Hedge fund outlook 2010

The fourth quarter of 2009 has been promising for the industry. But what lies over the horizon?

What went wrong with First Data?

Was the largest ever leveraged buyout a failure? While it's too early to say, the payment processor is showing signs of trouble.

To modify or not to modify

Whether a lender modifies a loan will depend on such factors as credit, regulatory, accounting and legal considerations in connection with a potential debt modification.

French restructuring: Labor-intensive

For Americans used to broad freedom of management decision-making, French labor relations present challenges that are cultural as well as legal and linguistic.

Regulatory reconstruction revolution

Today's markets and financial products only vaguely resemble those that existed in 1934. That fact doesn't dictate we undo a system that has worked better than any other for more than 75 years.

An end to marital bliss

Just as couples have prenuptial agreements, well-prepared U.K. joint ventures have shareholder agreements to set the parameters and provide clarity when the parties decide to split.

Converting carnage into value

A basic understanding of distressed acquisitions, including the benefits and pitfalls of Section 363 transactions, grants entry to the majority of this market.

MOFCOM extends its reach

The approval of the Panasonic-Sanyo tie-up marks the first time the Chinese competition authorities have compelled disposals outside of the country in a transaction involving two non-Chinese businesses.

Planning for new revenue recognition standards

Companies should be developing an action plan to address the investor communications, governance and disclosure implications of new FASB standards.