann
Achievement: I don't know. It could be hundreds of millions of dollars.
Success: As writer michael lewis wrote, "Optimism is not Steve's style". This quality makes him an ideal investor in the current absolute downturn. Under his leadership, FrontPoint Partners saw an opportunity when other investors were highly confused about the current situation and computerized financial instruments. They have carefully designed subtle measures to avoid extremely high subprime mortgage risks. In autumn 2006, eissmann alone sold $600 million in subprime loans. When the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers made everyone realize that the market had collapsed, eissmann and his partners were rewarded. But other Wall Street financial institutions have fallen into despair. Danny Moses, his chief trader, told Louis, "This is simply amazing." . But success obviously did not change his deep-rooted pessimism. He recently told The New York Times: "I hope people will not say that this is a crisis of confidence."
Qatar
Achievements: Qatar's economy grew by 65,438+06% in 2008 and is expected to grow by 65,438+00% this year.
Success: Like other Gulf countries, Qatar suffered heavy losses in the fall of oil prices. But thanks to Qatar's rich oil resources and good economic management, its prospects are still very optimistic. Although countries that are heavily dependent on oil, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are expected to have a growth rate of less than 65,438+0% this year, Qatar's economy continues to expand. Qatar intends to increase its natural gas production to 77 million tons this year, and is cooperating with Iran and Russia to form a natural gas joint venture similar to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Qatar's plan is by no means limited to energy. Her sovereign wealth fund is buying shares in three "Blue Silk Companies". According to Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassem, if more financial assistance is needed, Qatar may buy shares in Barclays Bank.
Exxon Mobil
Achievements: Despite some turbulence in the fourth quarter, ExxonMobil, the world's largest company, made a profit of $45.2 billion in 2008.
Success: When most oil companies suffered losses due to the drop in oil prices last year, Mobil successfully broke its own profit record in 2007 and made the biggest profit in American history. Although most of these profits were attributed to the soaring oil price in early 2008, Mobil weathered the economic downturn in a way that exceeded most analysts' expectations. The managers of Mobil Oil Company are very good at controlling costs and maximizing the value of each barrel of oil. When the oil giant enters a difficult year in 2009, Mobil's $30 billion cash reserve will be of great use. While other oil companies are digesting the damage of the economic recession, Mobil is planning to increase production and invest 20% more in new projects.