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From Hedge Fund To Homeless: The Richard Perry Story

Reported by Dealbreaker
Nov 16, 2020· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Richard Perry closed Perry Capital LLC in 2016 after managing the hedge fund for 28 years with peak assets under management of approximately $15 billion, marking a significant departure from one of the hedge fund industry's established figures.
  • • Perry Capital's performance included positive year-to-date returns (referenced at nine percent in available sources), demonstrating continued operational competence prior to the fund's closure.
  • • Perry's investment portfolio included notable positions in retail assets, including involvement with Barneys and JC Penney stock holdings, which he subsequently reduced—illustrating concentrated bets in struggling retail sectors during the mid-2010s period.
  • • Perry's career trajectory included mentorship relationships within the hedge fund industry, most notably launching the career of Chris Hohn, and professional connections to prominent financial figures including Bob Rubin and family ties to Bear Stearns leadership.
Summary
Richard Cayne Perry, born February 9, 1955, built one of the hedge fund industry's longest-running operations before winding down Perry Capital LLC in 2016 after 28 years of management. At its peak, the New York-based firm managed approximately $15 billion in assets under management, establishing Perry as a closely-watched figure among institutional investors and hedge fund circles.

Perry's early career included work for prominent figures such as Bob Rubin, and his family connections included his uncle's role at Bear Stearns, positioning him within established financial networks. Over his nearly three-decade tenure managing Perry Capital, he demonstrated consistent operational performance, with available sources noting nine percent year-to-date gains at various points during the fund's operation.

A notable aspect of Perry's investment strategy involved concentrated positions in retail and consumer-facing companies. His involvement with Barneys New York and subsequent holdings in JC Penney stock represented significant portfolio allocations during periods of retail sector distress. Perry's decisions to reduce his JC Penney position marked visible market moves by a closely-monitored hedge fund manager, drawing institutional attention to his positioning and conviction shifts.

Beyond his fund management role, Perry's career legacy includes identification as a talent developer within the hedge fund industry, most significantly launching the career of Chris Hohn. His 2016 decision to close Perry Capital represented a strategic retreat from active hedge fund management after nearly three decades, marking the end of an extended period in which Perry's investment decisions and portfolio moves carried measurable weight within institutional investment markets.

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Sources

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Dealbreaker From Hedge Fund To Homeless: The Richard Perry Story