HARTFORD, Conn., March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus
Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS), which operates a multi-boutique
asset management business, announced that five of its mutual funds
have been honored with 2019 Lipper Fund Awards for demonstrating
consistent, strong returns relative to their peers. The funds,
recognized for performance through November
30, 2018, are:
- Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund (PXSGX), for the three- and
five-year periods in the Small-Cap Growth category;
- Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund (PICMX), for the three-year
period in the Mid-Cap Growth category;
- Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Short-Term Bond Fund (PIMSX), for
the ten-year period in the Short-Intermediate Investment-Grade Debt
category;
- Virtus Seix Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund (CMDTX), for the
ten-year period in the Short Municipal Debt category; and
- Virtus Vontobel Global Opportunities Fund (WWOIX), for the
five-year period in the Global Large-Cap Growth category.
"We are pleased to have five funds recognized by Lipper this
year," said Frank Waltman, executive
vice president, product management at Virtus. "These Lipper Fund
awards are a testament to the experienced investment teams at Kayne
Anderson Rudnick, Newfleet, Seix and Vontobel and the diligence of
their investment approaches, which have led to exceptional relative
long-term performance."
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund, managed by Kayne Anderson
Rudnick, received a Lipper trophy as the best Small-Cap Growth Fund
for the three-year period and a certificate for its five-year
performance. The fund, managed by Todd
Beiley, CFA, and Jon
Christensen, CFA, invests in small-cap companies with
durable competitive advantages and favorable economic
characteristics.
Virtus KAR Mid-Cap Growth Fund, recognized for three-year
performance, uses a disciplined investment process to identify
mid-cap companies with durable competitive advantages, excellent
management, lower financial risk, and strong growth trajectories.
Doug Foreman, CFA, chief investment
officer, Kayne Anderson Rudnick, has managed the fund since
2012.
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund, recognized
for its 10-year performance, seeks current income by applying
extensive credit research to capitalize on opportunities across
undervalued sectors of the bond market in a short duration
portfolio. Newfleet uses a value-oriented, research-driven approach
that seeks to strategically overweight undervalued sectors while
applying strict risk controls. David L.
Albrycht, CFA, president and chief investment officer of
Newfleet, has managed the fund since 1993.
Virtus Seix Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund, recognized for its
10-year performance, selects investment grade municipal securities
using a dynamic, multifaceted investment process that balances
emphasis across four facets: duration management, yield curve
positioning, sector rotation, and security selection. Ronald H. Schwartz, CFA, managing director and
senior portfolio manager, and Dusty
Self, managing director and senior portfolio manager at
Seix, have co-managed the fund since 2011.
Virtus Vontobel Global Opportunities Fund, recognized for its
five-year performance, invests in high-quality companies across the
globe using fundamental, bottom-up research to identify
well-managed businesses with consistent financial performance and
favorable long-term economic prospects. Matthew Benkendorf, chief investment officer,
Vontobel Quality Growth, has managed the fund since 2009 and Ramiz
Chelat has been deputy portfolio manager since 2016.
About Lipper Fund Awards
The Lipper Fund Awards from
Refinitiv, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies
that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted
performance relative to their peers. The Lipper Fund Awards are
based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a
risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120
months. The fund with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent
Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification
wins the Lipper Fund Award.
About Kayne Anderson Rudnick
Kayne Anderson Rudnick,
an affiliated manager of Virtus Investment Partners, is an
investment and wealth advisory firm whose unique approach is
applied to an array of investment solutions, including small cap
(domestic, international, and emerging markets), small-mid cap, mid
cap, large cap, all cap, and global yield strategies. Based in
Los Angeles, the firm had
$22.9 billion in assets under
management as of December 31, 2018.
With more than 30 years of experience, KAR manages assets in open-
and closed-end mutual funds and separate accounts for corporations,
endowments, foundations, public entities, and high net worth
individuals.
About Newfleet Asset Management
Newfleet Asset
Management, an affiliated manager of Virtus Investment Partners,
provides comprehensive fixed income portfolio management, including
multi-sector, enhanced core, core plus strategies, and dedicated
sector strategies such as bank loans and high yield. Newfleet
leverages the knowledge and skill of investment professionals with
expertise in every sector of the bond market, including evolving,
specialized, and out-of-favor sectors. As of December 31, 2018, the firm managed $10.3 billion in open- and closed-end mutual
funds, exchange traded funds, and separate accounts for
institutional and individual clients.
About Seix Investment Advisors
Seix Investment
Advisors, an affiliated manager of Virtus Investment Partners,
has focused exclusively on managing fixed income strategies since
1992. Seix employs multi-dimensional approaches based on strict
portfolio construction methodology, sell disciplines and trading
strategies with prudent risk management as a cornerstone. The firm,
which had $21.3 billion in assets
under management as of December 31,
2018, provides investment management services to a client
base that includes endowments, foundations, corporations,
healthcare organizations, public funds, insurance companies, and
high net worth individuals.
About Vontobel Asset Management
Vontobel Asset
Management, which is a subadviser to four Virtus Funds, is an
active asset manager with global reach that delivers leading-edge
solutions for both institutional and private clients. Established
in 1988, Vontobel Asset Management has pursued a multi-boutique
approach with a focused offering in the areas of equities, fixed
income, multi-asset, and alternative investments. The company
employs more than 400 professionals worldwide – including 170
investment specialists – in 13 locations including Switzerland, Europe, and the U.S.
About Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Virtus
Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive
partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to
the long-term success of individual and institutional investors.
The company provides investment management products and services
through its affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a
distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, and
individual brand. Virtus Investment Partners offers access to a
variety of investment styles across multiple disciplines to meet a
wide array of investor needs. In addition to Kayne Anderson Rudnick
Investment Management, Newfleet Asset Management, and Seix
Investment Advisors, its affiliates include Ceredex Value Advisors,
Duff & Phelps Investment Management, Rampart Investment
Management, Silvant Capital Management, Sustainable Growth
Advisers, and Virtus ETF Advisers. Additional information is
available at virtus.com.
Performance data quoted represents past results. Past
performance is no guarantee of future results and current
performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown.
Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your
shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than their original
cost. Please click on the fund name link for additional fund
details and performance data current to the most recent
month-end.
Fund Risks
Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth Fund
Equity
Securities: The market price of equity securities may be
adversely affected by financial market, industry, or
issuer-specific events. Focus on a particular style or on small or
medium-sized companies may enhance that risk. Limited Number of
Investments: Because the fund has a limited number of
securities, it may be more susceptible to factors adversely
affecting its securities than a less concentrated fund.
Industry/Sector Concentration: A fund that focuses its
investments in a particular industry or sector will be more
sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a
non-concentrated fund.
Virtus Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Equity Securities:
The market price of equity securities may be adversely affected by
financial market, industry, or issuer-specific events. Focus on a
particular style or on small or medium-sized companies may enhance
that risk. Limited Number of Investments: Because the fund
has a limited number of securities, it may be more susceptible to
factors adversely affecting its securities than a less concentrated
fund. Industry/Sector Concentration: A fund that focuses its
investments in a particular industry or sector will be more
sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a
non-concentrated fund.
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Short Term Bond
Fund
Credit & Interest: Debt securities are
subject to various risks, the most prominent of which are credit
and interest rate risk. The issuer of a debt security may fail to
make interest and/or principal payments. Values of debt securities
may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, and this
risk may be enhanced with longer-term maturities. Foreign &
Emerging Markets: Investing internationally, especially in
emerging markets, involves additional risks such as currency,
political, accounting, economic, and market risk. High
Yield-High Risk Fixed Income Securities: There is a greater
level of credit risk and price volatility involved with high yield
securities than investment grade securities. ABS/MBS:
Changes in interest rates can cause both extension and prepayment
risks for asset- and mortgage-backed securities. These securities
are also subject to risks associated with the repayment of
underlying collateral. Bank Loans: Loans may be unsecured or
not fully collateralized, may be subject to restrictions on resale
and/or trade infrequently on the secondary market. Loans can carry
significant credit and call risk, can be difficult to value, and
have longer settlement times than other investments, which can make
loans relatively illiquid at times.
Virtus Seix Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund
Credit
& Interest: Debt securities are subject to various risks,
the most prominent of which are credit and interest rate risk. The
issuer of a debt security may fail to make interest and/or
principal payments. Values of debt securities may rise or fall in
response to changes in interest rates, and this risk may be
enhanced with longer-term maturities. State & AMT Tax: A
portion of income may be subject to some state and/or local taxes
and, for certain investors, a portion may be subject to the federal
alternative minimum tax. Municipal Market: Events negatively
impacting a municipal security, or the municipal bond market in
general, may cause the fund to decrease in value.
Virtus Vontobel Global Opportunities Fund
Equity
Securities: The market price of equity securities may be
adversely affected by financial market, industry, or
issuer-specific events. Focus on a particular style or on small or
medium-sized companies may enhance that risk. Foreign &
Emerging Markets: Investing internationally, especially in
emerging markets, involves additional risks such as currency,
political, accounting, economic, and market risk.
Industry/Sector Concentration: A fund that focuses its
investments in a particular industry or sector will be more
sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a
non-concentrated fund. Geographic Concentration: A fund that
focuses its investments in a particular geographic location will be
highly sensitive to financial, economic, political, and other
developments affecting the fiscal stability of that location.
Prospectus: For additional information on risks, please
see the fund's prospectus.
Methodology: The Lipper Fund Awards are based on the
Lipper Ratings for Consistent Return, which is a risk-adjusted
performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 month periods.
The highest 20% of funds in each category are named Lipper Leaders
for Consistent Return and receive a score of 5; the next 20%
receive a score of 4; the middle 20% are scored 3; the next 20% are
scored 2; and the lowest 20% are scored 1.
For Lipper Best Individual Funds, the highest Lipper Leader for
Consistent Return (Effective Return) value within each eligible
classification determines the fund classification winner for the
3-, 5-, or 10-year periods, all as of 11/30/18. 133 Small-Cap
Growth Funds were eligible for the five-year period and 143 were
eligible for the three-year period; 99 Mid-Cap Growth Funds were
eligible for the three-year period; 32 Short-Intermediate
Investment Grade Debt Funds were eligible for the 10-year period;
24 Short Municipal Debt Funds were eligible for the 10-year period;
and 23 Global Large-Cap Growth Funds were eligible for the
five-year period. For a detailed explanation, please review the
Lipper Leaders methodology document at:
https://www.lipperfundawards.com/Awards/UnitedStates/2019/Methodology/114/Methodology_2019.
Lipper, Inc. is a nationally recognized organization that ranks
the performance of mutual funds.
Please carefully consider a Fund's investment objectives,
risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and
other information about the Virtus Mutual Funds, call
1-800-243-4361 or visit www.Virtus.com for a prospectus. Read
it carefully before you invest or send money.
Virtus Mutual Funds are distributed by VP Distributors,
LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners,
Inc.
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SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.