AGF Announces Launch of AGFiQ Enhanced Global ESG Factors ETF and AGFiQ Enhanced Global Infrastructure ETF

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AGF Investments Inc. (AGF) today, through AGFiQ Asset Management (AGFiQ), announced the launch of two new ETFs: AGFiQ Enhanced Global ESG Factors ETF (QEF) and AGFiQ Enhanced Global Infrastructure ETF (QIF). Both QIF and QEF begin trading on the NEO Exchange today and each have a management fee of 0.45%.

“Our new ETFs utilize the expertise of our in-house AGFiQ team and their quantitative, factor-based investment process, while providing investors with differentiated access to two growing segments of the market often reserved for the largest institutions– ESG and Infrastructure – to build their global equity portfolios,” said Kevin McCreadie, President and Chief Investment Officer, AGF Investments Inc.

The new ETFs deliver on the AGFiQ objective to provide better risk-adjusted returns for investors utilizing proprietary factor and risk models.

“This objective was developed to help ensure the AGFiQ ETF suite can weather market highs and lows,” added McCreadie.

Accessing ESG

The AGFiQ Enhanced Global ESG Factors ETF is a global equity product that utilizes a quantitative, active investment approach to invest in companies with strong ESG profiles bringing the additional benefits of individual company leadership to a global allocation.

“With a growing number of global companies prioritizing ESG initiatives within their business framework to drive positive outcomes, investors are in turn incorporating ESG into their portfolios to avoid risk with the inclusion of sound company fundamentals,” said Florence Narine, Senior Vice-President, Product, AGF Investments Inc. “This product aims to provide investors with long-term capital growth, with reduced volatility, over a full market cycle.”

Accessing Infrastructure

The AGFiQ Enhanced Global Infrastructure ETF uses a quantitative, multi-factor investment approach to provide investors with access to the diversification and benefits of this high growth area by investing primarily in global equity securities of issuers in the infrastructure industry and related sectors including telecom, utilities, energy and transportation.

“AGFiQ Enhanced Global Infrastructure ETF provides access to the infrastructure industry with a flexible product that offers higher dividend yield due to greater predictability of long-term cash flows,” added Narine. “With a continued need to find income, this product can provide that income while acting as a global diversifier to traditional asset classes in an investor’s portfolio.” 

Name and Ticker Investment ObjectiveManagement Fee
AGFiQ Enhanced Global ESG Factors ETF (QEF)The AGFiQ Enhanced Global ESG Factors ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with reduced volatility, over a full market cycle, by investing primarily in global equity securities.0.45%
AGFiQ Enhanced Global Infrastructure ETF (QIF)The AGFiQ Enhanced Global Infrastructure ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with reduced volatility and a high level of income, over a full market cycle, by investing primarily in global equity securities in the infrastructure industry.0.45%

Visit AGFiQ.com for more information.

About AGFiQ Asset Management

AGFiQ Asset Management is the quantitative investment platform for AGF powered by an intellectually diverse, multi-disciplined team that combines the complementary strengths of investment professionals across AGF and its affiliates from Highstreet Asset Management Inc. and FFCM LLC.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is a diversified global asset management firm with retail, institutional, alternative and high-net-worth businesses. As an independent firm, AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management and providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of diverse investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America, Europe and Asia. With $37 billion in total assets under management, AGF serves more than one million investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in exchange-traded funds. Please read the prospectus or relevant ETF Facts before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Media Contact

Amanda Marchment
Director, Corporate Communications
416-865-4160
amanda.marchment@agf.com