Simple Alternatives CEO, Jim Dilworth Recognized as One of 2014 Rising Stars of Mutual Funds

RIDGEFIELD, CT--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2014) - Simple Alternatives, LLC, a leading alternative mutual fund company focused on providing investors better access to hedge fund managers, announced today that CEO and founder, Jim Dilworth, has been selected by Fund Industry Intelligence as one of the 2014 Rising Stars of Mutual Funds. Simple Alternatives is the manager of the S1 Fund (NASDAQ: SONEX), a multi-manager, long/short equity mutual fund.

"I am delighted to be selected as a Rising Star of Mutual Funds by Fund Industry Intelligence," said Dilworth. "This recognition is a testament to the results we have achieved at Simple Alternatives since launching the S1 Fund in 2010. We see a great need for better access to alternative investment strategies and believe that investors will continue to support us as we forge ahead to deliver on this goal." 

Dilworth was one of 13 nominees for this year's award, all of whom were nominated by mentors, colleagues or peers. Fund Industry Intelligence determined the final list after additional research, looking at criteria such as leadership at the firm and within the industry, recognition by industry groups and active contribution to the mutual fund community overall. A list of all nominees can be found here, The Rising Stars of Mutual Funds 2014.

"We are providing investors with a better way to access top hedge fund managers using a more liquid and transparent 40-Act Fund structure, thereby simplifying the process of allocating alternative investments," added Dilworth. "Institutional consultants and advisors are showing strong interest in long-short hedge equity strategies and we also see alternative strategies becoming more widely adopted in RIA model portfolios."

Dilworth continued, "According to recent McKinsey & Co. estimates, retail alternatives will control between 8 percent and 10 percent of $15.9 trillion in all mutual funds by 2017. ⁽¹⁾ Investors in general are looking for ways to lower volatility and to mitigate the potential impact of rising interest rates on portfolios. Alternative investment allocations can help investors meet these needs and will help drive this trend."

About Simple Alternatives, LLC

Simple Alternatives is an investment manager focused on liquid alternative strategies. The company is 100% independent and employee owned. Simple Alternatives' S1 Fund (SONEX) is a multi-manager alternative mutual fund that utilizes a portfolio of skilled (fundamentally-based) long/short equity managers who each bring a unique edge to the portfolio. The S1 Fund (the "Fund") seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with an emphasis on absolute (positive) returns and low correlation to traditional financial market indices such as the S&P 500^® Index. Structured as a mutual fund, the S1 Fund offers direct access to long/short strategies to a wide range of investors, with the benefits of daily liquidity, high transparency and low investment minimums.

For more information on Simple Alternatives, LLC and the S1 Fund please visit www.simplealternatives.com

(1) Source: McKinsey & Co, "Family makes a $100M bet on low hedge fund fees", CNBC.com, January 2014.

Fund Risks

The Fund is non-diversified and may focus its investments in the securities of a comparatively small number of issuers. Concentration in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes a fund to greater market risk and potential monetary losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers. The Fund may invest in small- and medium-sized companies which involve greater risk than investing in larger, more established companies, such as increased volatility of earnings and prospects, higher failure rates, and limited markets, product lines or financial resources.

The Fund may invest in foreign or emerging markets securities which involve special risks, including the volatility of currency exchange rates and, in some cases, limited geographic focus, political and economic instability, and relatively illiquid markets.

The Fund may invest in debt securities which are subject to interest rate risk. An increase in interest rates typically causes a fall in the value of the debt securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund may also invest in high yield, lower rated (junk) bonds which involve a greater degree of risk and price fluctuation than investment grade bonds in return for higher yield potential. The Fund's distressed debt strategy may involve a substantial degree of risk, including investments in sub-prime mortgage securities.

The Fund may purchase securities of companies in initial public offerings. Special risks associated with these securities may include a limited number of shares available for trading, unseasoned trading, lack of investor knowledge of the company and limited operating history. The Fund may leverage transactions which include selling securities short as well as borrowing for other than temporary or emergency purposes. Leverage creates the risk of magnified capital losses.

The Fund may also invest in derivatives which can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risks, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. The Fund may invest in options and futures which are subject to special risks and may not fully protect the Fund against declines in the value of its stocks. In addition, an option writing strategy limits the upside profit potential normally associated with stocks. Futures trading is very speculative, largely due to the traditional volatility of futures prices.

Investors should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For a summary prospectus, or prospectus that contains this and other information, call 866-882-1226. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

The S1 Fund is distributed by Foreside Funds Distributors LLC Berwyn, PA who is not affiliated with Simple Alternatives, LLC