SII Sprott Inc

TORONTO, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ - Sprott Asset Management LP ("Sprott") is pleased to announce outstanding performance results for its investors in 2010. Despite a volatile and challenging investment environment, nearly all of Sprott's equity and hedge funds outperformed their respective benchmark indexes in 2010, many by a significant margin.  For the year, more than 98% of Sprott's equity and hedge fund Assets Under Management outperformed their benchmarks.

Of the Sprott funds, eleven generated returns greater than 30% during the year, four of which earned returns in excess of 50%. The Sprott Gold & Precious Minerals Fund was the top performer in 2010 with a return of 74.73%, while the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund delivered a return of 57.55%, and the Sprott Small Cap Equity Fund and Sprott Small Cap Hedge Fund returned 50.32% and 50.27%, respectively.

Sprott's longer-term track records are even more impressive. The 10-year cumulative return to December 31, 2010 for the Sprott Canadian Equity Fund was 678%, compared to 89% for the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index. Over the same time period, the Sprott Hedge Fund LP generated a cumulative return of 713%, compared to -37% for the S&P 500 Total Return Index in Canadian dollars. 

"We are extremely pleased with the performance delivered by Sprott Asset Management's investment managers in 2010. We have an outstanding team, comprised of independent thinkers, united by a common goal - delivering superior long-term returns to our investors," said Peter Grosskopf, Chief Executive Officer of Sprott Inc. "During the year, we added to the team in order to provide our investors with a wider range of investment options, and we are very proud of the broad and deep group contributing to these outstanding results."

Sprott's best-in-class managers and unique funds are increasingly being recognized in the marketplace for their ability to outperform their peers. Recently, Sprott Capital Hedge LP was named "Fund of the Year" at the 2010 AR Awards, one of the hedge fund industry's most prestigious awards celebrations.

Sprott Funds - 2010 Performance Highlights, Series A

Sprott Mutual Funds - Performance Summary, Series A

^{1 S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index}

^{2 S&P/TSX Global Gold Index}

^{3 S&P/TSX Small Cap Total Return Index}

^{4 S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index}

^{5 S&P 500 Total Return Index in Canadian dollars}

Sprott Hedge Funds - Performance Summary, Series A

About Sprott Asset Management LP

Sprott Asset Management LP (www.sprott.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sprott Inc. (www.sprottinc.com), is a fund company dedicated to achieving superior returns for its investors over time. Sprott Asset Management LP manages assets primarily for institutions, endowments and high net worth individuals and is the investment manager of the Sprott Funds. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual Funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors should consult their financial advisor to determine if these Funds may be sold in their jurisdiction.

SOURCE Sprott Inc.