The global wealth and asset management division of Manulife Financial Corporation is expanding the availability of one of its funds to Europe.
The Manulife Global Fund (MGF) Sustainable Asia Bond Fund seeks to invest in fixed income securities with superior sustainability attributes.
This Ucits fund is domiciled in Luxembourg and is led by Murray Collis, deputy chief investment officer, fixed income, Asia ex-Japan, supported by the management team of Endre Pedersen, Alvin Ong, Jimond Wong and Neal Capecci.
Superior attributes
Taking an active approach, the fund makes use of its on-the-ground proprietary Asian credit research and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) capabilities to select issuers to outperform traditional Asian bond peers.
The team believes that attractive risk-adjusted returns can be generated by investing in Asian corporate and government bond issuers that demonstrate superior sustainability attributes.
Pedersen, who is deputy chief investment officer of global fixed income and chief investment officer of fixed income, Asia ex-Japan, at Manulife Investment Management, commented: “Sustainable and responsible investing is fast becoming one of the most important investment criteria globally, and as one of the largest fixed income house in Asia, and a global leader in ESG integration, we believe we’re well-positioned to capture the growth potential of both Asia and ESG and deliver it to our clients.”
Two more and counting
Alongside MGF Sustainable Asia Bond Fund, two additional Luxembourg-based Ucits funds have also been made available for sale in Europe, which were previously only available to investors in Asia via the MGF platform:
- MGF Dragon Growth Fund
- MGF Asia Total Return Bond Fund
Manulife IM anticipates additional funds from the MGF platform will be launched into the European market this year.
The MGF Dragon Growth fund, managed by Kai Kong Chay, aims to provide long-term capital growth by adopting an “All China” perspective and aiming to identify emerging winners and disruptors in secular growth areas.
The fund launched in December 1996.
MGF Asia Total Return Bond fund, also headed by Pedersen, aims to provide total return from a combination of income and capital appreciation by investing in a collective investment scheme with investment focus on fixed income securities.
The fund launched in September 2009.
The three funds are currently registered for sale in the UK, Germany, and Italy.
Manulife Investment Management expects to file in Switzerland in the near term.
