Toronto-based Manulife Investments, a division of Manulife Asset Management Ltd., has added a new thematic mutual fund to its product shelf. Manulife Global Thematic Opportunities Fund invests in companies that are likely to benefit from “megatrends.” Manulife Investments defines megatrends as “significant social, economic, political, environmental or technological changes that will affect the way people live, how society operates or how business is conducted.” Montreal-based Pictet Asset Management Inc. subadvises on the fund. Advisor commissions are 0%-5% for front-end sales; 5% for deferred sales; and 2% for the low-load option. Redemption fees begin at 6% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 6 for the regular DSC schedule; and begin at 3% in Year 1 and end at zero after Year 3 of the low-load schedule. Trailing commissions are 1% for front-end sales; 0.5% for the first six years of deferred sales, and 1% thereafter; and 1% for low-load sales. Management fees are 2% for A-class units and 0.9% for F-class units. Minimum investment is $500.
(fcollie@investmentexecutive.com).