NEW: First Asset Preferred Share ETF (TSX: FPR) and First Asset Long Duration Fixed Income ETF (TSX: FLB)

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Actively Managed by CI's Signature Global Asset Management

TORONTO, May 17, 2016 /CNW/ - First Asset Investment Management Inc. ("First Asset") is pleased to announce the launch of First Asset Preferred Share ETF (TSX:FPR) and First Asset Long Duration Fixed Income ETF (TSX:FLB).

Signature Global Asset Management, an affiliate of First Asset and a division of CI Investments Inc., is the Portfolio Manager for both funds. Signature Global Asset Management, led by its Chief Investment Officer, Eric Bushell, manages over $50 billion in core equity, balanced and income-oriented funds, and is CI Investments Inc.'s largest in-house portfolio management group. These two actively managed ETFs will each be managed by sector specialists within Signature Global Asset Management.

Preferred Shares: An Evolving and Complex Market
First Asset Preferred Share ETF is actively managed in order to address the complexities of, and capitalize on the opportunities provided by, the preferred share market as it changes and evolves.  New issues with varied and complex features make it a challenging market for average investors to understand and invest in wisely.  John Shaw of Signature Global Asset Management, with his deep understanding of the preferred share market, is well placed to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the current dislocation in the preferred share market and add long term value.  

First Asset Preferred Share ETF's investment objective is to provide unitholders with regular distributions; and the opportunity for capital appreciation from the performance of a portfolio comprised primarily of preferred shares of North American issuers. This actively managed portfolio will be comprised primarily of investment grade preferred shares and to a lesser extent investment grade corporate debt and convertible bonds. At least 75% of the Preferred Shares and Corporate Debt in the portfolio of FPR shall be rated investment grade at the end of every reporting period (June 30^th and December 31^st). More information about First Asset Preferred Share ETF is available at http://firstasset.com.

Rate Specialists Offering Strategic Expertise
First Asset Long Duration Fixed Income ETF provides exposure to longer dated government bonds, with the higher level of income and lower correlation to equity markets that they provide.  A well-known hedge against equity market dislocation, longer duration government fixed income securities can represent an important component in strategic and tactical asset allocation.  Fixed income specialist portfolio manager, Kamyar Hazaveh of Signature Global Asset Management is the lead portfolio manager. 

First Asset Long Duration Fixed Income ETF's investment objective is to provide unitholders with regular distributions and the opportunity for capital appreciation from the performance of a portfolio comprised primarily of longer dated developed markets, Canadian and U.S. government issued fixed income securities. More information about First Asset Long Duration Fixed Income ETF is available at http://firstasset.com.

Signature Global Asset Management:  Sector Specialists
John Shaw, Vice President, Portfolio Management and Portfolio Manager, is the lead portfolio manager of FPR.  Mr. Shaw leads the Investment Grade Bond sector team for Signature Global Asset Management and has managed Signature's preferred share portfolio for over 10 years.  Mr. Shaw has experience in international credit analysis, trading and portfolio management.  Mr. Shaw holds a BA in Economics from Queen's University and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Kamyar Hazaveh, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, is the lead portfolio manager of FLB.  Mr. Hazaveh leads a team of rate specialists and manages fixed income with Signature Global Asset Management.  He has eight years of investment industry experience specializing in G10 fixed-income, cash and derivatives analysis, trading and portfolio management.  Mr. Hazaveh holds a Master of Mathematical Finance (MMF) degree from the University of Toronto.

FPR and FLB have completed the initial offering of their respective securities and will commence trading today on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

First Asset – Smart Solutions^TM
First Asset, a CI Financial Company, is a Canadian investment firm delivering a comprehensive suite of smart ETF solutions. Rooted in strong fundamentals, First Asset's smart solutions strive to deliver better risk-adjusted returns than the broad market, while helping investors achieve their personal financial goals.

Please read the prospectus before investing. Important information about the Fund is contained in its prospectus. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, prior to investing. Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs") are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in ETFs. The Funds are managed by First Asset Investment Management Inc., a subsidiary of First Asset Capital Corp. (FA Capital).  ^TMFirst Asset and its logo are trademarks of FA Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CIX".  ®CI FINANCIAL is a registered trademark of CI Investments Inc., used under license.

SOURCE First Asset

please call Investor Relations, First Asset at 416-642-1289 or 1‐877‐642‐1289 or visit www.firstasset.com.