MSCI Barra says to launch hedge fund index for Asia

HONG KONG Feb 19 (Reuters) - Index compiler MSCI Barra said on Tuesday it would launch a new index designed to capture the overall structure and composition of the hedge fund universe in the Asia-Pacific region.

The MSCI Asia-Pacific Hedge Fund OPTIX Index will be composed of only funds that are open to new subscriptions and with at least monthly liquidity, according to a statement from the index compiler.

The index has been licensed to Natixis Alternative Investments, which along with SPARX International, will be involved in selecting the members.

Construction of the index is to begin in March 2008 and will launch with around 20 constituent funds. (Reporting by Rafael Nam; Editing by Sue Thomas)