Mr. Marc-Andre Lewis reports

CI GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES ENHANCEMENTS TO PRIVATE MARKETS FUNDS

CI Financial Corp.'s CI Global Asset Management (CI GAM) has made enhancements to its private markets funds designed to make these innovative investment solutions accessible to a broader range of accredited investors.

Starting next month, CI Private Markets Growth Fund and CI Private Markets Income Fund will begin offering:

• A Canadian-dollar purchase option in addition to the existing United States-dollar purchase option;
• A monthly subscription schedule and monthly pricing, replacing the current quarterly schedule.

"With these changes, we continue to make it easier for accredited Canadian investors to realize the benefits of private markets investing," said Marc-Andre Lewis, president and chief investment officer of CI GAM and co-lead portfolio manager of the funds.

"An allocation to private markets can make for better diversified and more resilient portfolios, which is especially valuable at this time of increasing economic and political uncertainty. With the convenience of a single purchase, our funds provide exposure to a portfolio of global private markets strategies from leading alternative investment managers, with the choice of a growth or income focus."

The funds use an open architecture, fund-of-funds structure in which CI GAM manages the selection of strategies and managers, asset allocation, and portfolio construction. CI GAM's approach overcomes the barriers to investing in private markets typically faced by individual investors, such as high investment minimums, and difficulties in selecting managers and funds.

The funds also offer investors the advantages of scale, with combined assets under management of approximately $2.2-billion (as of Dec. 31, 2024).

New Canadian-dollar purchase option

Starting April 1, 2025, the funds will offer a Canadian dollar purchase option for all series, in addition to the existing U.S.-dollar purchase option. The minimum investment for the new Series F Canadian-dollar purchase option will be $25,000, while the minimum investment for Series F U.S.-dollar purchase option will remain at $25,000 (U.S.). Investments through the Canadian-dollar purchase option will not be hedged. The change removes the administrative burden for many investors and dealers of making investments in U.S. dollars.

Monthly subscription schedule

Also effective as of April 1, 2025, the funds will adopt a monthly subscription schedule under which investor capital will be invested in the funds on the last business day of each month. Previously, the subscription date was the last business day of each quarter. The change means that investors will typically face a shorter waiting period before their capital is put to work in the funds.

As part of the change, the funds will be priced monthly, providing more frequent reporting of the funds' performance. The net asset value (NAV) per unit will be struck for the last business day of each month and the NAV for each fund is expected to be available on or about the last business day of the following month. Currently, the funds are priced on a quarterly basis.

Advantages of CI private markets funds

"Large institutional investors have recognized the value of private markets for many years," said Mr. Lewis. "At CI GAM, we have carefully and thoughtfully designed the funds to make it as convenient as possible for individual Canadian accredited investors to access this compelling group of asset classes. We have leveraged our scale, experience and relationships with leading alternative managers to offer what we believe are best-in-class solutions in this category in the Canadian marketplace."

With a single investment, CI private markets funds provide the following advantages:

• A multimanager structure that provides diversification across regions, asset classes, managers and investment strategies;
• Exposure to the key asset classes within private markets -- private equity, venture capital, private credit, private infrastructure and private real estate;
• Access to leading and emerging alternative investment managers, including Adams Street Partners, American Industrial Partners, Apollo Global Management, Ardian, Avenue Capital Group, Canal Road Group, Dawson Partners, Demopolis Equity Partners, HarbourVest Partners, Monarch Alternative Capital, Radical Ventures, T.Rx Capital and 26North Partners;
• CI GAM's expertise in portfolio management, including asset allocation, portfolio construction and risk management. In the area of manager selection, due diligence and monitoring, CI GAM is supported by a highly experienced alternatives team at its U.S. affiliate;
• Low minimum investment;
• No lock-up period, with redemptions available on a quarterly basis, subject to certain restrictions;
• The payment of quarterly distributions;
• Eligibility for registered plans, including registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds, deferred profit-sharing plans, registered education savings plans, registered disability savings plans, tax-free savings accounts and first home savings accounts;
• A cap on the all-in maximum management fee of the Series F units;
• The use of a liquidity sleeve to effectively manage redemption and capital calls, minimizing their impact on the rest of the portfolio.

Benefits of private markets investments

Private markets investments are those made in entities that are not publicly listed or traded. An allocation to private markets provides access to a wider range of investment opportunities and increased portfolio diversification. Assets under management in private markets globally exceed $12-trillion (U.S.) and are increasing, given that many growing companies are opting to stay private rather than list on public markets. Private markets also provide the potential for enhanced returns, reduced volatility and low correlation of returns relative to public markets.

About CI Global Asset Management

CI Global Asset Management is one of Canada's largest investment management companies. It offers a wide range of investment products and services and is on the Web. CI GAM is a subsidiary of CI Financial Corp., an integrated global asset and wealth management company with approximately $529.4-billion in assets as at Dec. 31, 2024.