José Marques, APR
Media Relations Manager
513.629.1448
Mailing Address:
Western & Southern Financial Group
Media Relations
Mail Station 90
400 Broadway Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
José D. Marques
Media Relations Manager (513) 629-1448
Touchstone Fund Receives Lipper Award 2010
CINCINNATI — June 16, 2010 — Touchstone Investments, Inc. (Touchstone), announced that its Touchstone Ohio Tax-Free Bond Fund has been named a winner in the Lipper Fund Awards 2010 for the fund’s 10-year performance. It was ranked the best of 28 funds in the Ohio Municipal Debt Funds category for the 10-year period ending Dec. 31, 2009. The fund, which is sub-advised by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. (Fort Washington), invests primarily in high-quality, long-term Ohio municipal obligations.
“Touchstone helps investors achieve their financial goals by offering access to a distinctive selection of institutional asset managers who are known and respected for proficiency in their specific area of expertise,” said Steven Graziano, president of Touchstone Investments. “Fort Washington’s management expertise is truly defining the successful results this fund is producing for the Fund’s shareholders who seek the highest level of interest income exempt from federal and Ohio personal income taxes consistent with the protection of capital.”
The Touchstone Ohio Tax-Free Bond Fund is diversified among a portfolio of different municipal issuers that sell debt for various purposes ranging from education to road improvement. Specific characteristics of a bond, such as the issuer, coupon, maturity, call features and yield, are analyzed to determine suitability.
“Our investment style for the Touchstone Ohio Tax-Free Bond Fund begins with a top-down analysis to determine the overall trend in interest rates. However our primary focus is on identifying relative value in the Ohio municipal market, which involves yield curve analysis and analysis of security specific attributes,” said John Goetz, vice president and senior portfolio manager for Fort Washington, who has managed the fund since its inception in 2000 and who has over 25 years of investment experience. “After thorough analysis, we select individual securities that we believe will provide the best combination of tax-free income and total return for our shareholders.”
The Lipper Fund Awards are given every year, and winners are selected based on the following criteria: Funds must be registered for sale as of the end of the calendar year being analyzed and have at least 36 months of performance history.
Although Lipper makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Lipper. Users acknowledge that they have not relied upon any warranty, condition, guarantee, or representation made by Lipper. Any use of the data for analyzing, managing, or trading financial instruments is at the user’s own risk. This is not an offer to buy or sell securities.
About Touchstone Investments
Touchstone Investments, a member of Western & Southern Financial Group, is a mutual fund company committed to providing access to institutional money managers who act in a sub-advisory capacity through a variety of strategically focused mutual funds across styles and asset classes. While its sub-advisors are held to strict performance standards, they work with a large measure of independence and operate within their own demonstrated areas of expertise. Touchstone regularly reviews fund results including investment returns, investment style adherence, and competitive positioning and continually monitors its funds in what it believes to be the best interest of shareholders.
The Touchstone Funds are advised by Touchstone Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor, and are distributed nationally through intermediaries including broker-dealers, financial planners and institutions by Touchstone Securities, Inc.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit www.touchstoneinvestments.com/home/pricingperformance/.
An investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses found in the prospectus. For a prospectus containing more complete information about Touchstone Funds, contact your financial professional or Touchstone at 1.800.638.8194 or visit touchstoneinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
About Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. (Fort Washington), founded in May 1990, is the money management and primary investment arm of Western & Southern Financial Group with more than $32.1 billion in assets.* Fort Washington is a registered investment advisor with expertise in fixed income, public equity and private equity. Clients include institutions and high-net-worth individuals throughout the country. For more information, visit FortWashington.com.
*As of 3/31/10, does not include Fort Washington Capital Partners Group, the private equity division of Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., with approximately $1.9 billion in commitments under management. Included within this $1.9 billion is $150 million of assets under management and/or advisement by Peppertree Partners, LLC.
About Western & Southern Financial Group
Western & Southern Financial Group (Western & Southern), a Fortune 500 company, is a Cincinnati-based diversified family of financial services companies with assets owned, managed and under our care in excess of $46 billion as of March 31, 2010. Based on Standard & Poor’s ratings, Western & Southern is one of the nine strongest life insurance groups in the world. For more information, visit www.westernsouthern.com. Western & Southern is the title sponsor of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women’s Open tennis tournaments.
Ratings refer to the claims-paying ability of the insurance company and not to the safety, stability or performance of any investment product.
one of the eight highest-rated life insurance groups
in the world based on Standard & Poor's AA+ Very Strong rating.
Rating current as of November 30, 2010.