Montage Investments Experiences Significant Growth in 2011 by Focusing on Investment Solutions That are in Demand, Yet Often Overlooked

LEAWOOD, Kan., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Montage Investments reported rapid asset growth over the last year, illustrating financial advisors' interest in newer investment strategies that include alternatives. Montage brings together a diverse group of boutique asset managers that focus mainly on creating investment solutions not offered by most money managers. During 2011, Montage and its affiliate asset managers increased total assets under management in all strategies from $7.3 billion at the beginning of the year to $9.3 billion at year-end, demonstrating a trend among financial intermediaries who are looking to augment their clients' portfolios with distinctive alternative investment solutions.

"We have seen an increased demand for alternative investments among individuals and small institutional investors," said Gary P. Henson, president and chief investment officer of Montage Investments. "Traditionally, alternatives have only been utilized by pension funds and large institutions, but with recent market turmoil, individuals are looking beyond the traditional style boxes. Our asset managers are giving advisors what their clients need – alternative strategies that are easily accessible in different packages, including mutual funds, separately managed accounts and closed-end funds." During 2011, the mutual funds offered within the Montage family grew from a single fund with approximately $20 million in assets to four mutual funds with combined assets over $250 million today.

The firm's planned growth, which included the launch of several new mutual funds, is the result of Montage's ongoing conversations with financial advisors throughout the country. Those discussions revealed what advisors need for their clients in today's environment, and Montage responded with the launch of several new funds that have been well received by a wide range of financial intermediaries, including wire-house advisors, independent advisors and RIAs. 

The beginning of the year saw the renaming of the Convergence Core Plus Fund, and second quarter brought the launch of the following mutual funds by Montage affiliates:

• Nuance Concentrated Value Fund
• Palmer Square Absolute Return Fund
• Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Fund

In addition to the four open-end mutual funds, Montage helped launch the Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, a closed-end fund with approximately $335 million in total assets as of December 31, 2011. 

"I believe the rapid growth in our collective assets reflects the increasing demand financial advisors have for distinct investment solutions that seek to meet their clients' needs," Henson said. "They're just not finding that at the big mutual fund houses. If there is one thing our family of asset managers do well, it's that they know how to design potential investment solutions, not just products."

About Montage Investments

Montage Investments brings together a diverse group of institutional investment managers – each offering a distinct approach to money management that reflects many decades of professional experience and proprietary investment solutions across global asset classes. Currently managing over $9.3 billion for institutions and high-net-worth clients, the firm's structure allows individual investment managers to retain boutique processes, talents and cultures that the firm believes have demonstrated abilities of adding value to portfolios and meeting client objectives.

Visit www.montageinvestments.com

The Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses must be considered carefully before investing.  The prospectuses contain this and other important information about the investment company and should be read carefully before investing.  The prospectus for the Convergence Core Plus Fund may be obtained by calling 1-877-677-9414 or visiting www.investcip.com. The prospectus for the Nuance Concentrated Value Fund may be obtained by calling 1-855-682-6233 or visiting www.nuanceinvestments.com.  The prospectus for the Palmer Square Absolute Return Fund may be obtained by calling 1-866-933-9033 or visiting www.palmersquarecap.com. The prospectus for the Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Fund may be obtained by calling 1-855-822-3863 or visiting www.tortoiseadvisors.com.

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal, or investment advice.

The Nuance Concentrated Value Fund, Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Fund and Convergence Core Plus Fund are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC, Distributor.  The Palmer Square Absolute Return Fund is distributed by Grand Distribution Services, LLC, Distributor. Certain marketing or sales related support provided by Montage Investments, LLC and certain of its affiliates, none of which are affiliated with Quasar Distributors, LLC, and/or Grand Distribution Services, LLC. 

SOURCE Montage Investments