IA Clarington Investments Inc. has rebalanced its Target Click Funds to significantly boost their exposure to global equities, the company announced on Monday.

February marked the four-year anniversary of IA Clarington’s first four Target Click Funds, which are global balanced mutual funds that each offer a guarantee of the highest month-end unit value ever achieved by the fund, if held to the scheduled maturity date.

Each year, the company rebalances the funds to increase their equity exposure if equity markets are low or to take profits if markets have been strong. In February, IA Clarington “significantly increased” the respective exposure to global equities for four of the funds, to take advantage of the recent drop in equity values, the company said.

“Not only have the funds locked in month-end gains numerous times over the past four years, but through their annual rebalancing they have now increased their equity exposure – after a significant market decline – to participate in potential future market growth,” said Eric Frape, senior vice-president of product and business development at IA Clarington.

The company has seen growing interest in the products during the recent market volatility, Frape added. “They allow investors to invest in the markets and gain equity exposure with increased peace of mind.”

The Target Click family includes various funds, maturing in 2010, 2015, 2020, 2025, and 2030.

The IA Clarington Target Click 2010 Fund has returned an average annual compound rate of return of 2.9% since inception, and has locked in several new guaranteed highs since its inception.

In the recent rebalancing, the company did not boost the 2010 fund’s exposure to global equities since it now has a relatively short time remaining to maturity. It is now almost fully invested in fixed income securities, the company said.