2009 Communiqués de presse

Two funds from Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited have received top rankings for their one year performance by the Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC).

The two funds, the Manulife Strength-Core Equity Fund (MS-CORE EQ) and Manulife Strength Equity Value Fund (MS-EQ VALUE) ranked 1^st and 2^nd respectively on a risk-adjusted return basis, according to the AIMC.

Mr. Sukkawat Prasurtying, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Asset Management Thailand said: “We are delighted that the solid performance of these two funds has resulted in their top tier rankings. The Manulife Strength-Core Equity Fund (MS-CORE EQ) returned 61.57% and the Manulife Strength Equity Value Fund (MS-EQ VALUE) returned 61.30% over a one year period¹.”

Mr Prasurtying, whose team is part of MFC Global Investment Management’s global network of investment managers, believes that investment in the Thai stock market can offer investors good opportunities for growth. He says: “The performance of listed companies has improved as the global economy starts to recover. In addition, government measures are likely to mean that we’ll see good economic growth next year. We believe that the fundamentals of the Thai stock market are still strong, trading on attractive P/E ratios, earnings growth and dividend payout ratios compared with other Asia stock markets. The country is also benefiting from an increase in foreign inflows due to US dollar depreciation. We target the SET Index to trade between 730-850 in the next year.”

Risk-adjusted return relates to the return generated after adjustment for risk has been made. Risk is measured in form of Standard Deviation showing the variability of funds’ returns. Risk adjusted return measurements help investors to compare funds with the same investment policy by calculating how much risk is involved in producing that return. Risk-adjusted returns are applied to investment funds and portfolios. 

-30-

Notes to editors:

• More information about the AIMC rankings (Thai language) by clicking here.
• ¹29/10/08-29/10/09

About MFC Global Investment Management
MFC Global Investment Management® is the asset management division of Manulife Financial. MFC Global Investment Management’s diversified group of companies provides comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors, investment funds and individuals in key markets around the world. This investment expertise extends across a full range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as oil and gas, real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies.

MFC Global Investment Management has investment offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, and throughout Asia. Additional information about MFC Global Investment Management may be found at www.mfcglobal.com.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers customers a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners.  Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$437 billion (US$407 billion) as at September 30, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet atwww.manulife.com.

Media Contact:

Investments contain risks. Investor should study prospectus before making decision to invest. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.