BlackRock has launched an Asian equity long/short absolute return fund to be managed by Oisin Crawley and Andrew Swan.
The firm said the BlackRock Strategic Funds (BSF) Asia Pacific Absolute Return fund will invest in stocks benefiting from structual reform but short those facing internal and external pressures.
Co-head of research for Asian equities Mr Crawley, and head of Asian equities Mr Swan, will run the strategy with support from a team of 21 based in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The Class A share class will have an ongoing charges figure (OCF) of 1.98 per cent, a 20 per cent performance fee and a minimum investment of £5,000.
It will typically hold approximately 40 to 60 long and 40 to 60 short positions, including the use of equity swaps, contracts for difference, index futures or exchange traded funds, and the selective use of equity options.
BlackRock said the liquid equity long/short Ucits will target a positive absolute returns regardless of volatility in Asian markets.
Alex Hoctor-Duncan, head of EMEA retail at BlackRock, added: “The BSF Asia Pacific Absolute Return Fund is for investors who are keen to explore what the region has to offer and want to diversify their portfolio, without taking on excessive market risk.”
