January 28, 2016

Conning Sees Growing Demand For Its High Dividend Equity Strategy In a Volatile Market Environment

Firm’s 5-Year U.S. High Dividend Equity Strategy Track Record Outperforms Peer Investment Strategies¹    

HARTFORD, CT – January 28, 2016 – According to Conning, a leading global investment solutions provider, insurance industry investors, are increasing allocations to high dividend equity strategies in this low interest rate environment to enhance income and portfolio diversification. Since the inception of its U.S. high dividend equity strategy in 2011, Conning has seen a steady influx of funds, amounting to nearly $1 billion today.          

“Insurance company investors are continuing to seek diversification through multiple asset classes while maintaining adequate levels of income,” said Michael Haylon, Managing Director at Conning. “Income-oriented strategies – such as our U.S. high dividend equity strategy -- have served investors well in recent years, by enhancing investment income, portfolio diversification and overall risk-adjusted returns.”        

Conning’s U.S. high dividend equity strategy has built incremental value for investment portfolios since 2011, generating an average annual 13.94% net return since inception.  The US high dividend equity strategy's five-year return and risk-adjusted return, as measured by its information ratio, both ranked in the top percentile of the eVestment Alliance Dividend Focus Manager Universe.¹          

Conning’s strategy focuses on companies with strong balance sheets in sectors that will allow them to maintain their dividend payouts in periods of economic uncertainty and increase dividends as the economy strengthens. According to Conning, the benefits of its high dividend equity strategy include:       

• Dividend yields that are currently attractive relative to yields on fixed-income instruments        
• Potential for dividend increases and capital appreciation        
• Tax savings for certain insurance companies due to the dividends-received deduction        
•  Diversification of risk, with adequate levels of income          

ABOUT CONNING^®        

 Conning (www.conning.com) is a leading investment management company for the global insurance industry, with almost $89 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2015, through Conning, Inc., Conning Asset Management Limited, Cathay Conning Asset Management Limited, Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc., and Conning Investment Products, Inc. that are all direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conning Holdings Limited (collectively “Conning”) which is one of the family of companies owned by Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd. a Taiwan-based company. The company's unique combination of asset management, risk and capital management solutions and insurance research helps clients achieve their financial goals through customized business and investment strategies. Founded in 1912, Conning provides clients with innovative solutions, leveraging its global capabilities, investment experience, proprietary research and risk management technology. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, Conning also delivers its services globally through its offices in New York, London, Cologne, Hong Kong and Tokyo.       

¹ eVestment and its affiliated entities (collectively, “eVestment”) collect information directly from investment management firms and other sources believed to be reliable; however, eVestment does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the information provided and is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Performance results may be provided with additional disclosures available on eVestment’s systems and other important considerations such as fees that may be applicable. Not for general distribution. * All categories not necessarily included; Totals may not equal 100%.  Copyright 2011-2015 eVestment Alliance, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 

Conning, Inc., Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc., Conning Investment Products, Inc., a FINRA-registered broker dealer, Conning Asset Management Limited, and Cathay Conning Asset Management Limited are all direct or indirect subsidiaries of Conning Holdings Limited (collectively, “Conning”) which is one of the family of companies owned by Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd., a Taiwan-based company. Conning has offices in Hartford, New York, London, Cologne, Hong Kong and Tokyo. 

Conning, Inc., Conning Investment Products, Inc., and Goodwin Capital Advisers, Inc. are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and have noticed other jurisdictions they are conducting securities advisory business when required by law. In any other jurisdictions where they have not provided notice and are not exempt or excluded from those laws, they cannot transact business as an investment adviser and may not be able to respond to individual inquiries if the response could potentially lead to a transaction in securities. 

Conning Investment Products, Inc. is also registered with the Ontario Securities Commission. Conning Asset Management Limited is Authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA#189316), and Cathay Conning Asset Management Limited is regulated by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission for Types 1, 4 and 9 regulated activities. Conning primarily provides asset management services for third-party assets. Conning predominantly invests client portfolios in fixed income strategies in accordance with guidelines supplied by its institutional clients. 

All investment performance information included within this material is historical. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any tax related information contained within this presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. You should consult a tax professional with any questions. 

For complete details regarding Conning and its services, you should refer to our Form ADV Part 2, which may be obtained by calling us. 

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©2015 Conning, Inc. This document and the software described within are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, stored in an electronic retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the prior written permission of Conning. Conning does not make any warranties, express or implied, in this document. In no event shall Conning be liable for damages of any kind arising out of the use of this document or the information contained within it. This document is not intended to be complete, and we do not guarantee its accuracy. 

This document contains information that is confidential or proprietary to Conning (or their direct and indirect subsidiaries). By accepting this document you agree that: (1) if there is any pre-existing contract containing disclosure and use restrictions between your company and Conning, you and your company will use this information in reliance on and subject to the terms of any such pre-existing contract; or (2) if there is no contractual relationship between you and your company and Conning, you and your company agree to protect this information and not to reproduce, disclose or use the information in any way, except as may be required by law. 

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell, or a solicitation or recommendation of an offer to buy any security, product or service, or retain Conning for investment advisory services. This information is not intended to be nor should it be used as investment advice and should not be copied or distributed without the prior consent of Conning.