CQS to launch Asian convertible arb hedge fund

London-based hedge fund manager CQS plans to launch an Asian-focused fund at the beginning of May 2007.The CQS Asia Fund will be a US dollar-denominated absolute-return fund targeting 15%-plus returns. The fund will focus on convertible bond and equity strategies, investing across Asia with a volatility bias. Jean-Christophe Blanc, who has been head of Asia convertible bonds at the flagship $3.7 flagship CQS Fund since 2002, will work on the new fund with a team of 11 based in London…