AdvisorShares [see profile] is preparing to launch its fifth ETF. Yesterday the Bethesda, Maryland-based firm confirmed that it aims to release the new Peritus High Yield ETF by December 3. AdvisorShares claims that the new ETF will be "the first ever actively managed high yield bond ETF."

The new fund will be sub-advised by Santa Barabara, California-based Peritus I Asset Management and PMed Tim Gramatovich (Peritus' chief investment officer), Ron Heller (CEO and senior portfolio manager) and Dave Flaherty (senior portfolio manager). It will net annual operating expenses of 135 basis points.

"Our goal is to deliver a monthly income stream while also positioning to generate capital gains by acquiring securities at a discount to par value," Gramatovich stated.

Foreside Fund Services handles distribution, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius provides the new ETF with counsel and Tait, Weller & Baker serves as its independent account. BNY Mellon takes care of administration, custody and fund accounting, and serves as transfer agent.

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Company Press Release

BETHESDA, MD--(October 28, 2010) -  AdvisorShares Investments, LLC, an innovator of actively managed Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), today announced an expected launch date of no later than December 3rd, 2010 for the first ever actively managed high yield bond ETF, the Peritus High Yield ETF (NYSE: HYLD). HYLD is managed by Peritus I Asset Management ("Peritus"), a Santa Barbara, California-based investment manager.

Peritus is a unique value focused, active credit manager capitalizing on opportunities in the corporate bond market. They place limited value on the rating agencies and their methodologies, believing the agencies lag the market perception of risk and often ignore critical components of a company's credit profile. Instead, Peritus views credit as either "AAA" or "D," either the credit is expected to pay its coupon and principal obligations or it isn't. By avoiding arbitrary restrictions on aspects such as ratings and subordination and not being forced to take the one-of-everything approach as in the index products, Peritus is able to focus exclusively on the credits where they see the best risk reward. In addition, HYLD may utilize U.S. Treasuries in an effort to hedge against adverse market declines in periods of excessive exuberance as evidenced by compressed spreads and questionable underwriting standards. Short term treasuries (less than 5 year maturities) benefit from the "flight to quality" trade when there is a market disruption. While there is an opportunity cost in adding Treasuries to the portfolio (the yield is less), the possible Treasury "overlay" is expected to help potentially reduce risk and maximize the income stream regardless of the environment.

Noah Hamman, CEO and Founder of AdvisorShares said, "Peritus has an established track record managing high yield bonds. More importantly they have extensive high yield bond trading experience and the relationships to find the best opportunities. We believe that the high yield asset class is one which is best served through active management. We are very excited to be the first Firm to offer an actively managed high yield bond ETF to investors."

Tim Gramatovich, Chief Investment Officer of Peritus said, "We are very excited to launch HYLD with AdvisorShares as investors have begun to realize the benefits of yield in their portfolios. Delivering this via an ETF brings both transparency and liquidity to a much misunderstood asset class. Given the massive size of the marketplace, we believe that we have the tools to manage this portfolio through any and all environments and as such view HYLD as an active credit fund with all season tires. Our goal is to deliver a monthly income stream while also positioning the portfolio to generate capital gains by acquiring securities at a discount to par value."

To request more information on AdvisorShares, please contact Noah Hamman at 202-684-6383 or nh@advisorshares.com.

About AdvisorShares

AdvisorShares is a turnkey platform for investment managers seeking to offer their investment strategy in an actively managed ETF. AdvisorShares works with experienced money managers to combine their money management strategies with the benefits the ETF structure provides. AdvisorShares provides sales, marketing and educational support to help financial advisors utilize AdvisorShares ETFs to help them achieve their client's investment goals and objectives. AdvisorShares is pleased to offer actively managed ETFs, including the Dent Tactical ETF (NYSE: DENT), the Mars Hill Global Relative Value ETF (NYSE: GRV), the WCM/BNY Mellon Focused Growth ADR ETF (NYSE: AADR) and the Cambria Global Tactical ETF (NYSE: GTAA) and is dedicated to investor education. Fund.com is the majority owner of AdvisorShares Investments, LLC. Visit our website at www.advisorshares.com to learn more about us. Follow the AdvisorShares Team at http://www.twitter.com/advisorshares or 'Like' us at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AdvisorShares/53212358057?ref=ts.

About Peritus I Asset Management Peritus I Asset Management is an employee owned SEC registered investment advisor headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. Founders Tim Gramatovich and Ron Heller began their partnership in 1995. Peritus is a value based, active credit investment manager providing services to institutional and qualified retail markets. Visit their website at www.peritusasset.com.

Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Fund's website at www.AdvisorShares.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.

An investment in the Fund is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Non-diversification exposes the Fund to greater market risk than if its assets were diversified among a greater number of issuers and/or sectors. High yield, lower rated bonds involve a greater degree of risk than investment grade bonds in return for higher yield potential. As such, securities rated below investment grade generally entail greater credit, market, issuer and liquidity risk than investment grade securities. Interest rate risk occurs when interest rates rise as bond prices usually fall. This Fund may not be suitable for all investors. Newly organized, actively managed Funds have no trading history and there can be no assurance that active trading markets will be developed or maintained. 

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