-- Mandates Respond to Canadians Seeking Income and Growth without More Risk

TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian investors seeking income and growth potential, insightful access to worldwide opportunities, and deep on-the-ground stock picking expertise, will now have access to two attractive investment portfolio solutions.

In collaboration with Lazard Asset Management (LAM), Brandes Investment Partners & Co. has just launched two new LAM mutual funds to the market in Canada, which were handpicked from proven strategies: Lazard Global Equity Income Fund and Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Fund. The Funds are available today to investors through their financial advisors.

The Lazard Global EquityIncome Fund is a total return investment solution for Canadian retail investors built on LAM's best high yielding equity ideas from all over the world. It's designed to combine the benefits of high current income with global capital appreciation potential in a single risk managed portfolio. The Fund seeks to invest in high-dividend yielding securities broadly diversified across country, sector and market capitalization spectrum that have also been selected for their total return potential, not simply income.

The Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Fund is designed to provide investors with a less volatile means to invest in the growth of emerging markets. By allocating capital across Lazard's proven emerging markets equity, debt and currency strategies, and actively adjusting weightings based on an analysis of economic and market conditions, the Fund seeks long-term growth with less risk.

"These two new Funds represent an exclusive new opportunity for Canadian investors who have been hungry for accessing the higher income and growth streams available in global and emerging markets as a smart alternative to low interest rate investments at home. They respond to the demand for prudent risk conscious strategies without sacrificing long-term growth potential"," says Brandes President Carol Lynde.

Similarly excited about Brandes' new collaboration with LAM is Oliver Murray, Brandes Managing Director.  "We are confident Lazard's proven depth of experience and global insights will provide Canadian investors with unique opportunities to reach beyond their borders and confidently seek income and growth in global markets. These Funds are timely and typify the global investment expertise Canadians can look forward to from LAM."

"In an uncertain macro environment, a value-oriented equity fund focusing on high yield can offer the opportunity to participate in rising markets, while providing protection on the downside," says LAM Portfolio Manager/Analyst Patrick Ryan.

"Many clients acknowledge the attractive macro-economic characteristics of an emerging markets investment, but are deterred from making meaningful allocations by high levels of risk," says LAM Portfolio Manager/Analyst Jai Jacob. The multi-asset allocation structure of the Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Fund is designed to provide risk-conscious clients with access to emerging markets opportunities with lower volatility."

The collaboration with Lazard Asset Management and intent to offer two LAM mandates focusing on global dividend opportunities and emerging market equity and debt opportunities was announced by Brandes and LAM on January 23. Brandes also has an existing strategic partnership with Sionna Investment Managers Inc. (Sionna). All three firms have a strong bias to fundamental bottom-up stock selection and are known for their proprietary research approach and capabilities.

About Brandes Investment Partners & Co.
Brandes Investment Partners & Co. is an affiliate of Brandes Investment Partner L.P. of San Diego, CA and has been providing Canadians with investment solutions since 1997. Brandes LP is a leading global investment advisory firm, managing more than US$ 27.2 billion of assets for institutional and private clients worldwide. Brandes LP applies the approach to securities selection pioneered by Benjamin Graham, identifying investment opportunities with a long-term context and following a time-tested value discipline in all market conditions. The company's web site is www.brandescanada.com.

About Lazard Asset Management
LAM Canada and LAM LLC are indirect subsidiaries of Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ), one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. Lazard operates from 42 cities across 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating back to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers, acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, government and individuals. As of December 31, 2012 LAM and affiliated asset management companies managed US$ 167 billion worth of client assets.For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

SOURCE: Brandes Investment Partners & Co.