Toronto-based Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. launched four new income funds Thursday geared toward providing investors a source of income as well as one new equity value fund.

“The current environment we are in is quite difficult for investors to navigate through. They are looking to generate income, while trying to protect what they have accumulated through their working years,” says Sadiq Adatia, chief investment officer, Sun Life Global Investments.

“As Canadians enter the retirement stage, these new funds aim to provide income and generate long-term capital growth. With interest rates remaining persistently low and our aging population on the rise – income funds are growing in popularity.”

According to Statistics Canada, approximately 42.4% of the working population is between the ages of 45 and 64.

The new fund line-up includes two Sun Life Granite Managed Portfolios — Sun Life Managed Income Portfolio and Sun Life Managed Enhanced Income Portfolio — and three sub-advised funds — Sun Life Dynamic Strategic Yield Fund, Sun Life Dynamic Equity Income Fund, and Sun Life Sentry Value Fund.

Sun Life Granite Managed Income Portfolios are two asset allocation portfolios with a diversified mix of income-generating fixed income and equity investments. These portfolios will be managed by Sun Life Global Investments’ in-house portfolio management team, led by Sadiq Adatia and will include funds managed by some of the best income managers for each asset class. These income managers include: BlackRock, GCIC Ltd. (manager of the Dynamic Funds), Guardian Capital, MFS McLean Budden, RBC Asset Management and Sentry Investments. The team monitors and adjusts the portfolios based on market conditions.

The two additional income funds in the line-up are sub-advised by industry-leading investment manager GCIC Ltd., which brings a wealth of income-oriented investment expertise. The new value-oriented fund will be sub-advised by Sentry Investments, a firm with a consistent investment philosophy aimed at delivering superior risk-adjusted returns and preserving invested capital. The funds will be available through Sun Life advisors, MFDA and IIROC advisors.

About Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. is a unit of Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX:SLF).