Jupiter Asset Management is delighted to announce that Guy de Blonay will be appointed co-manager of the Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund, alongside Philip Gibbs, head of the financials team, with effect from the summer of 2010.

In October, Jupiter announced that Guy would be joining its market-leading team of financial fund managers, Philip Gibbs and Robert Mumby. Guy, who has 13 years investment experience has managed the New Star Global Financials Fund since December 2001 and before that, worked at Jupiter as an analyst for six years. Between 28 December 2001 and 31 October 2009 the New Star Global Financials Fund produced a return of 161% compared with -37% for the FTSE Global Financials Index.*

He will initially join Jupiter in January 2010 in an advisory capacity before joining Philip Gibbs and Robert Mumby as a member of the financials team in the summer. At that time, he will take on joint management of the £1.4bn Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund. Robert Mumby will continue to assist on the Fund.

The Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund has, under the stewardship of Philip Gibbs, delivered a return of 825% since launch in June 1997, ranking the Fund 1st out of all 687 unit trusts over that time period. This compares with 39% for the FTSE Financials Index. Furthermore, the Fund returned 7% during 2008 against the backdrop of the worst equity markets since 1973-1974. This compares with -48% for the FTSE Financials Index.**

Philip Gibbs, head of Jupiter's financials team, said: "I am delighted that Guy will be joining me in co-managing the Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund. The Fund has enjoyed strong inflows during the past year and despite the travails of the past two years, the global financials sector still makes up some 22% of the world's stock markets*** with a wide variety of sub-sectors. Guy has produced strong performance over a number of years and bringing his investment skills to bear in the management of the Fund will clearly be beneficial."


-ENDS-

NOTE

* Source: Financial Express bid to bid, net income reinvested. Figures from 28.12.01 to 31.10.09. All figures in GBP.

** Source: Financial Express bid to bid, net income reinvested. Figures from 2.6.97 to 31.10.09 and from 31.12.07 to 31.12.08. All figures in GBP.

*** Based on the FTSE All World Index at the end of October 2009

Jupiter Unit Trust Managers Limited (JUTM) and Jupiter Asset Management Limited (JAM) are both authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and their 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.

This document contains information based on the FTSE All World Index. 'FTSE®' is a trade mark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange Plc and The Financial Times Limited and is used by FTSE International Limited ('FTSE') under licence.  The FTSE All World Index is calculated by FTSE. FTSE does not sponsor, endorse or promote the product referred to in this document and is not in any way connected to it and does not accept any liability in relation to its issue, operation and trading.  All copyright and database rights in the index values and constituent list vest in FTSE.