ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund Celebrates Excellent Performance On Its First Birthday

CHICAGO, July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (the "Fund") has reached its one-year anniversary ranked in the 1st percentile of the Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Category out of 1,182 Funds for the one-year period ending July 18, 2012.  For this period, the average annual total returns were 13.82% for ADBLX and 14.18% for ADLIX, against 7.77% for the Fund's benchmark, the Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index.  As of June 30, 2012, return since inception (7/18/2011) for ADBLX was 12.15% and for ADLIX was 12.41%. 

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"We are delighted, but not surprised with this first milestone for the ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund," said Stuart D. Bilton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aston. "We have long admired the prowess of Jeffrey Gundlach and the team he built," noted Bilton.  "Having Jeffrey and the team manage this Fund for Aston offers investors a unique strategy blending active sector management with bottom-up security selection."

The Fund's lead portfolio manager is Jeffrey Gundlach, founder and Chief Executive Officer of DoubleLine Capital LP.  Mr. Gundlach, well known as an expert in fixed income investing and asset allocation, is joined in the management of the Fund by Philip Barach, President of DoubleLine; Bonnie Baha, head of DoubleLine's Global Developed Credit Group; and Luz Padilla, head of DoubleLine Emerging Markets Fixed Income Group.

"DoubleLine is distinguished from other Core managers by our use of active sector allocation as a key risk-management strategy while our sector specialists focus intensely on security selection," Mr. Gundlach said.  "We will move decisively to reduce exposures to asset classes when we see vulnerability and to overweight sectors when we see significant opportunity.  The ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund allows for broader flexibility in adjusting asset class exposure, enabling the portfolio management team to more fully exploit sector weightings to pursue opportunities and manage risk."

Eligible investment sectors for the Fund include U.S. and developed-country corporate securities, rated investment and non-investment grade; U.S. government issues, including Treasuries and Agency debentures; developed-market sovereign issues; mortgage-backed securities; and emerging markets fixed income securities. The objective of the Fund seeks to maximize total return by investing at least 80% of its net assets in fixed income securities. 

To request more information, please contact Tony Kono at 973-850-7323 or [email protected].

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 June 30, 2012, Aston is the adviser to twenty-seven mutual funds with total net assets of approximately $10.5 billion.  Our funds are distributed nationally through intermediaries including registered investment advisors, model platforms, broker-dealers, consultants, retirement platforms and wealth management teams.

About DoubleLine Capital LP

DoubleLine Capital LP is an investment management firm and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  DoubleLine manages $40 billion in assets held in closed and open-end 1940 Act funds, separate accounts and hedge funds. DoubleLine's headquarters is in Los Angeles, CA. Its offices can be reached by telephone at (213) 633-8200 or by e-mail at [email protected]. DoubleLine® is a registered trademark of DoubleLine Capital LP.

Note: Bond funds are subject to interest rate and credit risk similar to individual bonds. As interest rates rise or credit quality suffers, an investor is susceptible to loss of principal. Additional techniques that the Fund may use, including high-yield bonds, foreign bonds, derivatives, asset-backed/mortgage-backed securities, calls, and emerging markets, are subject to additional risks.

As of July 18, 2012, the ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (N-Class and I-Class) ranked in the 1^st percentile of the Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Fund Category for the one-year period based on total return against 1,182 Intermediate-Term Bond Funds.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results. 

The highest or most favorable Morningstar percentile rank is 1 and the lowest percentile rank is 100. The top-performing fund in a category will always receive a rank of 1. Various rating agencies categorize funds differently.

For the period ended June 30, 2012, the ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (N-Class) return was 5.02%, year-to-date and 12.15%, since inception (7/18/2011).  For the same periods, the Fund's I-Class return was 5.15%, year-to-date and 12.41%, since inception (7/18/2011).  Per the Fund's most recent prospectus, the gross expense ratio for the N-Class is 3.18%, and the net expense ratio is 0.94%, excluding acquired fund fees and expenses.  The Fund's I-Class gross expense ratio is 2.93%, and the net expense ratio is 0.69%, excluding acquired fund fees and expenses.

The Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index representing more than 5,000 taxable government, investment-grade corporate and mortgage-backed securities. Indices are adjusted for the reinvestment of capital gains and income dividends. Individuals cannot invest in an index.

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.

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
973-850-7323
[email protected] 

SOURCE Aston Asset Management