Consistent top decile returns since launch ensure S&P AA Rating for the New Star Global Financials Fund

The latest review of the New Star Global Financials Fund by Standard & Poor's has confirmed the retention of the fund's AA rating. The review also recognised the consistent performance that the manager, Guy de Blonay, has offered investors since launch.

Standard & Poor's said of the fund:

"New Star Global Financials Fund is the best performer in the S&P peer group over one, three and five years cumulatively and has achieved top or second decile returns every calendar year since launch in December 2001...Guy de Blonay has produced this exceptional record through a combination of macro analysis and solid stock selection...As a result the fund comfortably maintains its S&P AA rating."

Rob Page, Marketing Director, New Star, says:

"Guy's track record since the fund launched in 2001 is excellent. Not only has the fund been consistently S&P rated, but Guy himself was recently recognized by Citywire as the most consistently AAA-rated manager in his sector since he became eligible for a rating in February 2005. New Star Global Financials is a specialist fund that has really delivered for its investors."

Having returned 212.8% from launch on 28 December 2001 to 31 August 2007, the New Star Global Financials Fund has significantly outperformed its financial peer group average of 100.9%. Over the same period, it has outperformed the next best financials fund by 76%*. The New Star Global Financials Fund has achieved top-quartile returns over one, three and five years to 31 August 2007.

Performance of financial funds peer group

*Source: Lipper, mid to mid, in sterling, net income reinvested to 31/08/07.
*Since launch of the New Star Global Financials Fund.

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Important information

• Approximately 35% of New Star's mutual fund assets under management are invested in fixed income or property, with the remaining 65% invested in equities. (New Star Asset Management Trading update 20 July 2007)
• New Star, one of the UK's fastest growing fund management companies, was founded in June 2000 by John Duffield, previously the founder of Jupiter Asset Management, which he built into one of the most successful retail investment businesses in the UK.
• New Star currently has a range of 38 UK retail funds. These include funds covering UK and international equity growth, UK equity income, bonds, UK and international property and specialist areas such as global financials, investment trusts and technology as well as global and regional funds of funds.
• New Star won the Citywire Team All Stars Award in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The award recognises consistent performance on a risk-adjusted basis across 15 key IMA sectors.
• New Star employs more than 370 people and has offices in London, Dublin, Bermuda, Madrid, Zurich and Hong Kong.
• At 19 July 2007, the group's total funds under management stood at £25 billion.

Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

New Star Investment Funds is the trading name of New Star Investment Funds Limited, part of the New Star Marketing Group. New Star Investment Funds is not authorised to give investment advice and only provides information on New Star products. For your protection, calls may be recorded and monitored. Issued by New Star Investment Funds Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Issued in the UK by New Star Asset Management Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. © New Star Asset Management. The performance of life and pension funds linked to New Star funds will not mirror the performance of New Star funds due to the life and pensions fund charges, taxation adjustments (where relevant) and the investment process of the life and pension funds. Legal Information