American Beacon Announces High Yield Opportunities Fund

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Beacon Advisors, an experienced provider of investment advisory services to institutional and retail markets, is pleased to announce the addition of a new mutual fund, American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund (Ticker: SHOIX), to its established family of low-cost mutual funds.

The Fund seeks to achieve high current income and capital appreciation. Its sub-advisor, Strategic Income Management LLC (SiM), takes a long-term approach to the high yield markets and employs a philosophy centered on identifying secular trends and themes. Gary Pokrzywinski, Chief Investment Officer, and Brian Placzek, Head of High Yield Research, have primary responsibility for the Fund's day-to-day management and financial analysis. Mr. Pokrzywinski and Mr. Placzek have worked together for more than a decade and bring 26 years of experience in fixed income financial markets, and investment management and financial analysis, respectively.

"American Beacon is very pleased to offer SiM's disciplined and methodical process for pursuing income through the high yield markets," said Gene L. Needles Jr., President and CEO of American Beacon Advisors. "This fund reflects our focus on partnering with specialized investment management firms to consistently offer clients an even wider range of opportunities that support their asset allocation needs."

The Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities that are generally rated below investment grade. SiM uses a core top-down philosophy to identify sectors, industries and companies that will benefit from positive long-term trends. It also identifies those that are undergoing a change in dynamics that can be capitalized on due to market volatility. Once potential investment opportunities are identified, SiM uses bottom up research to assess the fundamental strengths and weaknesses of individual securities.  

"SiM's high yield portfolio management philosophy is distinguished by its structure and ability to take advantage of market sector volatility," said Mr. Pokrzywinski. "We are pleased to partner with American Beacon and bring our unique strategy to their clients. We believe that by concentrating on secular trends and themes through a clear understanding of industry characteristics, we're positioned to provide a structurally compelling portfolio over a complete market cycle." 

Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's net assets will be invested in non-investment grade securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in securities of foreign issuers, including up to 25% in emerging markets securities.

To request more information, please contact Amiee Watts at 973-784-0025 or [email protected].

About American Beacon Advisors

American Beacon Advisors is an experienced provider of investment advisory services to institutional and retail markets. Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors has offered a variety of products and services including corporate cash management and fixed income separate account management for corporations, institutions as well as state and local government entities.

American Beacon Advisors also manages the American Beacon Funds, a series of mutual funds representing a variety of investment strategies for the equity, fixed income, domestic and international markets. The fund family currently includes several investment options such as equity funds, bond funds and money market funds. American Beacon Advisors serves defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations and other institutional investors as well as retail clients.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Prospectus and Summary Prospectus, contain this and additional information regarding the Fund. To obtain a Prospectus or Summary Prospectus, please contact your Financial Advisor, call 1-800-679-7759 or visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. The Prospectus and Summary Prospectus, should be read carefully before investing.

Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. American Beacon Funds is a service mark of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. The Fund typically invests in a diversified portfolio of domestic and foreign high-yield, high risk fixed income securities that are generally rated below investment grade (such as BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or Fitch Ratings and/or Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.) or deemed to be below investment grade by the investment sub-advisor. These types of securities are commonly referred to as "high yield" or "junk" bonds. Investing in such securities involves additional risks when compared to investing in investment grade securities. These include a greater risk of default or bankruptcy and an increased sensitivity to financial difficulties or changes in interest rates. The principal risks of the Fund include also those derived from the investment in: foreign securities, emerging market securities, derivative securities including options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on stock indices and currencies), forward contracts (including currency forward contracts), swap agreements and structured notes, Rule 144A securities, bank loans and senior loans and to a lesser extent equity securities including those of small and mid-capitalization companies. Please see the prospectus for a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in this Fund.

SOURCE American Beacon Advisors