Criterion Global Dividend Currency Hedged Fund raises distribution

Date: Thursday, June 28, 2007
Author: Investment Executive Staff

Quarterly distribution climbs 5¢

Criterion Investments Ltd. today announced that it is raising the annual distribution of Criterion Global Dividend Currency Hedged Fund to 55¢ from 50¢ a share. The increase will be reflected as of the upcoming quarterly distribution to shareholders on June 30.

“We have seen an increase in distribution from the fund’s underlying portfolio companies and we’re delighted to be able to pass this on to shareholders,” said Ian McPherson, president of Criterion Investments, in a news release.

A currency-hedged global equity fund focused on high dividend-paying multinationals in the FTSEGlobal 100 Index, the fund’s portfolio is selected by Merrill Lynch International. It is the only fund in Canada leveraging a simple and proven “Dogs of the Dow”-type strategy on a global scale.

Launched in mid-2006, the fund recorded a one-year total return of 19.5% (Class C) as at May 31, 2007.

Criterion is an affiliate of VenGrowth Asset Management Inc., a manager of private equity and alternative investments.