Lippers honour

The Lipper Fund Awards were handed out in Toronto last night; recognition of industry “virtuosos” was the theme of the evening. After the past year of market turbulence, that meant honouring those who limited their losses.

The Awards program highlights funds that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance, relative to peers. In Canada, trophies are awarded to funds based on one-year performance, within the 20 largest CIFSC classifications according to assets under management. Certificates are awarded for best-in-class funds over three-, five- and ten-year horizons.

Fidelity Investments Canada took home nine awards, including the one-year award in the Canadian Income Trust Equity category for the Fidelity Income Trust Fund, and the one-year award in the Asia ex-Japan Equity category for the Fidelity Far East Class.

“We’re proud to be honoured by Lipper as the top funds in a number of different fund categories, which is especially meaningful in these challenging market conditions,” said Rob Strickland, president, Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. “The Lipper awards illustrate that investment managers need to perform in all markets. The long-term strength and experience of Fidelity shines through in volatile times.”

AGF Funds took home three awards, including two group awards and one individual fund award. The company was named Best Overall Fund Family and Best Mixed Asset Fund Family, and the AGF Canadian Balanced Fund was named Best Canadian Equity Balanced Fund.

“We are thrilled that Lipper has recognized AGF as a leader in the Canadian investment industry, honouring us with these prestigious awards,” said Blake Goldring, chairman and CEO of AGF Management Limited. “These accolades indicate the strength and quality of our investment management capabilities as well as our product lineup, from mutual funds to managed asset programs.”

RBC best in bonds

RBC Asset Management was named Best Bond Fund Family, based on its risk-adjusted performance over a three-year time period ended December 31, 2008. This comes on the heels of two consecutive wins in this category by Phillips, Hager & North, which is now owned by RBC.

“The combined expertise of RBC AM and PH&N results in a strong and diversified range of fixed income funds for investors to choose from,” said Doug Coulter, president of RBC AM.

The company also took home several individual awards. PH&N High Yield Bond Fund took home awards in the High Yield Fixed Income category for one-, three- and five-year periods.

The RBC Canadian Bond Index Fund won awards for the one-, three- and five-year periods, while RBC Global Precious Metals Fund was named best in Precious Metals Equity for its one-year performance.

The National Bank Financial Group won 10 awards, including best Canadian Short Duration Fixed Income (one-year return) for the Altamira Short Term Government Bond Fund, and best US Small/Mid Cap Equity for the one-year return on the Altamira Select American Fund.

“We’re incredibly proud of our range of mutual funds. Being awarded such merit shows the level of meticulousness with which our portfolio managers approach markets, and the excellence of the products we offer,” said Charles Guay, president and CEO of National Bank Securities. “The different categories won at the 2009 Canadian Lipper Awards clearly demonstrate the scope of our expertise and the quality of our fund line-up.”

For a full list of the winners, check out the Lipper website.

(04/29/09)