John Hodgins

Van Arbor Asset Management is a value investment manager that uses a proprietary investment strategy that focuses on preserving capital while generating superior long-term returns. The firm invests exclusively in established, blue chip equities. They invest primarily in the stocks of Canadian and US companies in the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industries and industrial services sectors. Van Arbor invests across all market-caps. Van Arbor's methodology seeks to produce portfolios with less-than-market volatility. Portfolios consist of low-beta, premier equities with outstanding historical performance in designated geographic areas. Each fund's objective is to generate substantial long-term returns with a standard deviation less than that of the local market benchmark equity index. Portfolios are diversified across geographic regions and across industry sectors. In general, Van Arbor looks for value stocks with a history of stable growth. The firm's investment strategy is based on a scientific and mathematical approach that is designed to remove human emotion from the investment process. The methodology uses real-time financial data to evaluate each security. The process begins with an initial screening to eliminate companies that do not meet the firm's minimum requirements for market-cap, low price volatility and superior historical performance. Companies that meet the minimum screening requirements are then considered in the next phase of Van Arbor's selection process. Van Arbor next analyzes the risk/reward trade-off by examining each security based on various forward looking and historical metrics including volatility, earnings, dividends and total return. Each metric category is given a mathematical coefficient to weight its relative contribution to a global score. The highest ranking securities are then reviewed further for inclusion in the funds' portfolios. To enhance returns, Van Arbor applies a series of growth drivers including a strictly-managed buying program, a comparatively low level of leverage and risk management tools to provide protection against severe market volatility. Once a portfolio is created, the firm monitors each stock to determine if and when it should be sold. The Van Arbor Canadian Advantage Fund is a large- to mid-cap Canadian fund designed for the moderately conservative investor. The Fund uses a conservative amount of leverage and is best suited for the long term investor. It employs an active value and growth strategy that is based on top-down macro and technical overview analysis. Van Arbor evaluates equities based on their relative value to their peers and on individual merits. Securities are closely monitored for improving or deteriorating fundamentals. The Fund invests across a variety of sectors including energy, telecommunications, financials, healthcare, materials, utilities and industrials. The Van Arbor WORLD Advantage Fund is a large-cap global fund designed for the moderately conservative, long-term investor. The Fund uses a conservative amount of leverage and has the ability to sell securities short. It employs a value investment strategy that combines a bottom-up equity selection process with a top-down risk management. At the portfolio level, the Fund employs top-down macro and technical overview analysis. Van Arbor evaluates equities based on their relative value to their peers and on individual merits. Securities are closely monitored for improving or deteriorating fundamentals. The Fund invests across a variety of sectors including energy, telecommunications, financials, healthcare, materials, utilities, information technology, consumer staples and industrials.