Manulife Mutual Funds announces Canadian Lipper Award Winners

WATERLOO, ON, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - Manulife Mutual Funds is proud to announce that three of its mutual funds have been recognized for excellence by the investment industry at the 2010 Lipper Fund Awards.

The Manulife Monthly High Income Fund, Manulife Strategic Income Fund and Manulife Canadian Bond Plus Fund, Series E were all winners at Lipper's annual Canadian awards event held in Toronto.

"The recognition by Lipper of these funds' performance underscores the expertise that Manulife provides to investors," said Jeff Ray, Assistant Vice President, Mutual Fund Products. "There is strong demand for income-generating products that don't take on excessive risk, and these awards reinforce how successful these funds are at delivering on their mandates."

"This recognition by Lipper reinforces not only the strength and expertise of the investment managers available through Manulife Mutual Funds, but the fact that Manulife provides advisors and their investors with a depth and breadth of high quality fund offerings across a wide range of fund categories".

Recognized for its 10-year performance, the Manulife Monthly High Income Fund invests primarily in Canadian fixed-income and large-cap Canadian equity securities. Managed by Alan Wicks of MFC Global Investment Management, the fund is recognized for its track record of consistent top-quartile returns with a dedicated income component.

In the three-year performance category, the Manulife Strategic Income Fund, a global bond fund, was recognized by Lipper for delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to its peers. Managed by Senior Vice President and Lead Portfolio Manager Daniel S. Janis III of MFC Global Investment Management, Manulife's investment management division, the fund is designed to provide attractive yields in today's low interest rate environment.

Also named as a Lipper Award winner, for its one-year performance, is the Manulife Canadian Bond Plus Fund Series E.

We are also pleased to congratulate Mawer Investment Management Ltd., managers of the Manulife Mawer family of funds who won multiple Lipper awards, Mr. Ray added.

"Mawer's disciplined and prudent approach to investment management has allowed them to grow and protect capital for their investors for over 35 years," added Mr. Ray.

The Lipper Fund Awards are part of a global program of events held in 21 countries to reward funds that deliver consistently strong risk-adjusted performance. The winners are selected using the Lipper

Leader rating for consistent return. For more information on Lipper Leaders, please visit www.lipperweb.com

For more information about Manulife Investments, please visit www.manulifeinvestments.ca

About Manulife Investments

Manulife Investments is the brand name describing certain Canadian subsidiaries and operating divisions of Manulife Financial Corporation that offer personal wealth management products and services in Canada. As one of Canada's leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments offers a variety of products and services including segregated funds, mutual funds, annuities and guaranteed investment contracts.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers customers a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn $440 billion (US$ 420 billion) as at December 31, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

For further information: Media contact: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, [phone], [email protected]