On The Shelf:

(May 5, 2008) Capital International Asset Management Canada launched a new fund Monday — the Canadian Core Plus Fixed Income, a quality-focused fund with global high yield flexibility, says the company.

“Canadian Core Plus adds geographic and sector diversity to investors’ portfolios and draws from the experience and resources of sub-advisor Capital Guardian Trust Company, a pioneer in global investing,” says Mark Tiffin, president of Capital International Asset Management. “At the same time, its fees are among the industry’s lowest.”

The two managers leading the fund are Michael Locke and Mark Brett, who bring a combined total of 42 years of investing experience to the table.

The company says the fund benefits from Capital Guardian’s research process, which involves bond analysts working with global based equity analysts “for a better understanding of the risks and opportunities represented by the corporate bond issuers.”

Most of the fund’s assets will be invested in investment-grade Canadian bonds, such as government, corporate and mortgage and asset-backed bonds.

Franklin Templeton offers flexible T-series

(May 5, 2008) Franklin Templeton has announced the launch of a new “Flexible Series T” option on some funds, which allows investors to select a tax-efficient income stream of between zero and 8%.

The withdrawal rate is based on the net asset value from the previous year-end, divided into 12 equal monthly payments. Distributions not taken as cash flow can be reinvested in the fund. Investors may adjust their payout rate at any time, at no charge.

“Flexible Series T provides you the ability to customize your rate of monthly cash flow up to the maximum annual distribution rate, which can be adjusted at any time to accommodate your changing needs,” says Jennifer Ball, senior vice-president, Franklin Templeton Investments.

The option is available in 13 mutual funds and portfolios and 14 Corporate Class versions. Like the classic T-series, this version uses a return-of-capital structure to maintain tax efficiency of distributions.

(05/05/08)

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.