Desjardins announces updates to its ETFs Scientific Beta Indices

MONTREAL, June 18, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. (DGAM), the manager and portfolio advisor of the Desjardins Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), announces updates to Scientific Beta Indices methodologies implemented by Scientific Beta Pte Ldt. (Scientific Beta), the index provider. The updates as well as the ETFs impacted by the changes are listed below. These changes will be effective on or about June 19, 2020.

A) Scientific Beta Multifactor-Controlled Volatility Indices - addition of a controversial weapons filter

The index provider added a filter to the indices to exclude companies involved in certain controversial weapons which currently includes anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, which are the two classes of controversial weapons most often concerned by investment prohibitions in multiple state jurisdictions. Controversial weapons are weapons that are either prohibited under international conventions or deemed inhumane due to their disproportionate or indiscriminate impact.

The addition of a controversial weapons filter to the Scientific Beta Multifactor-Controlled Volatility Indices affects the Desjardins Multifactor – Controlled Volatility ETFs:

B) Scientific Beta Multifactor Low Fossil Fuel Index - extension of one of the Fossil Fuels filters

The index already excluded the following companies:

1. classified in the Energy – Fossil Fuels business sector;
2. owning reserves of Fossil Fuels;
3. with a significant share of revenues deriving from thermal coal;
4. with a significant portion of thermal coal in their power generation fuel mix.

The index provider extended the Index's filter (iii) to exclude companies with a significant share of revenues deriving from fossil fuels (including coal, oil and gas), instead of focusing only on thermal coal. The goal of this update is to better exclude companies that are involved in the Fossil Fuel industry.

The extension of one of the Index's Fossil Fuels filter contained in the Scientific Beta Desjardins Global RI Fossil Fuel Reserves Free Multifactor Index affects the following ETF:

For information about Scientific Beta and the ScientificBeta Indices methodologies, visit the index provider's website at www.scientificbeta.com.

For information about Desjardins ETFs, visit the manager's website at www.desjardinsETF.com.

About Desjardins Group

Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the sixth largest in the world, with assets of $326.9 billion. It has been rated one of Canada's Top 100 Employers by Mediacorp. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked among the World's Strongest Banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.

Desjardins Exchange Traded Funds are not guaranteed, their value fluctuates frequently and their past performance is not indicative of their future returns. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with an investment in exchange traded funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. is the manager and portfolio manager of the Desjardins Exchange Traded Funds. The Desjardins Exchange Traded Funds are offered by registered dealers.

The Indices referenced herein are the property of Scientific Beta Pte Ldt ("Scientific Beta") and have been licensed for use in connection with the Desjardins Index ETFs within the framework of the Scientific Beta business. Each party acknowledges and agrees that each Desjardins Index ETF is not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by Scientific Beta. Scientific Beta makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties (including without limitation, those of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use), with respect to the Indices or any data included therein or relating thereto, and in particular disclaims any warranty either as to the quality, accuracy and/or completeness of the Indices or any data included therein, the results obtained from the use of the Indices and/or the composition of the Indices at any particular time on any particular date or otherwise and/or the creditworthiness of any entity, or the likelihood of the occurrence of a credit event or similar event (however defined) with respect to an obligation, in the Index at any particular time on any particular data or otherwise. Scientific Beta shall not be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to the parties or any other person for any error in the Indices, and Scientific Beta is under no obligation to advise the parties or any person of any error therein.

Scientific Beta makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, as to the advisability of purchasing or selling the Desjardins Index ETFs, the ability of the Indices to track relevant markets' performances, or otherwise relating to the applicable Index or any transaction or product with respect thereto, or of assuming any risks in connection therewith. Scientific Beta has no obligation to take the needs of any party into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Indices. No party purchasing or selling the Desjardins Index ETFs, nor Scientific Beta, shall have any liability to any party for any act or failure to act by Scientific Beta in connection with the determination, adjustment, calculation or maintenance of the Indices.

SOURCE Desjardins Group