Manulife launches 2 new UITFs
By JAMES A. LOYOLA
Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation has launched two new unit investment trust funds (UITFs), Manulife Asia Short Duration Bond Feeder Fund and Manulife Global Dynamic Leaders Equity Feeder Fund.
In a statement, the firm said Manulife Asia Short Duration Bond Feeder Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of mainly investment grade short duration fixed income securities issued by governments, agencies, supranationals, and corporations in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Portfolio duration is a maximum of 3 years.
On the other hand, Manulife Global Dynamic Leaders Equity Feeder Fund invests primarily in a concentrated portfolio of equity and equity-related securities of large capitalization companies listed globally.
Investors may access both UITFs in both Peso and US dollar share classes for a minimum of P1,000 or $100, respectively.
“While global economic growth could remain challenged this year, Manulife Investment Management sees opportunities in high-quality Asian bonds as a resilient investment in the current environment,” said Manulife Investment Management President and CEO Aira Gaspar.
She added that, “For aggressive investors, high-quality global equities can offer long-term potential capital appreciation and dividends.”
The two new funds expand further the firm’s differentiated suite of UITFs, providing investors varied options including access to global and regional markets for capital growth, income generation, and geographical diversification.
“This enables investors to access our leading investment capabilities across different geographies and asset classes to diversify their investment portfolio based on their investment objectives,” noted Gaspar.
The Manulife Asia Short Duration Bond Feeder Fund invests in a defensive portfolio of high credit quality Asia short duration bonds, which are seen to be less sensitive to interest rate and credit risks.
Manulife Investment Management’s robust credit selection process is supported by its strong Asian footprint with an extensive research network and risk-focused culture.
The Manulife Global Dynamic Leaders Equity Feeder Fund invests in a concentrated portfolio of the world's most well-known brands with solid financial foundations and impressive earnings growth, carefully selected through a research-driven global equity selection process.
This focused portfolio of large capitalization companies is diversified across multiple regions and sectors, which help to manage risks and lower volatility.
Manulife Investment Management believes that high-quality companies with solid competitive advantage have strong potential to deliver long-term value for investors as these companies are often industry leaders with well-known hard-to-replicate brands, and are exposed to secular growth trends, which are supportive of sustaining their dominant market positions.