Blackstone eyes hedge funds, property in Asia

US-based Blackstone plans to increase investments in Asia with a particular focus on property, but it will also seek hedge fund seeding opportunities, says chief executive Stephen Schwarzman. “Prices in Asia have been, over the last few years, quite high,” he said while in Hong Kong on Friday. “We look at Asia now in a much more positive way.” Since the start of the year, the private equity giant has increased its headcount by 20% in the region, where it now has 191 staff. The…