KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - In order to add supplemental products that are consistent with clients' evolving preferences, American Century Investments has launched three new portfolios: American Century Emerging Markets Debt (effective July 29), American Century Strategic Income and American Century Short Duration Strategic Income (both effective July 28).

Emerging Markets Debt, which complements American Century's existing suite of non-U.S. fixed income products, is managed by Senior Portfolio Manager Marge' Karner, Senior Portfolio Manager John Lovito, Senior Portfolio Manager Brian Howell and Senior Portfolio Manager Kevin Akioka, CFA. Strategic Income and Short Duration Strategic Income, which expand upon the firm's fixed income capabilities, are managed by Senior Portfolio Manager Kevin Akioka, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Jeffrey Houston, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager Robert Gahagan, Senior Portfolio Manager Brian Howell and Senior Portfolio Manager Marge' Karner.

"We're introducing these products in response to client demand," said Co-Chief Investment Officer David MacEwen. "Our clients are looking for income, as well as possible ways to help protect themselves from interest rate risk. Additionally, we're delighted to welcome Marge' to the team. Her significant expertise in building out and managing emerging market debt products will be a positive addition to our seasoned fixed income group."

Following are details about the three new offerings and Senior Portfolio Manager Marge' Karner:

Emerging Markets Debt

Emerging Markets Debt is a total return fund whose investment strategy is to incorporate emerging markets debt with a global currency overlay. The team will invest at least 80 percent of the portfolio in fixed income and floating rate securities that are economically tied to emerging market countries markets.

The fund's benchmark is the JP Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Index.

The Investor class shares have a .96 percent management fee.

Strategic Income

Strategic Income is an income fund whose investment strategy employs tactical sector management. The investment team uses an opportunistic sector approach and an income-focused investment process that offers clients broad, multi-sector exposure within its securities. The fund has a 50 percent maximum single sector exposure limit. Duration will be within two years of the fund's benchmark, which is the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

The Investor class shares have a .74 percent management fee.

American Century manages more than $37 billion in fixed income assets as of June 30, 2014.

Short Duration Strategic Income

Strategic Income is an income fund whose investment strategy employs tactical sector management. The investment team uses an opportunistic sector approach and an income-focused investment process that offers clients broad, multi-sector exposure. The fund has a 50 percent maximum single sector exposure limit. Its shorter duration may help mitigate interest rate risk. Duration will be within two years of the fund's benchmark, which is the Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 1 – 3 Year Index.

The Investor class shares have a .74 percent management fee.

Marge' Karner

Marge' Karner is a member of the firm's Macro Strategy Team, which sets investment policy for the Fixed Income group. She joined American Century from International Finance Corporation, where she served as principal investment officer. Previously, she was a senior portfolio manager with HSBC Global Asset Management. Prior to that, she held positions with International Financial Corporation and Barents Group of KPMG.

Karner earned a bachelor's degree in international relations and economics from Wheaton College and a master's degree in international economics and east European studies from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

About American Century Investments

American Century Investments is a leading privately-held investment management firm, committed to delivering superior investment performance and building long-term client relationships since its founding in 1958. Serving investment professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors, American Century Investments offers a variety of actively managed investment disciplines through an array of products including mutual funds, institutional separate accounts, commingled trusts and sub-advisory accounts.

The company's 1,300 employees serve clients from offices in New York; London; Hong Kong; Mountain View, Calif.; and Kansas City, Mo. Jonathan S. Thomas is president and chief executive officer and Victor Zhang and David MacEwen serve as co-chief investment officers. Through its ownership structure, more than 40 percent of American Century Investments' profits support research to help find cures for diseases including cancer, diabetes and dementia. For more information about American Century, visit http://www.americancentury.com.

You should consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges expenses carefully before you invest. The fund's prospectus or summary prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting americancentury.com contains this and other information about the fund, and should be read carefully before investing.

Investment return and principal value of security investments will fluctuate. The value at the time of redemption may be more or less than the original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The value and/or returns of a portfolio will fluctuate with market and economic conditions. International investing involves special risk considerations, including economic and political conditions, inflation rates and currency fluctuations. The fund's investments in fixed income securities are subject to the risks associated with debt securities including credit, price and interest rate risk. The performance of the portfolio is partially dependent on the performance of the underlying American Century funds and will assume the risks associated with these funds.

Expense ratios provided are the funds' total annual operating expense ratios, gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Expense ratios are as of the funds' most current prospectus
Generally, as interest rates rise, the value of the securities held in the fund will decline. The opposite is true when interest rates decline. This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice.

Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accurary. The Index may not be copied, used or distributed without J.P.Morgan's prior written approval. Copyright 2014, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved.

American Century Investment Services, Inc., Distributor.

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