Manulife Investments has announced the launch of the Manulife Singapore Opportunities Income Strategy, a new equity income and growth strategy focused on Singapore-listed equities. Developed under the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), the strategy aims to capture opportunities in under-researched small and mid-cap companies.
The strategy aligns with EQDP’s efforts to deepen research coverage, improve liquidity, and broaden investor participation in Singapore’s equity market. HuiJian Koh, CEO of Manulife Investments Singapore, stated, “Being selected for MAS’s EQDP is a meaningful endorsement of our deep understanding of Singapore’s equity market and our on-the-ground investment capabilities.”
The strategy employs a disciplined, bottom-up approach to stock selection, focusing on companies with strong growth prospects, cash flow generation, and management quality. It seeks to balance income stability with capital appreciation, primarily through dividends and profit-taking as stocks approach fair value.
Hock Fai Chan, Head of Equities at Manulife Investment Management Singapore, highlighted the unique opportunities in Singapore’s small and mid-cap segment, noting the limited research coverage and pricing inefficiencies. The strategy will typically hold 30 to 50 high-conviction positions, emphasising risk discipline and diversification.
Singapore’s equity market has shown strong performance, with equities returning nearly 36.1% in the past year. The market’s high dividend yields and structural reforms, including MAS’s EQDP, are attracting increased investor attention. As companies focus on restructuring and efficient balance sheet deployment, opportunities in digital infrastructure and energy transition are expected to support a positive outlook for Singapore equities.
