Manulife is taking advantage of investor’s growing interest in alternative investments and is offering more alternatives and private assets that offer greater diversification and liquidity premiums. Real asset searches by consultants represent the most new searches so far for 2014 at 14% of what is forecast as opposed to 6% for 2013. Real assets and infrastructure are expected by managers to see a spike in activity from institutional investors that are looking for unlisted investment opportunities that offer cash flows. Manulife’s agricultural investments include row crops like corn and cotton, but focuses mainly on the permanent crops of pistachios, almonds, and cranberries and is one of the world’s top five producers of these crops. Managers such as Manulife which has such a variety of alternative investments under management through John Hancock Financial Services which it bought in 2003, including farmland, timber holdings, and renewable energy, can offer investors the benefits and options of many managers. To read further:
To receive relevant news stories with summaries provided by GAI Research & Insight, subscribe to Global AgDevelopments, our free weekly enhanced eNews service