WisdomTree Announces Investment Sub-Advisory Relationship With Western Asset Management for Fixed Income ETFs in Credit Space

Published on Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:09 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WisdomTree (Nasdaq:WETF), an exchange-traded fund ("ETF") sponsor and asset manager, today announced a new investment sub-adviser relationship with Western Asset Management, a subsidiary of Legg Mason (NYSE:LM). The collaboration will be in the global fixed income area with a focus on credit products. 

"We are pleased to tap the expertise of the Western team, one of the world's leading fixed income managers, as we look to build on our progress in the international fixed income space," said Bruce Lavine, WisdomTree President & COO.   

James Flick, Director of Global Client Service and Marketing, Western Asset Management, commented, "We are excited to enter the fast-growing ETF market and believe WisdomTree's track record of innovation coupled with our extensive global credit resources and experience will make for a formidable combination. Our Global Credit team has investment professionals on the ground in 6 countries covering both developed and emerging markets."

WisdomTree is the leader in actively managed ETFs based on assets under management. WisdomTree's Emerging Markets Local Debt Fund (ELD) and Asia Local Debt Fund (ALD) launched in 2010 and 2011 respectively. 

There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. Foreign investing involves special risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty. Investments in emerging, offshore or frontier markets are generally less liquid and less efficient than investments in developed markets and are subject to additional risks, such as risks of adverse governmental regulation and intervention or political developments. Derivative investments can be volatile and these investments may be less liquid than other securities, and more sensitive to the effects of varied economic conditions. 

Fixed income investments are subject to interest rate risk; their value will normally decline as interest rates rise. In addition when interest rates fall income may decline. Fixed income investments are also subject to credit risk, the risk that the issuer of a bond will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuers ability to make such payments will cause the price of that bond to decline. Unlike typical exchange-traded funds, there is no index that the Fund attempts to track or replicate. Thus, the ability of the Fund to achieve its objective will depend on the effectiveness of the portfolio manager. Please read the Fund's prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund's risk profile.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Funds before investing. To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, call 866-909-9473 or visit wisdomtree.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

WisdomTree Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. 

Bruce Lavine is a registered representative of ALPS Distributors, Inc.

ALPS Distributors, Inc is not affiliated with Western Asset Management. 

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About WisdomTree

WisdomTree® is a New York-based exchange-traded fund ("ETF") sponsor and asset manager. WisdomTree currently offers 47 ETFs across Equities, Currency Income, Fixed Income and Alternatives asset classes. WisdomTree also licenses its indexes to third parties for proprietary products and offers a platform to promote the use of WisdomTree ETFs in 401(k) plans. WisdomTree currently has approximately $12.5 billion in ETF assets under management. For more information, please visit www.wisdomtree.com.

WisdomTree is the marketing name for WisdomTree Investments, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. and WisdomTree Retirement Services, Inc. WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. is a registered investment advisor and is the investment advisor to the WisdomTree Trust and the WisdomTree ETFs. The WisdomTree Trust is a registered open-end investment company. Each WisdomTree ETF is a series of the WisdomTree Trust. WisdomTree Retirement Services, Inc. supports the use of the WisdomTree ETFs in retirement plans by financial professionals. 

The WisdomTree Investments, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11269

About Western Asset Management

Western Asset, a unit of Legg Mason, Inc. (NYSE:LM) is one of the world's premier fixed-income managers. With offices in Pasadena, New York, London, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sao Paulo, Western Asset offers institutional and retail clients a full range of fixed-income products. By devoting all of its resources to fixed-income, Western Asset is able to provide a full commitment to its clients in every area of the firm. Western Asset's long performance track record and global presence has them positioned to continue their commitment to excellence in fixed-income investment management and client service. As of December 31, 2011, Western Asset had $442 billion in assets under management.

CONTACT: Media Contact:
         Stuart Bell
         WisdomTree Investments, Inc.
         (917) 267-3702
         
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