Big Numbers Go With Gross

Bill Gross and big numbers go together, as our story on page 1 shows with its estimate on the value of the publicity that came with the Bond King’s jump from Pimco to Janus Capital topping $300 million. The Total Return Fund that Gross had run for Pimco saw more than $10 billion in withdrawals in his immediate wake—a much faster pace than the steady outflows of the past year or so, when it shrunk from an all-time high of nearly $300 billion … More big numbers: $300 million to $400 million—about what Pimco saves on salaries with the resignations of Gross and his erstwhile heir-apparent, Mohamed El-Erian. Or, as one wise wag put it, more than enough to draw financing for an acquisition of an asset the size of, say, Janus … Janus, meanwhile, arranged a toehold for Gross at 520 Newport Center, within sight of his old firm’s HQ, setting up what could be the most intriguing juxtaposition of offices since Attorney General Bobby Kennedy squared off with Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa. Will Pimco and Janus engage in a West Coast version of that competition, vying to be the first in each morning? … Pimco CEO Doug Hodge put on an impressive display of stamina in the first few days of life after Gross, reassuring jittery investors, rallying staff, and plowing through a grueling interview on CNBC. Hodge also kept a commitment to supporters of El Sol Science and Arts Academy in Santa Ana, graciously co-hosting with wife Kylie Schuyler a fundraiser for the charter school at their Emerald Bay home. “It’s been a tough week,” Schuyler observed, to which Hodge interjected, “It’s only Tuesday” … Big number on another deal: $54.4 billion—Allergan’s market value as the closing bell neared last week, about $1 billion higher than the value of Valeant’s hostile bid … Seemed the New York press was in a hurry to give the impression that Allergan’s run at Salix—widely viewed as a Valeant stopper—isn’t happening. That take didn’t look necessarily so as the Insider went to press … Fusion took center stage at the Hispanic 100 Foundation’s 10th anniversary gala on Sept. 26 at the Balboa Bay Resort, where Mariachi Divas’ big brass, pronounced bass and violins made for a fine rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner … Then came some fusion on the political side, with Hollywood star Edward James Olmos honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as keynoter. Don’t call it a Red-Blue split—Olmos went out of his way to let the crowd know he’s an independent … The Hispanic 100 Foundation did more than show off its musical and political chops—the group also raised about $150,000 for its mentorship programs … More fusion at the Sept. 19-21 Newport Beach Food & Wine Festival, where chef Jo-Jo Doyle of the Honda Center dished out his phozole—a mix of Vietnamese pho and Mexican pozole. It hit the spot—and showed how far Broadcom founder and Ducks owner Henry Samueli’s Anaheim Arena Management has come since it took the food and beverage business at the stadium in-house about a year ago … Tom and Joyce Tucker were on the other side of the Southern California hockey divide during a recent visit to the home of cousin Dan Beckerman, CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the L.A. Kings. Don’t pay any mind if you hear rumors that Joyce was in her cups—but the Insider can confirm that she did sip from the Stanley Cup.