Manulife Mutual Funds announced on Thursday that it has received shareholder approval to merge the Manulife Global Value Class Fund with the Manulife Global Opportunities Class Fund.

To meet regulatory requirements, the merger required the approval of the Independent Review Committee of the funds, which was granted on Aug. 11. The merger also required the approval of a majority of shareholders in the continuing fund – the Global Opportunities Class Fund – by proxy or in person at a special meeting that was held on Wednesday.

Shareholders voted to support the proposal to merge the funds, which share similar investment objectives.

Manulife expects the merger to be completed on Friday.

In addition, as previously announced, Manulife capped new purchases to all retail series of four funds: Manulife Global Tactical Fund, Manulife Global Real Estate Fund, Manulife Real Return Strategy Fund and Manulife International Large Cap Fund effective June 19, 2009. The company expects the funds to be terminated on Friday.