Mackenzie Investments launches gold bullion mutual fund

Mackenzie Universal Gold Bullion Class offers access to capital gain and safe haven potential of gold bullion

TORONTO , Jan. 7 /CNW/ - Mackenzie Financial Corporation ("Mackenzie Investments") today introduced Mackenzie Universal Gold Bullion Class (the "Fund"), which will invest from 80% to 100% of its assets in gold bullion and/or permitted gold certificates. The Fund may also invest from time to time, directly or indirectly, in silver, platinum, palladium and/or equity securities of companies which produce or supply precious metals.

Widely regarded as a safe haven and as a hedge against inflation, geopolitical risks and depreciating currencies, gold can play an important role in constructing investment portfolios. "Introducing this fund expands what is already one of the strongest natural resource fund lineups in Canada ", said David Feather , President of Mackenzie Financial Services Inc. "Mackenzie Universal Gold Bullion Class is a convenient and secure way for investors to gain exposure to the price appreciation potential, inflation protection and diversification benefits of gold bullion."

Lead manager for the Fund will be Benoit Gervais, Vice President, Investments at Mackenzie who has ten years of natural resource investment and industry experience. Benoit is lead manager of Mackenzie Universal Precious Metals Fund and Mackenzie Universal World Precious Metals Class and will be supported by 25-year resource investment veteran Fred Sturm , Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Strategist of Mackenzie.

As part of Mackenzie Investment's Capitalcorp structure, Mackenzie Universal Gold Bullion Class offers investors the ability to switch between the Fund and more than 50 other Capitalcorp funds on a tax-deferred basis. Mackenzie Universal Gold Bullion Class is available in both Canadian and US dollar versions.

Full details about the new fund, including simplified prospectuses, can be found at www.mackenziefinancial.com.

Mackenzie Investments

Mackenzie Investments was founded in 1967, and is a leading investment management firm providing investment advisory and related services. With $63.6 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2009 , Mackenzie Investments distributes its services through a diversified network of third-party financial advisors. Mackenzie Investments is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM) group of companies. IGM Financial is one of Canada's premier financial services companies with over $120 billion in total assets under management as of December 31, 2009 .

For further information: Trish Tervit, Environics Communications Inc., [phone], [email protected]