On The Shelf:

(June 11, 2008) Manulife Mutual Funds has reached an agreement that will allow it to offer, on an exclusive basis through financial advisors, a family of mutual funds sub-advised by Mawer Investment Management Limited.

The arrangement allows Manulife to launch new mutual funds and segregated funds, subject to regulatory approval, plus exclusively offer a broader family of funds sub-advised by Mawer Investment Management for distribution through independent financial advisors.

With this deal, Manulife becomes the only direct distributor of Mawer funds through the advisor channel. Investors can continue to buy the existing no-load funds directly from Mawer should they so choose.

“As one of Canada’s leading financial services firms, Manulife provides access to top quality investment funds,” says Doug Conick, vice-president of investment funds for Manulife Financial. “We continue to focus on providing a strong product lineup that meets the demands of investors and their advisors. As such, we are very pleased to enter this arrangement, which will serve to further strengthen and broaden our already very strong family of mutual funds.”

“We’re very honoured to be working closely with one of Canada’s top financial firms,” says Gerald Cooper-Key, manager of Mawer Investment Management’s world investment fund and the 2007 Morningstar Fund Manager of the Year.

AXA launches new guaranteed investment funds

(June 11, 2008) AXA has launched a new line of guaranteed investment funds, which resemble guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit products. The new line of accumulife option funds will offer 12 different funds, ranging from fixed income to maximum growth portfolios, as well as insured guarantees at resets and maturity.

The accumulife option guaranteed investment funds will attempt to offer the growth potential of mutual funds combined with guarantees. AXA says they fit in perfectly with a portfolio diversification strategy and are ideal for investors who are still working and saving for future projects or retirement.

“Canadian investors will have the benefit of investment options that will help them make their future projects a reality, plan a comfortable retirement and protect their loved ones. Plus, we have provided advisors with a range of tools so that they can fully benefit from the competitive advantages of the accumulife option and offer their clients flexible, diversified investment options,” says Robert Landry, executive vice-president of life insurance and financial services at AXA.

(06/11/08)

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.