News Releases

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - July 24, 2016) - BMO Global Asset Management is pleased to announce that the BMO Pyrford Global Absolute Return Fund received a Morningstar Analyst Rating™ of 'Silver' (17 June 2016), its first Morningstar Analyst Rating™ after becoming available to the intermediary market in Australia 18 months ago.

The BMO Pyrford Global Absolute Return Fund was awarded the rating for the first time by Morningstar in its 2016 multi asset sector review, which recognized the Fund for its long track record of consistent performance derived from a straightforward approach to multi-asset investing.

The Fund is run by one of BMO Global Asset Management's world-class specialized managers, Pyrford International - a London-based investment team with a successful track record of more than 22 years.

The long-only Fund invests in high quality global equities, global sovereign bonds and cash. It has a two-year track record in Australia and implements the same investment philosophy as its U.K. offering, although it is managed in A$ and to an Australian CPI + 4% investment objective. Since its inception, BMO has raised over A$600 million in the Fund.

"The Morningstar Analyst Rating™ marks an important milestone in our long-term commitment to the Australian market," said Tony Cousins, CIO and CEO of Pyrford International.

"We're proud of the recognition BMO Pyrford Global Absolute Return Fund has received with this rating and the success it has achieved in providing financial advisers with a liquid and transparent vehicle to help navigate their clients through the current investment environment," said Ravi Sriskandarajah, Managing Director, BMO Global Asset Management (Asia Pacific). "Absolute-return investing doesn't necessarily have to be accessed through complex strategies. The long-only and unconstrained approach of the Fund over the long term can, and has, yielded attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors."

In July 2013, BMO Global Asset Management opened its Australian office - led by Mr. Sriskandarajah - to serve institutional investors and intermediary channels. In late 2014, the firm added former AQR Vice President Michael Angwin to the team to lead their efforts in building their intermediary channel.

Commenting on the Morningstar Analyst Rating™, Mr. Angwin said, "Feedback from this channel suggests strategies such as those that Pyrford employs will continue to grow in demand in this period of greater uncertainty, where real returns characterised by low volatility are a viable means of managing factors such as sequencing risk."

About BMO Global Asset Management

BMO Global Asset Management is a global investment manager with offices in more than 25 cities in 14 countries, delivering service excellence to clients across five continents.

Our four major investment centers in Toronto, Chicago, London and Hong Kong are complemented by a network of world-class boutique managers strategically located across the globe: BMO Real Estate Partners, LGM Investments, Monegy, Inc., Pyrford International Ltd., and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC. BMO Global Asset Management is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment initiative (UNPRI).

BMO Global Asset Management is a part of BMO Financial Group, a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America with total assets of CDN $681 billion as of April 30, 2016, and over 45,000 employees. BMO Wealth Management has worldwide assets under management of CDN $377 billion (USD $300).

BMO Global Asset Management is the brand name for various affiliated entities of BMO Financial Group that provide investment management, trust and custody services. Certain of the products and services offered under the brand name BMO Global Asset Management are designed specifically for various categories of investors in a number of different countries and regions and may not be available to all investors.

Products and services are only offered to such investors in those countries and regions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. BMO Financial Group is a service mark of Bank of Montreal (BMO).

The information in this document is directed only at professional advisers and those persons in Australia who are wholesale persons (including financial advisers). The document does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase any security or investment product. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and an investor may receive less than the amount invested. The investments and strategies discussed here may not be suitable for all investors; if you have any doubts you should consult your investment adviser. Performance data shown in the document may not be in the base currency of the country where an investor is based. Actual returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.

Pyrford International Limited (Pyrford) and LGM Investments Limited (LGM) are exempt from the requirement to hold a financial services license under the Corporations Act in respect of financial services it provides to wholesale investors in Australia. Pyrford and LGM are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under UK laws, which differ from Australian laws.

Perpetual Trust Services Limited ABN 000 142 049, AFSL 236648 (PTSL) is the responsible entity of, and issuer of units in, the BMO Pyrford Global Absolute Return Fund (Fund) ARSN 168 994 205 (the Fund). A Product Disclosure Document (PDS) issued by PTSL dated 5 May 2014 is available for the Fund. You should obtain and consider the PDS before deciding whether to acquire, or continue to hold, an interest in the Fund. Initial Applications for units in the Fund can only be made pursuant to the application form attached to the PDS.

© 2016 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither Morningstar, its affiliates, nor the content providers guarantee the data or content contained herein to be accurate, complete or timely nor will they have any liability for its use or distribution. Any general advice or 'class service' have been prepared by Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892) and/or Morningstar Research Ltd, subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc, without reference to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Refer to our Financial Services Guide (FSG) for more information at www.morningstar.com.au/s/fsg.pdf. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (Australian products) or Investment Statement (New Zealand products) before making any decision to invest. Our publications, ratings and products should be viewed as an additional investment resource, not as your sole source of information. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product's future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Some material is copyright and published under licence from ASX Operations Pty Ltd ACN 004 523 782 ("ASXO").