WDR Waddell and Reed Financial

Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds No. 1, Ivy Funds No. 3 over 10-year period;Either Waddell & Reed Advisors or Ivy Funds has been in top five of 5-year ranking since 2008

Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds and Ivy Funds again turned in strong showings in the latest Barron’s ranking of the “Best Mutual Fund Families,” as Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds took the top spot and Ivy Funds ranked No. 3 over the 10-year period. For the five-year period, Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds claimed the No. 2 spot, while Ivy Funds took No. 4. Ivy Funds appears in the top five in the 10-year ranking for the fifth year in a row, and in the top five of the five-year ranking for seven straight years.

“Over longer periods, and across differing market cycles, our rigorous investment process has led to solid results for investors,” said Henry J. Herrmann, Chairman and CEO of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., parent company to both fund families. “We prefer to measure performance across many years, as the majority of our investors have long-term goals and aspirations. We’re pleased to see that these rankings have continued to validate our process.”

Waddell & Reed Advisors FundsWaddell & Reed Advisors Funds ranked No. 1 over the 10-year period, out of 48 firms, and No. 2 over the five-year period, out of 56 firms, both ended Dec. 31, 2014. Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds has been in the top 10 of the five-year period for six of the last seven years. For the one-year period, marked by high correlation among asset classes, the fund family ranked No. 50 out of 65 firms.

Barron’s included separate one-year rankings for five specific asset categories in which funds must have a presence to qualify for the overall rankings. Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds ranked No. 4 out of the 65 firms in the World Equity category (equity and fixed-income assets) for the year ended Dec. 31. 2014.

Ivy FundsIvy Funds ranked No. 3 out of 48 firms over the 10-year period and No. 4 over the five-year period, out of 56 firms, both ended Dec. 31, 2014. For the one-year period, Ivy ranked No. 43 out of 65 firms. Since 2008, across a range of market cycles, Ivy Funds has been among the top five in the five-year rankings. Dating to 2007, Ivy Funds has been in the top 10 of the five-year ranking for eight straight years. Ivy lists among the top five in the 10-year ranking since 2010.

Measure strength in years, not quartersEspecially over the five-year period, both Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds and Ivy Funds have demonstrated consistent historical performance:

Barron's 5-Year Performance Rankings Year Ended   Waddell & Reed   Ivy Funds 2014 (56 firms) 2 4 2013 (55 firms) 9 5 2012 (53 firms) 16 2 2011 (53 firms) 2 1 2010 (53 firms) 2 1 2009 (54 firms) 1 2 2008 (53 firms) 1 3 2007 (61 firms) 23 7

The two fund families, both affiliates of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE:WDR), utilize a rigorous research process that emphasizes longer-term performance with a focus on risk management, according to company executives, with the benefits realized over longer periods.

Barron’s rankings (published Feb. 7, 2015) are based on asset-weighted returns in five categories: domestic equity, world equity (including international and global portfolios), mixed asset (stocks and bonds), taxable bonds and tax exempt bonds. Rankings also take into account an individual fund’s performance within its Lipper peer group. Sales charges are not included in the calculation of returns, and the ranking period included time periods during which some funds’ returns were affected by expense reduction arrangements.

Both the Waddell & Reed Advisors and Ivy Fund families offer a broad fund lineup covering all major asset categories, including international and domestic equity funds, asset allocation funds, sector funds, fixed-income funds and money market funds.

The Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds are offered through Waddell & Reed financial advisors, the company’s network of personal financial planners with offices around the country. Ivy Funds are offered through the company’s wholesale channel, which includes national and regional broker/dealers, registered investment advisors and retirement platforms.

Through its subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. provides investment management and financial planning services to clients throughout the U.S. The firm had approximately $124 billion in total assets under management at Dec. 31, 2014. Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company serves as investment advisor to the Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds, Ivy Funds Variable Insurance Portfolios and InvestEd Portfolios, while Ivy Investment Management Company serves as investment advisor to the Ivy Funds and the Selector Management Fund SICAV, an umbrella UCITS fund range domiciled in Luxembourg. Waddell & Reed, Inc. serves as principal underwriter and distributor to the Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds, Ivy Funds Variable Insurance Portfolios, and InvestEd Portfolios, while Ivy Funds Distributor, Inc. serves as principal underwriter and distributor to the Ivy Funds.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of a fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus, or if available, a summary prospectus, containing this and other information for any of the Waddell & Reed Advisors or Ivy Funds, call your financial advisor or visit www.waddell.com or www.ivyfunds.com. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and it is possible to lose money by investing. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.Investor Contact:Nicole Russell, (913)-236-1880VP, Investor RelationsorMedia Contact:Roger Hoadley, (913) 236-1993VP, Communications