Manulife Investments announces the launch of the Manulife Diversified Real Asset Fund (the Fund), previously known as the Manulife Global Resources Fund. The Fund aims to protect investors in Malaysia against inflation amidst market volatility, while generating sustainable income and differentiated, diversified return streams compared to other equity or fixed income asset classes.
The Fund will follow a diversified real asset strategy, which emphasises real returns through both intrinsic value and their ability to benefit from higher inflation. It targets four asset classes: natural resources equities (energy, metals and mining), REITs (U.S. and international REIT), infrastructure equities (utilities, communications, renewables, infrastructure), and fixed income (U.S. short-term credits & Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities).
The Fund was restructured to include additional types of real assets that could benefit from a higher inflationary environment.
Jason Chong, CEO, Manulife Investments said, “We recognise that investors are facing increasing challenges when it comes to managing their investments, especially with rising inflation and ongoing market volatility. Hence, we have designed the Manulife Diversified Real Asset Fund to help investors diversify and protect their wealth. Real assets could offer relatively stronger returns in a rising inflationary environment compared to traditional equity and fixed income securities. The Fund’s approach ensures that it can deliver not just the income, but also differentiated and inflation-adjusted growth.”
He added, “The introduction of this Fund reflects Manulife Investments’ commitment to offering investors solutions that enable them to capitalize on the ever-changing market situation. We want them to stay ahead in today’s environment, as well as provide elevated stability and income potential, with increased confidence and control over their investments. Amidst the ongoing changes in global dynamics, the Fund could continue to serve as a portal for investors in Malaysia to access opportunities in the US and globally, while helping them navigate and benefit from periods of high inflation. With this launch, we now offer investors access to more than 60 unit trust and PRS funds, underscoring our strength and continued commitment to delivering a comprehensive suite of investment solutions tailored to evolving market needs.”
The Fund will invest at least 85% of its net asset value (NAV) in Share class I3 Acc of the Manulife Global Fund – Diversified Real Asset Fund (the “Target Fund”), and the remaining NAV of the Fund will be in liquid assets such as money market instruments, placement of short-term deposits with financial institutions for liquidity purposes and/or derivative for hedging purposes.
