Four new Desjardins IBrix Funds launched

IBrix is one of the first strategic beta fund families in Canada

LÉVIS, QC, April 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Drawing on the expertise of portfolio manager Desjardins Global Asset Management, Desjardins Funds has launched one of the first strategic beta fund families in Canada.

"Strategic beta or smart beta management is based on a methodology designed to generate substantial additional value over a three- to five-year investment horizon," explains Nicolas Richard, vice-president, Investment Strategies, Desjardins Global Asset Management. "IBrix Funds use hybrid management, which strikes a balance between traditional active management and aims to outperform the market, and passive management, which aims to efficiently and transparently match the returns of a benchmark index. The IBrix Funds benchmark indices have been built by portfolio managers for long-term performance."

Desjardins Global Asset Management started offering strategic beta management in 2008 to respond to the specific needs of institutional investors, developing an innovative methodology designed to capitalize on market inefficiencies while meeting specific client needs. "Desjardins Global Asset Management's strategic beta management approach is threefold," explains Richard. "First, to limit the risk of overweighting overvalued securities, Desjardins Global Asset Management builds its portfolios independent of the market capitalization that indices have traditionally been based on. Next, the portfolio manager identifies the specific characteristics deemed to be long-term sources of value or that meet the investor's needs, such as high dividend payments or environmental criteria. Finally, the portfolio construction process maximizes efficiency."

Four new IBrix Funds from Desjardins Funds 

• Desjardins IBrix Canadian High Dividend Equity Fund – Desjardins Global Asset Management
• Desjardins IBrix Canadian Equity Focus Fund – Desjardins Global Asset Management
• Desjardins IBrix Low Volatility Global Equity Fund – Unigestion Asset Management (Canada)
• Desjardins IBrix Global Equity Focus Fund – Desjardins Global Asset Management

By combining the best of active and passive management, IBrix Funds offer a new management style that perfectly complements traditional active management. Desjardins Funds have decided to enhance its Melodia Income Portfolios to include the Desjardins IBrix Low Volatility Global Equity Fund. Both Canadian equity funds are also available in corporate class, a tax structure that improves the tax efficiency of non-registered investments.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world with assets of more than $229 billion. It has been rated one of the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. The group has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry. In 2014, Desjardins was named the fourth safest bank in North America by Global Finance magazine and the second strongest bank in the world by Bloomberg News.

SOURCE Desjardins Group

(media inquiries only): Richard Lacasse, Public Relations, Desjardins Group, 418-835-8444 or 1-866-835-8444, ext. 3163, [email protected]