Horizons BetaPro Q4 2009 Advisor Sentiment Survey: Investment advisors more
optimistic

    
    Advisors have become increasingly bullish on equities, commodities and
    the loonie
    

TORONTO , Oct. 7 /CNW/ - BetaPro Management Inc. ("BetaPro") has released the results of its Q4 2009 Advisor Sentiment Survey. The advisors surveyed have become more bullish on their outlook for broader equity markets, the Canadian dollar and commodities, while remaining cautious on Canadian financials and U.S. longer dated bonds.

"This quarter, advisors are most bullish on a diverse group of benchmarks, in particular emerging market equities, commodities and the Canadian dollar," said Howard J. Atkinson, President of BetaPro. "This paints a picture of a recovery led by emerging countries, one that demands resources - of which Canada has plenty - to fuel economic growth."

The results of the survey, completed between September 18 and September 30 by over 300 advisors representing approximately $20 billion in assets under management, revealed that advisors have become more optimistic than last quarter on commodity plays, such as crude oil and silver, both with 68% of advisors bullish, while 60% of advisors were bullish on natural gas and gold. Expected strength in commodities is also likely supporting optimism for the loonie, with 68% of advisors expecting gains against the U.S. greenback. As well, advisors have increased their positive outlook for emerging markets (68% vs. 47% bullish last quarter). However, advisors are less bullish on U.S. equities than their Canadian counterparts this quarter (49% for the S&P 500 vs. 62% for the TSX 60), reflecting ongoing concerns for the economy and corporate earnings south of the border.

BetaPro is the largest exchange traded fund ("ETF") provider by number (38 ETFs) and the Horizons BetaPro ETFs are the most frequently traded ETFs by share volume in Canada . BetaPro assets grew by 539% in 2007, by over 225% in 2008 and 58% YTD in 2009. Horizons BetaPro ETFs are a unique series of investment tools which allow investors to profit or protect in bull and bear markets with exposure to 15 key equity, bond, currency, and commodity benchmarks. BetaPro, the manager of the Horizons BetaPro ETFs, is the sole provider of leveraged, inverse-leveraged and single inverse ETFs in Canada and the world's first provider of leveraged, inverse-leveraged and single inverse commodity ETFs.

About the Sentiment Survey

BetaPro conducts the only quarterly sentiment survey of Canadian investment advisors. The survey quantitatively measures advisors' quarterly outlook as it relates to 15 key benchmarks covering equities, bonds, currency and commodities. Full survey results are available at http://www.HBPETFs.com/sentimentSurvey.asp.

About BetaPro Management Inc.

Horizons BetaPro Exchange Traded Funds ("HBP ETFs") are managed by BetaPro Management Inc., Canada's sole provider of investment tools allowing investors to profit when the market is rising or falling, or to reduce their risk by hedging their existing market exposure. Horizons BetaPro ETFs offer three types of structures: Bull+/Bear+ leveraged ETFs, single ETFs, and single inverse ETFs. The HBP Bull+ ETFs and HBP Bear+ ETFs are designed to provide daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to double the daily performance, or double the inverse daily performance, respectively, of their specified underlying index or benchmark. The HBP Inverse ETFs are designed to provide daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the one times the inverse of their specified underlying index or benchmark. The HPB Single ETFs are designed to provide investment results, before fees, expenses, distributions, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, that endeavour to correspond to the performance of their specified underlying index.

BetaPro is a subsidiary of Jovian Capital Corporation (JOV: TSX) and manages, as of September 30, 2009 , approximately $2.8 billion amongst 38 ETFs.

For further information: Howard Atkinson, CFA, CIMA, ICD.D, President, BetaPro Management Inc., [phone], [email protected]; Joanne Kearney, Fleishman-Hillard Canada, [phone], [email protected]