Desjardins Investments makes changes to the Desjardins Global Small Cap Equity Fund

Montreal, January 16, 2024 – Desjardins Investments Inc. ("DI"), the manager of the Desjardins Funds, today announced a number of changes regarding the portfolio management of the Desjardins Global Small Cap Equity Fund. These changes, described in detail below, include a new portfolio sub-manager replacement and an update to the investment strategy of the Desjardins Global Small Cap Equity Fund. DI regularly reviews its mutual fund's offer to ensure they continue to meet the evolving investment needs of financial advisors and investors.

Wellington Management Canada ULC (« Wellington ») will replace Lazard Asset Management as the portfolio sub-manager for Desjardins Global Small Cap Equity Fund ("The Fund").  The Fund will be co-managed by Wellington and Grandeur Peak Global Advisors LLC, its existing additional sub-manager.

In addition, DI approved changes to the investment strategy of the fund concerned in order to better reflect the investment philosophy of its new sub-manager. However, the investment objective of the relevant Fund remains unchanged. These changes will take effect on or around March 18, 2024. 

The investment strategy of the Fund will be amended to better reflect the new mandate. Key investment strategy includes the following:

• The asset of the Fund are invested using a multidisciplinary investment process for selecting stocks.

• The macroeconomic assessment is used in conjunction with a quantitative model which looks at factors such as fair value, earnings quality, risks and transaction costs to narrow the investment universe. 

• The fundamental analysis is used to identify compelling mispricings across many different types of companies, regions, and opportunities.

• Wellington favours stocks that have inexpensive or fair valuations, solid earnings quality, positive signals from management behaviour, and increasing favourable sentiment. 

These changes will be made subject to regulatory approval. The manager reserves the right to defer to a later date the implementation of the announced changes, or one or more of them, or not to make these changes.

Founded in 1928, Wellington Management Company (“Wellington”) is one of the largest private investment managers in the world with over US$1 trillion asset under management as of September 30, 2023. Wellington focuses exclusively on managing investments, from global equity to fixed-income securities, through hedge funds, currency, and commodity portfolios. The firm has earned a solid reputation for discipline and skill thanks to its knowledgeable team of professionals. One of the cornerstones of Wellington's approaches to management is the independent research carried out by a group of seasoned analysts.

Desjardins Funds are not guaranteed, their value fluctuates frequently and their past performance is not indicative of their future returns. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may all be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Desjardins Funds are offered by registered dealers.

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