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John Paulson Returns Money From Gold, Special Situations Funds

John Paulson Returns Money From Gold, Special Situations Funds

(Bloomberg) -- John Paulson’s gold and special situations hedge funds are among those returning client capital as the firm narrows its focus after shedding almost $30 billion in assets.

One of the firm’s Credit Opportunities funds is also forcing clients to redeem, according to people familiar with the matter. A second credit fund will remain open, and investors can move their money into that offering. Investors can also switch into the merger-focused Pure Spread fund and the European Event Equities fund. A representative for the firm declined to comment.

Paulson’s namesake firm, once one of the biggest in the industry, is returning money to investors in some funds as it goes back to its roots of wagering on mergers and distressed credit, Bloomberg reported on March 16. As assets at his firm have plunged from $38 billion in 2011 to $9 billion -- and most of that is Paulson’s personal fortune -- he has cut his staff and relocated offices.

“We are rightsizing the firm to focus on our core expertise in areas that are growing,” according to a statement Friday from the hedge fund. 

The firm has made money this year in its Pure Spread and European event funds. The Paulson Partners Enhanced Fund, which borrows money to double down on merger bets, has plunged in 2018.

To contact the reporters on this story: Hema Parmar in New York at hparmar6@bloomberg.net, Katherine Burton in New York at kburton@bloomberg.net, Katia Porzecanski in New York at kporzecansk1@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Margaret Collins at mcollins45@bloomberg.net, Vincent Bielski

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