BlackRock launches Asian absolute return fund for Swan

Will have long and short positions

BlackRock has launched an Asian equity long/short fund to be co-run by head of Asian equities Andrew Swan.

The BSF Asia Pacific Absolute Return fund will typically invest in 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. Swan will co-manage the fund alongside Oisin Crawley, co-head of research for the Asian equities team, and they will be supported by a 21-strong team based in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Is criticism of absolute return funds justified? The UCITS fund will target positive returns regardless of market movements and look to exploit underappre...