(March 13 – 09:40 ET) – Morningstar Canada’s latest rankings tip C.I. Fund Management Inc. as the top-performing fund company in Canada.

Morningstar says C.I. Funds has managed to earn eight of its coveted five-star ratings for its funds, in the period ending February 28. This represents 14% of C.I. funds that are eligible for ratings.

“They have done this through a demonstrated ability to produce superior risk-adjusted investment returns,” says Morningstar.

Morningstar ratings are based on long-term performance records and all funds with a three-year track record are subject to the ratings. The ratings are a quantitative, unbiased, and objective assessment of a mutual fund’s historical risk-adjusted performance relative to its peers. In Canada, the peer groups are determined by the fund categories as defined by the Investment Funds Standards Committee.

Scudder Maxxum Co. came a close second to C.I., with seven five-star funds. That amounts to 41% of Scudder’s eligible funds.

Three companies tied for third place with six top-rated funds, including AGF Funds Inc., Mackenzie Financial Corp. and Great-West Life Assurance Co.

Fourth place was also a three-way tie, with Phillips Hager & North Investment Management, Fidelity Investments Canada Ltd. and CIBC Securities Inc. all tied.

TD Mutual Funds tied for fifth place with Elliott & Page Limited.