DWS Investments (DWS), the retail mutual fund arm of Deutsche Bank, today launched the first in a series of structured and capital protected products designed to meet the changing needs of Indian investors – the DWS Capital Protection Oriented Fund, through Deutsche Asset Management India (DeAM India). The product launch represents the introduction of a new capability by DeAM India, which is planning an aggressive rollout of further DWS structured and capital protected funds in the coming 18 months.

Suresh Soni, Chief Investment Officer at DeAM India, commented: “Being an established and well-recognised player in the global mutual fund market with over 700 investment professionals, DWS’ investment capabilities spread across traditional asset classes such as fixed income to new asset classes such as structured products. We are very happy that our structured product capability is now available to local investors in India.”

“Recent market volatility has boosted investor demand for products which gravitate towards capital protection. Hence, it is timely for us to launch these products now to respond to market needs, as well as to provide more choices for investors.” added Suresh.

The DWS Capital Protection Oriented Fund was assigned AAA rating by Crisil [1]. It is a close-ended fund that has a 3 –year maturity period. The New Fund Offer (NFO) started on April 10, 2007 and would end on May 3, 2007.

The main objective of the fund is to protect the capital of the investors by investing in high quality fixed income securities and generate capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity related instruments in BSE-500 companies. The fund would invest 80 – 100 percent of net assets in debt securities and money market instruments and 0 – 20 percent of net assets in equities and equity linked instruments.

Through the DWS Capital Protection Oriented Fund, investors can look to steady and consistent of returns offered by the capital protection oriented feature of the product, and protect their wealth in the event of volatile market conditions yet gain exposure to potential higher upside returns offered by equities investment.

Suresh added: “Structured products are already highly popular in Europe, a market which DWS is one of the leading players. They are beginning to make its mark in India at the moment. We believe investors who have specific investment periods and are seeking for an assurance of capital and portfolio diversification in volatile markets will find structured products meeting their needs more fully.”

Minimum investment in DWS Capital Protection Oriented Fund is Rs. 5000 and in multiples of Rs1 thereafter.

[1] The rating only indicates the highest degree of certainty regarding payment of face value of investment to the unit holders on maturity and is not an opinion on the stability of the scheme’s NAV before its maturity date.

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About DWS Investments

DWS Investments is the mutual fund arm of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division, with more than EUR 249 billion worth of assets under management. DWS Investments is one of the world’s top 10 mutual fund managers [1]. Its unique business model combines global investment knowledge with local presence and responsibility, one single brand and a country specific sales and service strategy. Founded in Germany in 1956, DWS is today a local player in Europe's most important markets. In the United States, DWS operates under the DWS Scudder brand. In 2006, DWS started with Singapore and India in its expansion into the Asia Pacific marketplace. Leading positions in rankings of independent fund rating agencies and consistently awarded prizes confirm the sustainable success and the outstanding performance of DWS. In India, DWS was named the fastest growing AMC in 2006 by Business Standard.

[1] AAM (June 30, 2006), Strategic Insight, FERI FMI, ITA (December 31, 2006)