Artisan Partners and Lewis Kaufman Celebrate Artisan Developing World Fund’s Two-Year Anniversary

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artisan Developing World Fund recently celebrated its two-year anniversary. The Fund is managed by Lewis S. Kaufman, founding portfolio manager of the Developing World Team and a managing director of Artisan Partners. The Fund recently received a Morningstar Analyst Rating^TM of Bronze, as well as inclusion on the Morningstar FundInvestor 500 List which highlights the industry’s “best and most notable” funds. A link to Morningstar’s Analyst Report can be found here: Morningstar—Artisan Developing World Fund Analyst Report. As of June 30, 2017, the Fund had total net assets of $1.4 billion and returned 9.26% (Investor Shares, annualized since inception) versus 5.03% for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Fund’s return averaged 3.45% in up months since inception (Index average: 3.43%) and -3.54% in down months since inception (Index average: -4.46%)¹. The Fund seeks to capitalize on opportunities in developing world economies by investing in companies that compound business value over a market cycle, while implementing a forward-looking construct for managing risk.

About Artisan Partners
Artisan Partners, adviser to the Artisan Partners Funds, is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of high value-added investment strategies in growing asset classes to sophisticated clients around the world. Since 1994, the firm has been committed to attracting experienced, disciplined investment professionals to manage client assets. Artisan Partners’ autonomous investment teams oversee a diverse range of investment strategies across multiple asset classes. Strategies are offered through various investment vehicles to accommodate a broad range of client mandates.

¹Based on monthly returns for the Fund’s Investor Shares beginning with July 2015, the first full month since inception. Upside/Downside average returns represent average monthly returns during months when the index was positive and negative, respectively.

Source: Artisan Partners/MSCI. Inception: 29 Jun 2015. ¹Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. ²Reflects a contractual Fund expense reimbursement agreement in effect through 31 Jan 2018. See prospectus for more information.

Past performance does not guarantee and is not a reliable indicator of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares in the Fund, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For current to most recent month-end performance information, call 800.399.1770. Performance reflects agreements to limit the Fund’s expenses, which would reduce performance if not in effect.

Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks and charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting www.artisanfunds.com. Read carefully before investing.

International investments involve special risks, including currency fluctuation, lower liquidity, different accounting methods and economic and political systems, and higher transaction costs. These risks typically are greater in emerging markets. Such risks include new and rapidly changing political and economic structures, which may cause instability; underdeveloped securities markets; and higher likelihood of high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations. Securities of small- and medium-sized companies tend to have a shorter history of operations, be more volatile and less liquid and may have underperformed securities of large companies during some periods.

MSCI Emerging Markets Index measures the performance of emerging markets. The index is unmanaged; includes net reinvested dividends; does not reflect fees or expenses; and is not available for direct investment. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used to create indices or financial products. This report is not approved or produced by MSCI.

The Morningstar FundInvestor 500 is a subjective list by Russel Kinnel, editor of Morningstar FundInvestor. The FundInvestor 500 is a subset of Morningstar’s coverage list. The Morningstar Analyst Rating is a subjective evaluation performed by the mutual fund analysts of Morningstar. The Rating should not be used as the sole basis in evaluating a mutual fund. Morningstar Analyst Ratings are based on Morningstar’s current expectations about future events; therefore, in no way does Morningstar represent ratings as a guarantee nor should they be viewed by an investor as such. Morningstar Analyst Ratings involve unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause Morningstar’s expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what is described. View Important Disclosures below for further details. The Morningstar Analyst Rating is not a credit or risk rating. It is a subjective evaluation performed by the mutual fund analysts of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar evaluates funds based on five key pillars, which are process, performance, people, parent, and price. Morningstar's analysts use this five pillar evaluation to identify funds they believe are more likely to outperform over the long term on a risk-adjusted basis. Analysts consider quantitative and qualitative factors in their research, and the weighting of each pillar may vary. The Analyst Rating ultimately reflects the analyst's overall assessment and is overseen by Morningstar's Analyst Rating Committee. The approach serves not as a formula but as a framework to ensure consistency across Morningstar's global coverage universe.

The Analyst Rating scale ranges from Gold to Negative, with Gold being the highest rating and Negative being the lowest rating. A fund with a "Gold" rating distinguishes itself across the five pillars and has garnered the analysts' highest level of conviction. A fund with a "Silver" rating has notable advantages across several, but perhaps not all, of the five pillars-strengths that give the analysts a high level of conviction. A "Bronze"-rated fund has advantages that outweigh the disadvantages across the five pillars, with sufficient level of analyst conviction to warrant a positive rating. A fund with a 'Neutral' rating isn't seriously flawed across the five pillars, nor does it distinguish itself very positively. A "Negative" rated fund is flawed in at least one if not more pillars and is considered an inferior offering to its peers. Analyst Ratings are reevaluated at least every 14 months. View detailed information about Morningstar’s Analyst Rating, including its methodology at http://corporate.morningstar.com/us/documents/MethodologyDocuments/AnalystRatingforFundsMethodology.pdf.

This material is provided for informational purposes without regard to your particular investment needs. This material shall not be construed as investment or tax advice on which you may rely for your investment decisions. Investors should consult their financial and tax adviser before making investments in order to determine the appropriateness of any investment product discussed herein.

Artisan Partners Funds offered through Artisan Partners Distributors LLC (APDLLC), member FINRA. APDLLC is a wholly owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Artisan Partners Holdings LP. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership, an investment advisory firm and adviser to Artisan Partners Funds, is wholly owned by Artisan Partners Holdings LP.

©2017 Artisan Partners. All rights reserved. 

Artisan Contact:
Mike Roos
800.399.1770
mroos@artisanpartners.com