Jordinvest announces impressive returns for First Trust Fund since its inception

The Net Asset Value of the Fund's investment unit was valued at approximately JD113.76 at the end of November, which constitutes a minimal decline that does not exceed 3% when compared to the Net Asset Value achieved at the end of 2007.

This figure is notable when contrasted to the decline in performance in major Arab stock market indices, which reached an average of 41.1% during the same period, and when compared to Morgan Stanley Capital International's Arab stock market index (MSCI) decline since the beginning of the year estimated at 54.5%. The Fund's current returns have reached 139.32% since its inception, which is a formidable accomplishment in the face of the current economic challenges facing the world today.

These results reflect the extensive expertise and the exemplary professional performance that Jordinvest's team has been known for and committed to since the company's inception. The results helped mitigate the implications of systemic risk in Arab financial markets consequent to the global economic crisis, as Jordinvest was able to maintain a balanced performance in its transactions and offer positive returns to its shareholders and investors.

Commenting on the Fund's performance in the face of today's global economic challenges, Mr. Ahmad Tantash, Chairman and CEO of Jordinvest, said:

"We are proud of the latest success of our investments, and have directed our efforts and expertise to maintaining an advanced position on the investment scene, taking the necessary precautions to avoid the greater part of the financial crisis' negative effects. The First Trust Fund's results reflect Jordinvest's Investment Management and Analysis team's dedication to conducting financial studies and in-depth analysis on economic developments in order to strengthen the company's stance and develop it in accordance with the changing economic and market circumstances, thus ensuring continued growing returns and achieving greater success."

He further added, "We have been closely following the global economic crisis, which has drastically affected the real estate, construction and financial sectors. Yet the anxiety that stock market investors and traders exhibit greatly exceeds the actual extent to which the markets have been affected; confidence in the stock markets' performance has declined, resulting in random selling pressures which have negatively influenced the price levels and indices. The majority of investors are not aware that most Arab and regional banking institutions are armed with strong foundations and penetrating policies geared to safeguarding the safety of their transactions against radical fluctuations and potential market crises such as those affecting financial institutions in developed countries."

Mr. Tantash also touched upon his expectations for 2009, stating that the upcoming year will bring fundamental economic and financial changes on a global scale, as the fourth quarter of 2008 is clearly a turning point in the finance and investment age. He reiterated that Jordinvest's vision involved making future investments adaptable to the dominant economic circumstances and expected developments in both the economy and the financial markets in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

The First Trust Fund provides the opportunity to invest in domestic and regional Arab financial markets, wherein the greater part of the Fund's assets are invested are in stocks and bonds issued by governments, public institutions, and public joint-stock companies listed in these markets, and allows investing in unlisted securities at the same time as long as the percentage does not exceed 10% of the Fund's total assets.

One of the Fund's key objectives is to contain the risks inherent in major financial markets by diversifying its investments and distributing them across promising financial markets. The Fund is characterized by being balanced, as it mostly comprises listed stocks along with government and corporate bonds, in addition to its investments being prudently diversified to include different economic sectors in Arab markets, which helps reduce overall risk resulting from market fluctuations and provides investors with an opportunity to buy and sell on a monthly basis.