MutualFundWire.com
The insiders' edge for 40 Act industry executives!
an InvestmentWires' Publication
an InvestmentWires' Publication
|
|
MutualFundWire.com
The insiders' edge for 40 Act industry executives!
an InvestmentWires' Publication |
|
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Another Values-Based Fund Enters the Market Another values based mutual fund is now in the market. Centurion Investment Partners, LLC has launched its flagship mutual fund, the Centurion Christian Values Fund. The goal of the fund is to avoid ownership in companies that offer products, services or engage in behavior or practices that are contrary to core Christian values. Centurion Investment Partners, LLC, an investment research and advisory firm, has launched its flagship mutual fund, The Centurion Christian Values Fund. Formed in 2006, Centurion Investment Partners was the idea of investment professional David C. Lenoir. With over fifteen years' experience in institutional investment consulting, most of his clients operated or managed secular businesses. However, Lenoir also worked with a number of faith-based organizations including churches, schools and foundations. In that arena, he recognized the need to match a client's faith with their investment goals. He discovered that there were very few investment alternatives available, but it wasn't until years later that he began to seriously consider doing something about it. During a conversation with someone about the mutual fund industry, Lenoir noted that many mutual funds invest in companies that many Christians would find less than palatable. He commented that someone should create a fund for performance and principles. Since that meeting, he has become that "someone." Months of research revealed few alternatives, and Lenoir recognized a hole in the market. There was no non-denominational, no-load fund that screened for Biblical principles and had a positive focus. It is that positive focus that makes The Centurion Christian Values fund so unique. "After reviewing the other faith-based alternatives," said Lenoir, "I felt that many were only solving half of the equation by only avoiding certain holdings. Scripture says to 'turn from evil and do good,' therefore, we structured our research process to not just avoid the 'sin stocks' but to look for the good in companies." Socially responsible investing is a huge segment of the market, growing 40% faster than all professionally managed assets from 1999 to 2003, and Lenoir sees The Centurion Funds as having an appeal to a large part of that market. With the goal of avoiding ownership in companies that offer products, services or engage in behavior or practices that are contrary to core Christian values, Centurion has developed a comprehensive research process built on three levels: avoid, minimize and encourage. Though he first began to take notice of this market in light of his corporate faith-based clients, he also recognized that individual investors want the same opportunity to invest according to their faith. "Not all investors can afford to hire someone to screen their investments, so whether it is the couple with a few thousand dollars to invest or an organization setting up a retirement plan for its employees, we would like to position the Centurion Funds as a viable alternative," said Lenoir. More products are planned for the Centurion portfolio in the coming months to include a bond fund and small cap fund. For more information on The Centurion Funds visit http://www.thecenturionfunds.com/ or call Centurion Investment Partners at (901) 766-9393 or toll-free at (866) 915-9393. An investor should consider the charges, risks, expenses and investment objective carefully before investing. For a Prospectus containing this and other information, please contact the Fund at 1-888-859-5867, or download the Fund's Prospectus at http://www.thecenturionfunds.com/. Read it carefully before you invest or send money. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC is the distributor of the Centurion Christian Values Fund. Printed from: MFWire.com/story.asp?s=14170 Copyright 2007, InvestmentWires, Inc. All Rights Reserved |