Investors Group expands the Investors Summa Fund FamilyTM
More “green” and socially responsible options for Canadians
Winnipeg – November 6, 2007: Canadians concerned about the social and environmental impact of their financial decisions have new investment opportunities today, with the expansion of the Investors Summa Fund Family from Investors Group.
The fund family now includes the Investors Summa SRITM Fund, Canada’s largest socially responsible investing fund established in 1987, and the newly launched Investors Summa Global SRITM Fund and Investors Summa Global Environmental LeadersTM Fund. Corporate Class versions of each mandate are also available today*.
“Our research shows that one-in-three (34 per cent) Canadians say that socially responsible investing is more important to them today than it was five years ago,” said John Wiltshire, Senior Vice-President of Product and Financial Planning at Investors Group. “The expanded Investors Summa Fund Family provides a comprehensive range of options for the growing numbers of Canadians who want to invest some, or all of their savings in environmental and socially responsible funds.”
The Investors Summa SRI Fund is primarily invested in Canadian equities. The launch of the Summa Global SRI Fund affords investors the opportunity for greater exposure to globally diversified investments.
The Summa Global Environmental Leaders Fund will focus on companies that are creating innovative or emerging solutions to environmental issues, such as climate change, water scarcity, and pollution. In addition, the fund intends to invest in companies with environmental practices that set a standard within environmentally sensitive industries.
“Increasingly, investment decisions are less a conflict between profitability and environmental responsibility,” says Dan McClure, co-portfolio manager of Investors Summa SRI Fund and portfolio manager of the new Investors Summa Global Environmental Leaders Fund.. “Companies that are strong on the environment are, by and large, well managed companies that represent a strong investment opportunity.”
More findings from new Investors Group research
According to the findings of a recent Harris/Decima Research poll commissioned by Investors Group, 56 per cent of Canadians believe environmental considerations are an important part of any socially responsible investment decision. Other socially responsible investment factors ranked by Canadians as important include prohibitions against: alcohol or tobacco investments (42 per cent); weapons (53 per cent); child labour (79 per cent) and poor human rights practices (70 per cent).
“Canadians are increasingly sensitive to social and environmental issues and more sophisticated in their definition of socially responsible investing,” said Wiltshire. “Investors Group is committed to provide investment opportunities that are compatible with our clients’ financial and social interests.”
A total of 2,055 surveys were completed with Canadian adults between September 4th and September 13th 2007, using the Harris Decima online panel. A sample of 2,055 respondents provides estimated proportions that are accurate to within, at most, ± 2.2% at the 95% confidence level. That is, 95 times out of 100, the real value of the variable in the total population will lie within ± 2.2% of the estimated proportions provided by the sample. One time out of 20, the real value of the variable in the population will fall outside this range.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual funds investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The Funds are distributed across Canada by Investors Group Financial Services Inc., (in Quebec, a financial services firm.)
*Investors Summa SRI Class, Investors Summa Global SRI Class and Investors Summa Global Environmental Leaders Class are separate classes of Investors Group Corporate Class Inc.
Investors Group, founded in 1926, is a national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians through a network of over 4,200 Consultants located throughout Canada. In addition to an exclusive family of mutual funds and other investment vehicles, Investors Group offers a wide range of insurance, securities, mortgage and banking services. Investors Group is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM) group of companies. IGM Financial is one of Canada’s premier financial services companies with over $125 billion in total assets under management.
TM Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
| For more information contact: | |
|---|---|
| Ron Arnst Media Relations (204) 956-3364 ron.arnst@investorsgroup.com |
Teresa Pagnutti Environics Communications (416) 969-2721 tpagnutti@environicspr.com |
