Manulife Eyes 20% MPF Market Share Within 3 Years; H1 Returns Near Zero

Manulife International’s employee benefits vice-president Angel Ng said that at end-March 2011 the firm held 1.1 million MPF accounts with nearly HK$75 billion under management — a 17.6% market share. Manulife hopes semi-portability plus promotions will lift it to 20% by 2014.

How did MPF perform in H1?

Near-zero returns. Ng blamed market conditions, not MPF itself.

Fee cuts coming?

No direct answer. Manulife’s MPF scheme turns 75 this year; Ng wouldn’t say whether fees would fall, only that peers charge similar levels.

New funds planned?

The healthcare sector fund launched three years ago met expectations; more sector funds may follow depending on client needs, plus possibly lower-risk index funds. Compare scheme charges at MPF fund comparison.