World's First Marijuana ETF Reaches $1 Billion in Assets

Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF hits key industry milestone in asset growth

TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2018 /CNW/ - Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. ("Horizons ETFs") is pleased to announce that the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF ("HMMJ") has reached CAD $1 billion in assets under management ("AUM").

HMMJ is the first and largest ETF in the world to offer direct exposure to an investable index of North American-listed companies with business activities in the marijuana industry. The ETF reached its $1 billion milestone in a relatively short amount of time – 16 months.  

"When we launched HMMJ in April of 2017, we knew there would be significant interest in a Marijuana companies ETF – given the tremendous potential of the sector," said Steve Hawkins, President and CEO of Horizons ETFs. "HMMJ's growth has far exceeded our expectations as investors have strongly supported the sector in anticipation of Canada's upcoming recreational marijuana legalization."

HMMJ is an index (or passively managed) ETF, which seeks to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the North American Marijuana Index (the "Index"), net of expenses. The Index is designed to provide exposure to the performance of a basket of North American publicly listed life sciences companies with significant business activities in the Marijuana industry. The Index selects from a current universe of companies that have operations that may include one or more of biopharmaceuticals, medical manufacturing, distribution, bio-products and other ancillary businesses related to the Marijuana industry.

"One of the key drivers of HMMJ's rapid asset growth speaks to the investor demand and desire for a diversified portfolio of Cannabis companies versus buying individual stocks," said Mr. Hawkins. "While there are clearly leaders in the Marijuana equity sector, nobody knows for sure which companies will truly be successful over the long term or even be swallowed-up. HMMJ's one-ticket, diversified investment solution has become very popular with investors looking to get broader exposure to the sector while mitigating single-stock risk without being subject to any active management bias."

HMMJ has also generated very strong returns. Since its inception, the ETF has returned 78.5% on an annualized basis and is up more than 162% for the 12-month period ending August 31, 2018.

Annualized Performance^*

	1 Month	3 Months	6 Months	YTD	1 Year	Since Inception^**
Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (HMMJ)	32.19%	21.74%	22.13%	16.00%	162.51%	78.49%

^* As at August 31, 2018. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in per unit value and reinvestment of all dividends or distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. The rates of return shown in the table are not intended to reflect future values of the Horizons Exchange Traded Products or returns on investment in the Horizons Exchange Traded Products.

** Performance since inception on April 4, 2017, as at August 31, 2018.

About Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (www.HorizonsETFs.com)

Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. is an innovative financial services company and offers one of the largest suites of exchange traded funds in Canada. The Horizons ETFs product family includes a broadly diversified range of solutions for investors of all experience levels to meet their investment objectives in a variety of market conditions. Horizons ETFs has more than $11 billion of assets under management and 83 ETFs listed on major Canadian stock exchanges. Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. is a member of the Mirae Asset Global Investments Group.

Commissions, management fees and applicable sales taxes all may be associated with an investment in the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF managed by Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (the "ETF"). The ETF is not guaranteed, its values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The prospectus contains important detailed information about the ETF. Please read the prospectus before investing.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to a future outlook and anticipated distributions, events or results and may include statements regarding future financial performance. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Horizons ETFs undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

SOURCE Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc.

For investor inquiries: 1-866-641-5739 (toll-free) or [phone], [email protected]; For press or other inquiries: Contact Jonathan McGuire, Manager, External Communications, [phone], [email protected]

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