Bangkok--18 Jun--Manulife Asset Management
Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) today announces that the Manulife Strength-Equity Dividend Fund (MS-EQ DIV) will pay out a dividend of THB 0.40 per unit, the 9th dividend payment since its inception on August 28, 2009. Since inception, dividend payments have reached a total of THB 6.60 per unit representing a 66% return. The Fund’s NAV as at June 15, 2012 is THB 10.3776 per unit. The book closing date (XD) and payment date are set for June 15 and 22, 2012 respectively.
Tor Indhavivadha, Manulife Asset Management (Thailand)’s CEO said “This is the second dividend payment for this year after the last one on March 15 at THB 1.25 per unit. In aggregate, MS-EQ DIV has already generated dividend of THB 1.65 per unit for unitholders in the first half of the year. Despite a challenging investment environment, where the SET index declined by over 100 points in May, Manulife’s investment discipline and diligent stock selection process allowed MS-EQ DIV to continue to deliver returns to support making dividend payment. Our plan is to continue to pay out dividend on a quarterly basis to bring a regular income stream to unitholders.
Tor added “Over the past few months, uncertainties around the Eurozone debt crisis and US’ economic growth momentum led to shaky performance of global equities, whilst gold and oil prices also came down. Weaker investor sentiment has translated into some investors reducing their investment exposure to these risky assets. However, we believe that foreign funds will continue to be invested in Asia, though they may be parked in less volatile assets such as bond and money market securities. With interest rates continue to be low in the US and in Europe, Asian fixed income is offering much better yield to investors.
From a longer-term investment perspective, we continue to be positive on the Thai stock market as we believe that the economy can continue to grow with inflation kept at manageable levels. In particular, the manufacturing sector is recovering from last year’s devastating floods much faster than many have expected. Listed companies are seen as growing their earnings at a rate of 15-20%, supported by the reduction in the corporate tax to just 23% and by strong domestic consumption. Most importantly, we believe that Thailand’s economy will feel much less of an impact from Europe’s recession than some others.
If the Thai equity market gets hit further in the short-term by panic selling, there may well be good opportunities for long-term investors to gradually increase their exposure in local equities through the Manulife Strength-Equity Dividend Fund (MS-EQ DIV). MS-EQ DIV is suitable for investors who appreciate a regular income and do not have the time to closely monitor the stock market. Our local investment team uses a bottom-up approach to uncover companies with attractive growth outlook yet trading at inexpensive valuations relative to their growth prospect, and aims to construct a well diversified portfolio with these attractive securities.
For more information, please call Manulife AM (Thailand) Tel. 0-2354-1001 or visit the website: www.manulife-asset.co.th
About Manulife Asset Management (Thailand)
Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. As a part of a global investment organization with more than 300 investment professionals around the world in 10 countries and territories throughout Asia, we are fully supported by and interconnected with Manulife Asset Management’s team worldwide. We are one of only a few asset management companies in Thailand that have expertise in offshore fund management. This is the strength of Manulife Asset Management (Thailand).
About Manulife Asset Management
Manulife Asset Management is the global asset management arm of Manulife Financial. Manulife Asset Management provides comprehensive asset management solutions for institutional investors and investment funds in key markets around the world. Manulife Asset Management also provides investment management services to affiliates’ retail clients through product offerings of Manulife and John Hancock. This investment expertise extends across a broad range of asset classes including equity, fixed income and alternative investments such as real estate, timber, farmland, as well as asset allocation strategies.
Manulife Asset Management has offices with full investment capabilities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In addition, it has a joint venture asset management business in China, Manulife TEDA. It also has operations in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay. John Hancock Asset Management, Hancock Natural Resource Group and Declaration Management and Research are units of Manulife Asset Management.
As at March 31, 2012, assets under management were US$220 billion. Additional information about Manulife Asset Management can be found at ManulifeAM.com.
About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, we celebrate 125 years of providing clients strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$512 billion (US$512 billion) as at March 31, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.
Find out more:
Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited
364/30 Sri Ayudhya Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400
Website: www.manulife-asset.co.th Telephone: 02.354-1002 or 02.246.7650 press 2 Facsimile: 02.642.6341