Manulife unit launches new fund

Fund management firm Manulife Asset Management and Trust Corp. (MAMTC) has unveiled a new fund that allows investors to participate in a portfolio of bonds issued within Asia.

For a minimum investment of $100, or P5,000, the new unit investment trust fund called Manulife Asia Dynamic Bond Feeder Fund aims to maximize returns by investing its assets in a bond collective investment scheme.

The fund provides investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities issued by governments, agencies, supranationals and corporate issuers primarily in Asia and other allowable investments.

“Asia has one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing bond markets. It is expected to remain the bright spot of the global economy given the superior growth potential and sound fiscal and debt dynamics of Asian countries,” said Aira Gaspar, president and CEO of MAMTC. “Investors can take advantage of this positive outlook through the Asia Dynamic Bond Feeder Fund.”

This fund was described as a flexible portfolio that allocates across hard and local currency bonds in Asia to generate attractive returns. It seeks to derive benefits from interest rate, credit and currency opportunities.

“Asia’s bond universe is unique, offering a diverse opportunity set. For instance, we see opportunities stemming from China and Indonesia. China bonds inclusion into the global bond indices could be a game-changer for global bond investors, a development that could lead to dramatic inflow into the market. Indonesia’s economy has grown steadily with inflation under control. Thus, Indonesia bonds offer attractive real yields to investors,” said Endre Pedersen, chief investment officer for Asia ex-Japan fixed income at Manulife Asset Management.

Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife Financial Corp. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA