N@N

Prudential Investments mutual funds honored by Lipper for performance

^{Published on 2011-03-24 14:00:44 - Market Wire}
 

NEWARK, N.J.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Three [ Prudential Investments ] mutual funds won awards based on 5-year risk-adjusted performance at Lippera™s annual mutual fund awards ceremony in New York City last night. The awards honor mutual funds that have excelled in delivering consistent risk-adjusted performance relative to peers. Prudential Investments is the mutual fund family of Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE: PRU) and offers funds across a range of asset classes and sectors, including equity, fixed income, real estate and specialty securities.

"Our focus on delivering strong results for our shareholders is our top priority and these awards validate the vision and consistent performance of our investment managers."

aIta™s always an honor to have the strength and expertise of our fund managers recognized by Lipper,a said Judy Rice, president of Prudential Investments. aOur focus on delivering strong results for our shareholders is our top priority and these awards validate the vision and consistent performance of our investment managers.a

Prudential Investmentsa™ Lipper Award winners for risk-adjusted investment performance through the period ending December 31, 2010, were as follows:

• [ Prudential Jennison Equity Income Fund ](Class A, SPQAX), which won for 5-year performance out of 192 funds in the Equity Income Funds category. This fund is managed by Jennison Associates, a leading active equity manager since 1969.
• [ Prudential Jennison Natural Resources Fund ](Class Z, PNRZX), which won for 5-year performance out of 53 funds in the Global Natural Resources Funds category. This fund, also managed by Jennison Associates, has won a Lipper Award four years in a row.
• The [ Prudential California Muni Income Fund ](Class Z, PCIZX), which won for 5-year performance out of 101 funds in the California Municipal Debt Funds category. This is the second consecutive year that this fund has won a Lipper Award. It is managed by Prudential Fixed Income, one of the nationa™s largest and most experienced fixed income mangers.

Class Z shares are only available to participants in wrap fee programs and group retirement plans, and to various institutional investors who invest at least $10 million.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $784 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2010, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudentiala™s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudentiala™s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit [ http://www.news.prudential.com ].

The Lipper Fund Awards are based on risk-adjusted returns for the three-, five-, and 10-year periods ending 12/31/2010 using Lipper's proprietary, quantitative fund rating methodology. Rankings do not take sales charges into account. Prudential Jennison Equity Income Fund Class A shares were ranked 7 out of 231 and 1 out of 192 for Equity Income Funds for the three- and five-year periods, respectively. Prudential Jennison Natural Resources Fund Class Z shares were ranked 2 out of 80, 1 out of 53, and 3 out of 32 Global Natural Resources Funds for the three-, five-, and 10-year periods, respectively. Prudential California Muni Income Fund Class Z shares were ranked 4 out of 112, 1 out of 101, and 3 out of 82 California Municipal Debt Funds for the three-, five-, and 10-year periods, respectively.

The risks associated with these funds may include: investing in high yield (ajunka) bonds, which are subject to greater credit and market risks; foreign securities, which are subject to currency fluctuation and political uncertainty; short sales, which involve costs and the risk of potentially unlimited losses; derivative securities, which may carry market, credit, and liquidity risks; mortgage-backed securities, which are subject to prepayment and extension risks; and leveraging techniques, which may magnify losses; investments in the natural resources sector, thereby increasing vulnerability to any single economic, political, or regulatory development. Some funds are non-diversified, so a loss resulting from a particular security or sector will have a greater impact on the Funda™s return. Fixed income investments are subject to interest rate risks, and their value will decline as interest rise. These risks may result in greater share price volatility. There is no guarantee the Fundsa™ objectives will be achieved. The risks associated with each fund are explained more fully in the respective funda™s prospectus.

Consider a funda™s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, and, if available, a summary prospectus, contain this and other information about the fund. Contact your financial professional for a prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus. Read it carefully before investing.

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, member SIPC. Jennison Associates is a registered investment advisor. Both are Prudential Financial companies. Prudential Fixed Income is a unit of Prudential Investment Management, Inc., a registered investment advisor and a Prudential Financial company. Prudential Investments, Prudential, Jennison Associates, Jennison, the Prudential logo, and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc., and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.