Contact Information: Media Contact Tom Carter President Registered Representative of ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS Advisors Inc. 1290 Broadway Suite 1100 Denver, CO 80203 303.623.2577 TEL 303.623.7850 FAX www.alpsinc.com
ALPS Advisors Enhances Boutique Investment Lineup With "Fund Adoption"
Wellington Management Sub-Advised 'Activa Fund' Fills Important Niche for Denver-Based Asset Manager
| Source: ALPS Advisors, Inc.
DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - September 2, 2009) - ALPS Advisors, Inc. (ALPS), a leading provider
of advisory solutions to the investment management industry, today
announced the adoption of the Activa Value Fund. Shareholders have approved
the replacement of Activa Asset Management, the fund's previous adviser,
with ALPS Advisors, Inc.
Wellington Management Company, LLP, Activa Value Fund's sub-adviser, will
continue to manage the investment portfolio. The approximate $75 million
fund -- the successor to the Amway Mutual Fund launched in 1971 -- has been
merged into a newly created offering of the ALPS-sponsored Financial
Investors Trust. "Fund adoptions," unlike fund closings or liquidations,
allow a sub-scale fund with a good track record to find new life with an
acquiring asset manager. The ALPS adoption of the Activa Value Fund will
provide investors continued access to Wellington Management's 'Value
Intersection' investment approach.
"Our mission at ALPS is to fill niche investment segments with distinctive
solutions, and I can't imagine a more ideal fit to that strategy than
Wellington Management's 'Value Intersection' approach," said Corey Dillon,
Vice President and Director of Institutional Advisory Services for ALPS
Advisors, Inc. "Having a top-notch manager like Wellington Management
running such an important investment space gives us an impressive edge in
the marketplace."
Activa Value Fund's portfolio manager, Mammen Chally, CFA, will maintain
his role for ALPS. Mr. Chally is a member of Wellington Management's
Intersection team and manages the Activa Value Fund by using a blend of
quantitative and fundamental analysis. Wellington Management's proprietary
methodology blends the advantages of quantitative and fundamental analysis,
allowing the portfolio manager room to adapt to market conditions while
remaining consistent on style and results.
Fund Adoptions
The fund represents the first of what ALPS believes will be a number of
fund adoptions for its Financial Investors Trust. The dramatic drop in
asset values from the market's peak in 2008 has forced many asset managers
and mutual fund companies to reevaluate product lineups and many are
choosing to consolidate their smaller, often unprofitable, offerings.
The process is highly attractive for a progressive firm like ALPS as it can
adopt specific funds to plug specific spaces without having to buy an
entire complex. "A key strategy for us going forward will be adopting
products in areas we're not already managing and relying on our
distribution platform to build assets," says Dillon. "The Activa Value Fund
is a perfect example of the kind of quality offering we're looking to add
to our investment lineup."
The Activa Value Fund is being offered in two share classes covering
institutional and retail audiences and will be available on most mutual
fund platforms and through financial intermediaries.
Shareholders who have received or may receive profit sharing bonuses from
Amway Global will continue to have a portion of their profit sharing
invested in Activa Value Fund and employees of Amway Global will continue
to have the option to invest their retirement assets in the Value Fund.
An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges, and
expenses carefully before investing. The Prospectus contains this and other
information. For more complete information about the Activa Value Fund or
to obtain a Prospectus, call (800) 346-2670. Please read the Prospectus.
An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principle.
About ALPS Advisors, Inc.
ALPS Advisors, Inc. ™ is a Denver-based outsourcing solution for
administration, compliance, fund accounting, legal, marketing, tax
administration, transfer agency and shareholder services for open-end,
closed-end, hedge, and exchange-traded funds. ALPS has approximately $18
billion in client mutual fund assets under administration and ALPS
Distributors, Inc. provides distribution services to over $220 billion in
client assets, as of June 30, 2009. For more information, visit
www.alpsinc.com.
ALPS is a registered trademark or trademark of ALPS Fund Services, Inc.™
in the United States and other countries. All other brand names, product
names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Corey Dillon and Tom Carter are Registered Representative of ALPS
Distributors, Inc.
Wellington Management is an independent and unaffiliated investment
sub-adviser to the Activa Value Fund. ALPS Distributors is unaffiliated
with Wellington Management and Amway Global.
Amway Global is a multilevel marketing company that produces consumer
products.
The Activa Value Fund is distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.
CFA is a trademark owned by the CFA Institute.