Jupiter Asset Management, one of the UK's leading asset management groups, is delighted to announce a strategic alliance with leading third party fund marketer, Alfi Partners to develop sales in France.

The agreement signals Jupiter's intention to develop a significant presence in the French investment funds industry, focusing on distributing its Sicav funds to professional fund buyers and qualified investors. France is the largest mutual fund market in Europe, with some ?750bn (£675bn) of assets under management.*
Jupiter, which has some ?24bn (£21bn) of assets under management**, is regarded as one of the UK's leading investment groups. In September it was recognised by independent fund research group OBSR as the UK's Outstanding Investment House for 2009. In 2008 Jupiter was awarded top ranking in the EDHEC/Europerformance Alpha League Table. Both accolades were for the performance of Jupiter's unit trusts.
The Company has been developing its operations in Continental Europe for three years. While Jupiter is regarded as one of the UK's most popular asset managers for both retail and professional investors in the UK, the Company's strategy in Europe is to focus initially on promoting the Jupiter Global Fund Sicav and Jupiter Merlin Funds Sicav to professional fund buyers.

Alfi Partners, which was established in 2004, is a leading Third Party Marketer in Continental Europe, dedicated to assisting a limited number of selected top decile asset management companies in distributing their products to professional investors. The fund managers represented by Alfi Partners share an entrepreneurial spirit and are focused on producing consistent high alpha returns. Based in Paris, Alfi Partners has been set up by a group of experienced investment professionals with complementary expertise. More than ?2bn (£1.8bn) of investments have been made by ALFI Partners clients since 2005.

Edward Bonham Carter, Chief Executive of Jupiter Asset Management, said: "We have enjoyed considerable success developing our sales in Europe and are delighted to have teamed up with Alfi to build a presence in the very important French market."

Kevin Scott, Executive Director International, said: "The Jupiter Global Funds Sicav has been registered in France for some time but we have not been active in this market until now as we wanted to find the right partner. Alfi is a very experienced fund marketer and is very well known in France and we are delighted to have formed this alliance with the team."

Francois Defferriere and Eric Bonneville, Founding Partners of Alfi Partners, said: "Jupiter has produced outstanding and consistent performance across a broad range of funds during the past 20 years. We are very proud and happy that Jupiter has chosen Alfi to help the Company extend its reach further into Europe. For AIfi's professional client base, this alliance will provide a great opportunity to easily access a range of top performing equity funds."

-ENDS-

NOTE

* Source: Lipper FMI Fund Market Monitor as at 31.08.09
** Source: Jupiter 30.9.09

Jupiter Asset Management Limited (JAM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and its registered address is 1 Grosvenor Place London SW1X 7JJ. The group is collectively known as "Jupiter". The above commentary represents the views of the Fund Manager at the time of preparation and may be subject to change, and this is particularly likely during periods of rapidly changing market circumstances. They are not necessarily those of Jupiter and should not be interpreted as investment advice. Past Performance should not be seen as a guide to future returns, the value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and may be affected by exchange rate variations. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of any information provided but no assurances or warranties are given.