MutualFundWire.com: Fund Firm Adds New Disclosure Tool To Web site
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Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Fund Firm Adds New Disclosure Tool To Web site


As fund firms continue damage control in light of the fund scandal, a San-Francisco-based fund manager has announced its plans to bring greater transparency to its fund shareholders.

Forward Management, the investment advisor of Forward Funds and Sierra Club Funds has announced the addition to several additions to its Web site to make its investment policies plain to shareholders.

The new measures include:
  • a weekly report of daily fund flows

  • a quarterly list of all fund transactions by senior management team

  • the funds' code of ethics
  • board of directors biographies

    Some transparency and fair practice measures have always been protocol at the funds, executives said.

    "The year 2003 was a trying time for the mutual fund industry, but an even more challenging time for individual investors," said J. Alan Reid, Forward Management's president. "While Forward Funds and Sierra Club Funds remain unscathed we believe there's always room for improvement.." he said.

    Since inception, the Forward amd Sierra funds have had independent chairpersons and a majority of independent directors. The families also impose the maximum redemption fee permitted by law on shareholders who hold the funds for less than sixty days. Currently, each fund's site houses the shareholder prospectus, complete shareholder letter and statement of additional information.

    The new information can be found at www.forwardfunds.com and www.sierraclubfunds.com.


    Printed from: MFWire.com/story.asp?s=6514

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