RBC rolls out new PPNs

Toronto-based RBC Capital Markets Inc. has launched two new series of principal protected notes. RBC Principal Protected Commodity-Linked Notes Series 12 gives investors access to a select group of commodities that includes crude oil, copper and wheat. RBC Principal Protected AgriNotes Series 1 allows access to a select group of agriculture commodities that includes wheat, soybeans and corn. Notes are available for purchase until Nov. 2 and have a Nov. 8, 2010, maturity date.

Arrow launches long/short funds

Arrow Hedge Partners Inc., based in Toronto, has launched: Arrow Roundtable Fund, to be managed by Toronto-based Roundtable Capital Partners Inc.; and JC Clark Opportunities Fund, to be managed by Toronto-based JC Clark Ltd. Both funds allow investors to participate in the Canadian small- and mid-cap markets through long/short products. A-class units are front-end sales only and carry a commission of 0%-5%. There are no deferred sales or low-load options and no redemption fees. Trailing commissions are 1% for front-end sales of A-class units; there are no trailing commissions for F-class units. Management fees for the Roundtable fund are 2.5% for A-class units and 1.7% for F-class units; for the Opportunities fund, fees are 2.25% for A-class units and 1.7% for F-class units. Minimum investment for both funds is $25,000.

Northern Rivers expands its product line

Toronto-based Northern Rivers Capital Management Inc. is adding two funds to its product lineup. Hugh Cleland and Alex Ruus, two of Northern Rivers’ top portfolio managers, will manage Northern Rivers Evolution Fund, designed to focus on mid- and large-cap stocks of primarily North American companies. Northern Rivers Conservative Growth Fund LP is an RRSP-eligible version of the same fund; it will be diversified by both range of capitalization and economic sector, and will capitalize on the energy and financial services sectors. For A-class units, front-end sales commissions are 0%-5%; there are no deferred sales or low-load options. F-class units are a no-load series. Redemption fees are 3% for the first 180 days. Trailing commissions for A-class units are 1%; there are no trailing commissions for F-class units. Management fees are 2.5% for A-class units and 1.5% for F-class units. Minimum investment is $15,000.

Sarbit introduces three core funds

Winnipeg-based Sarbit Asset Management Inc. has launched three
core funds in tandem with Sarbit Income Solutions (T-class), whereby investors have three annualized target distribution options. The funds are: Sarbit Canadian Equity Trust, Sarbit Global Equity Trust and Sarbit Global Balanced Trust. Front-end sales commissions are 0%-6%, 5% for deferred sales and 2% for the low-load option. For the regular DSC schedule, redemption fees begin at 6% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 6, or begin at 3% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 3 for the low-load option. Trailing commissions are 1% for front-end sales and low-load sales, and 0.5% for deferred sales. Management fees for Sarbit Canadian Equity Fund are 1.89% for A-class units and 0.89% for F-class units; 1.94% for A-class units and 0.94% for F-class units of Sarbit Global Equity Trust; and 1.85% for A-class units and F-class units of Sarbit Global Balanced Trust. Minimum investment is $250.

Acuity builds its product family

Acuity Funds Ltd., based in Toronto, has added corporate-class shares, a currency-neutral option and two funds to its product lineup. The corporate-class structure allows investors to rebalance their portfolios without triggering capital gains taxes, Acuity says. Funds now available in corporate-class format include Acuity Canadian Small Cap Class, Acuity All Cap 30 Canadian Equity Class, Acuity Natural Resource Class, Acuity High Income Class, Acuity Canadian Equity Class, Acuity Global Dividend Class and Acuity Short Term Income Class. Currency-neutral funds help investors participate in global growth with minimal currency risk, Acuity says. These include Acuity Global Equity Fund, Acuity Global High Income Fund and Acuity Global Dividend Fund. The two new funds are Acuity Pure Canadian Equity Fund and Acuity EAFE Equity Fund. The first provides 100% Canadian exposure, while Acuity EAFE Equity helps investors add highly focused geographical exposure to their portfolios. Front-end sales commissions are 0%-5%; 5% for deferred sales; 2.75% for the low-load option; and 1% for the level-load option. Redemption fees for A-class units begin at 5.5% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 6 for the DSC option; for the low-load option, they begin at 3% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 3; or, for the level load, begin at 2% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 3. Trailing commissions are 1% for front-end sales; 0.5% for DSC; 0.25% for Year 1, 0.5% for Year 2, 0.75% for Year 3 and 1% thereafter for the low-load option; and 1% for the level-load option. Acuity Clean Environment Balanced Fund has also been renamed Acuity Social Values Balanced Fund.

@page_break@Compiled by Clare O’Hara (cohara@investmentexecutive.com).