Hancock Horizon Funds Launches Three New Funds

GULFPORT, Miss., June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC) announced today the launch of three new Hancock Horizon Funds (HHF) to its growing $2.4 billion family of mutual funds: the Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund; the Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund; and the Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund. The new funds are complementary to HHF's current fund offerings and are managed by the same team that oversees the 4-star Morningstar-rated Burkenroad Small Cap Fund (HHBUX).

"At Hancock Horizon Funds, we always are seeking to discover new strategies to enhance the portfolio, provide investor benefits, manage risks and offer opportunities to produce excess returns in today's equities climate," said HHF Senior Vice President, Managing Director David Lundgren, CFA. "While there are many variables to financial growth, we believe these three funds offer opportunities for investors seeking to diversify and round out their portfolios." The firm currently has other funds in these asset classes, but the new entries offer additional opportunities.

Hancock Horizon Funds Microcap Fund

As a subset of the small cap asset class, the Hancock Horizon Microcap Fund (HMIAX) focuses on companies ranging from $25 million to $750 million. Companies of this size may be included in other small cap funds but generally are a very small percentage of the mix. In addition, microcaps have a significantly lower level of coverage by analysts, but have historically done well in low-growth environments. "We believe there is great opportunity to capitalize on higher returns in this category, as the majority of mergers and acquisitions happen in microcaps," Lundgren added. Consisting of approximately 60-70 equally weighted companies, the fund strives to have an average market cap of $500 million.

Hancock Horizon Funds Microcap Fund Managers: With more than 35 years of combined investment experience, the fund will be managed by Anthony Slovick, CFA, and Steve Solomon, CFA, CFP. Slovick joined HHF in 2011 after working for Whitney Bank since 2007. Solomon joined HHF in 2011 after working at Whitney Bank beginning in 1999.

Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund

For investors committed to small cap companies as part of a diversified portfolio strategy to achieve long-term asset growth, the Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund (HISAX) extends options in the asset class to the global marketplace. The international small cap market is broad, with more than 3,500 stocks included in the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Small Cap Index, representing what the HHF fund management team sees as untapped investment potential.

"The Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund can take advantage of the inherent inefficiencies by investing in these often undervalued and undiscovered companies," said Lundgren. The Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund will invest in non-U.S. companies with market caps between $75 million and $5 billion. 

To target these small cap companies, which traditionally receive low coverage by Wall Street analysts, HHF has selected GlobeFlex (www.globeflex.com) to serve as sub-adviser for this Fund. Based in San Diego, GlobeFlex has more than 20 years of experience with a proven research-based process.  

Hancock Horizon International Small Cap Fund Managers:  Robert J. Anslow (founder/partner) and James Peterson, CFA, of the sub-adviser GlobeFlex are responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.  GlobeFlex has more than $3 billion in assets under management and has extensive experience managing international small cap stock portfolios. 

Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund

The Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund (HDAAX) casts a broad net of about 20 liquid asset classes, from the S&P 500 to Real Estate Investment Trusts to international stocks, with a focus on managing both volatility and risk. With a systematic approach, the fund will rebalance to ensure the asset classes included meet the Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund's criteria. Rebalancing of the fund also may be triggered by market fluctuations as a result of many factors.  

"The most recent financial crisis and the following market volatility has spurred many investors to focus on liquid alternatives in their quest to better manage portfolio risk – while seeking returns at the same time," said Lundgren. "Our goal is to provide that investment option with this fund."

Hancock Horizon Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund Manager: Austin Zaunbrecher, CFA, joined HHF in 2013, with experience from Equitas Capital Advisors and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

About Hancock Horizon Funds Founded with three funds worth $240 million at its inception in 2000, the Hancock Horizon Funds family has grown to include 14 funds with over $2 billion in assets today.  It is one of the largest mutual fund families in the Gulf South region and includes the 4-star Morningstar-rated Burkenroad Small Cap Fund and the 4-star Morningstar-rated Quantitative Long/Short Fund.

About Hancock Holding Company Hancock Holding Company (NASDAQ: HBHC) is a multifaceted financial services company with regional business headquarters and locations throughout a growing Gulf South corridor. With a heritage dating to the late 1800s, the company's banking subsidiary provides a comprehensive network of full-service financial choices through Hancock Bank locations in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, and Whitney Bank offices in Louisiana and Texas, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; energy banking; private banking; trust and investment services; certain insurance services; mortgage services; and consumer financing. More information and online banking are available at www.hancockbank.com and www.whitneybank.com.  

To determine if these Funds are an appropriate investment for you, carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting www.hancockhorizonfunds.com or by calling 1-800-990-2434. Please read it carefully before investing.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Mutual fund investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles, or from social, economic or political instability in other nations. There are specific risks inherent in investing in small cap and microcap companies. Small cap and microcap companies have a higher risk of failure and typically experience a greater degree of volatility. Investing in microcap companies may not be appropriate for all investors. Please read the prospectus carefully to obtain a complete understanding of the risks.

Diversification may not protect against market risk.

This information is not intended for investment advice. Please consult with your financial adviser for further information.

About Morningstar©2015 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Rating™ metric each month by subtracting the return on a 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill from the fund's load-adjusted return for the same period, and then adjusting this excess return for risk. The top 10 percent of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5 percent receive 4 stars, the next 35 percent receive 3 stars, the next 22.5 percent receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10 percent receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three, five and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. As of 4/30/2015, the Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small Cap Fund, Class A was rated against 637 Small Blend Funds over a three-year period, 573 over a five-year period, and 373 over a 10-year period, and received 2, 4, and 5 stars, respectively. For the same time period, the Hancock Horizon Quantitative Long/Short Fund was rated against 178 Long/Short Equity Funds over a three-year period and 86 over a five-year period. The Class A shares received ratings of 4 and 4 stars each.

Hancock Horizon Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with Hancock Holding Company or any of its affiliates.

Not  insured         No  guarantee         May lose value

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SOURCE Hancock Holding Company