Auspice Capital Advisors Launches First ETF Tied to Canadian Crude Oil

CALGARY, May 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Auspice Capital Advisors Ltd. (Auspice), a leading alternative investment manager, is pleased to announce the launch of its Canadian Crude Oil Index ETF, which will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today under the ticker symbol "CCX". 

Auspice's Canadian Crude Oil Index ETF seeks to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the Canadian Crude Excess Return Index, which is designed to measure the performance of the Canadian crude oil market in an investable format.

"Canadian crude oil does not get its due on the world stage — it is a poorly visible commodity," said Tim Pickering, President and CIO, Auspice Capital Advisors. "Our Canadian Crude Oil Index ETF is the first of its kind in Canada and the first ETF launched under the Auspice brand name.  We are excited to offer an ETF that lets investors participate in the Canadian crude oil market in a pure way, rather than by buying the stocks of oil producers.  We believe that we are meeting significant demand for an easy to understand product linked to this highly sought after market."

The Canadian Crude Index (CCI™) is a benchmark for oil that is produced in Canada.  The CCI™ reference price is displayed in U.S. dollars and represents a rolling three-month exposure, which is intended to improve liquidity, lower transaction costs and reduce the effect of contango and backwardation.

"The Canadian Crude Index gives investors a tool to better understand the price of Canadian crude that simply did not exist before," added Pickering.  "West Texas Intermediate is not an accurate measure of the price of Canadian oil, yet is the one that is most commonly referenced in Canada.  This index is a transparent, liquid benchmark that may increase the number of investors participating in Canadian crude. By increasing transparency and participation in the commodity outside of the wholesale community, we hope that we are making a contribution to getting crude oil produced in Canada fair global awareness, transparency, and pricing.   This benefits producers and Canada as a whole."

CCX has closed the offering of its initial units and it will begin trading on the TSX when the market opens this morning.

About Auspice Capital Advisors, Ltd.

Auspice is Calgary Canada based fund manager of non-correlated alternatives which since 2006 has partnered with global institutional and retail clients. Led by a respected PM team with institutional pedigree from an Energy major and Canadian bank, Auspice employs a disciplined, rules-based approach to investment management and manages a suite of award-winning and innovative investment products available in a variety of delivery mechanisms (funds, ETFs, indices, managed accounts).

Auspice is registered as a portfolio manager (IFM, CTM, EMD) in Canada and a CTA with the NFA. Auspice is the manager and trustee of the ETF, and is responsible for providing or arranging for the administrative and third party services required.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Auspice Capital Advisors Ltd. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

SOURCE Auspice Capital Advisors Ltd.

James DeCosimo, Kaiser Lachance Communications, [phone] x218, [email protected]