Manulife Asset Allocation Portfolios

Our tactical portfolios aim to provide complete investment solutions for clients who prefer a disciplined approach to investing and the comfort of knowing professionals are actively managing risk. The portfolios are available on both mutual fund and segregated fund platforms.

Viewpoints

James Robertson highlighted three differentiators that catch the eye of advisors looking to outsource investment decisions.

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Asset allocation trends and views

The past few months have seen investors adjust their expectations and try to get used to an investing environment that's defined by rates that could well remain higher for longer even as geopolitical tensions heighten. Luke Browne, who heads up the Multi-Asset Solutions Team in Asia, explains the thinking behind the team's latest asset allocation views.

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Diversification and active asset allocation
Four actively managed portfolios
Why Manulife asset allocation portfolios
Team and process
Our funds
Resources

Diversification and active asset allocation—not the same

Diversification refers to how an investment portfolio is divided into various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash. Since different asset classes rarely perform in lockstep, the goal of diversification is to reduce investment risk, since positive returns from one asset class can be used to offset the returns from another that’s underperforming.

Active asset allocation takes diversification a step further. By determining which combination of assets can provide the highest return potential for a certain level of risk, it attempts to forecast the performance potential of a portfolio and reduce the chance of negative returns. Ongoing monitoring helps ensure the portfolio’s asset mix can adapt quickly to take advantage of changes in the financial markets. Active asset allocation is the same approach taken by large financial institutions and pension plans and is considered a best practice for wealth management.

There's a difference between diversification and asset allocation. Diversification is risk based, unchanging, and strategic. Asset allocation is outcome oriented, active, strategic, and opportunistic, and has a risk management emphasis.

Four actively managed portfolios

Manulife asset allocation portfolios consist of four actively managed fund-of-funds investment portfolios that include exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Each portfolio is designed for a specific risk tolerance and return objective.

They’re simple to understand, easy to buy, and provide your clients with access to some of the most popular mutual funds and ETFs that Manulife Investment Management offers in a single, one-ticket solution.

The x-axis shows expected risk, and the y-axis expected return. Along the risk spectrum, there are four pie charts. The first pie is the Conservative Portfolio, with 80% fixed income and 20% equity. The next pie is the Moderate Portfolio, with 65% fixed income and 35% equity. The third pie is the Balanced Portfolio, with 45% fixed income and 55% equity. The final pie is the Growth Portfolio with 30% fixed income and 70% equity.

The presented asset allocation of the portfolios is for illustration purposes only. Actual asset allocation may vary. The asset allocation is based on the strategic mixes of each portfolio. Please refer to the fund facts for each portfolio investment mix.

Mutual fund portfolios

Features

Pension-style management and oversight are provided by Manulife Investment Management’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team
Proprietary investment process is optimized by asset class, investment style, and geographical region
Actively managed to help protect capital and keep your clients positioned for ever-changing markets
Ongoing professional rebalancing to help manage each portfolio’s exposure to risk
Comprehensive reporting

Segregated fund portfolios

Features

Pension-style management and oversight are provided by Manulife Investment Management’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team
Proprietary investment process is optimized by asset class, investment style, and geographical region
Actively managed to help protect capital and keep your clients positioned for ever-changing markets
Ongoing professional rebalancing to help preserve each portfolio’s exposure to risk
Comprehensive performance reporting
Potential creditor protection
Ability to bypass the estate
Death benefit guarantee
Maturity benefit guarantee
Available in either GIF Select InvestmentPlus or MPIP Segregated Pools

Important disclosure

Top 5 reasons to consider Manulife asset allocation portfolios

1. Experienced pension-like wealth management

Manulife Investment Management’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team has more than 25 years of asset allocation experience and manages CAD$210 billion for clients worldwide.

2. Rigorous investment process

The team’s process is time cycle-tested, and scalable. Each portfolio is an actively managed mix of underlying investments providing diversified and complementary exposure to different geographies, sectors, and investment styles.

3. Active strategic and opportunistic approach

The team’s process enables them to strategically allocate capital over the longer term while remaining nimble enough to capitalize on short-term opportunities.

4. Built-in risk mitigation

The team continuously monitors and reviews risk within the portfolio and allocates capital relative to the portfolio’s risk profile. With four portfolios to choose from depending on risk appetite, we can help investors decide which portfolio is most appropriate for their needs.

5. A range of options available

Our asset allocation portfolios provide access to expert fund management from Manulife Investment Management, Mawer Investment Management, Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada, and Brookfield Asset Management. They’re offered within the TFSA or RRSP plan types and available on both the mutual fund and segregated fund platforms. Each portfolio also offers a Series T option for a tax-efficient way to invest.

Team and process

The team behind the portfolios—Manulife Investment Management’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Applying active asset allocation successfully takes an expert team. Manulife Investment Management’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team has built its reputation and global wealth management credentials on its asset allocation expertise. With over CAD$210 billion* in assets under management. The group manages a wide variety of investment solutions around the globe designed to meet investor goals.

This is a wheel chart talking about the global multi-asset portfolio management. As of December 31, 2024, the team has over 50 investment professionals and over $210 billion assets under management. The team is located in Boston, Toronto, Montreal, London (U.K.) and Hong Kong. It has an average of over 25 years asset allocation experience and 140 distinct asset class forecasts.

Learn more about the team

The Multi-Asset Solutions Team's investment process

The Multi-Asset Solutions Team's investment process is amongst the most comprehensive in the industry and ensures every portfolio is optimized by asset class, investment style, and geographic region. The team applies a rigorous three-step process:

Step 1: build expected return forecasts

Five-year investment returns forecast for 140 different asset classes
Distinct approaches for asset classes
Quarterly review

Step 2: asset class and strategy selection

Asset allocation is the primary driver of returns
Selection of complementary strategies with an emphasis on consistent results
Annual review

Step 3: portfolio construction

Four-pillar approach to ongoing active management
Emphasis on managing risk
Short-term opportunities reviewed weekly

Important disclosure

* As at December 31, 2024.

Meet the team