Source: Media OutReach Limited

Mirae Asset Introduces New Global ETF Brand -- Horizons Exchange Traded Funds

HONG KONG--(Marketwire - Nov 4, 2012) -

Important:

  • Horizons Exchange Traded Funds Series (formerly "Mirae Asset TIGER ETF Series") is an umbrella fund with a series of different sub-funds (the "Funds") which are exchange traded funds and which seek to provide investment results that, before deduction of fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of their respective underlying indices.
  • Certain Funds are subject to concentration risk as a result of tracking the performance of a single country, single geographical region (Asia) or single sector. They are likely to be more volatile than a broad-based fund, such as a global equity fund, as they are more susceptible to fluctuations in value of the underlying indices resulting from adverse conditions in that single country, region or sector.
  • Certain Funds invest in Asian emerging markets and are therefore subject to greater risk of loss compared with investments in developed markets due to greater political, economic, taxation and regulatory uncertainty and risks linked to volatility and market liquidity.
  • An investment in the units of the Funds may directly or indirectly involve exchange rate risk.
  • The units of the Funds may trade at a substantial premium or discount to their net asset value.
  • Due to fees and expenses of the Funds, liquidity of the market, foreign exchange costs, and changes to the regulatory policies, the returns of the Funds may deviate from that of their respective underlying indices.
  • Investment involves risks. Investors may lose part or all of their investment. Investors should not base on this document alone to make investment decisions. Before making any investment decision, prospective investor should read the Funds' offering documents (available on www.horizonsetfs.com.hk) carefully for further details, including the product features and risk factors, and should consider seeking independent professional advice.

The Mirae Asset TIGER ETF Series and its eight sub-funds ("ETFs") have been renamed to reflect the synergies of the Horizons acquisition that was completed last year and saw a quadrupling of Mirae Asset Global Investments Group ("Mirae Asset")'s global ETF assets under management.

The Hong Kong-listed ETFs, of which seven were launched on 27 January 2012 and one (renamed "Horizons KOSPI 200 ETF") on 17 January 2011, also stand to benefit from the synergistic relationship that has brought together the global expertise and resources of Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. ("Horizons Canada") and the strong regional track record of Mirae Asset, which is one of the largest investors in emerging market equities1.

Mr. Jung Ho RHEE, Chief Executive Officer of Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited, says, "The rebranding exercise will give added premium to the ETFs' heritage as the Horizons name reflects a model franchise with a sterling track record in Canada which Mirae Asset highly appreciates. This mutually-beneficial cross-border partnership will enable us to more efficiently capture investment opportunities around the world, strengthen our aptitude for innovation and create products to meet the evolving needs of our investors in Hong Kong."

Hong Kong is one of the leading ETF markets in Asia with assets under management of US$28.7 billion, representing a market share of 23% in Asia2. It has grown significantly in recent years with the number of ETFs increasing by well over 500% since 2007. The number of ETF managers and market makers has also doubled within the same period3.

"Our vision is to create the largest independent ETF manager globally by delivering passive and active mandates across multiple asset classes and international markets offering choice and flexibility to every investor. The consolidation of our ETFs under the Horizons brand is a first step towards that goal. This change of ETF names in Hong Kong is a reinforcement of our commitment to delivering unique value and convenience to investors," Mr. Rhee adds.

On 14 November 2011, Mirae Asset acquired an ownership stake of approximately 85% in Horizons Canada, whose ETF family is the largest in Canada by number of funds with 79 ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The acquisition boosted Mirae Asset's global ETF assets under management to approximately US$5.5 billion from US$1.1 billion, previously (as of 30 September 2012). Mirae Asset's majority stake includes Horizons Canada's majority interest in Australia-based BetaShares Holdings Pty. Ltd.

Mirae Asset's global ETF business is managed out of offices in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, the United States, and more recently, Latin America.

"Having a unified brand under the Horizons banner will only help us to achieve greater recognition for our global ETF business," says Mr. Howard Atkinson, Global Head of ETF Sales and Marketing. "Our goal is that wherever we go in the world, investors will see the Horizons brand and recognize it as a standard of excellence in ETFs."

Having a global brand has become an important part of ETF marketing, with most of the major regional ETF companies being part of global organizations which use consistent branding around the world. "There is a certain amount of trust that ETF investors attach to ETF providers with international scale. We expect all of our investors from the various world-wide markets we have businesses in to know that their ETF investments are backed by a strong global company which has access to a comprehensive network of regional and international ETF expertise," Mr. Atkinson adds.

With effect from today, "Horizons" replaces the "Mirae Asset TIGER" portion of the funds' names. A list of the previous and new fund names are provided below.

For additional information, please visit http://www.horizonsetfs.com.hk4.

         
Stock Code   Current Fund Name   New Fund Name
    Mirae Asset TIGER ETF Series   Horizons Exchange Traded Funds Series
2835   Mirae Asset TIGER KOSPI 200 ETF   Horizons KOSPI 200 ETF
3054   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Emerging Asia Consumer ETF   Horizons S&P Emerging Asia Consumer ETF
3056   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Global Consumer Brands ETF   Horizons S&P Global Consumer Brands ETF
3064   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Asia ex JANZ Financials ETF   Horizons S&P Asia ex JANZ Financials ETF
3066   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Asia ex JANZ IT ETF   Horizons S&P Asia ex JANZ IT ETF
3075   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Asia ex JANZ Industrials ETF   Horizons S&P Asia ex JANZ Industrials ETF
3076   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Asia ex JANZ Energy ETF   Horizons S&P Asia ex JANZ Energy ETF
3078   Mirae Asset TIGER S&P Asia ex JANZ Materials ETF   Horizons S&P Asia ex JANZ Materials ETF
         

Company Logos

http://release.media-outreach.com/i/655

http://release.media-outreach.com/i/424

About Mirae Asset (www.miraeasset.com4)

Mirae Asset Financial Group is a leading independent financial services group, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. While the group's core business is asset management, it also provides comprehensive financial services in the areas of wealth management and life insurance.

Mirae Asset Global Investments Group is the asset management arm of Mirae Asset Financial Group. It is one of the largest investors in emerging market equities1. With close to 600 employees, including 130 dedicated investment professionals (as of 30 September 2012), Mirae Asset Global Investments Group has a presence in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam, in addition to its Hong Kong office. Mirae Asset Global Investments Group manages US$53.85 billion in assets globally (as of 30 September 2012).

About Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (www.horizonsetfs.com4)

Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. is an innovative financial services company offering the Horizons ETFs family of ETFs. The Horizons ETFs family includes a broadly diversified range of investment tools with an aim to provide solutions for investors of all experience levels to meet their investment objectives in a variety of market conditions. With approximately US$3.5 billion in assets under management and 79 ETFs listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Horizons ETFs family makes up one of the largest families of ETFs in Canada. Horizons ETFs Management (USA) LLC, an affiliate of Horizons ETFs Management (Canada), also has three ETF in the process of applying registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States for listing. Horizons ETFs is a subsidiary of Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. and a member of the Mirae Asset Financial Group, which collectively oversees approximately US$5.5 billion of assets across 180 ETF listings (data as of 30 September 2012).

1Source: One of the largest investors in emerging market equities amongst 68 asset management firms surveyed - Investing in Emerging Market Equities Survey, Investment & Pensions Europe (IPE) January 31, 2012

2Source: Deutsche Bank Weekly ETF Market Review, 22 October 2012

3Source: HKEx Overview of ETF Market in Hong Kong, 19 June 2012

4The website has not been reviewed by Securities and Futures Commission. It may contain information on funds which are not authorised for sale to the public in Hong Kong and are not available to Hong Kong investors.

Disclaimer

This document is issued by Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited ("Mirae Asset HK") and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Whilst Mirae Asset HK has, to the best of its endeavor, ensured that information compiled by third party sources is accurate, complete and up-to-date, and has taken care in accurately reproducing the information, it shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the accuracy of such information or any use or reliance thereof. None of the Funds is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's and its affiliates ("S&P"). S&P makes no representation, condition or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Funds particularly or the ability of their underlying indices to track the performance of certain financial markets and/or sections thereof and/or of groups of assets or asset classes. Please read the full disclaimers in relation to the underlying indices in the Funds' offering documents. KOSPI 200 is a service mark of the Korea Exchange licensed for use by Mirae Asset HK. The information contained in this document does not constitute any recommendation, offer or solicitation to enter into any transaction. 

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