(September 19 – 14:10 ET) – Mackenzie Financial Corp. is launching a new line of global equity funds to be distributed by its wholly owned subsidiary MRS. The funds offer investors exposure to the world’s leading companies with an innovative strategy that features low portfolio turnover.

The Keystone Premier Funds are based on an investment concept successfully managed and distributed by Premier Asset Management PLC in the United Kingdom. The new funds are sub-advised by Premier Fund Managers Ltd., and represent the first product offerings from the UK-based fund company since Mackenzie purchased a 24.9% interest at the end of 1999.

The flagship fund, Keystone Premier Global Elite 100 Fund, invests exclusively in 100 of the world’s largest companies. A second fund, Keystone Premier Euro Elite 100 Fund will similarly pursue long-term capital growth by investing primarily in equity securities of 100 of the largest publicly traded companies in Europe.

“With the Keystone Premier Funds, we have taken a proven strategy that has received strong support in the UK market and made it available to Canadian investors through our relationship with Premier Asset Management PLC” said Laurie Munro, president of the MRS Group of Companies, distributors of the KEYSTONE funds. “We are very excited about the opportunity, and are confident that the concept will have strong appeal to financial advisors and investors alike.”

According to Mackenzie the funds’ disciplined and efficient buy-and-hold strategy is expected to result in a lower rate of portfolio turnover than typical global equity funds, and should therefore be particularly attractive for taxable investors.

“These funds offer Canadian taxable investors a new option”, notes David Scandiffio, asst. vice president, marketing for the MRS Group of Companies. “While global equity funds typically turn over about two-thirds of their portfolio in any given year, the UK version of the Global Elite 100 has historically reported a turnover rate under 10% — a critical advantage for taxable investors.”

RSP-eligible versions of both global equity funds that qualify as 100% Canadian content have also been made available.
-IE Staff