Evolve Enters into Agreement to Purchase ETF Management Contracts from Sphere

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Evolve Funds Group Inc. ("Evolve"), a Canadian Exchange Traded Fund provider, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Sphere Investment Management Inc. ("Sphere"), to purchase the management contracts for each of the following five Sphere listed Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs"):

• Sphere FTSE Canada Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHC)
• Sphere FTSE US Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHU)
• Sphere FTSE Europe Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHE)
• Sphere FTSE ASIA Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHA)
• Sphere FTSE Emerging Markets Sustainable Yield Index ETF (TMX: SHZ)

Evolve has agreed to acquire the right to manage the five ETFs with approximately $68MM in assets under management, subject to obtaining unitholder and regulatory approvals.

"We are excited to expand and complement our existing product lineup with Sphere's suite of ETFs," said Raj Lala, President & CEO at Evolve. "As an innovative ETF provider, this transaction will further deepen our commitment to providing Canadian investors with products designed to address the changing global economic environment."

"We are very pleased that Sphere's products will be managed by Evolve and add a dimension to an already impressive array of products," said Keith McLean, CIO for Sphere. "These ETFs will continue to act as a core holding for client portfolios, as they provide an opportunity for good risk adjusted returns and enhanced yield for investors."

"The family of Sphere ETFs will continue to be offered as part of the carefully selected range of product solutions that we offer to our clientele," said Stuart Raftus, President of Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management in Canada. "We look forward to working with the team at Evolve, as they share our commitment to providing innovative investment opportunities for investors."

While the acquisition is subject to regulatory and unitholder approvals, it is expected the ETFs will continue to utilize a strategy that follows the Sustainable Yield Indices. Unitholders will be asked to approve the transaction at special meetings of the ETFs to be held on December 11, 2017. Further details of the special meetings and the proposals will be described in an information circular that will be available at www.sedar.com and www.sphereetfs.com on or about November 10, 2017.

About Evolve Funds Group Inc.
Evolve specializes in bringing innovative ETFs to Canadian investors. Currently, Evolve has eight ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Evolve's suite of ETFs provide investors with access to: (i) long term investment themes; and (ii) some of the world's leading investment managers. Established by a team of industry veterans with a proven track record of success, we create investment products that make a difference. For more information, please visit www.evolvefunds.com.

SOURCE Evolve Funds Group Inc.

Media contacts: For Sphere: John Durfy, [email protected], 416.687.5436; For Evolve: Keith Crone, [email protected], 416.572.2111