2009 Communiqués de presse

The Manulife Asia Pacific Bond Fund has been approved as a securities investment trust fund by the Taiwanese regulator and will be available as of November 30. Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan) believes that Asian investment grade bonds can be beneficial for those investors looking for stability and growth while also helping them to diversify their portfolio, thereby reducing investment risk.

The Manulife Asia Pacific Bond Fund targets investment opportunities in Asia-Pacific’s bond markets with potential for growth. The fund focuses on investments in markets such as Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore, in areas such as financial securities, natural resources, high-regulated or protected industries. The credit rating of bonds in which the fund will invest will be graded ‘A’ on average, seeking to maintain a balance between risk and return.

The global economic recovery has been improving this year, and this has brought about an upturn in stock exchanges all over the world. However, many investment experts agree that there is still significant volatility in the markets.   For many investors, the selection of less volatile and more stable products is just as important as the quest for return on investment. Such selection helps to prevent the investment portfolio from being exposed to excessive risk, as over the last decade, bonds have tended to be less volatile than stocks. Investment in bonds may also be suitable for those investors who are looking to generate income. Overall, Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan) believes that bonds are a valuable instrument for the investors for long-term, stable return as part of a well-diversified investment portfolio. 

Wang Ren-Chun, the Manager of the Manulife Asia Pacific Bond Fund, suggested that investment grade bonds can offer stability and are suitable for holding as a core part of the portfolio for mid to long-term investment. Taiwanese investors tend to be less interested in bonds compared to foreign investors. This may be because investors of Taiwan are less familiar with this kind of product. Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan) believes that bonds can offer investment opportunities for Taiwanese investors and that is why we are offering the investment grade Asia Pacific Bond Fund denominated in NT Dollars, the first of its kind in Taiwan. This new fund benefits from Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan)’s investment expertise, financial strength and is able to leverage the strong performance of the company in the asset management market of Taiwan, particularly since the acquisition by Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited at the end of last year.

This fund will be offered as of November 30 and there will be no load for subscription in the promotion period. Please call 0800-070-998, Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan) for further information.

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About Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan) Company Ltd
Manulife Asset Management (Taiwan) Company Ltd. (originally Fuhwa Securities Investment Trust Co., Ltd.) was licensed in 1998 and became a member of Manulife Financial in Oct. 2008. MAM(T) issues and manages independently mutual funds, and also handles discretionary trust investment business in Taiwan.  Distribution networks include banks, brokers, and insurance companies, and also direct sales and discretionary trust investment business. For more information, please see official website, http://www.manulife-asset.com.tw.

About Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited
Manulife Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (“MAMHK”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”) which conducts its global institutional asset management under the brand name of MFC Global Investment Management (“MFC Global”). MFC

Global represents more than 100 years of experience in managing portfolios for major clients around the world. With more than 300 investment professionals worldwide, more than 80 of whom are based in 10 markets throughout Asia, the company manages US$277 billion in assets globally (as at September 30, 2009). MAMHK is licensed with the Securities and Futures Commission to carry out asset management activities in Hong Kong.

Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients 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 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 at www.manulife.com.