NAPERVILLE, Ill., Feb. 26, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Calamos Investments has been recognized by Strategic Insight, an independent research firm, for its 300% growth in mutual fund assets during 2001. This was the highest percent growth in assets of all stock and bond fund managers with at least $2 billion in mutual fund assets as of 12/31/01. In addition, the firm was eleventh among nonproprietary managers in the amount of net cash inflows.
In announcing the achievement, Avi Nachmany, Executive Vice President and Director of Research for Strategic Insight, noted that, "Given the economic downturn in 2001, the firm's accomplishment in attracting new investments is notable. In fact, only about half of the reporting firms enjoyed any growth in net assets for the year, while only four companies, led by Calamos, more than doubled their mutual-fund assets under management."
John P. Calamos, Sr., founder of the firm, has implemented cutting-edge concepts of analytical modeling and disciplined risk management over his 30-year career. The firm is well-known for its excellence in managing portfolios for institutions and high net worth individuals. In its mutual funds, Calamos has replicated those same strategies, providing professional management techniques to any size investor, with minimum investments of only $500.
The Calamos Growth Fund (GVGRX)(see Note 1), begun in 1990, has been ranked by Lipper(see Note 2) as the No. 1 mid-cap growth fund for 5 and 10 years out of 187 and 43 funds respectively as of 12/31/01. The Fund has also been recognized by Morningstar with a 5-star ranking overall among 4,811 domestic equity funds(see Note 3). Calamos recently introduced a second equity fund with the inception of its Mid-Cap Value (CVAAX) Fund in January 2002.
In addition, as of 12/31/01, the Global Convertible (GVLOX) and Convertible Growth and Income Funds (CVTRX) have earned five stars overall out of 1,349 international equity funds and 4,811 domestic equity funds respectively, and the Convertible Fund (CCVIX) received four stars overall out of 4,811 domestic equity funds. The firm also offers the Calamos High Yield Fund (CHYDX), introduced in 1999.
In acknowledging the firm's achievement, Mr. Calamos said, "We are excited about the positive response for the Calamos Family of Funds from both investors and financial advisors. The markets have been exceptionally volatile, and we are pleased that our funds have held up well relative to the markets. With last month's introduction of the Calamos Mid Cap Value Fund, we continue to deploy our equity and fixed-income talents in the mutual fund marketplace, retaining the disciplined attention to risk that has been the hallmark of all our strategies."
Calamos, which also manages individual portfolios for institutions and private clients, grew total assets under management to approximately $9.4 billion as of December 31, 2001, up from $6.1 billion at the end of 2000. For more information, including fees and expenses, call Calamos Financial Services, Inc., the funds' distributor, at 800.582.6959 for a prospectus. Investors should read it carefully before investing or sending money.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Each Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets (Global Convertible Fund up to 100%) in foreign securities, which present special risk considerations such as fluctuations in foreign currencies or difficulty obtaining information.
Note 1: Investments by the Calamos Growth Fund in smaller companies present greater risks than investments in larger companies.
Note 2: Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. rankings are based on net total return performance, and do not reflect the effect of sales charges; if they had, results may have been less favorable. Lipper ranked the Calamos Growth Fund No. 53 of 448 mid-cap growth funds for 1 year as of 12/31/01.
Note 3: Source: Morningstar, Inc. Ratings are for Class A shares. Morningstar proprietary ratings on U.S.-domiciled funds reflect historical risk-adjusted performance and are subject to change every month. Ratings are calculated from a Fund's 3-, 5- and 10-year average annual returns in excess of 90-day T-bill returns with appropriate fee adjustments and a risk factor that reflects fund performance below 90-day T-bill returns. The Overall Morningstar Rating is a weighted average based on the 3-, 5- and 10-year, risk-adjusted performance. The top 10% of funds in an investment category receive five stars, the next 22.5% receive four stars, and the next 35% receive three stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. Ratings reflect the effect of sales charges. The funds were rated exclusively against U.S.-domiciled funds. As of 12/31/01: Growth Fund: 5 stars for 3, 5, and 10 years; Convertible Growth and Income Fund: 5 stars for 3, 5, 10 years; Convertible Fund: 4 stars for 3, 5 and 10 years; all out of 4,811, 3,160 and 895 domestic equity funds, respectively. Global Convertible Fund: 4 stars for 3 years, 5 stars for 5 years of 1,349 and 897 international equity funds.
Calamos Investments 1111 E Warrenville Rd. Naperville, IL 60563 Web site: www.calamos.com (Nasdaq:CCVIX) (Nasdaq:CVTRX) (Nasdaq:CVSIX) (Nasdaq:CVGRX) (Nasdaq:CVLOX) (Nasdaq:CHYDX) (Nasdaq:CVTAX) (Nasdaq:CVAAX)