CI Financial's assets under management grow 2.7% in January

TSX Symbol: CIX

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - CI Financial Corp. ("CI") today reported assets under management at January 31, 2012 of $71.5 billion, an increase of $1.9 billion or 2.7% for the month of January.

Total assets were $93.2 billion, up $2.1 billion or 2.3% over the month. CI's assets under management at January 31, 2012 were up $2.1 billion or 3.0% from the average for the fourth quarter of 2011.

CI also reported assets under administration at Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. of $21.8 billion.

"The gains in equity markets in January reflect the strengthening economic recovery in the United States and globally and set a positive tone for the start of 2012," said Stephen A. MacPhail, CI President and Chief Executive Officer.

"CI remains well positioned this year with our exceptional lineup of portfolio management teams, who continue to post strong results relative to competitors," Mr. MacPhail said. "Highlights include: the Cambridge Canadian Asset Allocation and Cambridge Canadian Equity funds, managed by Cambridge Advisors; a number of funds managed by Signature Global Advisors, especially the income-focused balanced funds such as Signature High Income Fund and Signature Diversified Yield Fund; and CI's Portfolio Series, which has established a notable 10-year track record."

Also in January, CI Investments Inc. and Sun Life Financial announced several enhancements to the SunWise Essential Series segregated funds, including the option to receive a guaranteed income for life as early as age 55, the launch of 14 new funds, and the addition of CI Private Investment Management, a program designed to meet the unique needs of higher net worth investors.

CI is scheduled to release its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 on February 16, 2012.

Additional information about CI's assets and financial position can be found below in the tables of preliminary statistics and on its website, www.ci.com/cix, in the Statistics section. These are the only statistics authorized by CI and CI takes no responsibility for reporting by any external sources. 

CI FINANCIAL CORP.
January 31, 2012
PRELIMINARY MONTH-END STATISTICS

ENDING ASSETS	Jan. 31/12 (millions)	Dec. 31/11 (millions)	% Change	Jan. 31/11 (millions)	% Change
Assets under management	$71,457	$69,558	2.7%	$73,692	-3.0%
Assets under administration*	21,782	21,544	1.1%	22,888	-4.8%
TOTAL	$93,239	$91,102	2.3%	$96,580	-3.5%

MONTHLY AVERAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT	Jan. 31/12 (millions)	Dec. 31/11 (millions)	% Change
Monthly average	$70,875	$69,381	2.2%

QUARTERLY AVERAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT	Jan. 31/12 (millions)	Dec. 31/11 (millions)	% Change
Quarterly average	$70,875	$69,349	2.2%

FISCAL AVERAGE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT	Fiscal 2012 (millions)	Fiscal 2011 (millions)	% Change
Fiscal year average	$70,875	$72,186	-1.8%

EQUITY		FINANCIAL POSITION (millions)
Total outstanding shares QTD weighted avg. shares Yield at $21.57 In-the-money options Percentage of all options All options % of shares	283,615,348 283,613,940 4.2% 4,979,190 93% 1.9%	Debt outstanding Net debt outstanding Terminal redemption value of funds	$760 $719 $780

* Includes CI and United Financial funds administered by Assante advisors.

ESTIMATED GEOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE OF AUM
Canada	51%	Asia	3%
United States	22%	Other	4%
Europe	9%	Cash	11%

CI Financial Corp. (TSX: CIX) is an independent, Canadian-owned wealth management company. CI offers a broad range of investment products and services, including an industry-leading selection of investment funds. CI is on the Web at www.ci.com/cix.

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to CI and its products and services, including its business operations and strategy and financial performance and condition. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among other things, general economic and market factors, including interest rates, business competition, changes in government regulations or in tax laws, and other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Stephen A. MacPhail
President and Chief Executive Officer
CI Financial
[phone]