Firm backed by Alibaba founders may form hedge fund

Blue Pool Capital, which invests billions of dollars for wealthy clients, including Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma and Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai, is in advanced talks to back a new hedge fund that’s being planned by a former Asia head of Balyasny Asset Management, according Bloomberg. Avinash Abraham, who left Balyasny earlier this year, plans to start a pan-Asia hedge fund in November through his firm, Torq Capital Management (HK), said the people who asked not to be identified as the discussions are confidential. The market neutral fund will bet on rising and falling stocks, said the people, who didn’t provide details of the size or terms of the investment. Asia-based hedge funds are facing redemption pressures, with investor withdrawals cutting regional industry assets by about 10% this year.