CI Investments announces launch of funds focusing on U.S. dividends and global corporate bonds

TSX Symbol: CIX

TORONTO, Jan. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - CI Investments Inc. ("CI") today announced the launch of two new mutual funds: Cambridge U.S. Dividend Registered Fund and CI Investment Grade Bond Fund.

Cambridge U.S. Dividend Registered Fund provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying companies with the stock selection expertise of the Cambridge Global Asset Management team. In addition, the fund offers the potential for enhanced returns through an exemption from the 15% U.S. withholding tax on dividends paid by American companies. To achieve the exemption, the fund is available only to certain registered accounts, including registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs) and registered retirement income funds (RRIFs). The fund's portfolio will be similar to that of Cambridge U.S. Dividend Fund, which is available to all account types.

The investment objective of Cambridge U.S. Dividend Registered Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation and dividend income. It invests primarily, directly or indirectly, in equity securities of U.S. companies that pay, or may be expected to pay, dividends.

"The launch of Cambridge U.S. Dividend Registered Fund is especially timely, as the Cambridge team believes that American dividend-paying stocks constitute a compelling investment opportunity today," said Derek J. Green, CI President. "The Cambridge approach to dividend investing focuses on high-quality growing companies with sustainable payouts that will rise over time."

The award-winning Cambridge team manages over $13 billion and has offices in Boston and Toronto. The Lead Portfolio Manager of Cambridge U.S. Dividend Registered Fund and Cambridge U.S. Dividend Fund is Stephen Groff and Chief Market Strategist Robert Swanson is Co-Manager.

In a related development, Mr. Groff was named Portfolio Manager of Cambridge American Equity Fund and Cambridge American Equity Corporate Class, effective immediately. Alan Radlo, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Cambridge, continues as Co-Manager of the funds. Mr. Groff has seven years of investment experience and has been Co-Lead Manager of Cambridge Pure Canadian Equity Fund and Co-Manager of Cambridge Canadian Growth Companies Fund since 2012.

The investment objective of CI Investment Grade Bond Fund is to seek to generate income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of corporate bonds rated BBB- and above by a recognized bond rating agency and issued anywhere in the world. The portfolio will invest primarily in Canadian, U.S. and European corporate bonds. The fund will pay a monthly distribution. The portfolio advisor is Marret Asset Management and the Lead Portfolio Manager is Paul Sandhu, who has 30 years of domestic and international fixed-income experience.

"This fund expands CI's diverse lineup of income funds by being our first to invest primarily in investment-grade corporate bonds," said Mr. Green. "Paul Sandhu and the Marret team bring considerable experience and expertise in credit investing to this mandate."

About CI Investments – Canada's Investment Company
CI Investments is one of Canada's largest investment management companies. It offers a wide range of investment products and services, including an industry-leading selection of investment funds, and is on the Web at www.ci.com. CI is a subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. (TSX: CIX), an independent, Canadian-owned wealth management firm with $133 billion in assets as of November 30, 2014.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all 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. Cambridge Global Asset Management is a business name of CI Investments Inc. used in connection with its subsidiary, CI Global Investments Inc. Certain portfolio managers of Cambridge Global Asset Management are registered with CI Investments Inc.

SOURCE CI Financial Corp.

Derek J. Green, President, CI Investments, [phone]