NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging Markets Great Consumer Fund - Class I (MICGX) (the "Fund"), launched by Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA) LLC ("Mirae Asset USA") in September 2010 marks its third anniversary with a 5-star rating from Morningstar. Based on its three-year risk-adjusted performance through September 30, 2013, Emerging Markets Great Consumer Fund - Class I received a 5-star overall rating in the Diversified Emerging Markets (out of 382 funds) category. The Fund returned 8.77%, 6.32% and 6.72% (annualized) for the one-year, three-year and since inception periods, respectively. The Fund's benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets NR Index, returned 0.98%, -0.33% and 0.37% for the same periods, respectively.
Mirae Asset's Great Consumer® investment strategy looks beyond the consumer staples and discretionary sectors to invest across a range of industry sectors that may benefit from the new and growing consumer base in the emerging markets. Emerging Markets Great Consumer Fund employs a highly selective, bottom-up approach in research and stock selection through on-the-ground research from teams located around the world. Mirae Asset USA manages over $4.7 billion in equity and fixed income assets, and Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd., the parent company, manages over $55 billion globally (as of 8/31/13) and is one of the world's largest investment managers in emerging market equities.*
*Source: Investment & Pensions Europe, January 2013
The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital growth based on the unique investment opportunities presented by consumption patterns in the emerging markets. Since 2009, Mirae Asset has carefully examined the emerging market consumption phenomenon. Mirae Asset estimates that the number of middle class consumers in emerging markets will reach 960 million by 2020; this is compared to 77 million Baby Boomers in the U.S. – a generation widely acknowledged to have had a profound and lasting impact on both economic output and domestic consumption. In October 2012, Mirae Asset USA registered "Great Consumer®" as a trademark.
"This anniversary marks an important milestone for Mirae Asset Global Investments in the United States," said Peter Graham, CEO of Mirae Asset USA and President of the Mirae Asset Discovery Funds. "Although we launched the Fund at the beginning of a difficult period for emerging market performance, this fund represents a compelling, long-term investment strategy supported by the emerging markets consumption growth story."
As one of the firm's first registered products offered to U.S. investors, Emerging Markets Great Consumer Fund is now available through most major wire house firms, independent broker dealers and registered independent advisors.
For more information on emerging markets consumption megatrends, please visit Mirae Asset USA's website at http://investments.miraeasset.us.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represent past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. Share price and investment return fluctuate and an investor's shares may be worth more or less than original cost upon redemption. For periods more than one year, performance is annualized. For performance data as of the most recent month-end please call (888) 335-3417 or visit investments.miraeasset.us. Total expense ratio: Class I Shares 3.36%. (Net expense ratios after fee waiver and reimbursement: 1.60%). Inception date Class I Shares: 9/24/2010.
Star ratings are based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The overall rating is a weighted average of the 3-, 5- and 10-year (if applicable) returns. 5 stars = top 10% of funds in an asset category; 4 stars = next 22.5% of funds; 3 stars = next 35%; 2 stars = next 22.5% and 1 star = next 10%. A fund must be in existence three years to be rated. Ratings are subject to change monthly. As of 9/30/2013, the fund received a 5 star rating for the 3 year period out of 382 Diversified Emerging Market Funds. Ratings reflect fee waivers in effect; in their absence, ratings may have been lower.
©2013 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Morningstar and/or its content providers are the proprietors of this information; do not permit its unauthorized copying or distribution; do not warrant it to be accurate, complete or timely; and are not responsible for damages or losses arising from its use.
Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging Market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.
The MSCI Emerging Markets NR Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties.
This press release is neither a solicitation to buy nor an offer to sell securities. An offering can only be made by prospectus, which can be obtained from Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA) LLC.
An investor should consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. This and other important information about the investment company can be found in the Fund's prospectus. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your financial advisor or call (888) 335-3412. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA) LLC is the investment adviser for the Mirae Asset Discovery Funds.
The Mirae Asset Discovery Funds are distributed by Funds Distributor, LLC.
About Mirae Asset Global Investments
Mirae Asset Global Investments is one of the world's largest investment managers in emerging market equities (Investments & Pensions Europe, January 2013). With over 550 employees, including 123 dedicated investment professionals, Mirae Asset offers a breadth of emerging markets expertise. Mirae Asset's offices are located in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Taiwan, the U.K., the United States and Vietnam. The firm manages over $56 billion in assets globally through a diversified platform to offer market-leading franchises in traditional equity and fixed income products, ETFs and alternative strategies, such as real estate, private equity and hedge funds. Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA) LLC is focused on providing equity and fixed income investment advisory services to mutual funds, foreign investment trusts and institutions. (www.miraeasset.com)