China A-Shares Strategy

The strategy seeks to tap into China’s rising economic prominence by investing in the local China A-share market as its influence on the global stage continues to grow. Leveraging Manulife’s on-the-ground research capability through a Beijing-based joint venture partner, Manulife TEDA, the investment team has access to local insight to help them navigate the vast and growing landscape.

Philosophy

The team believes that China’s A-share market is largely inefficient, and seeks to generate sustainable excess returns by pinpointing companies with pricing power that can compete locally, regionally, and globally. This includes underresearched and underappreciated stocks with turnaround potential and strong fundamentals. While due consideration is given to current economic and market conditions, the team primarily applies a bottom-up investment process to help avoid overpaying for growth.

Managed by

Wenlin Li

Senior Portfolio Manager, Greater China Equities

Wenlin is Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for Greater China equities.  Based in Hong Kong, Wenlin manages the China A-shares, Greater China as well as Shariah compliant related China equity portfolios.

Before joining the Firm, Wenlin was an associate vice-president at RCM covering the China A-share market with a wide range of sector responsibilities. He also assisted in managing the China A-share equity portfolio. Prior to that, he was with UBS (Asia), where he spent four years on the telecommunications team and one year as lead Internet sector analyst. He previously spent two years at Goldman Sachs (Asia) focusing on consumer and auto sectors.

Wenlin holds a Master of Finance from Peking University and a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Technology and Science, China.

  • Joined the company: 2011
  • Began career: 2004
Wenlin Li

Emily Liao

Portfolio Manager / Senior Investment Analyst, Greater China Equities

Emily is a Portfolio Manager and Senior Investment Analyst. Based in Hong Kong, she works closely with the Hong Kong and China equities team to enhance and broaden equity research coverage of the China/ Hong Kong market.

Emily previously worked in CITIC Securities International (asset management department) as senior investment analyst, focusing on companies with long-term growth potential in China TMT, healthcare and consumer sectors.  Before that she worked at FIL International as research specialist for more than 4 years, rotated coverage for several sectors, including both cyclical and growth sectors.  Prior to this, she was at UBS securities as research associate.

Emily holds a Master of Finance from London Business School and a Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Shanghai Maritime University.

  • Joined the company: 2017
  • Began career: 2010
Emily Liao

Kai-Kong Chay, CFA

Senior Portfolio Manager, Greater China Equities

Kai Kong is Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for Greater China equities. Based in Hong Kong, he oversees the Greater China equity desk and works closely with investment specialists based across Hong Kong, China and Taiwan to lead management of the firm's Greater China portfolios and strategies.            

Kai Kong is a seasoned investment professional with more than 23 years of investment experience covering Greater China markets, including 18 years as a portfolio manager. His career spans lead manager roles at Reliance Asset Management in Singapore and Standard Life Investments (Asia) in Hong Kong. He has also managed Greater China funds for Pioneer Investments and CMG First State in Singapore. He has a strong performance track record which includes managing top-quartile-performing Greater China funds in his previous roles.

Kai Kong holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from Nanyang Technological University. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR).

  • Joined the company: 2011
  • Began career: 1997
Kai-Kong Chay, CFA

Vehicles

At Manulife Investment Management, we offer investment strategies through a variety of vehicles to suit a broad range of client needs. Contact our institutional sales or consultant relations team to find out if this strategy/vehicle is offered in your region. 

  • Separate accounts

    Our separate accounts and separately managed accounts (SMAs) are designed for institutions and high-net-worth clients seeking tailored investment solutions and direct ownership of securities. 

  • CITs

    Our professionally managed collective investment trusts (CITs) are available in certain qualified retirement plans.

  • Mutual funds

    Mutual funds are liquid, professionally managed portfolios which are available to both institutional and retail investors.


Key facts

  • Inception date

    November 2010

  • Strategy AUM (USD)

    $22.33 million

  • Benchmark

    Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index

  • Style

    Growth at a reasonable price

  • Expected tracking error

    3% to 8%

  • Average portfolio manager experience

    20 years

Important information

All information shown is as of September 30, 2023, unless otherwise indicated. Strategy-level information may differ from vehicle-specific information. Not all vehicles are available in all locations and may be offered through affiliates of Manulife Investment Management.


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