Manulife IM Malaysia Launches Singapore Equity Fund Amid Market Reforms

Manulife IM Malaysia introduces the Singapore Equity Fund, offering investors access to income and growth opportunities as reforms enhance liquidity, valuation discovery, and participation in Singapore equities.

Manulife Malaysia

Manulife Investment Management (M) Berhad has launched the Manulife Singapore Equity Fund, providing Malaysian investors with access to income and long-term capital growth opportunities in Singapore’s evolving equity market.

The fund is structured as a feeder fund and invests into the Manulife Singapore Opportunities Income Fund, which is actively managed by Manulife Investment Management’s Singapore-based equities team.

The launch comes as Singapore’s capital market undergoes significant changes driven by the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s SGD 6.5 billion Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP). The initiative aims to improve market liquidity, broaden investor participation, strengthen research coverage, and support fairer valuations across the equity market.

According to Manulife Investment Management (M) Berhad Chief Executive Officer Jason Chong, Singapore’s market can complement both domestic and global equity exposures by offering diversification opportunities. He noted that reforms are expanding opportunities beyond large-cap stocks, particularly within the small- and mid-cap segments where valuation discounts remain attractive.

Meanwhile, Hock Fai Chan, Head of Equities, Singapore at Manulife Investment Management, said the strategy is designed to benefit from improving liquidity and market participation. The portfolio typically allocates around 60% to large-cap companies and 40% to small- and mid-cap stocks, targeting potential re-rating opportunities while maintaining resilience and generating income.