KUALA LUMPUR – Manulife Investment Management (M) Bhd has launched the Manulife Global Healthcare Fund, which offers investors in the country the opportunity to contribute to the progress in the global healthcare industry while capturing potential medium to long-term capital growth in healthcare-related companies globally.
The Covid-19 pandemic and unprecedented market volatility in 2020 have brought the global healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors into the limelight, not only reminding investors of the importance of medical innovation but also the long-term investment opportunities the industry could bring.
Chief executive officer Jason Chong said the healthcare sector has been one of the most recession-resistant areas of the economy, proving to be a defensive stalwart during times of enhanced volatility and economic uncertainty.
“We believe companies with products and services that were guided by unique principles should see unprecedented demand, such as innovative companies that offer ground-breaking medical advancements.
“The performance of healthcare is not limited to favourable cyclical drivers associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In fact, we have seen three secular trends that could create long-term opportunities for the sector – increasing medical needs as the world population ages and living longer, solving ongoing health issues and challenges, and striving for medical breakthroughs,” Chong said in a statement today.
Based on market conditions, Manulife seeks to build a diversified portfolio of healthcare companies while ensuring active positions that are aligned with strength of conviction, intrinsic valuation, and appropriate risk parameters.
“This can provide the potential long-term capital growth that investors seek from their investments, as well as contribute to medical innovations that benefits humanity,” he said.
The fund is managed by Manulife Investment Management’s investment team with deep sector expertise averaging 27 years of experience in investment management and healthcare.
The fund also has a key feature of medium- to long-term investment with a high conviction portfolio, guided by a differentiated investment approach.
The fund is suitable for investors who seek capital appreciation, with a medium- to long-term investment horizon and wish to look for investment exposure in healthcare-related companies globally, it said.
It is available in A (RM-hedged) class, with minimum initial investment of RM1,000 and minimum additional investment of RM100.
The fund is now available for subscription through the unit trust advisers of Manulife. – Bernama, January 13, 2021
