York Capital Management Overview and Investment Approach

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York Capital Management is a global investment firm that has been around since 1991.

The firm was founded by James Dinan, who serves as its President and Chief Investment Officer.

York Capital Management is known for its long-term value approach, focusing on event-driven and special situations investments.

Their investment approach is centered around identifying undervalued companies with strong fundamentals, often in industries undergoing significant change or disruption.

About York Capital Management

York Capital Management was founded by James Dinan in 1991, after he lost almost everything in the 1987 stock market crash. He started the firm with funds raised from former colleagues at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

Dinan named the firm after the New York avenue he was living on at the time. In just six years, the hedge fund manager was overseeing more than $610 million in assets.

Background

York Capital Management was founded by Jamie Dinan in 1991 after he lost almost everything in the 1987 stock market crash. He started the firm with funds raised from former colleagues at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

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The firm was named after the street Dinan was living on at the time, York Avenue. This humble beginning was a far cry from the success the firm would eventually achieve.

In just six short years, York Capital Management was overseeing more than $610 million in assets. This rapid growth caught the attention of Credit Suisse, which bought a third of the firm for $425 million a decade later.

Jamie Dinan still leads the firm as chairman, CEO, and managing partner, though he named his eventual successors in 2017.

Team

York Capital Management has a strong team behind it.

The company has 26 team members, which is a significant number that suggests a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

One notable member of the team is Brian Traficante, who serves as the current Chief Compliance Officer.

Investment Strategies and Philosophy

York Capital Management employs a fundamental analysis, bottom-up approach to make its investments, focusing on three event-driven investing strategies: merger and acquisition transactions, distressed securities and restructuring opportunities, and special situation equity investing.

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The firm's investing strategies vary depending on the fund, but generally, it invests and trades in securities to exploit inefficiencies in the market.

York Capital may use a range of strategies and instruments, including leverage, event-driven and arbitrage transactions, and balance sheet arbitrage.

Here are some of the specific strategies and instruments York Capital may use:

  • Leverage, including margin loans
  • Event-driven and arbitrage transactions
  • Balance sheet arbitrage
  • Investments in distressed companies
  • Speculative purchases of “special situation” securities
  • Equity securities
  • Short sales
  • Debt obligations
  • Below investment-grade securities
  • Second lien loans
  • Non-performing loans and participations
  • Distressed secured loans
  • Direct loans
  • Bankruptcy claims
  • Options trading
  • Stock index options trading
  • Securities of non-U.S. issuers
  • Real estate investments
  • Residential mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities
  • Regulatory capital relief trades
  • Sovereign debt investments
  • Ships, including, without limitation, freight carriers or vessels
  • Start-up entities
  • Private equity investments
  • Hedging strategies
  • Swap transactions
  • Credit default swaps
  • Futures contracts
  • Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements

Investing Philosophy

York Capital Management takes a flexible approach to investing, with strategies that vary depending on the fund.

The firm's investing philosophy is centered around exploiting market inefficiencies, as stated in its ADV form brochure.

York Capital uses a fundamental analysis, bottom-up approach to make its investments, focusing on event-driven investing strategies such as merger and acquisition transactions, distressed securities, and restructuring opportunities.

The firm invests and trades in securities, looking to capitalize on market inefficiencies.

York Capital's investing strategies may include leverage, event-driven and arbitrage transactions, balance sheet arbitrage, and investments in distressed companies.

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Here's a list of some of the specific strategies and instruments York Capital may use:

  • Leverage, including margin loans
  • Event-driven and arbitrage transactions
  • Balance sheet arbitrage
  • Investments in distressed companies
  • Speculative purchases of “special situation” securities
  • Equity securities
  • Short sales
  • Debt obligations
  • Below investment-grade securities
  • Second lien loans
  • Non-performing loans and participations
  • Distressed secured loans
  • Direct loans
  • Bankruptcy claims
  • Options trading
  • Stock index options trading
  • Securities of non-U.S. issuers
  • Real estate investments
  • Residential mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities
  • Regulatory capital relief trades
  • Sovereign debt investments
  • Ships, including, without limitation, freight carriers or vessels.
  • Start-up entities
  • Private equity investments
  • Hedging strategies
  • Swap transactions
  • Credit default swaps
  • Futures contracts
  • Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements

Diversity

York Capital Management has a diverse workforce with a mix of men and women, with 36% of employees being women and 64% being men. The company's employee base is also reflective of the US population, with 49% identifying as White, 20% as Hispanic or Latino, and 18% as Asian.

The average employee at York Capital Management makes $73,151 per year, which is a decent salary for a financial services company. This suggests that the company is able to attract and retain top talent.

Employees at York Capital Management stay with the company for an average of 4.0 years, which is a relatively long tenure for a financial services company. This could indicate that the company is able to provide a positive work environment and opportunities for growth and development.

Here's a breakdown of the demographics at York Capital Management:

Funds and Portfolio

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York Capital Management has a diverse portfolio with various funds catering to different investment strategies. One of the notable funds is the York Multi-Strategy fund, which is part of the Global Multi-Strategy Funds.

York Capital Management has 8 funds in total, including YSOF III Prairie Coinvest, which closed on April 22, 2020, with an amount of $800M. The funds are managed to provide various investment opportunities.

The funds can be categorized into different types, such as Distressed Opportunities Funds and Regional Multi-Strategy Funds. York Capital Management also has funds focused on specific regions, like York European Opportunities and York Asian Opportunities.

Assets, Funds, Holdings

York Capital Management has a range of funds to invest in, including the York Multi-Strategy, York Select, and York Total Return funds, which are part of their Global Multi-Strategy Funds.

These funds are designed to provide a diversified portfolio, with the York Multi-Strategy fund offering a broad range of investment opportunities.

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The York Capital Management funds also include Distressed Opportunities Funds and Regional Multi-Strategy Funds, such as the York European Opportunities and York Asian Opportunities funds.

There are 8 fund histories available, which provide valuable insights into the performance of York Capital Management's funds.

Here are some key facts about the funds:

The funds have varying amounts of capital, with YSOF III Prairie Coinvest having a closing amount of $800M, while the other funds have amounts listed as $XXM.

Portfolio Exits

York Capital Management has a notable portfolio exit history. Their latest portfolio exit was Famaron in November 2021.

The company has a total of 10 portfolio exits, with Famaron being the most recent one. This suggests that York Capital Management has a diverse portfolio and is actively involved in various investment opportunities.

One of their notable exits was Genoa Cricket and Football Club, which was acquired by 777 Partners in September 2021. The valuation of this exit is listed as $XXM.

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Another exit worth mentioning is Enovix, which was involved in a reverse merger with Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition in July 2021. The valuation of this exit is also listed as $XXM.

York Capital Management's portfolio exits are a testament to their investment strategy and ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities.

Here's a summary of their portfolio exits:

15 Acquisitions

York Capital Management has made a significant impact with its 15 acquisitions, showcasing its strategic investment approach. Their latest acquisition was Healthcare Linen Services Group on April 6, 2022.

They acquired Global Solar Fund on June 17, 2021, for an undisclosed valuation. Famar was another notable acquisition, made on March 30, 2020, with a total funding of $253.2 million.

The company's investment stage varied across these acquisitions, with some being private equity deals and others involving debt. The valuations of these companies are not publicly disclosed.

Here's a breakdown of their acquisitions:

Fund History

York Capital Management has a long history of managing funds, with 8 funds currently under its umbrella. The company was founded in 1991 by Jamie Dinan, who started his career at Kellner DiLeo & Company before losing his entire $600,000 in savings in the 1987 market crash.

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Jamie Dinan was able to raise $3.6 million from his former colleagues and started York Capital in 1991. His fund earned credibility with a 33.8 percent return in 1993, and by 2000, the fund had over $610 million in assets.

One of York Capital's funds, YSOF III Prairie Coinvest, was closed on April 22, 2020, with an amount of $800M. Unfortunately, we don't have information on the other funds, as some details are hidden behind a subscription wall.

Here's a list of York Capital's funds with their closing dates and amounts:

Services and Fees

York Capital Management offers a range of services, including advising and providing administrative services to hedge, private equity, and UCITS funds.

The firm also manages collateralized loan obligation funds and serves as an investment advisor to institutional managed accounts, accounts related to its founders, and separately managed accounts of investors who meet certain requirements.

York Capital's management fees vary from fund to fund and according to share class, ranging from 1% to 2% annually, with a performance-based fee that can be up to 20% of the aggregate profits or distributions.

Services Offered

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York Capital Management offers a range of services that cater to various investment needs. They advise and provide administrative services to hedge funds, private equity funds, and European UCITS funds.

Their expertise extends to managing collateralized loan obligation funds, which involve pooling loans to create a single investment vehicle. This type of fund is often used to invest in a large number of smaller loans, reducing risk and increasing potential returns.

York Capital also serves as an investment advisor to institutional managed accounts, which are accounts managed on behalf of large organizations, such as pension funds or endowments. Additionally, they advise accounts related to their founders and may also manage separately managed accounts for investors who meet certain requirements.

Fees

York Capital's management fees are based on a percentage of assets under management, with annual fees ranging from 1% to 2%.

They also collect a performance-based fee, which can be up to 20% of the aggregate profits or distributions.

For some accounts, the management fees are negotiated and can be as low as 0.5% annually.

You can contact York Capital to discuss your specific fee arrangement.

Watch Out For

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York Capital reported a single disclosure within the past 10 years, related to its affiliate York Capital Management Europe (UK) failing to cover a short position in a timely manner in the York European Focus Funds in May 2013.

This incident resulted in a fine of 100,000 euros, which York UK chose to pay to avoid the expense and distraction of litigation in the Spanish courts.

York UK's decision to pay the fine rather than contest it suggests that the company prioritized avoiding further financial and reputational costs over pursuing a potentially lengthy and costly legal battle.

This incident highlights the importance of timely risk management and compliance practices for investment firms like York Capital.

Rankings and Recognition

York Capital Management has received recognition for its work environment. They are ranked #74 on the Best Finance Companies to Work For in New York list.

Their ranking is based on unbiased, data-based evaluations from Zippia's Best Places to Work lists. These evaluations consider salaries, company financial health, and employee diversity.

York Capital Management's position on the list reflects their commitment to creating a positive work environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the owner of York Capital Management?

James Dinan is the founder, chairman, CEO, and managing partner of York Capital Management. He established the firm in 1991.

How big is York Capital Management Fund?

York Capital Management manages approximately $18 billion in assets. This includes a private equity platform and other investment strategies.

What companies does York Capital own?

York Capital Management's top holdings include Cedar Fair, The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund, NextDecade Corporation, and others in the energy and oil sectors. These companies make up a significant portion of York Capital's investment portfolio.

Greg Brown

Senior Writer

Greg Brown is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in the world of finance. With a focus on investment strategies, Greg has established himself as a knowledgeable and insightful voice in the industry. Through his writing, Greg aims to provide readers with practical advice and expert analysis on various investment topics.

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