ASTON/River Road Independent Value Fund (ARIVX, ARVIX) Reopens To New Investors

CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aston Asset Management, LP (Aston) has announced that it will reopen the ASTON/River Road Independent Value Fund ("the Fund") to new investors, on September 4, 2012. 

The Fund was closed to new investors on December 7, 2011 to address capacity concerns arising from the rapid growth in assets invested in the strategy, which includes the Fund and the institutional separate accounts. Aston and River Road Asset Management, LLC (River Road), the Subadviser to the Fund, have decided to give the Fund access to capacity that was originally reserved for potential institutional separate accounts.  The supplement to the prospectus sets forth the details of the reopening and can be found on the Aston Funds website, www.astonfunds.com. 

"In December 2011, in order to preserve the integrity of the investment process, we soft closed the ASTON/River Road Independent Value Fund," said Stuart D. Bilton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aston, "Now, with the cooperation of our partners at River Road, new investors will have the opportunity to become shareholders in this exceptional Fund."

The Fund seeks to provide attractive returns using a bottom-up fundamental approach to undervalued small capitalization stocks.  Since inception, the Fund has surpassed its benchmark and Morningstar category.  As of June 30, 2012, the average annual total return for the one year period was 2.78% for ARIVX against -1.44% for the Russell 2000 Value Index and -2.74% for the Morningstar Small Value Category.  Return since inception (12/31/10) for ARIVX was 7.74% against 1.51% for the benchmark and 1.25% for the Morningstar category.

The Fund's portfolio manager is Eric Cinnamond, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at River Road.  Mr. Cinnamond leads the Independent Value strategy at River Road; his investment approach is opportunistic.  Prior to joining River Road he served  as  lead  Portfolio  Manager  for  Intrepid  Capital  Management's  Small  Cap  strategy. Mr. Cinnamond has over 17 years of investment experience and has earned significant professional recognition including being named MarketWatch's 2008 Stockpicker of the Year. 

To request more information please contact Tony Kono at 973-732-3521 or [email protected]

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, upon redemption, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Some of the returns quoted reflect fee waivers or expense reimbursements that are no longer in effect. Returns for certain periods would have been lower without the waivers/reimbursements. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit our website at www.astonfunds.com. 

Aston Asset Management, LP

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Aston provides investment management services to the mutual fund and managed accounts markets by carefully selecting, monitoring and marketing experienced boutique investment managers, who seek to achieve consistent investment performance using disciplined investment processes and best in class business standards.  From the initial due diligence on an investment manager to the launching of a new Aston Fund, we take measured steps to ensure congruence between the requirements of Aston, the capabilities of the subadviser and the needs of clients.  As of July 31, 2012, Aston is the adviser to twenty-six mutual funds with total net assets of approximately $10.8 billion.  Our funds are distributed nationally through intermediaries including registered investment advisors, model platforms, broker-dealers, consultants, retirement platforms and wealth management teams.

About River Road Asset Management, LLC

River Road Asset Management, LLC is an institutional asset management firm based in Louisville, KY.  The firm specializes in value-oriented equity investment management. With $6.7 billion in assets, as of June 30, 2012, River Road provides institutional separate account and investment sub-advisory services to a broad range of domestic and international clients. River Road's strategies are available to retail investors through five mutual funds in the Aston Funds family.  River Road is an Aviva Investors company.

Note: Small- and Mid-cap stocks are considered riskier than large-cap stocks due to greater potential volatility and less liquidity.  Value investing often involves buying the stocks of companies that are currently out of favor that may decline further. 

The Russell 2000 Value Index is comprised of securities in the Russell 2000 Index. Companies in this index tend to exhibit lower book to price ratios and lower cost to growth values. Indices are adjusted for the reinvestment of capital gains and income dividends. Individuals cannot invest in an index.

The Morningstar Small Value Category figures allow for a direct comparison of a fund's performance within its Morningstar Category.

The MarketWatch Stockpicker of the Year award is determined by MarketWatch based on a comparison of the investment professionals featured in their "Stockpickers" column from the beginning of January to the end of October in any given year.   

The Fund's Gross Expense Ratio for N and I shares is 1.64% and 1.39%.  The Net Expense Ratio for the N and I shares excluding acquired fund fees and expenses is 1.42% and 1.17%.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. Please call 800 597-9704 for a prospectus or a summary prospectus which contains this and other information about the Fund. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

Aston Funds are distributed by Foreside Funds Distributors LLC.

Contact:
Tony Kono
JCPR
973-732-3521
[email protected]

SOURCE Aston Asset Management, LP