CQS, the $11.2 billion multi-strategy group led by Michael Hintze, is starting to gain traction in its European distressed fund ahead of what looks likely to be an opportunity-rich time for distressed investing in Europe.
The multi-asset-class CQS European Distressed Fund was launched in August last year with $42 million of seed capital. Assets have just passed the $100 million mark and the fund has performed steadily in a difficult last few months for distressed strategies.
CQS European Distressed posted a positive return of 0.23% to the end of 2011 – compared with losses in most other European distressed funds – and was up by just over 1% in January.
The portfolio...