McDonnell Investment Management, an affiliate of Natixis Global Asset Management, was recently recognized by SMITH’s Research & Gradings for its municipal bond credit research and investment strategies. McDonnell has been named to the SMITH’s All-Star Team for the past seven years, and was ranked sixth out of 80 buy- and sell-side firms in 2015.

Four investment professionals at the firm were acknowledged for their research contributions and included in SMITH’s 2015 Municipal All-Star Team.

  • Brad Mincke, Co-head of Research, was selected for the All-Star Second Team Buyside Director of Research Category and All-Star First Team in the Higher Education Bond category.
  • Kelly Cruse, Senior Fixed Income Analyst, was selected for the All-Star Second Team in the General Obligation Bond category.
  • Bedford Lydon, Senior Fixed Income Analyst, was selected for the All-Star Second Team in the Transportation (Toll Roads) Bond category.
  • Andrea McKeague, Senior Fixed Income Analyst, was selected for the All-Star Third Team in the Special Revenue Bond Category.

“We are pleased that in the current market environment we have been recognized for our ability to provide compelling research and opportunities for our clients,” said Mark Giura, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of McDonnell Investment Management. “Demand for municipal bonds has remained strong and total issuance year to date has exceeded last year’s 12-month total, as tax-exempt volume for the full year was $368 B, and investor demand is expected to continue in 2016.”

McDonnell was named to the 2015 Municipal All-Star Team by demonstrating that the rigorous credit research and risk management process employed by its team provides appropriate investment solutions to its investors.

“Congratulations are in order as McDonnell is once again recognized as a 2015 Municipal All-Star by SMITH’s Research & Gradings,” said John Hailer, Chief Executive Officer for Natixis Global Asset Management in the Americas and Asia. “Municipal bonds can be one way to manage tax considerations while evaluating risk. We are proud to have McDonnell in the Natixis family.”

SMITH’s Research & Gradings is an independent provider of third-party research and analysis for institutional investors. It conducts an annual industry survey of 1,000 institutional investors to vote on an “All-Star Municipal Analysts Team”. Analysts eligible for consideration in the rankings are with buy-side institutions, sell-side firms, rating agencies and bond insurance companies.

Risks
Municipal markets may be volatile and can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Fixed-income bonds may carry one or more of the following risks: credit, interest rate (as interest rates rise bond prices usually fall), inflation and liquidity. Volatility management techniques may result in periods of loss and underperformance may limit the ability to participate in rising markets and may increase transaction costs.

Natixis Global Asset Management does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with a tax or legal professional prior to making any investment decisions.

Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. There is no assurance that any investment will meet its performance objectives or that losses will be avoided.

About Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.
Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is a multi-affiliate organization that offers a single point of access to more than 20 specialized investment firms in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The firm ranks among the world’s largest asset managers.1 Through its Durable Portfolio Construction® philosophy, the company is dedicated to providing innovative ideas on asset allocation and risk management that can help institutions, advisors and individuals address a range of modern market challenges. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. brings together the expertise of multiple specialized investment managers based in Europe, the Americas and Asia to offer a wide spectrum of equity, fixed-income and alternative investment strategies.

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.’s assets under management totaled $865.9 billion (€775.5 billion) as of September 30, 2015.2 Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is part of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.’s affiliated investment management firms and distribution and service groups include Active Investment Advisors;3 AEW Capital Management; AEW Europe; AlphaSimplex Group; Aurora Investment Management; Axeltis; Capital Growth Management; Cube Infrastructure Managers; Darius Capital Partners; DNCA Investments;4 Dorval Finance;5 Emerise;6 Gateway Investment Advisers; H2O Asset Management;5 Harris Associates; IDFC Asset Management Company; Loomis, Sayles & Company; Managed Portfolio Advisors;3 McDonnell Investment Management; Mirova;5 Natixis Asset Management; Ossiam; Seeyond;7 Snyder Capital Management; Vaughan Nelson Investment Management; Vega Investment Managers; and Natixis Global Asset Management Private Equity, which includes Seventure Partners, Naxicap Partners, Alliance Entreprendre, Euro Private Equity, Caspian Private Equity and Eagle Asia Partners. Visit ngam.natixis.com for more information.

1 Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2015 ranked Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. as the 17th largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management ($890.0 billion) as of December 31, 2014.

2 Net asset value as of September 30, 2015. Assets under management (AUM) may include assets for which non-regulatory AUM services are provided. Non-regulatory AUM includes assets which do not fall within the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s definition of ‘regulatory AUM’ in Form ADV, Part 1.

3 A Division of NGAM Advisors, L.P.

4 A brand of DNCA Finance.

5 A subsidiary of Natixis Asset Management.

6 A brand of Natixis Asset Management and Natixis Asset Management Asia Limited, based in Singapore and Paris.

7 A brand of Natixis Asset Management.

1380419.1.1