(January 18 – 10:30 ET) – Manulife Financial is launching four new specialty funds for Canadian group pension clients.

The new funds available February 1 are: Manulife CI International Balanced Fund; Manulife Canadian Small Cap Equity Fund; Manulife Global MultiStyle Fund; and Manulife Talvest Global Science and Technology Fund.

This increases the roster Manulife group pension funds to 46. The four new funds will be available in Manulife Pension’s investment management product designed for corporate clients, and in its defined contribution plans.

The Manulife Talvest Global Science and Technology Fund invests in the Talvest Global Science and Technology Fund, which has received a five-star rating from Morningstar Canada.

The Manulife C.I. International Balanced Fund is managed by C.I. Mutual Funds Inc., based on the five-star rated C.I. International Balanced Fund.

The Manulife Canadian Small Cap Equity Fund is managed by Howson Tattersall.

The Manulife Global MultiStyle Fund invests in the E&P Cabot Global MultiStyle Fund, which is managed by Manulife International Fund Management Ltd. and has been given a four-star rating by Morningstar Canada.

“Many of our clients and their plan members have been asking for more specialized funds in their defined contribution plans,” says Catherine Owens, Manulife Financial vice president marketing and business development Canadian pension operations. “Our clients now have even more opportunity to diversify their investments with these new `specialty’ funds.”

“As the manager of managers, we have selected funds from top managers to provide excellent value to our clients,” says Owens. “These funds are particularly attractive because they offer diversity with the potential for competitive returns.”
-IE Staff