THE ASSET MANAGEMENT and trust arm of Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife) launched an equity fund that seeks to invest in Asian companies.
In a statement sent on Thursday, Manulife Asset Management and Trust Corp. (MAMTC) said it launched the Manulife Asia Best Select Equity Fund, an instrument that will invest in a portfolio of companies across 13 markets in the region.
“We see a growing demand of investment solutions in the Philippines and the launch of the Manulife Asia Best Select Equity Fund underlines our commitment to offering investors with a wide range of solutions generating healthy returns,” Aira Gaspar, MAMTC president and CEO, said in the statement.
The markets include Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.
“Companies selected consist of high-quality industry leaders and emerging companies who are capable of capturing opportunities arising from economic and demographic changes in the region,” MAMTC said.
MAMTC Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for Equities Kenglin Tan said that now is an opportune time to invest in Asia as valuations remain “undemanding.”
“Asia equities remain an attractive asset class in 2018 as earnings growth is expected to sustain through the year thanks to a more broad-based recovery in the global economy,” Mr. Tan said, adding that Asian markets remain resilient amid tightening interest rate environment.
Manulife’s new equity fund adopts an in-depth, bottom up approach with a longer term investment focus which was built through “rigorous” process.
The equity fund is available for investment in US dollar share classes with minimum initial investment of $100.
It is also available in unhedged local currency share classes with minimum initial investment of P5,000. — KANV

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