DALLAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) today announced the launch of two new institutional, no-load mutual funds -- the WHG Income Opportunity Fund and the WHG SMidCap Fund. Westwood Management Corp., a registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., will manage these mutual funds.

"We are excited to offer our SMidCap and Income products in a mutual fund vehicle with competitive, capped expense ratios, which we believe will present a compelling offering for certain segments of institutional investors, including 401(k) plans," said Brian Casey, President and CEO of Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. "Our portfolio management teams responsible for these funds will employ the same disciplined investment approach that is utilized in the firm's separately managed institutional accounts, which focuses on achieving above average, risk-adjusted returns."

The WHG Income Opportunity Fund's primary investment objective is to provide a higher level of current income than offered by traditional fixed income products with a secondary objective of producing the opportunity for long-term capital appreciation. The Fund invests primarily in dividend-paying and/or interest bearing securities of companies with strong and improving cash flow that is sufficient to support a sustainable or rising income stream for investors. The firm believes that certain investors will find this fund to be an attractive alternative for meeting their current income requirements.

The WHG SMidCap Fund's primary investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing in small- and mid-cap companies in which we anticipate future profitability to be higher than what the current valuation reflects. This mutual fund will be managed in the same manner as Westwood's SMidCap institutional separate account product. Clients that employ Westwood's SMidCap product in their defined benefit plan will now be able to utilize the WHG SMidCap Fund in their defined contribution plan.

The initial share class offered for each fund is an institutional class with total expense ratios capped at 1.00% for the WHG Income Opportunity Fund and 1.25% for the WHG SMidCap Fund.

About Westwood

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. manages investment assets and provides services for its clients through two subsidiaries, Westwood Management Corp. and Westwood Trust. Westwood Management Corp. is a registered investment advisor and provides investment advisory services to corporate pension funds, public retirement plans, endowments and foundations, mutual funds and clients of Westwood Trust. Westwood Trust provides, to institutions and high net worth individuals, trust and custodial services and participation in common trust funds that it sponsors. Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WHG". For more information concerning Westwood, please visit the company's website at http://www.westwoodgroup.com .

More information regarding the WHG Funds is available by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG.

Mutual fund investing involves risk including loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility.

To determine if a Fund is an appropriate investment for you, carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risk factors and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund's prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (877-386-3944). Read it carefully before investing.

There is no assurance that a fund will meet its stated objective.

The WHG Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with Westwood Management Corp. or any other affiliate.

Media contact:

Tucker Hewes, Hewes Communications, Inc., (212) 207-9451, tucker@hewescomm.com

SOURCE Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
01/04/2006
CONTACT: Tucker Hewes of Hewes Communications, Inc., +1-212-207-9451, or
tucker@hewescomm.com , for Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
Web site: http://www.westwoodgroup.com
(WHG)