Canadian investors can now tap into a powerful lineup of intelligent exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through a suite of new mutual funds unveiled by Invesco Trimark Ltd.

Launched Monday, PowerShares Funds combine many of the key features of ETFs traded on U.S. exchanges with those of mutual funds offered in Canada.

“ETFs have quickly gained traction among investors for their diversification benefits when combined with actively managed funds, their portfolio transparency, low fees, and easy access to both broad market and specialized asset classes,” says Peter Intraligi, president of Invesco Trimark, a subsidiary of Invesco.

“In creating PowerShares Funds, we drew on the strength of Invesco’s global resources and independent vision to package PowerShares intelligent ETFs in the benefit-rich and tax-efficient mutual fund corporate structure. It really is the best of both worlds for Canadian investors.”

PowerShares ETFs are listed for trading on stock exchanges in the United States and other jurisdictions outside of Canada.
PowerShares Funds seek to outperform traditional market-capitalization-weighted benchmarks by using intelligent indexing strategies. The next-generation indices on which the funds are based are designed for investors with investment objectives that go beyond merely tracking the market. They also offer investors access to global regions and niche markets that may be difficult or cost prohibitive to access through traditional mutual funds, Invesco Trimark says.

“PowerShares Funds allow investors to enjoy enhanced portfolio risk management, U.S.-dollar currency hedging, tax efficiency and competitive total costs,” says John Ciampaglia, Invesco Trimark’s senior vice president of product development.

He adds that “financial advisors — particularly those without direct access to the ETF market — can help their clients build stronger, more effectively diversified portfolios that are tax- and cost-efficient.”

Eight funds are now available:

• PowerShares FTSE RAFI Canadian Fundamental Index Class Invests in companies incorporated in Canada with the highest fundamental weightings.

• PowerShares Canadian Dividend Index Class Invests in companies incorporated in Canada that are traded on a major Canadian exchange and have had stable or increasing annual regular dividend payments for the past five or more consecutive years.

• PowerShares Global Agriculture Class Invests primarily in issuers engaged in the agriculture or farming industries, or who provide goods and/or services to companies engaged in such industry sectors.

• PowerShares Global Gold and Precious Metals Class Invests primarily in issuers from around the world engaged in gold and other precious metals mining industry sectors.

• PowerShares Global Water Class Invests in issuers from around the world engaged in the water industry.

• PowerShares Global Clean Energy Class Invests primarily in issuers from around the world engaged in cleaner energy and conservation.

• PowerShares FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Fundamental Class Invests primarily in issuers engaged in emerging markets with the highest fundamental weightings.

•PowerShares Golden Dragon China Class Invests primarily in issuers in China listed on U.S. exchanges.

IE