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.

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

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.


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 $180 billion for clients worldwide. 

2. Rigorous investment process

The team’s process is time and cycle-tested and scalable. Each portfolio is an actively managed mix of underlying investments providing diversified and complimentary 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 $182.6 billion* in assets under management, the group manages a wide variety of investment solutions around the globe designed to meet investor goals.

The global portfolio management team is committed to quality investment management with offices in Boston, Toronto, Montreal, London (U.K.) and Hong Kong. They are a team of over 50 dedicated investment professionals and are a leading provider of investment solutions with over $180B in AUM. They have over 25 years of average asset allocation experiences across the team and expertise in forecasting over 140 classes of investments. As at December 31, 2022.

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

* As at December 31, 2022.

Meet the team

Portfolio managers

Nathan W. Thooft, CFA

Senior Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Head of the Asset Allocation Team 

Manulife Investment Management

James (Jamie) Robertson, CIM

Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Asset Allocation–Canada, and Global Head of Tactical Asset Allocation, Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Manulife Investment Management

Alexandre M. Richard, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Manulife Investment Management

Jenny Kim, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Senior Investment Analyst, Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Manulife Investment Management

Misbah N. Lalani, CFA

Senior Investment Analyst, Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Manulife Investment Management 

Portfolio Specialist

Chief Economist

Benjamin W. Forssell, CFA

Managing Director, Global Multi-Asset Client Portfolio Manager 

Manulife Investment Management

Frances Donald

Global Chief Economist and Strategist, Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Manulife Investment Management


Our funds


Resources

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Regulatory Materials

Important disclosure

Manulife Asset Allocation Portfolios 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, Manulife Investment Management, the Stylized M Design, InvestmentPlus, and Manulife Investment Management & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and by its affiliates under license.

Manulife Asset Allocation Portfolios are available in the InvestmentPlus Series of the Manulife GIF Select, MPIP Segregated Pools and Manulife Segregated Fund Education Saving Plan insurance contracts offered by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company.

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Manulife) is the issuer of insurance contracts containing Manulife segregated funds and the guarantor of any guarantee provisions therein.  Manulife Investment Management is a trade name of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company.

Any amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contractholder and may increase or decrease in value. Age restrictions and other conditions may apply.

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