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With over a century of investment experience in Asia, the firm's Asia ex-Japan
and emerging markets assets total more than $90 billion
BOSTON, Sept. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife
Investment Management, the global wealth and asset management
segment of Manulife Financial Corporation, has announced the
availability of two new Asia-focused funds in Europe: Manulife Global Fund Asian Small Cap
Equity Fund and Manulife Global Fund China Total Return Bond Fund.
The announcement reflects an increased demand from investors for
Asia – Pacific investment
strategies and Manulife Investment Management's goal to expand into
the European market through its Manulife Global Fund offering.
With over a century of on-the-ground investment experience,
teams in 10 developed and emerging Asian markets, and more than 160
Asia-based investment professionals, Manulife Investment Management
has extensive investment capabilities in Asia. As of 30 June
2021, its Asia
ex-Japan and Emerging Markets
fixed income and equities assets totaled more than US$90 billion.
Endre Pedersen, chief investment
officer, global emerging market fixed income, Manulife Investment
Management said, "As a leading provider of Asian fixed-income
strategies we recognise the ongoing structural, policy and
demographic changes evident in the region and are well positioned
to take full advantage, delivering results to our clients across
the globe and now in Europe."
In addition, the firm has also made Manulife Global Fund
Preferred Securities Income Fund available to European
investors. The availability of these funds follows the
offering of Manulife Sustainable Asia Bond, Manulife Dragon Growth
and Manulife Asia Total Return Bond Funds to European investors
earlier this year.
Andrew G. Arnott, head of wealth
and asset management, Manulife Investment Management, United States and Europe said, "It's an interesting time for
investors to look at Asia, and
China, in particular. China bonds deliver attractive nominal and
real yields in a low yielding world and investors may benefit from
both lower volatility and diversification attributes. We are
excited to bring these opportunities to clients who have an
interest in the region as we work to increase the availability of
our offering in Europe."
"Asia is increasingly important
to investors and stakeholders looking to access high growth
opportunities," added Todd Cassler,
head of institutional distribution, United States and Europe, Manulife Investment Management. "The
investment teams take an active approach and are able to tap into
the extensive knowledge of the on-the-ground Asia research team. We are pleased to have a
strong product range of Manulife Global Funds for European
investors."
Manulife Asian Small Cap Equity Fund aims to provide long-term
capital growth, with at least 70% of its net assets invested in
equity or Small Cap companies in the Asia-Pacific region. Manulife China Total
Return Bond Fund seeks to provide investors with broad exposure to
China fixed income by investing in
a combination of China offshore
bonds (including USD-denominated bonds) and China onshore bonds to maximise returns.
Manulife Preferred Securities Income Fund aims to provide income
and potential capital appreciation by investing in one collective
investment scheme with investment focused on global preferred
securities.
The three funds are now available to professional investors
across the UK, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Finland, supporting Manulife Investment
Management's priority to deliver its broad range of specialized
investment solutions to clients in Europe. Additionally, following the offering
of Manulife Sustainable Asia Bond, Dragon Growth Fund and Asia
Total Return Bond Funds in UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, earlier this year, Manulife Investment
Management has now extended the availability of the funds to
include Denmark and Finland. The funds are available in local
currency share classes including GBP, EUR, and Swiss Franc.
For more information on Manulife Investment Management please
visit manulifeim.com/institutional.
About Manulife Investment Management
Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset
management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on
more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources
of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and
retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in
Toronto, our leading capabilities
in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment
footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these
capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset
managers from around the world. We're committed to investing
responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global
frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with
companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high
standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we
believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace
retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our
retirement plan administration and investment expertise to
help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better
retirement.
As of June 30, 2021, Manulife
Investment Management's assets under management and administration,
including assets managed for Manulife's other segments, totaled CAD
$1.0 trillion (US $834 billion). Not all offerings are available
in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit
manulifeim.com.
Media contact: Elizabeth Bartlett, Manulife Investment
Management, Elizabeth_Bartlett@Manulife.com