RBC Hedge 250 Index (investable) returned -0.11 per cent in July 2006, YTD 4.84%

Date: Thursday, August 17, 2006
Author: RBC

RBC Capital Markets today reported that for the month of July 2006 the RBC Hedge 250 Index® had a net return of -0.11 per cent. This brings the year-to-date return of the Index to 4.84 per cent. These returns are estimated and will be finalized by the middle of next month. The return for June 2006 has been finalized at -0.48 per cent.

The RBC Hedge 250 Index is an investable benchmark of the performance of the hedge fund industry. The Index operates in accordance with a unique construction methodology. Comprised of more than 250 actual hedge funds, the RBC Hedge 250 Index is positioned as the industry's most diversified and representative investable index. The Universe on which the Index is based currently consists of 5,478 hedge funds (excludes funds of hedge funds) with aggregate assets under management of $1.093 trillion.

Since its inception on July 1, 2005 through the end of June 2006, the RBC Hedge 250 Index has had a net return of 11.20 per cent. In comparison, over the same period, other investable indices have averaged 7.24 per cent while non-investable indices have averaged 13.11 per cent, according to information reported by the sponsors of those indices.