Billionaire capitalist Carl Icahn, one of the most successful investment managers this nation has ever seen—Icahn’s hedge-fund has had returns averaging over 100% for investors since it began—sent his clients a letter stating his intention to return their money by April.  Icahn cites concern for potential losses as the reason he intends to return 95% of his fund’s outside capital.

Icahn wrote:

“While we are not forecasting renewed market dislocation, this possibility cannot be dismissed. Given the rapid market run-up over the past two years and our ongoing concerns about economic outlook, and recent political tensions in the Middle East, I do not wish to be responsible to limited partners through another possible market crisis.”

Read Icahn’s full letter at the NY Times DealB%k blog.

As Nitasha Tiku quipped at New York magazine: “Take note investors: If Icahn, who was known for picking winners, doesn’t want anything to do with your vast piles of money anymore, maybe there’s something the people that do want it aren’t telling you.”

Seems that way, right?