Hedge fund discloses £47m bet against Pru

One of the UK's best known hedge fund groups has taken a £47m bet against Prudential in the lead-up to its proposed $35.5bn acquisition of AIA.

Lansdowne Partners, which has $16bn under management, revealed a 0.32% short position in the insurer yesterday, believed to first short-seller to reveal a disclosable short in Pru since the acquisition was announced, The Times reports. Pru is next month set to vote on a $20bn capital raising to finance the AIA deal, with further details set to be unveiled next week. Lansdowne has previously had short positions in Prudential, but ceased to have a disclosable position in December. The hedge group has been active during the financial crisis, profiting from share price falls at Norther...