Forward International Real Estate Fund Wins Lipper Award

The fund receives 2013 Lipper Fund Award in the International Real Estate category for three-year performance.


San Francisco, March 15, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Forward International Real Estate Fund (KIRYX), managed by San Francisco-based investment company Forward, received the 2013 Lipper Fund Award for best three-year performance among 37 funds in Lipper's International Real Estate category. The announcement by Lipper at its 2013 Fund Awards Ceremony in New York City on March 14 recognizes the fund's excellent risk-adjusted returns over the three-year period ended December 31, 2012.

"We would like to thank Lipper for this prestigious award and see it as an important acknowledgment of lead portfolio manager Michael McGowan's stewardship of this fund," said J. Alan Reid, CEO of Forward. "Like most of our funds, our International Real Estate strategy combines a traditionally hard-to-access asset class with expert active management," he added. "We feel this type of approach is crucial for investors seeking an edge in a low-return world, and this certainly proved true in 2012."

The $210 million fund invests in non-U.S. commercial real estate markets, and focuses on companies particularly well represented with properties in key cities which serve as global capitals and transport hubs. Portfolio Manager Michael McGowan uses his boots-on-the-ground research to build and maintain a proprietary database of global real estate properties. The fund seeks opportunities in small- and mid-sized stocks often overlooked by other such funds and will actively trade positions when perceived price dislocations occur.

Forward International Real Estate is one of a suite of real estate funds in Forward's lineup run by a veteran portfolio management team with expert knowledge in their respective areas of the real estate market. The set of funds offers investors a wide array of investment choices including a long/short strategy, the Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund (KSRYX) , as well as the Forward Global Infrastructure Fund (KGIYX), Forward Select Income Fund (KIFYX)and Forward Real Estate Fund (FPREX). Taken together, the real estate team at Forward manages nearly $2.5 billion in assets as of February 28, 2012.

About Forward

The world has changed, leading investors to seek new strategies that better fit an evolving global climate. Forward's investment solutions are built around the outcomes we believe investors need to be pursuing - non-correlated return, investment income, global exposure and diversification. With a propensity for unbounded thinking, we focus especially on developing innovative alternative strategies that may help investors build all-weather portfolios. An independent, privately held firm founded in 1998, Forward (Forward Management, LLC) is the advisor to the Forward Funds. As of December 31, 2012, we manage more than $5.7 billion in a diverse product set offered to individual investors, financial advisors and institutions.

Forward International Real Estate Fund was recognized by Lipper as the top fund out of 37 International Real Estate Funds for the 3-year period ended December 31, 2012. Fund classification averages are calculated with all eligible share classes for each eligible classification. The calculation periods extend over 36, 60 and 120 months. The highest Lipper Leader for consistent return (effective return) value within each eligible classification determines the fund classification winner over three, five or 10 years.

Lipper Fund Awards designations do not constitute and are not intended to constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security of any entity in any jurisdiction. As a result, investors should not make an investment decision on the basis of this information. Lipper Fund Awards designations are for informational purposes only. Lipper is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information obtained from Lipper. In addition, Lipper will not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from information obtained from Lipper or any of its affiliates. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and investors should remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Forward Funds carefully before investing. A prospectus with this and other information may be obtained by calling (800) 999-6809 or by downloading one from www.forwardinvesting.com. It should be read carefully before investing.

Forward Global Infrastructure Fund seeks total return through capital appreciation and current income.

Forward International Real Estate Fund seeks total return from both capital appreciation and current income.
 

Forward Real Estate Fund seeks income with capital appreciation as a secondary goal.

Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund seeks total return through a combination of high current income relative to equity investment alternatives, plus long-term growth of capital.

Forward Select Income Fund seeks high current income and potential for modest long-term growth of capital.

RISKS

There are risks involved with investing, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results, share prices will fluctuate and you may have a gain or loss when you redeem shares.

Borrowing for investment purposes creates leverage, which can increase the risk and volatility of a fund. (Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund, Forward Select Income Fund)

Concentration in a particular industry will involve a greater degree of risk than a more diversified portfolio. (Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund, Forward Select Income Fund)

Foreign securities, especially emerging or frontier markets, will involve additional risks including exchange rate fluctuations, social and political instability, less liquidity, greater volatility and less regulation. (Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund)

Investing in a non-diversified fu nd involves the risk of greater price fluctuation than a more diversified portfolio . ( Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, ForwardInternational Real Estate Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, ForwardReal Estate Long/Short Fund, Forward Select Income Fund)

Investing in the real estate industry or in real estate-related securities involves the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate which include, among other things, changes in economic conditions (e.g., interest rates), the macro real estate development market, government intervention (e.g., property taxes) or environmental disasters.  These risks may also affect the value of equities that service the real estate sector. ( Forward International Real Estate Fund, ForwardReal Estate Fund, Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund, ForwardSelect Income Fund)

Short selling involves additional investment risks and transaction costs, and creates leverage, which can increase the risk and volatility of a fund. ( Forward Real Estate Long/Short Fund)

Alternative strategies typically are subject to increased risk and loss of principal. Consequently, investments such as mutual funds which focus on alternative strategies are not suitable for all investors.

Diversification does not assure profit or protect against risk.

Alan Reid is a registered representative of Forward Securities, LLC.

Forward Funds are distributed by Forward Securities, LLC.

Not FDIC Insured | No Bank Guarantee | May Lose Value


            

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