C$ unless otherwise stated

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC
SEHK: 945

TORONTO, March 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Manulife Investments is committed to simplifying and offering an efficient mutual fund platform that continues to help Canadian investors achieve their goals. As such, Manulife Investments will make the following changes to its platform:

The following funds will terminate at 4 p.m. (Toronto time) on or about May 5, 2017:

  • Manulife Canadian Growth Stock Fund
  • Manulife Global Real Estate Unconstrained Class
  • Manulife Small Cap Value Fund
  • Manulife U.S. Diversified Growth Fund

The following funds will terminate at 4 p.m. (Toronto time) on or about June 2, 2017:

  • Manulife Canadian Equity Index Fund
  • Manulife Canadian Fixed Income Private Trust
  • Manulife International Equity Index Fund
  • Manulife U.S. Equity Index Fund

Prospectus qualified securities of the funds will no longer be available for new purchases effective as of 4 p.m. (Toronto time) on March 6, 2017. This includes purchases through regular investment plans. Impacted investors are encouraged to contact their advisor to discuss the financial and tax implications of these fund terminations and to discuss options, including how to switch their assets to another Manulife mutual fund that best meets their individual investment needs and circumstances prior to the termination date.

Securityholders of the terminating funds will be sent a written notice on March 6, 2017 outlining the details of the termination.

For more information, please visit manulifemutualfunds.ca or contact Manulife Investments at the following telephone numbers:

English: 1-888-588-7999
French: 1-877-426-9991

About Manulife Investments

Manulife Investments, a division of Manulife Asset Management Limited, builds on 125 years of Manulife's wealth and investment management expertise in managing assets for Canadian investors. As one of Canada's leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments and its affiliates offer a variety of products and services including segregated fund contracts, mutual funds, annuities and guaranteed interest contracts. 

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2016, we had approximately 35,000 employees, 70,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving more than 22 million customers. At the end of 2016, we had $977 billion (US$728 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made almost $26 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2017/06/c6670.html