Ivy League student fund Thessalus Capital posts strong Q1 2016 gains
PRINCETON, N.J., April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For most funds, 2016 started with a bust. With emerging market weakness weighing at home, the S&P500 fell -2.6%. March's HFRI, indicator of average hedge fund performance, was also underwater at -0.12%.
However, one fund in Princeton, NJ beat markets by a significant margin. Thessalus Capital Management, a hedge fund run by Ivy League students, posted a +4.6% gain in Q1 2016. Combined with the fund's strong +6.8% showing in 2015's last quarter, Thessalus has undoubtedly been a winner since its inception.
Thessalus has unique origins to say the least. A new fund with $350K AUM, Thessalus is run not by Wall Street analysts, but students from top colleges and prep academies in the country. Enrolled at schools ranging from Princeton to UPenn to Lawrenceville Preparatory School, Thessalus's student-managers are an elite cast, sharing a passion in learning and mastering the art of investing. The students are, in turn, backed by an impressive litany of advisors with industry experience, including William Kridel Jr., President and founder of a healthcare investment bank; Dr. Jianqing Fan, co-chair of Princeton's financial engineering program; and Dr. Bernard Lee, former Blackrock managing director.
Mitchell Ng, Thessalus's principal founder and a Princeton senior, elaborates on Thessalus's core investment thesis in simple, clear language.
"We focus on our specific areas of expertise, but keep ears to the ground for all opportunities. I will be in medical school in 3 months' time. My interest is healthcare."
In addition to healthcare, Thessalus's diverse portfolio also includes energy, tech, and foreign currency stocks/ETFs/holdings. The fund's core aim, Ng adds, is to consistently beat the S&P500 index.
Thessalus partner Andrew Christie, describes one of Thessalus's best recent bets as Medivation Inc. (MDVN), a middle market pharmaceutical company. From January to April 2016, MDVN rose +28% from $36.17 to $46.45 after its prostate cancer drug Xtandi demonstrated another clinical application in Phase III clinical trials treating breast cancer.
"The fact Mitch picked up on this great buy flying under the radar, recognized it, and acted quickly demonstrates the tremendous talent on our team. We're all proud to be a part."
Likewise, junior Thessalus partner Alex Rockefeller offers an upbeat outlook. "All economic indicators show things picking up for the remainder 2016 after a shaky start. I'm optimistic we are going to do even better."
Given Thessalus's solid record thus far, the optimism seems justified.
About Thessalus Capital Management:
Thessalus Capital Management (TCM) is a student-run investment fund with $350K AUM focusing on long positions in the healthcare, tech, and energy equity markets. Run by students from elite schools such Princeton, Yale, and Duke, TCM recruits undergraduates with unique investment skills/perspectives, particularly with technical background in fields relevant to its investment thesis. TCM members work with industry advisors learning investing strategies and with Princeton professors applying more sophisticated quantitative methods of portfolio optimization. Thessalus hopes to continue using student talent from top colleges to beat the S&P 500. For more information, or to apply, visit www.thessaluscapital.com.
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SOURCE Thessalus Capital Management
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