Systematic Fixed Income Beta
Based in Montreal, QC, the team works closely with one another while they leverage the vast resources that the Manulife Investment Management global organization has to offer. This includes credit research, actuarial science, and environmental, social, and governance reports.
Experience and capabilities
Custom solutions for complex investing challenges
The team applies quantitative processes to pension, insurance, and institutional assets for clients across Canada, the U.S., and Asia. A suite of proprietary tools, developed over 20 years of research, help our portfolio managers make timely, actionable decisions.
A unique team structure
Ten investment professionals with over 150 years of combined experience are organized into two groups that work hand-in-hand: portfolio management and research and client portfolio management. Their experience spans disciplines such as quantitative research, financial engineering, and portfolio management.

Systematic Fixed Income Beta Profile
Investment management team
There are 'pockets of value' in the fixed income market. Quantitative credit and curve analysis enables us to identify and exploit these pockets of value in the pursuit of long-term returns, while minimizing downside risk.
The team also has full-access to resources on Manulife’s global teams, including derivatives services, global trading platform, risk and analytics and credit research.
Serge Lapierre, FSA, FCIA
Head of Liability-Driven Investments, Financial Engineering, and Quantitative Research, Sr. Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Solutions Team
Began career: 1994
Jean-Francois Giroux, CFA, FRM
Portfolio manager and head of LDI Canada
Began career: 2001
Sonia Chatigny, CFA
Managing director and portfolio manager
Began career: 1996
Research and client portfolio management
Investment process
Within a quantitative framework we apply our expertise to generate innovative investment solutions, and develop state of the art portfolio management techniques, allowing us to remain at the forefront of the investment industry. But first and foremost we are committed to understanding client needs and developing specific solutions to meet those needs.
For illustrative purposes only.
This four-step process was the framework used when building the Manulife Smart Bond ETFs.
Members of the Systematic Fixed Income Beta group rely on a scalable and repeatable process to identify pockets of value in bond markets. The goal is to match the risk profile of their respective market indices while providing a higher yield.
Manulife Smart Bond ETF investment process
ETFs
Hedged ticker |
Unhedged ticker |
Fund name |
Morningstar category |
Use for |
---|---|---|---|---|
- |
Manulife Smart Short-Term Bond ETF |
Canadian short-term fixed income | Core Canadian investment grade bond holding | |
- |
Manulife Smart Core Bond ETF |
Canadian fixed income | Core Canadian investment grade bond holding | |
- |
Manulife Smart Corporate Bond ETF |
Canadian corporate fixed income | Core Canadian investment grade bond holding |
The Manulife Smart Balanced Dividend ETF bundle, and Manulife Smart Corporate Bond ETF are now available in the GIF Select InvestmentPlus and Manulife Private Investment Pools — MPIP Segregated Pools contracts. The Manulife Smart Balanced Dividend ETF bundle is also available on the mutual fund platform.
Important disclosure
*As of September 30, 2020.
1 Source: Manulife Investment Management as of September 30, 2020.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund facts as well as the prospectus of the mutual funds before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Manulife Funds (including the Trust Pools) are managed by Manulife Investment Management Limited (formerly named Manulife Asset Management Limited). Manulife Investment Management is a trade name of Manulife Investment Management Limited. Manulife, Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investment Management & Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and its affiliates under license.