Global macroeconomic strategy

Frances forecasts global macroeconomic and financial trends, analyzes the economy and capital markets for potential opportunities and risks, and serves as a thought leader both within the firm and externally. As a senior member of the firm’s multi-asset solutions team, she coordinates global macro research, assists in the team’s return forecasting process, and contributes to portfolio positioning views.

Prior to joining Manulife, Frances worked as a financial economist for Scotiabank in Toronto, and before that as a global macro analyst for Pavilion Global Markets in Montreal. Earlier in her career, she held various positions at Deloitte, Roubini Global Economics, and Bank of Canada. Frances is a frequent public speaker and regularly appears in international media, including Bloomberg and CNBC.

Education: B.A., Economics, Queen’s University; M.A., Economics, New York University

Joined the company: 2016

Began career: 2008

Based in Hong Kong, Sue is responsible for developing macroeconomic strategy views that will influence the performance of a wide range of multi-asset funds offered by Manulife globally. She plays a crucial role in helping the Asia and global multi-asset teams navigate through current economic conditions and risks, and make informed investment decisions that could contribute to stable, long-term investment returns.

Sue has 18 years of financial industry experience. Before joining Manulife Investment Management, she spent 13 years at RBC Capital Markets where she was most recently Head of Asia FX Strategy based in Hong Kong. Prior to that she was on the  foreign exchange desks of Bank of New Zealand and Deutsche Bank in Australasia. Sue holds a Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honors from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Eric Theoret, CFA, CMT, is a director, macroeconomic strategist for the Macroeconomic and Strategy Team within the Multi-Asset Solutions Team (MAST) at Manulife Investment Management. The Multi-Asset Solutions Team is tasked with the design, delivery and management of bespoke cross-asset class investment solutions that include pension and retirement solutions, risk management- and outcome-oriented solutions, and multi-manager portfolios including both public and private assets. Solutions may be absolute return, peer- or benchmark-relative and are delivered in many formats including mutual fund (including fund-of-fund), pooled, segregated and customized.

Eric provides global macroeconomic and financial markets research for MAST. Prior to joining Manulife Investment Management in 2020, Eric worked at Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets as a Director, FX Strategy where he covered G10 currencies with a primary focus on CAD (Canadian dollar). Prior to this, Eric was at BMO Capital Markets working as an analyst in corporate lending. Eric began his career at British Petroleum. Eric also has experience in foreign exchange reserve management at the Bank of Canada and prime brokerage at Scotiabank. Eric is a CFA charterholder and holds a CMT (Certified Market Technician designation).

Education: University of Western Ontario, Ivey Business School, Honours Business Administration, 2008

Joined Company: 2020

Began Career: 2008

Alex Grassino, BA, MSc, is a senior macroeconomic strategist for the Macroeconomic and Strategy Team within the Multi-Asset Solutions Team (MAST) at Manulife Investment Management. The Multi-Asset Solutions Team is tasked with the design, delivery and management of bespoke cross-asset class investment solutions that include pension and retirement solutions, risk management- and outcome-oriented solutions, and multi-manager portfolios including both public and private assets. Solutions may be absolute return, peer- or benchmark-relative and are delivered in many formats including mutual fund (including fund-of-fund), pooled, segregated and customized.

Alex provides global macroeconomic and financial markets research for MAST and helps implement the tactical asset mix overlay for selected Canadian balanced fund mandates. Alex joined Manulife Investment Management when Standard Life's Canadian operations were acquired by Manulife in January 2015. Prior to joining Standard Life Investments in 2012, Alex worked as an equity research analyst at Laurentian Bank Securities, and as a financial markets economist.

Education: McGill University, BA joint majors in Economics & History, 2000; University of Surrey, MSc in Financial Services Management, 2002

Joined Company: 2015

Began Career: 2001

Erica works alongside portfolio managers and strategists on the firm’s multi-asset solutions team to assist in strategic and tactical investment decisions. She joined the team as part of a rotational program, after having completed previous rotations on the asset allocation, public equity, and global macroeconomic strategy teams. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at KPMG.

Education: B.A., University of Western Ontario

Joined the company: 2019

Began career: 2019