(January 12 – 15:25 ET) – Signature Select Canadian Fund managed by Eric Bushell was the number one Canadian equity fund in 2000, C.I. Funds announced today, based on fund rankings compiled by Globe HySales.

The fund gained 34.3% during the year, putting it at the top of both the Canadian equity and Canadian large cap equity categories, containing 480 funds. This compares to a total return of 7.4% for the TSE 300 Composite Index. “Eric has an impressive track record of achieving superior returns with below-market volatility,” said Peter W. Anderson, President of C.I. Mutual Funds Inc.

The fund, which was launched in May 1998, has a two-year average annual return of 30.9%, versus 18.9% for the TSE 300. Bushell is also lead portfolio manager of the Signature Dividend Income Fund and Signature Dividend Fund.

Bushell uses a conservative, contrarian approach that goes beyond number crunching, says C.I. “We add value by developing superior investment ideas,” he says. For example, Mr. Bushell made significant investments in natural gas companies two years ago, correctly anticipating that growing U.S. demand and declining production would lead to sharply rising prices.
-IE Staff