Solid management and an annual return rate of more than 32% over the past five years have resulted in significant recognition for Talvest’s Global Health Care Fund: the Canadian financial services industry has named it Canada’s Best Specialty Fund for 2001.

The award was presented to Talvest Fund Management at last night’s annual Canadian Mutual Fund Awards Gala in Toronto.

“This is quite an honour and distinction for the person who manages our Talvest Global Health Care fund, and a great credit to our organization,” said Murray Douglas, president of Talvest Fund Management. “It also reinforces the wise decision of investors who have chosen this fund, and of the analysts and advisors who have recommended it.”

Launched in November 1996, the Talvest Global Health Care Fund currently holds over $620 million in assets. Since its inception, the fund has never posted a negative return in any 12-month period between October 1997 and November 2001.

“Demographics in both developed and emerging countries favour the long-term growth of health care, so the outlook continues to be very positive for this fund,” said Mr. Douglas. “The manager of the fund — Ed Owens at Wellington Management Company — applies a fundamental, value-oriented approach to the global health sector, focusing on companies in five healthcare sub-sectors.”