ETF News

Manulife Investment Management, a global leader in wealth and asset management, has launched three new ETFs in 2024. Manulife Alternative Opportunities Fund (OPPS), Manulife Strategic Income Fund (STRT), and Manulife Strategic Income Plus Fund (PLUS). Officially debuting on October 1, 2024, these ETFs have represented a strategic move by Manulife to offer flexible access to flagship investment strategies through the ETF structure, catering to growing investor demand for intraday trading, transparency, and cost efficiency.

How These ETFs Work

The three ETFs are ETF series versions of Manulife’s existing mutual funds, offering investors the same underlying active management strategies but within an exchange-traded format. Each ETF provides distinct exposure across fixed income and alternative investments:

• Manulife Alternative Opportunities Fund (OPPS): Focuses on alternative investment strategies, providing exposure to a mix of non-traditional asset classes aimed at diversifying portfolios and enhancing risk-adjusted returns.
• Manulife Strategic Income Fund (STRT): Seeks to generate income and capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of global fixed income securities. The fund’s flexible mandate allows it to actively adjust allocations based on market conditions.
• Manulife Strategic Income Plus Fund (PLUS): Offers a more aggressive income-focused approach, combining global fixed income securities with selective high-yield and emerging market bonds to target higher returns and income generation.

By repackaging these flagship strategies into ETFs, Manulife has given investors the ability to access its active management expertise while benefiting from the intraday liquidity and tax efficiency of ETFs.

Why Investors Should Consider These ETFs

Manulife’s ETF Series provides investors with greater choice and flexibility when accessing the firm’s well-established strategies. These ETFs offer:

1. Active Management – Backed by Manulife’s seasoned investment teams, the ETFs dynamically adjust allocations based on market trends and risk assessments.
2. Intraday Liquidity – Unlike traditional mutual funds, the ETF structure allows investors to buy and sell shares throughout the trading day.
3. Tax Efficiency – The ETF format is often more tax-efficient than mutual funds, offering potential advantages for taxable accounts.
4. Diversified Income Solutions – The funds target income generation across traditional and alternative fixed income markets, making them suitable for investors seeking consistent yield.

Jordy Chilcott, Head of Retail Intermediary Distribution, Canada at Manulife Investment Management, highlighted the importance of these ETFs when they were launched:

“We’re excited to launch these ETFs from existing mutual funds for Canadian advisors and clients who seek the intraday flexibility of ETF trading for their investment needs. We are committed to responding to our clients who are interested in the choice of accessing the potential return and income focus of these strategies in an ETF wrapper.”

About the Issuer

Manulife Investment Management is the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation, serving more than 19 million clients worldwide. With expertise across public and private markets, Manulife offers a range of investment solutions, including equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternative, and sustainable strategies. The launch of these three funds demonstrates Manulife’s commitment to meeting evolving investor preferences and expanding access to its time-tested investment solutions.

For more information, visit the Manulife ETF Series page.

Please note this article is for information purposes only and does not in any way constitute investment advice. It is essential that you seek advice from a registered financial professional prior to making any investment decision.