As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 25, 2009
1933 Act File No. 33-5186
1940 Act File No. 811-04651
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 47
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 47
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANTS TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE
(617) 663-2999
THOMAS M. KINZLER, ESQ.
601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
MARK P. GOSHKO, ESQ.
K & L GATES LLP
ONE LINCOLN STREET
BOSTON, MA 02111-2950
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
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on October 1, 2009 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
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John
Hancock
Strategic Income
Fund
PROSPECTUS
10109
4
CLASS A,
B AND C SHARES
As with all mutual funds, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has not approved or
disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in
this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates
otherwise is committing a federal crime.
An
Income Fund
Table
of contents
Fund
summary
A concise look at the investment goal, main strategies and main
risks, past performance and the costs of investing.
Fund
details
More about topics covered in the summary section, including
descriptions of the various risk factors that investors should
understand before investing.
Your
account
How to place an order to buy, sell or exchange shares, as well
as information about the business policies and any distributions
that may be paid.
Fund
summary
John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund
Day-to-day
investment management: MFC Global Investment Management
(U.S.), LLC
Class
/ Ticker
A /
JHFIX B /
STIBX C / JSTCX
Goal
and strategy
To seek a high
level of current income.
Under normal
market conditions, the fund invests primarily in the following
types of securities: foreign government and corporate debt
securities from developed and emerging markets,
U.S. government and agency securities, and domestic
high-yield bonds.
The fund may
also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt
securities.
Although the
fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities
rated as low as D (in default) by Standard &
Poors Corporation (S&P) or Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (and their
unrated equivalents), it generally intends to keep its average
credit quality in the investment-grade range (AAA to BBB). There
is no limit on the funds average maturity.
In managing
the fund, the subadviser allocates assets among the three major
types of securities based on analysis of economic factors, such
as projected international interest rate movements, industry
cycles and political trends. However, the subadviser may invest
up to 100% of the funds assets in any one sector.
Within each
type of security, the subadviser looks for investments that are
appropriate for the overall fund in terms of yield, credit
quality, structure and industry distribution. In selecting
securities, relative yields and risk/reward ratios are the
primary considerations.
The fund may
use certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives
(investments whose value is based on indexes, securities or
currencies) and restricted or illiquid securities. In addition,
the fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in domestic or
foreign stocks.
In abnormal
circumstances, the fund may temporarily invest extensively in
investment-grade short-term securities. In these and other
cases, the fund might not achieve its goal.
The fund may
trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction
costs (thus lowering performance) and increase your taxable
distributions.
Main
risks
An
investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency. The funds shares will go up
and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by
investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual
funds performance.
Instability
in the financial markets has led the United States government to
take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support
certain financial institutions and segments of the financial
markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some
cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other
governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory
organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the
instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such
instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or
regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is
regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or
preclude the funds ability to achieve its goal.
Governments
or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from
financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those
institutions. The implications of government ownership and
disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may
have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation
and performance of the funds portfolio holdings.
Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to
greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in
valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.
The
funds main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical
order.
Before investing, be sure to read the additional
descriptions of these risks beginning on page 5.
Active management risk
The
subadvisers investment strategy may fail to produce the
intended result.
Changing distribution levels risk
The
amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends
on the amount of income
and/or
dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.
Credit and counterparty risk
The
issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty
to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a
funds securities, may be unable or unwilling to make
timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise
to honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are
subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the
nature of their support.
Equity securities risk
Equity
securities may include common, preferred and convertible
preferred stocks and securities, the values of which are tied to
the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible
debt securities. The value of a companys equity securities
is subject to changes in the companys financial condition,
and overall market and economic conditions.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
2
Fixed-income securities risk
Fixed-income
securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit
quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices
to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by
the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to
interest rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer
of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal
borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Lower-rated
fixed-income securities and high-yield securities involve a
higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in
higher-rated categories.
Foreign securities risk
As
compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly
available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign
securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse
political and economic developments. Investments in emerging
market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign
investment risk.
Foreign securities risk (including Emerging Markets risk)
As
compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly
available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign
securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse
political and economic developments. These risks are heightened
in the case of emerging markets.
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
Hedging
and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of
a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result
in a significant loss to a fund. In addition, the use of
derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps)
could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the
principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments
involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the
risks associated with investing directly in securities and other
traditional investments and, in a down market, could become
harder to value or sell at a fair price.
High portfolio turnover risk
Actively
trading securities can increase transaction costs (thus lowering
performance) and taxable distributions.
Issuer risk
An
issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the
value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of
securities held by the fund could default or have its credit
rating downgraded.
Liquidity risk
Exposure
exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal
restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or
close derivative positions at an advantageous price.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
3
Past
performance
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Calendar year total
returns
Class A
(%)
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Best
quarter:
Q2 03,
7.11
Worst quarter:
Q4 08, 7.71
Year-to-date
as of 6-30-09: 13.23
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1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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3.35
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1.14
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4.90
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7.30
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16.88
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8.75
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2.28
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4.48
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5.57
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10.85
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Average annual total
returns
(%)
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1 Year
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5 Year
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10
Year
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as of 12-31-08
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Class A
before tax
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14.92
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0.87
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3.68
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After tax on distributions
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17.69
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1.73
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0.79
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After tax on distributions, with sale
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9.60
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0.67
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1.42
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Class B
before tax
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15.53
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0.82
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3.59
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Class C
before tax
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12.29
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1.10
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3.44
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Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
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5.24
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4.65
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5.63
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Calendar
year total returns
These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if
they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for
Class A and would be different for other share classes.
Fund returns vary from year to year and may indicate the
funds level of volatility; however, as always, past
performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future
results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
Average
annual total returns
These include sales charges. Performance of a broad-based
securities market index is included for comparison purposes and
may provide information regarding the funds risks. Indexes
do not have sales charges and you cannot invest in them
directly. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
After-tax returns
These are shown only for Class A
and would be different for other classes. They reflect the
highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect
as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local
taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax
returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or
other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
is an
unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible
investment-grade debt issues.
Investor
costs
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Shareholder transaction
expenses
1
(%)
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Class A
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Class B
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Class C
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Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of
purchase price
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4.50
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Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale
price, whichever is less
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2
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5.00
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1.00
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Annual operating
expenses
(%)
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Class A
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Class B
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Class C
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Management fee
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0.38
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0.38
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0.38
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Distribution and service (12b-1) fees
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0.30
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1.00
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1.00
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Other
expenses
3
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0.22
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0.22
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0.22
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Total fund operating
expenses
4
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0.90
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1.60
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1.60
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Expense
example
Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of
a $10,000 investment during the various time frames indicated.
The example assumes a 5% average annual return, and the
reinvestment of all dividends. The example assumes fund expenses
will not change over the periods. The example is for comparison
only and does not reflect actual expenses and returns, either
past or future.
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Expenses
($)
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Class A
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Class B
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Class C
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Shares
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Sold
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Kept
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Sold
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Kept
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Sold
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Kept
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1 Year
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538
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538
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663
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163
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263
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163
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3 Years
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724
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724
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805
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505
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505
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505
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5 Years
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926
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926
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1,071
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871
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871
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871
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10 Years
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1,508
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1,508
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1,713
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5
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1,713
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5
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1,900
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1,900
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Annual
operating expenses
These are paid from the funds assets; shareholders,
therefore, pay these costs indirectly.
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1
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A $4.00 fee will be charged for wire redemptions.
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2
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Except for investments of $1 million or more; see How
sales charges are calculated.
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3
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Other expenses shown exclude 0.03% of one-time
extraordinary fees incurred in the prior fiscal year.
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4
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Expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than those
shown in the Annual operating expenses table for one
or more of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in
average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if
advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant
decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the
expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as
asset levels decrease; (iii) fees may be incurred for
extraordinary events such as proxy or fund tax expenses, or (iv)
the termination of voluntary expense cap reimbursements and/or
fee waivers, as applicable.
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5
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Reflects conversion of Class B shares to Class A
shares, which have a lower expense ratio, after eight years.
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Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
4
Fund
details
Risks
of investing
Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role
in shaping the funds overall risk profile. The
descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of
importance. For further details about fund risks, including
additional risk factors that are not discussed in this
prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see
the funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Active management
risk
A fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the
subadvisers ability to pursue the funds goal. The
subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in
making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no
guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The fund
generally does not attempt to time the market and instead
generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such
as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its
benchmark, the fund may buy securities not included in its
benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than
its benchmark. To the extent the fund invests in those
securities, its performance depends on the ability of the
subadviser to choose securities that perform better than
securities that are included in the benchmark.
Changing
distribution levels risk
The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally
depends on the amount of income
and/or
dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The
fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce
its distribution level if the income
and/or
dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.
Credit and
counterparty risk
This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income
security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC)
derivatives contract (see Hedging, derivatives and other
strategic transactions risk) or a borrower of a
funds securities will be unable or unwilling to make
timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise
to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with
investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of
the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest
on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities
is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the
securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will
default, potentially reducing the funds share price and
income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to
some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the
issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign
governments, or their
sub-divisions
or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to
varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the
securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S.
government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise
supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many
types of U.S. government securities (
e.g
., the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks),
although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by
Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities,
including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are
neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency
of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of
returning the entities to normal business operations. It is
unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the
securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As
a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than
U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith
and credit of the United States (
e.g
., U.S. Treasury
bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser
may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed
securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported
by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and
automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the
risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on
payment of those assets.
Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also
called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated
Ba or lower by Moodys or BB or
lower by Standard & Poors (S&P), or
determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to
securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The
sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their
sub-divisions
and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below
investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher
investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry
greater credit risk: their issuers continuing ability to
meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative,
and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less
liquid than higher-rated securities.
In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it
makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency
contracts
and/or
swap
contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of
fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC
derivatives transactions can only be closed out with the other
party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund
will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that
the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual
obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will
succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk
that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC
derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or
made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation.
While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of
contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the
counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations,
especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
Equity securities
risk
Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a
company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity
securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value
of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities
fluctuates based on changes in a companys financial
condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The value
of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the
financial condition of the companies in which the fund is
invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions
deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality or
blue chip equity securities, or securities of
established companies with large market capitalizations (which
generally have strong financial characteristics), can be
negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic
conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also
have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be
less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
5
The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and
generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this
exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general
will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to
unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well
as periods of poor performance.
Fixed-income
securities risk
Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal
types of risks: (a) interest rate risk and (b) credit
quality risk.
Interest rate risk.
Fixed-income securities are affected
by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the
market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be
expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
market value of fixed-income securities generally can be
expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a
fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest
rate risk.
Credit quality risk.
Fixed-income securities are subject
to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all
or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all
interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income
security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security,
the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a
decrease in the value of the funds investments. Funds that
may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly
referred to as junk securities, are riskier than
funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities.
Additional information on the risks of investing in
investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating
category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth
below.
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating
category risk.
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in
the lowest-rating category (rated Baa by
Moodys or BBB by S&P and comparable
unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than
fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While
such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are
deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and
interest, such securities lack outstanding investment
characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well.
For example, changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal and interest payments than is the case with
higher-grade securities.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield
securities risk.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities are
defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated
Ba and below by Moodys, and BB and
below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks
of investing in these securities are as follows:
|
|
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Risk to principal and income.
Investing in lower-rated
fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these
securities generally provide greater income potential than
investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk
that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers
of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.
|
|
|
Price volatility.
The price of lower-rated fixed-income
securities may be more volatile than securities in the
higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during
periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these
securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income
securities by the markets perception of their credit
quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the
past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have,
at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities
and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in
interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged
issuers of these securities.
|
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Liquidity.
The market for lower-rated fixed-income
securities may have more limited trading than the market for
investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be
more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities
may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order
to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market
conditions.
|
|
|
Dependence on subadvisers own credit analysis.
While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established
credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings
with its own independent review of the credit quality of the
issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of
lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the
subadvisers evaluation than the assessment of the credit
risk of higher-rated securities.
|
Additional risks regarding lower-rated corporate fixed-income
securities.
Lower-rated corporate debt securities (and
comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to
individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities.
Issuers of lower-rated corporate debt securities may also be
highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income
will not be repaid.
Additional risks regarding lower-rated foreign government
fixed-income securities.
Lower-rated foreign government
fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in
foreign countries described under Foreign securities
risk. In addition, the ability and willingness of a
foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be
affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions
within the country. Emerging-market countries may experience
high inflation, interest rates and unemployment, as well as
exchange rate trade difficulties and political uncertainty or
instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign
government will not make payments when due.
Prepayment of principal.
Many types of debt securities,
including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk.
Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay
principal prior to the securitys maturity. Securities
subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains
when the credit quality of the issuer improves.
Foreign
securities risk
Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities
markets outside the United States are subject to additional and
more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change
more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities.
The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively
small, with a limited number of companies representing a small
number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign
securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation
as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of
foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S.
standards. There are generally higher commission rates on
foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial
costs and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on
dividends and interest payable on foreign securities. Also, for
lesser developed countries, nationalization, expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange
control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency from a country), political changes or
diplomatic developments could adversely affect a funds
investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or
other confiscation, a fund could lose its entire investment in a
foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities
are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also
applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their
assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S.
Emerging markets risk.
Funds that invest a significant
portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in
countries with emerging market economies are subject
to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds
investing primarily in more developed foreign markets,
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
6
since emerging market securities may present market, credit,
currency, liquidity, legal, political and other risks greater
than, or in addition to, risks of investing in developed foreign
countries. These risks include: high currency exchange rate
fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both
government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and
political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of
war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy;
less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities
markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign
investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital
and on a funds ability to exchange local currencies for
U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in
certain emerging market countries; the fact that companies in
emerging market countries may be newly organized and may be
smaller and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of,
auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in
the unavailability of material information about issuers;
different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be
unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions
or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions;
difficulties in obtaining
and/or
enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and
significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market
issuers.
Currency risk.
Currency risk is the risk that
fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S.
dollar value of a funds investments. Currency risk
includes both the risk that currencies in which a funds
investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken
an active investment position, will decline in value relative to
the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the
U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being
hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate
significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of
supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or
perceived changes in interest rates, and intervention (or the
failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central
banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the
U.S. or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of
currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect
to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value
of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the
risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one
another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on
its investment and also lose money on the position designed to
act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active
currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure
represented by their securities into another foreign currency.
This may result in a funds currency exposure being
substantially different than that suggested by its securities
investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings
and/or
that
invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies
or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign
currency transactions (such as futures, forwards and swaps) may
also involve leveraging risk, in addition to currency risk.
Leverage may disproportionately increase a funds portfolio
losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates,
stock prices or currency rates are changing.
Hedging,
derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other
strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its
subadvisers ability to predict pertinent market movements
and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk
and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills
required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic
transactions are different from those needed to select a
funds securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging
and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging
purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market,
if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a
significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more
than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also
increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small
investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks
assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or
loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures
can exceed a funds initial investment in such contracts.
In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund
if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as
promised.
A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts
with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of
underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of
derivative instruments include options contracts, futures
contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements
(including, but not limited to, credit default swaps and swaps
on exchange traded funds). Derivatives may relate to stocks,
bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and
related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes,
including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment
in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way
to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various
securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually
having to sell existing investments and make new investments.
This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to
be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale
of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further,
since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference
rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than
the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain
derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of
the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives
for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more
volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to
market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate
assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable
regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its
obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of
the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer
to the SAI.
The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different
from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with
investing directly in securities and other more traditional
assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes
a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter
(OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make
timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its
obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be
closed out with the other party to the transaction, although
either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts
that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out
the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other
partys consent to assign the transaction to a third party.
If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual
remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will
meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of
default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example,
because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is
individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is
subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret
contractual terms (
e.g.
, the definition of default)
differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its
contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and
unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund
to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to
pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore,
assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed
to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may
be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of
litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance
that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during
unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund
contracts with a limited number of
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
7
counterparties, the funds risk will be concentrated and
events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those
counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund.
Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks,
including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of
derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other
assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they
will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk
that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the
assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely
track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in
all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the
counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the
occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a
subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or
otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various
hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. To
the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic
transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.
High portfolio
turnover risk
A high fund portfolio turnover rate (over 100%) generally
involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses,
which must be borne directly by a fund. The portfolio turnover
rate of a fund may vary from year to year, as well as within a
year.
Issuer
risk
An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly
and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline
and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance
may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive
pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers,
labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings,
fraudulent disclosures or other factors.
Liquidity
risk
A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of
a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the funds
ability to sell particular securities or close derivative
positions at an advantageous price. Funds with principal
investment strategies that involve investments in securities of
companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign
securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market
and/or
credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity
risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds
which invest in emerging markets and related derivatives that
are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and
sale restrictions.
These investment strategies and securities are described further
in the SAI.
Whos
who
Below are the names of the various entities involved with the
funds investment and business operations, along with brief
descriptions of the role each entity performs.
Trustees
Oversee the funds business activities and retain the
services of the various firms that carry out the funds
operations. The Board of Trustees can change the funds
investment goal and strategy without shareholder approval.
Investment
adviser
Manages the funds business and investment activities.
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston,
MA 02210-2805
Founded in 1968, John Hancock Advisers, LLC is a wholly owned
subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which in
turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and
retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the
assets of the fund. As of June 30, 2009, the adviser had
total assets under management of approximately $18 billion.
The adviser does not itself manage any of the funds
portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the
subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and
replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors
the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives
and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the
performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports
periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.
The fund relies on an order from the SEC permitting the adviser,
subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the
terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder
approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or
the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the
expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder
approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the
adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the
adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a
subadviser to a fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an
affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.
Management
fee
The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to
the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the
current value of the net assets of the fund determined in
accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied
to the average daily assets of the fund.
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Annual
|
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Average Daily Net Assets
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Rate
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First $100 million
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0
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.60%
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|
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Between $100 million and $250 million
|
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0
|
.45%
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|
|
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|
|
|
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Between $250 million and $500 million
|
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|
0
|
.40%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Between $500 million and $650 million
|
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|
0
|
.35%
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Excess over $650 million
|
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0
|
.30%
|
|
|
During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid to the
investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.38% of net assets.
Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees
of the subadviser.
The basis for the Trustees approval of the advisory fees,
and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the
subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the funds
May 31, 2009 annual shareholder report.
Subadviser
Handles the funds
day-to-day
portfolio management.
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.))
was founded in 1979 and provides investment advisory services to
individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
(a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of
June 30, 2009, had total assets under management of
approximately $24 billion.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
8
Below are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the
funds investment management team, in alphabetical order.
These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For
more about these individuals, including information about their
compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments
they may have in the fund, see the SAI.
Barry H. Evans,
CFA
|
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Joined fund team in 2006
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President and chief fixed-income officer, MFC Global (U.S.)
(since 2005)
|
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|
Senior vice president, chief fixed-income officer and chief
operating officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1986−2005)
|
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Began business career in 1986
|
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Analysis of global economic conditions
|
John F.
Iles
|
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Joined fund team in 2005
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Vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
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Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
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Began business career in 1984
|
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Analysis of specific issuers pertaining to high-yield and
emerging markets
|
Daniel S. Janis
III
|
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Joined fund team in 1999
|
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Senior vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
|
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Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
|
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Began business career in 1984
|
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|
Primarily responsible for fund management and
day-to-day
purchase and sale decisions
|
Custodian
Holds the funds assets, settles all portfolio trades and
collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the
funds net asset value (NAV).
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
Principal
distributor
Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers,
financial planners and other financial representatives.
John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston,
MA 02210-2805
Transfer
agent
Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and
statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and
sell requests.
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth,
NH 03802-9510
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
9
Financial
highlights
These tables detail the financial performance of each share
class described in this prospectus, including total return
information showing how much an investment in the fund has
increased or decreased each year.
The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2009,
have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the
funds independent registered public accounting firm. The
report of PwC is included, along with the funds financial
statements, in the funds annual report, which has been
incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon
request.
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CLASS A SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
|
|
5-31-08
|
|
5-31-07
|
|
5-31-06
|
|
5-31-05
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
year
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
|
$6.69
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
0.32
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
|
(0.40
|
)
|
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
|
(0.34
|
)
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
(0.46
|
)
|
|
|
(0.59
|
)
|
|
|
(0.48
|
)
|
|
|
(0.40
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
year
|
|
|
$5.61
|
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
Total
return
2
(%)
|
|
|
(3.06
|
)
|
|
|
3.93
|
|
|
|
5.98
|
|
|
|
4.38
|
|
|
|
10.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (in millions)
|
|
|
$720
|
|
|
|
$765
|
|
|
|
$784
|
|
|
|
$818
|
|
|
|
$764
|
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
0.93
|
3
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers
|
|
|
0.93
|
3
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
0.93
|
3
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
7.23
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
|
|
|
4.80
|
|
|
|
4.26
|
|
|
|
4.48
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS B SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
|
|
5-31-08
|
|
5-31-07
|
|
5-31-06
|
|
5-31-05
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
year
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
|
$6.69
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0.35
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.52
|
)
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
year
|
|
|
$5.61
|
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
Total
return
2
(%)
|
|
|
(3.73
|
)
|
|
|
3.21
|
|
|
|
5.27
|
|
|
|
3.67
|
|
|
|
9.81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (in millions)
|
|
|
$131
|
|
|
|
$184
|
|
|
|
$242
|
|
|
|
$350
|
|
|
|
$460
|
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
1.63
|
3
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
1.63
|
3
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
1.63
|
3
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
6.51
|
|
|
|
5.27
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
|
|
3.57
|
|
|
|
3.79
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
10
Financial
highlights,
continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS C SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
|
|
5-31-08
|
|
5-31-07
|
|
5-31-06
|
|
5-31-05
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
year
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
|
$6.69
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0.35
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.52
|
)
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
year
|
|
|
$5.61
|
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
Total
return
2
(%)
|
|
|
(3.73
|
)
|
|
|
3.21
|
|
|
|
5.24
|
|
|
|
3.65
|
|
|
|
9.81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (in millions)
|
|
|
$201
|
|
|
|
$193
|
|
|
|
$219
|
|
|
|
$270
|
|
|
|
$282
|
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
1.63
|
3
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
1.63
|
3
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
1.63
|
3
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
6.53
|
|
|
|
5.29
|
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
|
|
3.56
|
|
|
|
3.79
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
|
|
2
|
|
Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross
and net expense ratios was 0.03%.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
11
Your
account
Choosing
a share class
Each share class has its own cost structure, including a
Rule 12b-1
plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution and
service of its shares. Your financial representative can help
you decide which share class is best for you.
Class A
|
|
|
A front-end sales charge, as described in the section How
sales charges are calculated.
|
|
|
Distribution and service
(Rule 12b-1)
fees of 0.30%.
|
Class B
|
|
|
No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right
away for you.
|
|
|
Distribution and service
(Rule 12b-1)
fees of 1.00%.
|
|
|
A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), as described in the
section How sales charges are calculated.
|
|
|
Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years,
thus reducing future annual expenses.
|
Class C
|
|
|
No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right
away for you.
|
|
|
Distribution and service
(Rule 12b-1)
fees of 1.00%.
|
|
|
A 1.00% CDSC on shares sold within one year of purchase.
|
|
|
No automatic conversion to Class A shares, so annual
expenses continue at the Class C level throughout the life
of your investment.
|
The maximum amount you may invest in Class B shares with
any single purchase request is $99,999.99 and the maximum amount
you may invest in Class C shares with any single purchase
is $999,999.99. John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature
Services), the transfer agent for the fund, may accept a
purchase request for Class B shares for $100,000 or more,
or for Class C shares for $1,000,000 or more when the
purchase is pursuant to the Reinstatement Privilege (see
Sales charge reductions and waivers).
12b-1
fees
Rule 12b-1
fees will be paid to the funds distributor, John Hancock
Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses
relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or
administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class
and for the payment of service fees that come within
Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the funds assets on
an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your
investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of
sales charges.
Other classes of shares of the fund, which have their own
expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.
Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect
transactions in fund shares.
Additional
payments to financial intermediaries
Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial
intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment
advisers, financial planners and retirement plan administrators.
These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in
two principal ways:
|
|
|
directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and
|
|
|
indirectly, as a result of the fund paying
Rule 12b-1
fees.
|
Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to
make, payments in addition to sales commissions and 12b-1 fees
out of the distributors own resources. These additional
payments are sometimes referred to as revenue
sharing. These payments assist in the distributors
efforts to promote the sale of the funds shares. The
distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating
any additional compensation, which may include the level of
sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive
additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies.
These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor
determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments
it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to
compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute
shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the
distributors promotional efforts.
The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by
increasing the funds net assets, which, as well as
benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and
other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration
for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales
system or give preferential access to members of its sales force
or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in
the distributors marketing efforts by allowing the
distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences,
seminars or other programs attended by the intermediarys
sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing
payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its
clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn
a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide
your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.
The SAI discusses the distributors revenue-sharing
arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you
additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus.
You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the
distributor or the fund, as well as about fees
and/or
commissions it charges.
The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other
relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of
services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account
services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio
transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these
services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the
intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary
may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its
affiliates that are not related to the fund.
Rollover
program compensation
The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or
other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in
Section 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), that is funded by certain group annuity
contracts issued by John Hancock insurance companies, is
eligible to receive ongoing compensation (Rollover Compensation)
when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and
rolls over assets into a John Hancock- sponsored custodial IRA
or a John Hancock custodial Roth IRA invested in shares of John
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
12
Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid from a
funds 12b-1 fees to the plans broker-dealer of
record at an annual rate not expected to exceed 0.25% of the
average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds
(0.15% for the John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the
rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first
year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. A John
Hancock insurance company may also pay the third-party
administrator for the plan a one-time nominal fee not expected
to exceed $25 per participant rollover into a John Hancock fund
for facilitating the transaction.
How
sales charges are calculated
Class A
sales charges are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a % of
|
|
As a % of
|
|
|
Your investment
|
|
offering price*
|
|
your investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to $99,999
|
|
|
4
|
.50%
|
|
|
4
|
.71%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$100,000 $249,999
|
|
|
3
|
.75%
|
|
|
3
|
.90%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000 $499,999
|
|
|
2
|
.75%
|
|
|
2
|
.83%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$500,000 $999,999
|
|
|
2
|
.00%
|
|
|
2
|
.04%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,000,000 and over
|
|
|
See below
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Offering price is the net asset value per share plus any
initial sales charge.
|
You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you
own or are purchasing Class A, Class B, Class C,
Class T, Class ADV, all Class R shares,
Class I2 or Class I shares of a John Hancock open-end
mutual fund.
To receive the reduced sales charge, you must
tell your broker or financial representative at the time you
purchase the funds Class A shares about any other
John Hancock mutual funds held by you, your spouse or your
children under the age of 21 living in the same household.
This includes investments held in an individual retirement
account or with a broker or financial representative other than
the one handling your current purchase. John Hancock will credit
the combined value, at the current offering price, of all
eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced
sales charge on your current purchase. You may need to provide
documentation for these accounts, such as an account statement.
For more information about these reduced sales charges, you may
visit the funds Web site at www.jhfunds.com. You may also
consult your broker or financial adviser, or refer to the
section entitled Initial sales charge on Class A
shares in the funds SAI. You may request an SAI from
your broker or financial adviser, by accessing the funds
Web site at www.jhfunds.com or by calling Signature Services at
1-800-225-5291.
Investments
of $1 million or more
Class A shares are available with no front-end sales charge
on investments of $1 million or more. There is a CDSC on
any Class A shares upon which a commission or finders
fee was paid that are sold within one year of purchase, as
follows:
Class A
deferred charges on investments of $1 million or
more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CDSC on shares
|
|
|
Your investment
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|
being sold
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|
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|
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|
|
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|
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|
First $1M $4,999,999
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|
|
1
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.00%
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|
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Next $1 $5M above that
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|
|
0
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.50%
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|
Next $1 or more above that
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|
0
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.25%
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|
For purposes of this CDSC, all purchases made during a
calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day
of that month.
The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost or
the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not
charged on shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. To
keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request
to sell shares we will first sell any shares in your account
that are not subject to a CDSC.
Class B
and Class C
Shares are offered at their net asset value per share, without
any initial sales charge.
A CDSC may be charged if a commission has been paid and you sell
Class B or Class C shares within a certain time after
you bought them, as described in the tables below. There is no
CDSC on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. The
CDSC is based on the original purchase cost or the current
market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. The
CDSCs are as follows:
Class B
deferred charges
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|
|
|
|
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|
Years after purchase
|
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CDSC
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|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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1
st
year
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5
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.00%
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|
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2
nd
year
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4
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.00%
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|
|
|
|
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|
3
rd
or
4
th
year
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3
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.00%
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
5
th
year
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2
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.00%
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
th
year
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|
1
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.00%
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
After 6
th
year
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|
None
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Class C
deferred charges
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|
|
|
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|
Years after purchase
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CDSC
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|
|
|
|
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|
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|
1
st
year
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|
|
1
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.00%
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After 1
st
year
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|
|
None
|
|
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|
For purposes of these CDSCs, all purchases made during a
calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day
of that month.
To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a
request to sell shares, we will first sell any shares in your
account that carry no CDSC. If there are not enough of these
shares to meet your request, we will sell those shares that have
the lowest CDSC.
Sales
charge reductions and waivers
Reducing
your Class A sales charges
There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of
shares of John Hancock funds to take advantage of the
breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. The first three ways
can be combined in any manner.
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|
|
Accumulation Privilege lets you add the value of any
class of shares of any John Hancock open-end fund you already
own to the amount of your next Class A investment for
purposes of calculating the sales charge. However, Class A
shares of money market funds will not qualify unless you have
already paid a sales charge on those shares.
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|
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|
Letter of Intention lets you purchase Class A
shares of a fund over a
13-month
period and receive the same sales charge as if all shares had
been purchased at once. You can use a Letter of Intention to
qualify for reduced sales charges if you plan to invest at least
$100,000 in a funds Class A and Class T shares
during the next 13 months. The calculation of this amount
would include accumulations and combinations as well as your
current holdings of all classes of John Hancock funds, which
include any reinvestment of dividends and capital gains
distributions. However, Class A shares of money market
funds will be excluded unless you have already paid a sales
charge. When you sign this letter, the fund agrees to charge you
the reduced sales charges. Completing a Letter of Intention does
not obligate you to purchase additional shares. However, if you
do not buy enough shares to qualify for the lower sales charges
by the earlier of the end of the
13-month
period or when you sell your shares, your sales charges will be
recalculated to reflect your actual purchase level. Also
available for individual retirement plan investors is a
48-month
Letter of Intention, described in the SAI.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
13
|
|
|
Combination Privilege lets you combine shares of all
funds for purposes of calculating the Class A sales charge.
|
To utilize any reduction, you must complete the appropriate
section of your application, or contact your financial
representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for
additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
Group
investment program
A group may be treated as a single purchaser under the
accumulation and combination privileges. Each investor has an
individual account, but the groups investments are lumped
together for sales charge purposes, making the investors
potentially eligible for reduced sales charges. There is no
charge or obligation to invest (although initial investments per
account opened must satisfy minimum initial investment
requirements specified in the section entitled Opening an
account), and individual investors may close their
accounts at any time.
To utilize this program, you must contact your financial
representative or Signature Services to find out how to qualify.
Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of
this prospectus).
CDSC
waivers
As long as Signature Services is notified at the time you sell,
the CDSC for each share class will be waived in the following
cases:
|
|
|
to make payments through certain systematic withdrawal plans
|
|
|
|
certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The
Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or
PruSolutions
SM
programs
|
|
|
|
redemptions pursuant to the funds right to liquidate an
account less than the stated minimum in the section
Opening an account
|
|
|
|
redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the
inception of a retirement plan at John Hancock
|
|
|
to make certain distributions from a retirement plan
|
|
|
because of shareholder death or disability
|
|
|
rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock
custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by John Hancock
funds as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and
administering 403(b)(7) accounts
|
To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial
representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for
additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
Reinstatement
privilege
If you sell shares of a John Hancock fund, you may reinvest some
or all of the proceeds back into the same share class of the
same fund and account from which it was removed, within
120 days without a sales charge, as long as Signature
Services or your financial representative is notified before you
reinvest. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your shares, you will
be credited with the amount of the CDSC.
To utilize this privilege, you must contact your financial
representative or Signature Services.
Waivers
for certain investors
Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales
charges or CDSCs to the following individuals and institutions:
|
|
|
selling brokers and their employees and sales representatives
(and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)
|
|
|
|
financial representatives utilizing fund shares in certain
eligible retirement platforms, fee-based or wrap investment
products under a signed agreement with the distributor
|
|
|
|
fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with
these or other John Hancock funds (and their Immediate Family,
as defined in the SAI)
|
|
|
individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP or
SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to an IRA
|
|
|
individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP or
SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to a Roth IRA
|
|
|
individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP,
SAR-SEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock funds back to the
original account type from which it was converted
|
|
|
participants in certain 529 plans that have a signed agreement
with the distributor (one-year CDSC may apply)
|
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|
participants in certain retirement plans with at least 100
eligible employees (one-year CDSC applies)
|
|
|
|
certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The
Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or
PruSolutions
SM
programs
|
|
|
|
terminating participants rolling over (directly or within
60 days after distribution) assets held in a pension,
profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code,
that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts,
to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth
IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent
investments
|
|
|
|
participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after
distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or
other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or
described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of
which, immediately prior to its termination, were held in
certain John Hancock group annuity contracts but are now
transferred from such contracts and held either: (i) in
trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in
a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized
third party trust company and made available through John
Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock
custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including
subsequent investments
|
|
|
|
individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial
403(b)(7) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account
|
To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial
representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for
additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
Other
waivers
Front-end sales charges and CDSCs are not imposed in connection
with the following transactions:
|
|
|
exchanges from one John Hancock fund to the same class of any
other John Hancock fund (see Transaction policies in
this prospectus for additional details)
|
|
|
dividend reinvestments (see Dividends and account
policies in this prospectus for additional details)
|
Opening
an account
|
|
1
|
Read this prospectus carefully.
|
|
|
2
|
Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial
investment for the Class A, B and C shares of the fund is
$2,500 except as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
there is no minimum initial investment for certain group
retirement plans using salary deduction or similar group methods
of payment
|
|
|
|
|
|
group investments: $250
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
14
|
|
|
|
|
there is no minimum initial investment for fee-based or wrap
accounts of selling firms that have executed a fee-based or wrap
agreement with the distributor
|
|
|
3
|
All shareholders must complete the account application,
carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions,
contact your financial representative or call Signature Services
at
1-800-225-5291.
|
|
4
|
Complete the appropriate parts of the account privileges
application. By applying for privileges now, you can avoid the
delay and inconvenience of having to file an additional
application if you want to add privileges later.
|
|
5
|
Make your initial investment using the instructions under
Buying shares. You and your financial representative
can initiate any purchase, exchange or sale of shares.
|
Important
information about opening a new account
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money
laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial
institutions to obtain, verify and record information that
identifies each person or entity that opens an account.
For individual investors opening an account
When you open
an account, you will be asked for your name, residential
address, date of birth and Social Security number.
For investors other than individuals
When you open an
account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its
principal place of business and taxpayer identification number
(TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons
with authority or control over the account, such as name,
residential address, date of birth and Social Security number.
You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of
incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and
other information that will help Signature Services identify the
entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for
more details.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
15
Buying
shares
|
|
|
Opening an
account
|
|
Adding to an account
|
|
By check
|
|
|
Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
|
|
Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Fill out the detachable investment slip from an account statement. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered.
Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By exchange
|
|
|
Call your financial representative or Signature
Services to request an exchange.
|
|
Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between funds.
Call EASI-Line for automated service.
Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By wire
|
|
|
Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.
Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.
Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.
Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
|
|
Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.
Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Internet
|
|
|
See By exchange and By wire.
|
|
Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.
Complete the Bank information section on your account application.
Log on to the Web site below to initiate purchases using your authorized bank account.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By phone
|
|
|
See By exchange and By wire.
|
|
Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system.
Complete the To purchase, exchange or redeem shares via telephone and Bank information sections on your account application.
Call EASI-Line for automated service.
Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00
a.m.
and 7:00
p.m.
, Eastern Time, on most business days.
To add to an account using the Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program, see Additional investor services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular mail
|
|
Express delivery
|
|
Web site
|
|
EASI-Line
|
|
Signature Services, Inc.
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
|
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
|
|
www.jhfunds.com
|
|
(24/7 automated service)
1-800-338-8080
|
|
1-800-225-5291
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
16
Selling
shares
|
|
|
|
|
To sell some or all of your
shares
|
|
By letter
|
|
|
Accounts of any type.
Sales of any amount.
|
|
Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.
Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).
Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Internet
|
|
|
Most accounts.
Sales of up to $100,000.
|
|
Log on to the Web site below to initiate redemptions
from your fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By phone
|
|
|
Most accounts.
Sales of up to $100,000.
|
|
Call EASI-Line for automated service.
Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00
a.m.
and 7:00
p.m.
, Eastern Time, on most business days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)
|
|
|
Requests by letter to sell any amount.
Requests by Internet or phone to sell up to $100,000.
|
|
To verify that the Internet or telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.
Funds requested by wire will generally be wired the next business day. A $4 fee will be deducted from your account. Your bank may also charge you a fee for this service.
Funds requested by EFT are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge you a fee for this service.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By exchange
|
|
|
Accounts of any type.
Sales of any amount.
|
|
Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the funds Web site by Internet, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.
Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between your funds.
Call EASI-Line for automated service.
Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
To sell shares through a systematic withdrawal plan, see Additional investor services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular mail
|
|
Express delivery
|
|
Web site
|
|
EASI-Line
|
|
Signature Services, Inc.
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
|
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
|
|
www.jhfunds.com
|
|
(24/7 automated service)
1-800-338-8080
|
|
1-800-225-5291
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
17
Selling
shares in writing
In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to
sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items
with your request, unless they were previously provided to
Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown
in the table below. You may also need to include a signature
guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You
will need a signature guarantee if:
|
|
|
your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;
|
|
|
you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are
requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for
certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement
with John Hancock); or
|
|
|
you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the
address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).
|
You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member
of the Signature Guarantee Medallion Program. Most
broker-dealers, banks, credit unions and securities exchanges
are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a
signature guarantee.
|
|
|
Seller
|
|
Requirements for written
requests
|
|
Owners of individual, joint or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial
accounts for minors)
|
|
Letter of instruction.
On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner or
association accounts
|
|
Letter of instruction.
Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds business/organization certification form.
On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners or trustees of trust accounts
|
|
Letter of instruction.
On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).
Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds trust certification form.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with a
deceased co-tenant(s)
|
|
Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant.
Copy of death certificate.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executors of shareholder estates
|
|
Letter of instruction signed by executor.
Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or
account types not listed above
|
|
Call Signature Services for instructions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular mail
|
|
Express delivery
|
|
Web site
|
|
EASI-Line
|
|
Signature Services, Inc.
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
|
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
|
|
www.jhfunds.com
|
|
(24/7 automated service)
1-800-338-8080
|
|
1-800-225-5291
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
18
Transaction
policies
Valuation
of shares
Calculation of
NAV
The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once
daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or
other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated
and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests.
The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and
redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is
computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities,
allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares
outstanding for that class.
Valuation of
Securities
Except as noted below, securities held by a fund are primarily
valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing
prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the
basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investments
companies held by a fund are valued based on the NAVs of those
investment companies.
Fair Valuation of Securities.
If market quotations or
official closing prices are not readily available or do not
accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a
securitys value has been materially affected by events
occurring before the funds pricing time but after the
close of the exchange or market on which the security is
principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair
value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees
have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to
the funds Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of
a securitys fair value may be made by persons acting
pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.
In deciding whether to a fair value a security, the funds
Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:
in the case of foreign securities:
|
|
|
|
|
developments in foreign markets,
|
|
|
|
|
|
the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of
trading in the market, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that
represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.
|
in the case of fixed income securities:
|
|
|
|
|
actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other
significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.
|
in the case of all securities:
|
|
|
|
|
political or other developments affecting the economy or markets
in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are
traded,
|
|
|
|
|
|
announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning
matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions,
recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster
affecting the issuers operations or regulatory changes or
market developments affecting the issuers industry, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
events affecting the securities markets in general (such as
market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in
U.S.
and/or
foreign markets).
|
Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that
a funds NAV reflects the fair market value of the
funds portfolio securities as of the close of regular
trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that is no longer
reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the
opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase
shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security
valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain thereby
diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a
securitys valuation may differ depending on the method
used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that
fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all
potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair
value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon
the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold
that security in an orderly transaction between market
participants but does not guarantee that the security can be
sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent
uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair
valuation price may differ significantly from the value that
would have been used had a readily available market price for
the investment existed, and these differences could be material.
With respect to any portion of a funds assets that is
invested in other open-end investment companies, that portion of
the funds NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that
investment company. The prospectus for the other investment
company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value
pricing for that other investment company.
If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed
on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when
the fund does not prices its shares, the NAV of the funds
shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to
purchase or redeem the funds shares.
Buy
and sell prices
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV, plus any applicable sales
charges, as described earlier. When you sell shares, you receive
the NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges.
Execution
of requests
The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically
Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the
next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your
request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has
the right to redeem in kind.
At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests
by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line,
accessing www.jhfunds.com or sending your request in writing.
In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the
processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds
for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal
securities laws.
Telephone
transactions
For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order
to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone
redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which
names or mailing addresses have changed within the past
30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be
mailed to the address of record.
Exchanges
You may exchange shares of a class of the fund for shares of the
same class of any other John Hancock fund that is then offering
that class, generally without paying any additional sales
charges, except if you are exchanging into a fund with a higher
sales charge. The registration for both accounts must be
identical.
Class B and Class C shares will continue to age from
the original date and will retain the same CDSC rate. A CDSC
rate that has increased will drop again with a future exchange
into a fund with a lower rate. A fund may cancel or change its
exchange policies at any time upon
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
19
60 days written notice to its shareholders. For
further details, see Additional services and
programs in the SAI (see the back cover of this
prospectus).
Excessive
trading
The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and
does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market
timing or other types of excessive short-term trading.
Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt
portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses
for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do
not generate these costs.
Right
to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders
Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment
purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or
cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the
order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any
purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing
excessive trading and transactions accepted by any
shareholders financial intermediary. For example, the fund
may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or
exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a
specific Limitation on exchange activity, as
described below, if the fund or its agent determines that
accepting the order could interfere with the efficient
management of the funds portfolio, or otherwise not be in
the funds best interest in light of unusual trading
activity related to your account. In the event that the fund
rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption
nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you
would like the redemption request to be processed even if the
purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate
redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange
order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one
business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of
exchange requests in the event that, in the funds
judgment, such delay would be in the funds best interest,
in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the
exchange will receive the funds NAV at the conclusion of
the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole
discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account
holder level or the underlying shareholder level.
Exchange
limitation policies
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and
procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations
described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail
excessive trading practices.
Limitation
on exchange activity
The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order,
suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the
ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the
fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction
involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is
likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent
cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of
market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to
have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its
agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an
exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other
reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including
exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be
made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the
funds shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement
to permit market timing or disruptive trading.
Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are
aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount
of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits
referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under
certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be
modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to
conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or
Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or
pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and
dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange
limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation
since the fund believes that they are advantageous to
shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market
timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools
involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption
requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events
affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.
These exchange limits are subject to the funds ability to
monitor exchange activity, as discussed under Limitation
on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading
practices below. Depending upon the composition of the
funds shareholder accounts, and in light of the
limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail
excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the
funds shareholders may not be subject to the exchange
limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange
limitation policy, the fund considers information available to
it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading
activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common
ownership, control or influence.
Limitation
on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading
practices
Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices
sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and,
despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading,
there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to
identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices.
The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail
excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational
systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not
always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors
should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or
prevent all frequent trading or other practices that
disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to
monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee
accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the
financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker,
retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor,
maintains the records of the funds underlying beneficial
owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common
forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain
financial intermediaries such as financial advisers, brokers,
retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors.
These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to
aggregate its clients transactions and ownership positions
and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to
the fund. However, the fund will work with financial
intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from
engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions
on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into
information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries
pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide
to the fund, at the funds request, certain information
relating to their customers investing in the fund through
omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this
information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices.
Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow
any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future
purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in
excessive trading in violation of the funds policies. The
fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided
to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it
will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur
through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the
funds ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading
practices in these types of accounts may be limited.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
20
Excessive
trading risk
To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail
excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may
interfere with the efficient management of the funds
portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain
activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as
maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and
engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased
portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would
correspondingly increase the funds operating costs and
decrease the funds investment performance. Maintenance of
higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower
fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.
While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund,
certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets
of excessive trading. For example:
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A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in
small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities
in
particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair
valued as discussed under Valuation of shares,
entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may
seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their
understanding of the value of those types of securities
(referred to as price arbitrage).
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A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in
securities of
non-U.S.
issuers
may be a potential target for excessive trading if
investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general
trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the
close of the primary market for such securities.
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A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in
below investment-grade (junk) bonds
that may trade
infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under
Valuation of shares, incurs greater risk of
excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in
an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of
those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
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Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient
management of a funds portfolio and raise costs. A fund
that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be
exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that
invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less
significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in
U.S. government securities, money market instruments,
investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S.
equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause
dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other
shareholders.
Account
information
The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying
an account holders identity. For example, an individual
will be required to supply his or her name, residential address,
date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide
the required information, we may not be able to open your
account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close
your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV minus any
applicable sales charges and take any other steps that it deems
reasonable.
Certificated
shares
The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are
electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can
only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature
Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power
and a signature guarantee.
Sales
in advance of purchase payments
When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase
money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed
in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds
to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to
ten business days after the purchase.
Dividends
and account policies
Account
statements
In general, you will receive account statements as follows:
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after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment,
automatic investment or systematic withdrawal) that affects your
account balance
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after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)
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in all other circumstances, every quarter
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Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a
Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by
January 31.
Dividends
The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them
monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed annually,
typically after the end of the funds fiscal year. Most of
the funds dividends are income dividends. Your dividends
begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and
continues through the day your shares are actually sold.
Dividend
reinvestments
Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional
shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this
option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends
will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your
dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account
or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital
gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not
deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is
less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more
of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after
180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will
be reinvested. No front-end sales charge or CDSC will be imposed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital
gains distributions.
Taxability
of dividends
For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes,
dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken
as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the
funds short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary
income. Dividends from the funds long-term capital gains
are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or
long-term depends on the funds holding period. Some
dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been
paid the previous December.
The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if
applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax
category, although you should verify your tax liability with
your tax professional.
Returns
of capital
If the funds distributions exceed its taxable income and
capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion
of the distributions made in the same taxable year my be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return
of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will
reduce each shareholders cost basis in the fund and result
in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss
when those shares on which the distribution was received are
sold.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
21
Taxability
of transactions
Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable
event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes.
Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares
you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the
transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities
generated by your transactions.
Small
accounts
If the value of your account is less than $2,500, you may be
asked to purchase more shares within 30 days. If you do not
take action, the fund may close out your account and mail you
the proceeds. Alternatively, the fund may charge you $20 a year
to maintain your account. You will not be charged a CDSC if your
account is closed for this reason.
Additional
investor services
Monthly
Automatic Accumulation Program
MAAP lets you set up regular investments from paychecks or bank
accounts to the John Hancock fund(s). Investors determine the
frequency and amount of investments ($25 minimum per month), and
they can terminate the program at any time. To establish, you
must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements
specified in the section Opening an account and
complete the appropriate parts of the account application.
Systematic
withdrawal plan
This plan may be used for routine bill payments or periodic
withdrawals from your account. To establish:
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Make sure you have at least $5,000 worth of shares in your
account.
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Make sure you are not planning to invest more money in this
account (buying shares during a period when you are also selling
shares of the same fund is not advantageous to you because of
sales charges).
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Specify the payee(s). The payee may be yourself or any other
party, and there is no limit to the number of payees you may
have, as long as they are all on the same payment schedule.
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Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semiannually,
annually or in certain selected months.
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Fill out the relevant part of the account application. To add a
systematic withdrawal plan to an existing account, contact your
financial representative or Signature Services.
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Retirement
plans
John Hancock funds offers a range of retirement plans, including
traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE plans and
SEPs. Using these plans, you can invest in any John Hancock fund
(except tax-free income funds). To find out more, call Signature
Services at
1-800-225-5291.
John Hancock funds do not accept requests to establish new John
Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; do not accept requests for
exchanges or transfers into your existing John Hancock custodial
403(b)(7) accounts; and require additional disclosure
documentation if you direct John Hancock funds to exchange or
transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7)
account assets to another 403(b)(7) contract or account. In
addition, the fund no longer accepts salary deferrals into
403(b)(7) accounts. Please refer to the SAI for more information
regarding these restrictions.
Disclosure
of fund holdings
The funds policy regarding disclosure of portfolio
holdings can be found in the SAI and the portfolio holdings
information can be found at www.jhfunds.com.
The following information for the fund is posted on the Web
site, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top
ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top
ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten
portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted
to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month
end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to
the SEC on
Form N-Q
as of the end of the first and third quarters of the funds
fiscal year and on
Form N-CSR
as of the second and fourth quarters of the funds fiscal
year.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
22
For
more information
Two
documents are available that offer further information on the
fund:
Annual/Semiannual
report to shareholders
Includes
financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected performance,
as well as the auditors report (in annual report only).
Statement
of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI
contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund,
and includes a summary of the funds policy regarding
disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and
regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC
and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of)
this prospectus.
To
obtain a free copy of these documents
There are
several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report,
prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:
Online:
www.jhfunds.com
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By mail:
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John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
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By
EASI-Line:
1-800-338-8080
By
phone:
1-800-225-5291
By
TDD:
1-800-554-6713
You can also
view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:
Online:
www.sec.gov
By
e-mail
(duplicating fee required):
publicinfo@sec.gov
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By mail (duplicating fee required):
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Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC
20549-0102
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In person:
at the SECs Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call
1-800-732-0330.
©
2009 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS,
LLC 910PN 10/09 SEC
file number:
811-04651
MEMBER FINRA | SIPC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA
02210-2805
Electronic
delivery now available at
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery
John
Hancock
Strategic Income Fund
CLASS I SHARES
PROSPECTUS
10109
As
with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC) has not approved or disapproved this fund or
determined whether the information in this prospectus is
adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is
committing a federal crime.
An
Income
Fund
Table
of contents
Fund
summary
A concise look at the investment goal, main strategies and main
risks, past performance and the costs of investing.
Fund
details
More about topics covered in the summary section, including
descriptions of the various risk factors that investors should
understand before investing.
Your
account
How to place an order to buy, sell or exchange shares, as well
as information about the business policies and any distributions
that may be paid.
Fund
summary
John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund
Day-to-day
investment management: MFC Global Investment Management
(U.S.), LLC
Class
/ Ticker
I / JSTIX
Goal
and strategy
To seek a high
level of current income.
Under normal
market conditions, the fund invests primarily in the following
types of securities: foreign government and corporate debt
securities from developed and emerging markets,
U.S. government and agency securities, and domestic
high-yield bonds.
The fund may
also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt
securities.
Although the
fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities
rated as low as D (in default) by Standard &
Poors Corporation (S&P) or Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (and their
unrated equivalents), it generally intends to keep its average
credit quality in the investment-grade range (AAA to BBB). There
is no limit on the funds average maturity.
In managing
the fund, the subadviser allocates assets among the three major
types of securities based on analysis of economic factors, such
as projected international interest rate movements, industry
cycles and political trends. However, the subadviser may invest
up to 100% of the funds assets in any one sector.
Within each
type of security, the subadviser looks for investments that are
appropriate for the overall fund in terms of yield, credit
quality, structure and industry distribution. In selecting
securities, relative yields and risk/reward ratios are the
primary considerations.
The fund may
use certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives
(investments whose value is based on indexes, securities or
currencies) and restricted or illiquid securities. In addition,
the fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in domestic or
foreign stocks.
In abnormal
circumstances, the fund may temporarily invest extensively in
investment-grade short-term securities. In these and other
cases, the fund might not achieve its goal.
The fund may
trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction
costs (thus lowering performance) and increase your taxable
distributions.
Main
risks
An
investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency. The funds shares will go up
and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by
investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual
funds performance.
Instability
in the financial markets has led the United States government to
take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support
certain financial institutions and segments of the financial
markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some
cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other
governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory
organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the
instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such
instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or
regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is
regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or
preclude the funds ability to achieve its goal.
Governments
or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from
financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those
institutions. The implications of government ownership and
disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may
have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation
and performance of the funds portfolio holdings.
Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to
greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in
valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.
The
funds main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical
order.
Before investing, be sure to read the additional
descriptions of these risks beginning on page 5.
Active management risk
The
subadvisers investment strategy may fail to produce the
intended result.
Changing distribution levels risk
The
amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends
on the amount of income
and/or
dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.
Credit and counterparty risk
The
issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty
to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a
funds securities, may be unable or unwilling to make
timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise
to honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are
subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the
nature of their support.
Equity securities risk
Equity
securities may include common, preferred and convertible
preferred stocks and securities, the values of which are tied to
the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible
debt securities. The value of a companys equity securities
is subject to changes in the companys financial condition,
and overall market and economic conditions.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
2
Fixed-income securities risk
Fixed-income
securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit
quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices
to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by
the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to
interest rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer
of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal
borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Lower-rated
fixed-income securities and high-yield securities involve a
higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in
higher-rated categories.
Foreign securities risk
As
compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly
available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign
securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse
political and economic developments. Investments in emerging
market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign
investment risk.
Foreign securities risk (including Emerging Markets risk)
As
compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly
available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign
securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse
political and economic developments. These risks are heightened
in the case of emerging markets.
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
Hedging
and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of
a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result
in a significant loss to a fund. In addition, the use of
derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps)
could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the
principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments
involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the
risks associated with investing directly in securities and other
traditional investments and, in a down market, could become
harder to value or sell at a fair price.
High portfolio turnover risk
Actively
trading securities can increase transaction costs (thus lowering
performance) and taxable distributions.
Issuer risk
An
issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the
value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of
securities held by the fund could default or have its credit
rating downgraded.
Liquidity risk
Exposure
exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal
restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or
close derivative positions at an advantageous price.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
3
Past
performance
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Calendar year total
returns
Class I
1
(%)
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Best
quarter:
Q2 03,
7.10
Worst quarter:
Q4 08, 7.61
Year-to-date
as of 6-30-09: 13.24
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1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
|
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2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
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2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
3.65
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
|
5.21
|
|
|
7.77
|
|
|
17.09
|
|
|
9.17
|
|
|
2.66
|
|
|
4.88
|
|
|
5.97
|
|
|
10.50
|
|
|
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|
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Average annual total
returns
1
(%)
|
|
1 Year
|
|
5 Year
|
|
10
Year
|
|
|
|
as of 12-31-08
|
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Class I
before tax
|
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|
10.50
|
|
|
|
2.20
|
|
|
|
4.52
|
|
|
|
|
After tax on distributions
|
|
|
13.54
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
After tax on distributions, with sale
|
|
|
6.72
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
2.07
|
|
|
|
|
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
|
|
|
5.24
|
|
|
|
4.65
|
|
|
|
5.63
|
|
|
|
Calendar
year total returns
Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class I and
would be different for other share classes. Fund returns vary
from year to year and may indicate the funds level of
volatility; however, as always, past performance (before and
after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures
assume dividend reinvestment.
Average
annual total returns
Performance of a broad-based securities market index is
included for comparison purposes and may provide information
regarding the funds risks. Indexes do not have sales
charges and you cannot invest in them directly. All figures
assume dividend reinvestment.
After-tax returns
These are shown only for Class I
and would be different for other classes. They reflect the
highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect
as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local
taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax
returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or
other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
is an
unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible
investment-grade debt issues.
|
|
|
1
|
|
August 18, 1986 is the inception date for the oldest
class of shares, Class A shares. Class I shares
were first offered on September 4, 2001. The returns prior
to this date are those of Class A shares that have been
recalculated to apply the gross fees and expenses of
Class I shares.
|
Investor
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual operating
expenses
(%)
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
Management fee
|
|
|
0.38
|
|
|
|
|
Other
expenses
2
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
|
Total fund operating
expenses
3
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
Expense
example
Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of
a $10,000 investment during the various time frames indicated.
The example assumes a 5% average annual return, and the
reinvestment of all dividends. The example assumes fund expenses
will not change over the periods. The example is for comparison
only and does not reflect actual expenses and returns, either
past or future.
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Expenses
($)
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
|
3 Years
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
|
|
5 Years
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
|
|
10 Years
|
|
|
677
|
|
|
|
Annual
operating expenses
These are paid from the funds assets; shareholders,
therefore, pay these costs indirectly.
|
|
|
2
|
|
Other expenses shown exclude 0.03% of one-time
extraordinary fees incurred in the prior fiscal year.
|
|
3
|
|
Expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than those
shown in the Annual operating expenses table for one
or more of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in
average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if
advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant
decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the
expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as
asset levels decrease; (iii) fees may be incurred for
extraordinary events such as proxy or fund tax expenses, or (iv)
the termination of voluntary expense cap reimbursements and/or
fee waivers, as applicable.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
4
Fund
details
Risks
of investing
Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role
in shaping the funds overall risk profile. The
descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of
importance. For further details about fund risks, including
additional risk factors that are not discussed in this
prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see
the funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Active management
risk
A fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the
subadvisers ability to pursue the funds goal. The
subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in
making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no
guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The fund
generally does not attempt to time the market and instead
generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such
as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its
benchmark, the fund may buy securities not included in its
benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than
its benchmark. To the extent the fund invests in those
securities, its performance depends on the ability of the
subadviser to choose securities that perform better than
securities that are included in the benchmark.
Changing
distribution levels risk
The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally
depends on the amount of income
and/or
dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The
fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce
its distribution level if the income
and/or
dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.
Credit and
counterparty risk
This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income
security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC)
derivatives contract (see Hedging, derivatives and other
strategic transactions risk) or a borrower of a
funds securities will be unable or unwilling to make
timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise
to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with
investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of
the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest
on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities
is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the
securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will
default, potentially reducing the funds share price and
income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to
some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the
issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign
governments, or their
sub-divisions
or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to
varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the
securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S.
government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise
supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many
types of U.S. government securities (
e.g
., the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks),
although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by
Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities,
including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are
neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency
of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of
returning the entities to normal business operations. It is
unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the
securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As
a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than
U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith
and credit of the United States (
e.g
., U.S. Treasury
bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser
may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed
securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported
by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and
automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the
risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on
payment of those assets.
Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also
called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated
Ba or lower by Moodys or BB or
lower by Standard & Poors (S&P), or
determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to
securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The
sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their
sub-divisions
and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below
investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher
investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry
greater credit risk: their issuers continuing ability to
meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative,
and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less
liquid than higher-rated securities.
In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it
makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency
contracts
and/or
swap
contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of
fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC
derivatives transactions can only be closed out with the other
party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund
will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that
the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual
obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will
succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk
that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC
derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or
made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation.
While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of
contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the
counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations,
especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
Equity securities
risk
Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a
company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity
securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value
of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities
fluctuates based on changes in a companys financial
condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The value
of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the
financial condition of the companies in which the fund is
invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions
deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality or
blue chip equity securities, or securities of
established companies with large market capitalizations (which
generally have strong financial characteristics), can be
negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic
conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also
have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be
less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
5
The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and
generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this
exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general
will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to
unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well
as periods of poor performance.
Fixed-income
securities risk
Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal
types of risks: (a) interest rate risk and (b) credit
quality risk.
Interest rate risk.
Fixed-income securities are affected
by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the
market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be
expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
market value of fixed-income securities generally can be
expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a
fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest
rate risk.
Credit quality risk.
Fixed-income securities are subject
to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all
or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all
interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income
security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security,
the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a
decrease in the value of the funds investments. Funds that
may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly
referred to as junk securities, are riskier than
funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities.
Additional information on the risks of investing in
investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating
category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth
below.
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating
category risk.
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in
the lowest-rating category (rated Baa by
Moodys or BBB by S&P and comparable
unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than
fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While
such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are
deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and
interest, such securities lack outstanding investment
characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well.
For example, changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal and interest payments than is the case with
higher-grade securities.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield
securities risk.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities are
defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated
Ba and below by Moodys, and BB and
below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks
of investing in these securities are as follows:
|
|
|
Risk to principal and income.
Investing in lower-rated
fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these
securities generally provide greater income potential than
investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk
that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers
of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.
|
|
|
Price volatility.
The price of lower-rated fixed-income
securities may be more volatile than securities in the
higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during
periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these
securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income
securities by the markets perception of their credit
quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the
past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have,
at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities
and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in
interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged
issuers of these securities.
|
|
|
Liquidity.
The market for lower-rated fixed-income
securities may have more limited trading than the market for
investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be
more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities
may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order
to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market
conditions.
|
|
|
Dependence on subadvisers own credit analysis.
While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established
credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings
with its own independent review of the credit quality of the
issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of
lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the
subadvisers evaluation than the assessment of the credit
risk of higher-rated securities.
|
Additional risks regarding lower-rated corporate fixed-income
securities.
Lower-rated corporate debt securities (and
comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to
individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities.
Issuers of lower-rated corporate debt securities may also be
highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income
will not be repaid.
Additional risks regarding lower-rated foreign government
fixed-income securities.
Lower-rated foreign government
fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in
foreign countries described under Foreign securities
risk. In addition, the ability and willingness of a
foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be
affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions
within the country. Emerging-market countries may experience
high inflation, interest rates and unemployment, as well as
exchange rate trade difficulties and political uncertainty or
instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign
government will not make payments when due.
Prepayment of principal.
Many types of debt securities,
including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk.
Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay
principal prior to the securitys maturity. Securities
subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains
when the credit quality of the issuer improves.
Foreign
securities risk
Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities
markets outside the United States are subject to additional and
more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change
more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities.
The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively
small, with a limited number of companies representing a small
number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign
securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation
as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of
foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S.
standards. There are generally higher commission rates on
foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial
costs and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on
dividends and interest payable on foreign securities. Also, for
lesser developed countries, nationalization, expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange
control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency from a country), political changes or
diplomatic developments could adversely affect a funds
investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or
other confiscation, a fund could lose its entire investment in a
foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities
are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also
applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their
assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S.
Emerging markets risk.
Funds that invest a significant
portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in
countries with emerging market economies are subject
to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds
investing primarily in more developed foreign markets,
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
6
since emerging market securities may present market, credit,
currency, liquidity, legal, political and other risks greater
than, or in addition to, risks of investing in developed foreign
countries. These risks include: high currency exchange rate
fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both
government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and
political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of
war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy;
less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities
markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign
investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital
and on a funds ability to exchange local currencies for
U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in
certain emerging market countries; the fact that companies in
emerging market countries may be newly organized and may be
smaller and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of,
auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in
the unavailability of material information about issuers;
different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be
unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions
or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions;
difficulties in obtaining
and/or
enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and
significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market
issuers.
Currency risk.
Currency risk is the risk that
fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S.
dollar value of a funds investments. Currency risk
includes both the risk that currencies in which a funds
investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken
an active investment position, will decline in value relative to
the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the
U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being
hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate
significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of
supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or
perceived changes in interest rates, and intervention (or the
failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central
banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the
U.S. or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of
currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect
to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value
of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the
risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one
another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on
its investment and also lose money on the position designed to
act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active
currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure
represented by their securities into another foreign currency.
This may result in a funds currency exposure being
substantially different than that suggested by its securities
investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings
and/or
that
invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies
or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign
currency transactions (such as futures, forwards and swaps) may
also involve leveraging risk, in addition to currency risk.
Leverage may disproportionately increase a funds portfolio
losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates,
stock prices or currency rates are changing.
Hedging,
derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other
strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its
subadvisers ability to predict pertinent market movements
and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk
and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills
required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic
transactions are different from those needed to select a
funds securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging
and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging
purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market,
if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a
significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more
than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also
increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small
investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks
assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or
loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures
can exceed a funds initial investment in such contracts.
In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund
if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as
promised.
A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts
with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of
underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of
derivative instruments include options contracts, futures
contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements
(including, but not limited to, credit default swaps and swaps
on exchange traded funds). Derivatives may relate to stocks,
bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and
related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes,
including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment
in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way
to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various
securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually
having to sell existing investments and make new investments.
This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to
be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale
of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further,
since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference
rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than
the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain
derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of
the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives
for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more
volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to
market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate
assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable
regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its
obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of
the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer
to the SAI.
The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different
from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with
investing directly in securities and other more traditional
assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes
a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter
(OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make
timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its
obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be
closed out with the other party to the transaction, although
either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts
that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out
the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other
partys consent to assign the transaction to a third party.
If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual
remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will
meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of
default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example,
because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is
individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is
subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret
contractual terms (
e.g.
, the definition of default)
differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its
contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and
unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund
to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to
pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore,
assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed
to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may
be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of
litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance
that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during
unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund
contracts with a limited number of
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
7
counterparties, the funds risk will be concentrated and
events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those
counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund.
Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks,
including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of
derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other
assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they
will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk
that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the
assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely
track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in
all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the
counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the
occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a
subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or
otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various
hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. To
the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic
transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.
High portfolio
turnover risk
A high fund portfolio turnover rate (over 100%) generally
involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses,
which must be borne directly by a fund. The portfolio turnover
rate of a fund may vary from year to year, as well as within a
year.
Issuer
risk
An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly
and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline
and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance
may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive
pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers,
labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings,
fraudulent disclosures or other factors.
Liquidity
risk
A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of
a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the funds
ability to sell particular securities or close derivative
positions at an advantageous price. Funds with principal
investment strategies that involve investments in securities of
companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign
securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market
and/or
credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity
risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds
which invest in emerging markets and related derivatives that
are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and
sale restrictions.
These investment strategies and securities are described further
in the SAI.
Whos
who
Below are the names of the various entities involved with the
funds investment and business operations, along with brief
descriptions of the role each entity performs.
Trustees
Oversee the funds business activities and retain the
services of the various firms that carry out the funds
operations. The Board of Trustees can change the funds
investment goal and strategy without shareholder approval.
Investment
adviser
Manages the funds business and investment activities.
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston,
MA 02210-2805
Founded in 1968, John Hancock Advisers, LLC is a wholly owned
subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which in
turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and
retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the
assets of the fund. As of June 30, 2009, the adviser had
total assets under management of approximately $18 billion.
The adviser does not itself manage any of the funds
portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the
subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and
replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors
the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives
and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the
performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports
periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.
The fund relies on an order from the SEC permitting the adviser,
subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the
terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder
approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or
the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the
expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder
approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the
adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the
adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a
subadviser to a fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an
affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.
Management
fee
The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to
the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the
current value of the net assets of the fund determined in
accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied
to the average daily assets of the fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
|
|
|
Average Daily Net Assets
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First $100 million
|
|
|
0
|
.60%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between $100 million and $250 million
|
|
|
0
|
.45%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between $250 million and $500 million
|
|
|
0
|
.40%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between $500 million and $650 million
|
|
|
0
|
.35%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess over $650 million
|
|
|
0
|
.30%
|
|
|
During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid to the
investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.38% of net assets.
Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees
of the subadviser.
The basis for the Trustees approval of the advisory fees,
and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the
subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the funds
May 31, 2009 annual shareholder report.
Subadviser
Handles the funds
day-to-day
portfolio management.
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.))
was founded in 1979 and provides investment advisory services to
individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
(a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of
June 30, 2009, had total assets under management of
approximately $24 billion.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
8
Below are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the
funds investment management team, in alphabetical order.
These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For
more about these individuals, including information about their
compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments
they may have in the fund, see the SAI.
Barry H. Evans,
CFA
|
|
|
Joined fund team in 2006
|
|
|
President and chief fixed-income officer, MFC Global (U.S.)
(since 2005)
|
|
|
Senior vice president, chief fixed-income officer and chief
operating officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1986−2005)
|
|
|
Began business career in 1986
|
|
|
Analysis of global economic conditions
|
John F.
Iles
|
|
|
Joined fund team in 2005
|
|
|
Vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
|
|
|
Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
|
|
|
Began business career in 1984
|
|
|
Analysis of specific issuers pertaining to high-yield and
emerging markets
|
Daniel S. Janis
III
|
|
|
Joined fund team in 1999
|
|
|
Senior vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
|
|
|
Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
|
|
|
Began business career in 1984
|
|
|
Primarily responsible for fund management and
day-to-day
purchase and sale decisions
|
Custodian
Holds the funds assets, settles all portfolio trades and
collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the
funds net asset value (NAV).
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
Principal
distributor
Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers,
financial planners and other financial representatives.
John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston,
MA 02210-2805
Transfer
agent
Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and
statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and
sell requests.
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth,
NH 03802-9510
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
9
Financial
highlights
This table details the financial performance of Class I
shares, including total return information showing how much an
investment in the fund has increased or decreased each year.
The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2009,
have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the
funds independent registered public accounting firm. The
report of PwC is included, along with the funds financial
statements, in the funds annual report, which has been
incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon
request.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS I SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
|
|
5-31-08
|
|
5-31-07
|
|
5-31-06
|
|
5-31-05
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
year
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
|
$6.69
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
0.32
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
(0.65
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.37
|
)
|
|
|
(0.37
|
)
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
(0.61
|
)
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
year
|
|
|
$5.59
|
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
Total
return
2
(%)
|
|
|
(3.03
|
)
|
|
|
4.33
|
|
|
|
6.38
|
|
|
|
4.78
|
|
|
|
11.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year (in millions)
|
|
|
$45
|
|
|
|
$13
|
|
|
|
$16
|
|
|
|
$13
|
|
|
|
$4
|
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
0.57
|
3
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.53
|
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
0.57
|
3
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.53
|
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
0.57
|
3
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.53
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
7.70
|
|
|
|
6.35
|
|
|
|
5.19
|
|
|
|
4.64
|
|
|
|
4.85
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
|
|
2
|
|
Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
|
|
3
|
|
Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross
and net expense ratios was 0.03%.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
10
Your
account
Who
can buy shares
Class I shares are offered without any sales charge to
certain types of investors, as noted below, if they also meet
the minimum initial investment requirement for purchases of
Class I shares See Opening an
account:
|
|
|
Retirement and other benefit plans
|
|
|
Endowment funds and foundations
|
|
|
Any state, county or city, or its instrumentality, department,
authority or agency
|
|
|
Accounts registered to insurance companies, trust companies and
bank trust departments
|
|
|
Investment companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with
the adviser
|
|
|
Investors who participate in fee-based, wrap and other
investment platform programs
|
|
|
Any entity that is considered a corporation for tax purposes
|
|
|
Fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with the
fund and other John Hancock funds
|
Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect
transactions in fund shares.
Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense
structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.
Additional
payments to financial intermediaries
Class I shares do not carry sales commissions or pay 12b-1
fees. However, certain financial intermediaries may request, and
the distributor may agree to make, payments out of the
distributors own resources. These additional payments are
sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. These
payments assist in the distributors efforts to promote the
sale of the funds shares. The distributor agrees with the
firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation,
which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to
the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the
amount of compensation varies. These payments could be
significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to
support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make.
The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have
a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that
are willing to cooperate with the distributors promotional
efforts.
The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by
increasing the funds net assets, which, as well as
benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and
other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration
for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales
system or give preferential access to members of its sales force
or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in
the distributors marketing efforts by allowing the
distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences,
seminars or other programs attended by the intermediarys
sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing
payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its
clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn
a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide
your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.
The SAI discusses the distributors revenue-sharing
arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you
additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus.
You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the
distributor or the fund, as well as about fees
and/or
commissions it charges.
The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other
relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of
services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account
services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio
transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these
services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the
intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary
may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its
affiliates that are not related to the fund.
Opening
an account
|
|
1
|
Read this prospectus carefully.
|
|
2
|
Determine if you are eligible by referring to Who can buy
shares.
|
|
3
|
Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial
investment is $250,000. The minimum initial investment
requirement may be waived, in the funds sole discretion,
for investors in certain fee-based, wrap or other investment
platform programs that do not require the fund to pay any type
of administrative payments per shareholder account to any third
party. The fund may waive the minimum initial investment for
other categories of investors at its discretion. There are no
minimum investment requirements for subsequent purchases to
existing accounts.
|
|
4
|
All shareholders must complete the account application,
carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions,
please contact your financial representative or call John
Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services) at
1-888-972-8696.
|
|
5
|
Make your initial investment using the instructions on the next
page.
|
Important
information about opening a new account
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money
laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial
institutions to obtain, verify and record information that
identifies each person or entity that opens an account.
For individual investors opening an account
When you open
an account, you will be asked for your name, residential
address, date of birth and Social Security number.
For investors other than individuals
When you open an
account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its
principal place of business and taxpayer identification number
(TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons
with authority or control over the account, such as name,
residential address, date of birth and Social Security number.
You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of
incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and
other information that will help Signature Services identify the
entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for
more details.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
11
Buying
shares
|
|
|
Opening an
account
|
|
Adding to an account
|
|
By check
|
|
|
Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
|
|
Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
If your account statement has a detachable investment slip, please complete it in its entirety. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, your share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered.
Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By exchange
|
|
|
Call your financial representative or Signature
Services to request an exchange.
|
|
You may exchange Class I shares for other Class I shares or Money Market Class A shares.
Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By wire
|
|
|
Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.
Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.
Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.
Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
|
|
Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.
Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By phone
|
|
|
See By exchange and By wire.
|
|
Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of
the ACH system.
Complete the To purchase, exchange or redeem
shares via telephone and Bank information
sections on your account application.
Call your financial representative or call Signature
Services between
8:30
a.m.
and
5:00
p.m.
,
Eastern Time, on most business days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular mail
|
|
Express delivery
|
|
Web site
|
|
Signature Services, Inc.
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
|
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
|
|
www.jhfunds.com
|
|
1-888-972-8696
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
12
Selling
shares
|
|
|
|
|
To sell some or all of your
shares
|
|
By letter
|
|
|
Sales of any amount.
|
|
Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.
Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).
Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.
Certain requests will require a Medallion signature guarantee. Please refer to Selling shares in writing on the next page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By phone
|
|
|
Amounts up to $100,000:
Most accounts
Amounts up to $5 million:
Available to the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; group retirement plans; and pension accounts (excluding IRAs, 403(b) plans and all John Hancock custodial retirement accounts).
|
|
Redemption proceeds of up to $100,000 may be sent by wire or by check. A check will be mailed to the exact name(s) and address on the account.
To place your request with a representative at John Hancock Funds, call Signature Services between 8:30
a.m.
and 5:00
p.m.
, Eastern Time, on most business days, or your financial representative.
Redemption proceeds exceeding $100,000 must be wired to your designated bank account.
Redemption proceeds exceeding $100,000 and sent by check will require a letter of instruction with a Medallion signature guarantee. Please refer to Selling shares in writing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)
|
|
|
Requests by letter to sell any amount.
Qualified requests by phone to sell to $5 million (accounts with telephone redemption privileges).
|
|
To verify that the telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.
Amounts of $5 million or more will be wired on the next business day.
Amounts up to $100,000 may be sent by EFT or by check. Funds from EFT transactions are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge a fee for this service.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By exchange
|
|
|
Sales of any amount.
|
|
Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which
you are exchanging by accessing the funds Web site by
Internet, or by calling your financial representative or
Signature Services.
You may only exchange Class I shares for other Class
I shares or Money Market fund Class A shares.
Call your financial representative or Signature
Services to request an exchange.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular mail
|
|
Express delivery
|
|
Web site
|
|
Signature Services, Inc.
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
|
|
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
|
|
www.jhfunds.com
|
|
1-888-972-8696
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
13
Selling
shares in writing
In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to
sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items
with your request, unless they were previously provided to
Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown
in the table below. You may also need to include a signature
guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You
will need a signature guarantee if:
|
|
|
your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;
|
|
|
you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are
requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for
certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement
with John Hancock);
|
|
|
you are selling more than $5 million worth of shares from
the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by
banks, trust companies or broker-dealers; endowments and
foundations; corporate accounts; group retirement plans; and
pension accounts (excluding IRAs, 403(b) plans and all John
Hancock custodial retirement accounts); or
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you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the
address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).
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You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member
of the Signature Guarantee Medallion Program. Most
broker-dealers, banks, credit unions and securities exchanges
are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a
signature guarantee.
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Seller
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Requirements for written
requests
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Owners of individual, joint or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial
accounts for minors)
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Letter of instruction.
On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
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Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner or
association accounts
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Letter of instruction.
Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds business/organization certification form.
On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
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Owners or trustees of trust accounts
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Letter of instruction.
On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).
Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds trust certification form.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
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Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with a
deceased co-tenant(s)
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Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant.
Copy of death certificate.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
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Executors of shareholder estates
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Letter of instruction signed by executor.
Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.
Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
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Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or
account types not listed above
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Call Signature Services for instructions.
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Regular mail
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Express delivery
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Web site
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Signature Services, Inc.
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Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
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Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
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www.jhfunds.com
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1-888-972-8696
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Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
14
Transaction
policies
Valuation
of shares
Calculation of
NAV
The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once
daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or
other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated
and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests.
The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and
redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is
computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities,
allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares
outstanding for that class.
Valuation of
Securities
Except as noted below, securities held by a fund are primarily
valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing
prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the
basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investments
companies held by a fund are valued based on the NAVs of those
investment companies.
Fair Valuation of Securities.
If market quotations or
official closing prices are not readily available or do not
accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a
securitys value has been materially affected by events
occurring before the funds pricing time but after the
close of the exchange or market on which the security is
principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair
value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees
have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to
the funds Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of
a securitys fair value may be made by persons acting
pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.
In deciding whether to a fair value a security, the funds
Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:
in the case of foreign securities:
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developments in foreign markets,
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the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of
trading in the market, and
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the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that
represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.
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in the case of fixed income securities:
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actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other
significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.
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in the case of all securities:
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political or other developments affecting the economy or markets
in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are
traded,
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announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning
matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions,
recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster
affecting the issuers operations or regulatory changes or
market developments affecting the issuers industry, and
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events affecting the securities markets in general (such as
market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in
U.S.
and/or
foreign markets).
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Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that
a funds NAV reflects the fair market value of the
funds portfolio securities as of the close of regular
trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that is no longer
reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the
opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase
shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security
valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain thereby
diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a
securitys valuation may differ depending on the method
used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that
fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all
potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair
value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon
the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold
that security in an orderly transaction between market
participants but does not guarantee that the security can be
sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent
uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair
valuation price may differ significantly from the value that
would have been used had a readily available market price for
the investment existed, and these differences could be material.
With respect to any portion of a funds assets that is
invested in other open-end investment companies, that portion of
the funds NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that
investment company. The prospectus for the other investment
company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value
pricing for that other investment company.
If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed
on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when
the fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the funds
shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to
purchase or redeem the funds shares.
Buy
and sell prices
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you
receive the NAV.
Execution
of requests
The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically
Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the
next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your
request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has
the right to redeem in kind.
At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests
by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line,
accessing www.jhfunds.com or sending your request in writing.
In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the
processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds
for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal
securities laws.
Telephone
transactions
For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order
to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone
redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which
names or mailing addresses have changed within the past
30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be
mailed to the address of record.
Exchanges
You may exchange Class I shares for Class I shares of
other John Hancock funds or Money Market Fund Class A
shares. The registration for both accounts involved must be
identical. Note: Once exchanged into Money Market
Fund Class A shares, shares may only be exchanged back
to Class I shares.
Under certain circumstances, an investor in the fund pursuant to
a fee-based, wrap or other investment platform program of
certain firms, as determined by the fund, may be afforded an
opportunity to make a conversion of Class A shares also
owned by the investor in the same fund to Class I shares of
that fund. Conversion of Class A shares to
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
15
Class I shares of the same fund in these particular
circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable
gain or loss. For further details, see Additional
information concerning taxes in the SAI for information
regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of
the fund (see the back cover of this prospectus).
The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time,
upon 60 days written notice to its shareholders. For
further details, see Additional services and
programs in the SAI (see the back cover of this
prospectus).
Excessive
trading
The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and
does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market
timing or other types of excessive short-term trading.
Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt
portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses
for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do
not generate these costs.
Right
to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders
Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment
purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or
cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the
order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any
purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing
excessive trading and transactions accepted by any
shareholders financial intermediary. For example, the fund
may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or
exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a
specific Limitation on exchange activity, as
described below, if the fund or its agent determines that
accepting the order could interfere with the efficient
management of the funds portfolio, or otherwise not be in
the funds best interest in light of unusual trading
activity related to your account. In the event that the fund
rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption
nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you
would like the redemption request to be processed even if the
purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate
redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange
order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one
business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of
exchange requests in the event that, in the funds
judgment, such delay would be in the funds best interest,
in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the
exchange will receive the funds NAV at the conclusion of
the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole
discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account
holder level or the underlying shareholder level.
Exchange
limitation policies
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and
procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations
described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail
excessive trading practices.
Limitation
on exchange activity
The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order,
suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the
ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the
fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction
involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is
likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent
cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of
market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to
have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its
agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an
exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other
reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including
exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be
made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the
funds shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement
to permit market timing or disruptive trading.
Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are
aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount
of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits
referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under
certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be
modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to
conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or
Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or
pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and
dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange
limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation
since the fund believes that they are advantageous to
shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market
timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools
involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption
requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events
affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.
These exchange limits are subject to the funds ability to
monitor exchange activity, as discussed under Limitation
on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading
practices below. Depending upon the composition of the
funds shareholder accounts, and in light of the
limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail
excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the
funds shareholders may not be subject to the exchange
limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange
limitation policy, the fund considers information available to
it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading
activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common
ownership, control or influence.
Limitation
on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading
practices
Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices
sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and,
despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading,
there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to
identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices.
The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail
excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational
systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not
always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors
should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or
prevent all frequent trading or other practices that
disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to
monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee
accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the
financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker,
retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor,
maintains the records of the funds underlying beneficial
owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common
forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain
financial intermediaries such as financial advisers, brokers,
retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors.
These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to
aggregate its clients transactions and ownership positions
and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to
the fund. However, the fund will work with financial
intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from
engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions
on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into
information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries
pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide
to the fund, at the funds request, certain information
relating to their customers investing in the fund through
omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this
information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices.
Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow
any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future
purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in
excessive trading in violation of the funds policies. The
fund
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
16
cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it
from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will
be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through
omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the
funds ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading
practices in these types of accounts may be limited.
Excessive
trading risk
To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail
excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may
interfere with the efficient management of the funds
portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain
activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as
maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and
engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased
portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would
correspondingly increase the funds operating costs and
decrease the funds investment performance. Maintenance of
higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower
fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.
While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund,
certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets
of excessive trading. For example:
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A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in
small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities
in
particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair
valued as discussed under Valuation of shares,
entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may
seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their
understanding of the value of those types of securities
(referred to as price arbitrage).
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A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in
securities of
non-U.S.
issuers
may be a potential target for excessive trading if
investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general
trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the
close of the primary market for such securities.
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A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in
below investment-grade (junk) bonds
that may trade
infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under
Valuation of shares, incurs greater risk of
excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in
an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of
those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
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Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient
management of a funds portfolio and raise costs. A fund
that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be
exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that
invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less
significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in
U.S. government securities, money market instruments,
investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S.
equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause
dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other
shareholders.
Account
information
The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying
an account holders identity. For example, an individual
will be required to supply his or her name, residential address,
date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide
the required information, we may not be able to open your
account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close
your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV and take any
other steps that it deems reasonable.
Certificated
shares
The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are
electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can
only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature
Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power
and a signature guarantee.
Sales
in advance of purchase payments
When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase
money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed
in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds
to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to
ten business days after the purchase.
Dividends
and account policies
Account
statements
In general, you will receive account statements as follows:
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after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment) that
affects your account balance
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after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)
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in all other circumstances, every quarter
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Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a
Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by
January 31.
Dividends
The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them
monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed annually,
typically after the end of the funds fiscal year. Most of
the funds dividends are income dividends. Your dividends
begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and
continues through the day your shares are actually sold.
Dividend
reinvestments
Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional
shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this
option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends
will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your
dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account
or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital
gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not
deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is
less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more
of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after
180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will
be reinvested.
Taxability
of dividends
For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes,
dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken
as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the
funds short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary
income. Dividends from the funds long-term capital gains
are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or
long-term depends on the funds holding period. Some
dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been
paid the previous December.
The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if
applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax
category, although you should verify your tax liability with
your tax professional.
Returns
of capital
If the funds distributions exceed its taxable income and
capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion
of the distributions made in the same taxable year my be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return
of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will
reduce each shareholders cost basis in the fund and result
in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss
when those shares on which the distribution was received are
sold.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
17
Taxability
of transactions
Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable
event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes.
Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares
you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the
transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities
generated by your transactions.
Disclosure
of fund holdings
The funds policy regarding disclosure of portfolio
holdings can be found in the SAI and the portfolio holdings
information can be found at www.jhfunds.com.
The following information for the fund is posted on the Web
site, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top
ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top
ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten
portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted
to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month
end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to
the SEC on
Form N-Q
as of the end of the first and third quarters of the funds
fiscal year and on
Form N-CSR
as of the second and fourth quarters of the funds fiscal
year.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
18
For
more information
Two
documents are available that offer further information on the
fund:
Annual/Semiannual
report to shareholders
Includes
financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected performance,
as well as the auditors report (in annual report only).
Statement
of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI
contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund,
and includes a summary of the funds policy regarding
disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and
regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC
and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of)
this prospectus.
To
obtain a free copy of these documents
There are
several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report,
prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:
Online:
www.jhfunds.com
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By mail:
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John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
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By phone:
1-888-972-8696
By
TDD:
1-800-554-6713
You can also
view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:
Online:
www.sec.gov
By
e-mail
(duplicating fee required):
publicinfo@sec.gov
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By mail (duplicating fee required):
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Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC
20549-0102
|
In person:
at the SECs Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call
1-800-732-0330.
©
2009 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS,
LLC 91IPN 10/09 SEC
file number:
811-04651
MEMBER FINRA | SIPC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA
02210-2805
Electronic
delivery now available at
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery
John
Hancock
Strategic Income
Fund
PROSPECTUS
10109
4
CLASS R1,
R3, R4 AND R5 SHARES
As with all mutual funds, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has not approved or
disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in
this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates
otherwise is committing a federal crime.
An
Income Fund
Table
of contents
Fund
summary
A concise look at the investment goal, main strategies and main
risks, past performance and the costs of investing.
Fund
details
More about topics covered in the summary section, including
descriptions of the various risk factors that investors should
understand before investing.
Your
account
How to place an order to buy, sell or exchange shares, as well
as information about the business policies and any distributions
that may be paid.
Fund
summary
John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund
Day-to-day
investment management: MFC Global Investment Management
(U.S.), LLC
Class
/ Ticker
R1 /
JSTRX R3 /
JSNHX R4 /
JSNFX R5 / JSNVX
Goal
and strategy
To seek a high
level of current income.
Under normal
market conditions, the fund invests primarily in the following
types of securities: foreign government and corporate debt
securities from developed and emerging markets,
U.S. government and agency securities, and domestic
high-yield bonds.
The fund may
also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt
securities.
Although the
fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities
rated as low as D (in default) by Standard &
Poors Corporation (S&P) or Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (and their
unrated equivalents), it generally intends to keep its average
credit quality in the investment-grade range (AAA to BBB). There
is no limit on the funds average maturity.
In managing
the fund, the subadviser allocates assets among the three major
types of securities based on analysis of economic factors, such
as projected international interest rate movements, industry
cycles and political trends. However, the subadviser may invest
up to 100% of the funds assets in any one sector.
Within each
type of security, the subadviser looks for investments that are
appropriate for the overall fund in terms of yield, credit
quality, structure and industry distribution. In selecting
securities, relative yields and risk/reward ratios are the
primary considerations.
The fund may
use certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives
(investments whose value is based on indexes, securities or
currencies) and restricted or illiquid securities. In addition,
the fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in domestic or
foreign stocks.
In abnormal
circumstances, the fund may temporarily invest extensively in
investment-grade short-term securities. In these and other
cases, the fund might not achieve its goal.
The fund may
trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction
costs (thus lowering performance) and increase your taxable
distributions.
Main
risks
An
investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured
or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
any other government agency. The funds shares will go up
and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by
investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual
funds performance.
Instability
in the financial markets has led the United States government to
take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support
certain financial institutions and segments of the financial
markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some
cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other
governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory
organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the
instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such
instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or
regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is
regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or
preclude the funds ability to achieve its goal.
Governments
or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from
financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those
institutions. The implications of government ownership and
disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may
have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation
and performance of the funds portfolio holdings.
Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to
greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in
valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.
The
funds main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical
order.
Before investing, be sure to read the additional
descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6.
Active management risk
The
subadvisers investment strategy may fail to produce the
intended result.
Changing distribution levels risk
The
amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends
on the amount of income
and/or
dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.
Credit and counterparty risk
The
issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty
to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a
funds securities, may be unable or unwilling to make
timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise
to honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are
subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the
nature of their support.
Equity securities risk
Equity
securities may include common, preferred and convertible
preferred stocks and securities, the values of which are tied to
the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible
debt securities. The value of a companys equity securities
is subject to changes in the companys financial condition,
and overall market and economic conditions.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
2
Fixed-income securities risk
Fixed-income
securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit
quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices
to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by
the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to
interest rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer
of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal
borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Lower-rated
fixed-income securities and high-yield securities involve a
higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in
higher-rated categories.
Foreign securities risk
As
compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly
available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign
securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse
political and economic developments. Investments in emerging
market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign
investment risk.
Foreign securities risk (including Emerging Markets risk)
As
compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly
available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign
securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse
political and economic developments. These risks are heightened
in the case of emerging markets.
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
Hedging
and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of
a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result
in a significant loss to a fund. In addition, the use of
derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps)
could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the
principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments
involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the
risks associated with investing directly in securities and other
traditional investments and, in a down market, could become
harder to value or sell at a fair price.
High portfolio turnover risk
Actively
trading securities can increase transaction costs (thus lowering
performance) and taxable distributions.
Issuer risk
An
issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the
value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of
securities held by the fund could default or have its credit
rating downgraded.
Liquidity risk
Exposure
exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal
restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or
close derivative positions at an advantageous price.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
3
Past
performance
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Calendar year total
returns
Class R1
1
(%)
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Best
quarter:
Q2 03,
6.99
Worst quarter:
Q4 08, 7.81
Year-to-date
as of 6-30-09: 13.04
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1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
|
2.83
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0.64
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4.40
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6.80
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16.34
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8.39
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2.04
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4.17
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5.07
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11.26
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Average annual total
returns
1
(%)
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1 Year
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5 Year
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10
Year
|
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as of 12-31-08
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Class R1
before tax
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11.26
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1.44
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3.73
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After tax on distributions
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14.02
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1.05
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0.91
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After tax on distributions, with sale
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7.22
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0.12
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1.50
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Class R3
before tax
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11.17
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1.45
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3.81
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Class R4
before tax
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10.90
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1.75
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4.12
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Class R5
before tax
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10.63
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2.06
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4.43
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Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
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5.24
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4.65
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5.63
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Calendar
year total returns
Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1
and would be different for other share classes. Fund returns
vary from year to year and may indicate the funds level of
volatility; however, as always, past performance (before and
after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures
assume dividend reinvestment.
Average
annual total returns
Performance of a broad-based securities market index is
included for comparison purposes and may provide information
regarding the funds risks. Indexes do not have sales
charges and you cannot invest in them directly. All figures
assume dividend reinvestment.
After-tax returns
These are shown only for Class R1
and would be different for other classes. They reflect the
highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect
as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local
taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax
returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or
other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
is an
unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible
investment-grade debt issues.
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1
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August 18, 1986 is the inception date for the oldest
class of shares, Class A shares. Class R1 shares
were first offered on August 5, 2003 and Class R3,
Class R4 and Class R5 shares were first offered on
May 21, 2009. The returns prior to this date are those of
Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the
gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R3,
Class R4 and Class R5 shares.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
4
Investor
costs
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Annual operating
expenses
(%)
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Class R1
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Class R3
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Class R4
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Class R5
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Management fee
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0.38
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0.38
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0.38
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0.38
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Distribution and service (12b-1) fees
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0.50
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0.50
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0.25
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0.00
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Service plan
fee
2
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0.25
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0.15
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0.10
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0.05
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Other expenses
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0.17
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3
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0.17
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4
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0.17
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4
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0.17
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4
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Total fund operating
expenses
5
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1.30
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1.20
|
6
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0.90
|
6
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0.60
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6
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Expense
example
Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of
a $10,000 investment during the various time frames indicated.
The example assumes a 5% average annual return, and the
reinvestment of all dividends. The example assumes fund expenses
will not change over the periods. The example is for comparison
only and does not reflect actual expenses and returns, either
past or future.
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Expenses
($)
|
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Class R1
|
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Class R3
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Class R4
|
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Class R5
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Shares
|
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|
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1 Year
|
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|
132
|
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|
|
122
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|
92
|
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61
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3 Years
|
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412
|
|
|
|
381
|
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287
|
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|
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192
|
|
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5 Years
|
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713
|
|
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660
|
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498
|
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335
|
|
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10 Years
|
|
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1,568
|
|
|
|
1,455
|
|
|
|
1,108
|
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750
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Annual
operating expenses
These are paid from the funds assets; shareholders,
therefore, pay these costs indirectly.
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2
|
|
Service plan fees are paid by the fund to the adviser under an
agreement pursuant to which the adviser will provide, either
directly or through third parties, certain other services to
retirement plans or participants.
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3
|
|
Other expenses shown exclude 0.03% of one-time
extraordinary fees incurred in the prior fiscal year.
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4
|
|
Other expenses are estimated for the classs
first year of operations. Actual expenses may be different.
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|
5
|
|
Expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than those
shown in the Annual operating expenses table for one
or more of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in
average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if
advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant
decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the
expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as
asset levels decrease; (iii) fees may be incurred for
extraordinary events such as proxy or fund tax expenses, or (iv)
the termination of voluntary expense cap reimbursements and/or
fee waivers, as applicable.
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6
|
|
The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion
of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of
the fund through June 30, 2010 to the extent necessary to limit
the total expenses of each class as follows: 1.25% for
Class R3, 0.95% for Class R4, and 0.65% for
Class R5 excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary
fees, taxes, litigation, brokerage and interest expenses.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
summary
5
Fund
details
Risks
of investing
Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role
in shaping the funds overall risk profile. The
descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of
importance. For further details about fund risks, including
additional risk factors that are not discussed in this
prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see
the funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Active management
risk
A fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the
subadvisers ability to pursue the funds goal. The
subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in
making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no
guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The fund
generally does not attempt to time the market and instead
generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such
as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its
benchmark, the fund may buy securities not included in its
benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than
its benchmark. To the extent the fund invests in those
securities, its performance depends on the ability of the
subadviser to choose securities that perform better than
securities that are included in the benchmark.
Changing
distribution levels risk
The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally
depends on the amount of income
and/or
dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The
fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce
its distribution level if the income
and/or
dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.
Credit and
counterparty risk
This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income
security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC)
derivatives contract (see Hedging, derivatives and other
strategic transactions risk) or a borrower of a
funds securities, will be unable or unwilling to make
timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise
to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with
investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of
the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest
on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities
is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the
securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will
default, potentially reducing the funds share price and
income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to
some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the
issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign
governments, or their
sub-divisions
or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to
varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the
securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S.
Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S.
government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise
supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many
types of U.S. government securities (
e.g
., the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks),
although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by
Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities,
including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are
neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency
of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of
returning the entities to normal business operations. It is
unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the
securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As
a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than
U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith
and credit of the United States (
e.g
., U.S. Treasury
bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser
may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed
securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported
by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and
automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the
risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on
payment of those assets.
Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also
called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated
Ba or lower by Moodys or BB or
lower by Standard & Poors (S&P), or
determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to
securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The
sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their
sub-divisions
and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below
investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher
investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry
greater credit risk: their issuers continuing ability to
meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative,
and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less
liquid than higher-rated securities.
In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it
makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency
contracts
and/or
swap
contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of
fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC
derivatives transactions can only be closed out with the other
party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund
will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that
the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual
obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will
succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk
that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC
derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or
made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation.
While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of
contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the
counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations,
especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
Equity securities
risk
Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a
company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity
securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value
of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities
fluctuates based on changes in a companys financial
condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The value
of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the
financial condition of the companies in which the fund is
invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions
deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality or
blue chip equity securities, or securities of
established companies with large market capitalizations (which
generally have strong financial characteristics), can be
negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic
conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also
have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be
less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
6
The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and
generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this
exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general
will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to
unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well
as periods of poor performance.
Fixed-income
securities risk
Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal
types of risks: (a) interest rate risk and (b) credit
quality risk.
Interest rate risk.
Fixed-income securities are affected
by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the
market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be
expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the
market value of fixed-income securities generally can be
expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a
fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest
rate risk.
Credit quality risk.
Fixed-income securities are subject
to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all
or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all
interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income
security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security,
the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a
decrease in the value of the funds investments. Funds that
may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly
referred to as junk securities, are riskier than
funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities.
Additional information on the risks of investing in
investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating
category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth
below.
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating
category risk.
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in
the lowest-rating category (rated Baa by
Moodys or BBB by S&P and comparable
unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than
fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While
such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are
deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and
interest, such securities lack outstanding investment
characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well.
For example, changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
make principal and interest payments than is the case with
higher-grade securities.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield
securities risk.
Lower-rated fixed-income securities are
defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated
Ba and below by Moodys, and BB and
below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks
of investing in these securities are as follows:
|
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Risk to principal and income.
Investing in lower-rated
fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these
securities generally provide greater income potential than
investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk
that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers
of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.
|
|
|
Price volatility.
The price of lower-rated fixed-income
securities may be more volatile than securities in the
higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during
periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these
securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income
securities by the markets perception of their credit
quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the
past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have,
at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities
and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in
interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged
issuers of these securities.
|
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|
Liquidity.
The market for lower-rated fixed-income
securities may have more limited trading than the market for
investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be
more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities
may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order
to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market
conditions.
|
|
|
Dependence on subadvisers own credit analysis.
While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established
credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings
with its own independent review of the credit quality of the
issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of
lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the
subadvisers evaluation than the assessment of the credit
risk of higher-rated securities.
|
Additional risks regarding lower-rated corporate fixed-income
securities.
Lower-rated corporate debt securities (and
comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to
individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities.
Issuers of lower-rated corporate debt securities may also be
highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income
will not be repaid.
Additional risks regarding lower-rated foreign government
fixed-income securities.
Lower-rated foreign government
fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in
foreign countries described under Foreign securities
risk. In addition, the ability and willingness of a
foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be
affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions
within the country. Emerging-market countries may experience
high inflation, interest rates and unemployment, as well as
exchange rate trade difficulties and political uncertainty or
instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign
government will not make payments when due.
Prepayment of principal.
Many types of debt securities,
including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk.
Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay
principal prior to the securitys maturity. Securities
subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains
when the credit quality of the issuer improves.
Foreign
securities risk
Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities
markets outside the United States are subject to additional and
more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change
more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities.
The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively
small, with a limited number of companies representing a small
number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign
securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation
as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of
foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S.
standards. There are generally higher commission rates on
foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial
costs and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on
dividends and interest payable on foreign securities. Also, for
lesser developed countries, nationalization, expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange
control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency from a country), political changes or
diplomatic developments could adversely affect a funds
investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or
other confiscation, a fund could lose its entire investment in a
foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities
are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also
applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their
assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S.
Emerging markets risk.
Funds that invest a significant
portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in
countries with emerging market economies are subject
to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds
investing primarily in more developed foreign markets,
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
7
since emerging market securities may present market, credit,
currency, liquidity, legal, political and other risks greater
than, or in addition to, risks of investing in developed foreign
countries. These risks include: high currency exchange rate
fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both
government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and
political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of
war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy;
less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities
markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign
investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital
and on a funds ability to exchange local currencies for
U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in
certain emerging market countries; the fact that companies in
emerging market countries may be newly organized and may be
smaller and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of,
auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in
the unavailability of material information about issuers;
different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be
unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions
or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions;
difficulties in obtaining
and/or
enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and
significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market
issuers.
Currency risk.
Currency risk is the risk that
fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S.
dollar value of a funds investments. Currency risk
includes both the risk that currencies in which a funds
investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken
an active investment position, will decline in value relative to
the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the
U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being
hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate
significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of
supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or
perceived changes in interest rates, and intervention (or the
failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central
banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the
U.S. or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of
currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect
to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value
of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the
risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one
another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on
its investment and also lose money on the position designed to
act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active
currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure
represented by their securities into another foreign currency.
This may result in a funds currency exposure being
substantially different than that suggested by its securities
investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings
and/or
that
invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies
or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign
currency transactions (such as futures, forwards and swaps) may
also involve leveraging risk, in addition to currency risk.
Leverage may disproportionately increase a funds portfolio
losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates,
stock prices or currency rates are changing.
Hedging,
derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other
strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its
subadvisers ability to predict pertinent market movements
and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk
and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills
required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic
transactions are different from those needed to select a
funds securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging
and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging
purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market,
if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a
significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more
than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also
increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small
investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks
assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or
loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures
can exceed a funds initial investment in such contracts.
In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund
if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as
promised.
A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts
with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of
underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of
derivative instruments include options contracts, futures
contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements
(including, but not limited to, credit default swaps and swaps
on exchange traded funds). Derivatives may relate to stocks,
bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and
related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes,
including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment
in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way
to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various
securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually
having to sell existing investments and make new investments.
This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to
be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale
of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further,
since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse
changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference
rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than
the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain
derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of
the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives
for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more
volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to
market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate
assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable
regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its
obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of
the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer
to the SAI.
The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different
from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with
investing directly in securities and other more traditional
assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes
a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter
(OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make
timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its
obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be
closed out with the other party to the transaction, although
either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts
that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out
the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other
partys consent to assign the transaction to a third party.
If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual
remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will
meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of
default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example,
because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is
individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is
subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret
contractual terms (
e.g.
, the definition of default)
differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its
contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and
unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund
to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to
pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore,
assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed
to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may
be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of
litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the
creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance
that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during
unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund
contracts with a limited number of
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
8
counterparties, the funds risk will be concentrated and
events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those
counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund.
Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks,
including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of
derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other
assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they
will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk
that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the
assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely
track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in
all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the
counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the
occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a
subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or
otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various
hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. To
the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic
transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.
High portfolio
turnover risk
A high fund portfolio turnover rate (over 100%) generally
involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses,
which must be borne directly by a fund. The portfolio turnover
rate of a fund may vary from year to year, as well as within a
year.
Issuer
risk
An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly
and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline
and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance
may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive
pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers,
labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings,
fraudulent disclosures or other factors.
Liquidity
risk
A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of
a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the funds
ability to sell particular securities or close derivative
positions at an advantageous price. Funds with principal
investment strategies that involve investments in securities of
companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign
securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market
and/or
credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity
risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds
which invest in emerging markets and related derivatives that
are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and
sale restrictions.
These investment strategies and securities are described further
in the SAI.
Whos
who
Below are the names of the various entities involved with the
funds investment and business operations, along with brief
descriptions of the role each entity performs.
Trustees
Oversee the funds business activities and retain the
services of the various firms that carry out the funds
operations. The Board of Trustees can change the funds
investment goal and strategy without shareholder approval.
Investment
adviser
Manages the funds business and investment activities.
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston,
MA 02210-2805
Founded in 1968, John Hancock Advisers, LLC is a wholly owned
subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which in
turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and
retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the
assets of the fund. As of June 30, 2009, the adviser had
total assets under management of approximately $18 billion.
The adviser does not itself manage any of the funds
portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the
subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and
replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors
the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives
and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the
performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports
periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.
The fund relies on an order from the SEC permitting the adviser,
subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the
terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder
approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or
the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the
expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder
approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the
adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the
adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a
subadviser to a fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an
affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.
Management
fee
The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to
the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the
current value of the net assets of the fund determined in
accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied
to the average daily assets of the fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
|
|
|
Average Daily Net Assets
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First $100 million
|
|
|
0
|
.60%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between $100 million and $250 million
|
|
|
0
|
.45%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between $250 million and $500 million
|
|
|
0
|
.40%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between $500 million and $650 million
|
|
|
0
|
.35%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess over $650 million
|
|
|
0
|
.30%
|
|
|
During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid to the
investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.38% of net assets.
Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees
of the subadviser.
The basis for the Trustees approval of the advisory fees,
and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the
subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the funds
May 31, 2009 annual shareholder report.
Subadviser
Handles the funds
day-to-day
portfolio management.
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.))
was founded in 1979 and provides investment advisory services to
individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
(a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of
June 30, 2009, had total assets under management of
approximately $24 billion.
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
9
Below are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the
funds investment management team, in alphabetical order.
These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For
more about these individuals, including information about their
compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments
they may have in the fund, see the SAI.
Barry H. Evans,
CFA
|
|
|
Joined fund team in 2006
|
|
|
President and chief fixed-income officer, MFC Global (U.S.)
(since 2005)
|
|
|
Senior vice president, chief fixed-income officer and chief
operating officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1986−2005)
|
|
|
Began business career in 1986
|
|
|
Analysis of global economic conditions
|
John F.
Iles
|
|
|
Joined fund team in 2005
|
|
|
Vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
|
|
|
Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
|
|
|
Began business career in 1984
|
|
|
Analysis of specific issuers pertaining to high-yield and
emerging markets
|
Daniel S. Janis
III
|
|
|
Joined fund team in 1999
|
|
|
Senior vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
|
|
|
Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
|
|
|
Began business career in 1984
|
|
|
Primarily responsible for fund management and
day-to-day
purchase and sale decisions
|
Custodian
Holds the funds assets, settles all portfolio trades and
collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the
funds net asset value (NAV).
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
Principal
distributor
Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers,
financial planners and other financial representatives.
John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston,
MA 02210-2805
Transfer
agent
Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and
statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and
sell requests.
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth,
NH 03802-9510
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
10
Financial
highlights
These tables detail the financial performance of each share
class described in this prospectus, including total return
information showing how much an investment in the fund has
increased or decreased each year.
The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2009,
have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the
funds independent registered public accounting firm. The
report of PwC is included, along with the funds financial
statements, in the funds annual report, which has been
incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon
request.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS R1 SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
|
|
5-31-08
|
|
5-31-07
|
|
5-31-06
|
|
5-31-05
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
year
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
|
$6.69
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.38
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.34
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.53
|
)
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
(0.46
|
)
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
year
|
|
|
$5.61
|
|
|
|
$6.40
|
|
|
|
$6.61
|
|
|
|
$6.81
|
|
|
|
$6.99
|
|
|
Total
return
2
(%)
|
|
|
(3.44
|
)
|
|
|
3.46
|
|
|
|
5.58
|
|
|
|
4.07
|
|
|
|
10.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (in millions)
|
|
|
$5
|
|
|
|
$5
|
|
|
|
$5
|
|
|
|
$4
|
|
|
|
$1
|
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
1.19
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
1.19
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
1.19
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
6.81
|
|
|
|
5.54
|
|
|
|
4.44
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
|
|
|
4.29
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS R3 SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
3
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
period
|
|
|
$5.58
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
period
|
|
|
$5.59
|
|
|
Total
return
4
(%)
|
|
|
0.36
|
5,6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in millions)
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
3.49
|
8,9
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
1.25
|
8,9
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
1.25
|
8,9
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
6.02
|
8
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
11
Financial
highlights,
continued
|
|
|
|
|
Class R4
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
10
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
period
|
|
|
$5.58
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
period
|
|
|
$5.59
|
|
|
Total
return
4
(%)
|
|
|
0.36
|
5,6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in millions)
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
3.25
|
8,9
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
0.95
|
8,9
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
0.95
|
8,9
|
|
Net investment loss
|
|
|
6.32
|
8
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLASS R5 SHARES
|
Per share operating
performance
period
ended
|
|
5-31-09
11
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of
period
|
|
|
$5.58
|
|
|
Net investment
income
1
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Total from investment
operations
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Less distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
Net asset value, end of
period
|
|
|
$5.59
|
|
|
Total
return
4
(%)
|
|
|
0.36
|
5,6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in millions)
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before reductions
|
|
|
3.00
|
8,9
|
|
Expenses net of fee waivers
|
|
|
0.65
|
8,9
|
|
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
|
|
|
0.65
|
8,9
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
6.62
|
8
|
|
Portfolio turnover (%)
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of
sales charges.
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Class R3 shares began operations on 5-21-09.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Assumes dividend reinvestment.
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not
been reduced during the periods shown.
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross
and net expense ratios was 0.03%.
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
Class R4 shares began operations on 5-21-09.
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
Class R5 shares began operations on 5-21-09.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Fund
details
12
Your
account
Who
can buy shares
Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares are available to
certain types of investors, as noted below:
|
|
|
Qualified tuition programs under Section 529 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), (529
Plans) distributed by John Hancock or one of its affiliates.
|
|
|
Retirement Plans including pension, profit sharing and other
plans qualified under Section 401(a) or described in
Section 403(b) or 457 of the Code, and non-qualified
deferred compensation plans.
|
|
|
Retirement Plans, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education
Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs where the
shares are held on the books of the fund through investment-only
omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or at the level of
the financial service firm) that trade through the National
Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC).
|
Except as noted above, Class R1, R3, R4 and
R5 shares are not available to retail or institutional
non-retirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell
Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs,
individual 403(b) plans or other individual retirement
accounts.
Class
cost structure
Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares of the fund are sold
without any front-end or deferred sales charges. Each of
Class R1, R3 and R4 shares has a
Rule 12b-1
plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution and
service of its shares. Class R5 shares do not have a
Rule 12b-1
plan.
Class R1
|
|
|
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of up to 0.50%
|
Class R3
|
|
|
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of up to 0.50%
|
Class R4
|
|
|
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of up to 0.25%
|
In addition to the 12b-1 plan, the fund has adopted service
plans for Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares, which
authorize the fund to pay affiliated and unaffiliated entities a
service fee for providing certain recordkeeping and other
administrative services in connection with investments in the
fund by retirement plans. The service fee is a specified
percentage of the average daily net assets of the funds
share class held by plan participants and is up to 0.25% for
Class R1 shares; 0.15% for Class R3 shares;
0.10% for Class R4 shares; and 0.05% for
Class R5 shares.
12b-1
fees
Rule 12b-1
fees will be paid to the funds distributor, John Hancock
Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses
relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or
administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class
and for the payment of service fees that come within
Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the funds assets on
an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your
investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of
sales charges.
Other classes of shares of the fund, which have their own
expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.
Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect
transactions in fund shares.
Additional
payments to financial intermediaries
Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial
intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment
advisers, financial planners and retirement plan administrators.
These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in
two principal ways:
|
|
|
directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and
|
|
|
indirectly, as a result of the fund paying
Rule 12b-1
fees.
|
Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to
make, payments in addition to sales commissions and 12b-1 fees
out of the distributors own resources. These additional
payments are sometimes referred to as revenue
sharing. These payments assist in the distributors
efforts to promote the sale of the funds shares. The
distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating
any additional compensation, which may include the level of
sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive
additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies.
These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor
determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments
it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to
compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute
shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the
distributors promotional efforts.
The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by
increasing the funds net assets, which, as well as
benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and
other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration
for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales
system or give preferential access to members of its sales force
or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in
the distributors marketing efforts by allowing the
distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences,
seminars or other programs attended by the intermediarys
sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing
payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its
clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn
a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide
your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.
The SAI discusses the distributors revenue-sharing
arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you
additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus.
You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the
distributor or the fund, as well as about fees
and/or
commissions it charges.
The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other
relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of
services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account
services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio
transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these
services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the
intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary
may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its
affiliates that are not related to the fund.
Opening
an account
|
|
1
|
Read this prospectus carefully.
|
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
13
|
|
2
|
Determine if you are eligible by referring to Who can buy
shares.
|
|
3
|
Eligible Retirement Plans generally may open an account and
purchase Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 of shares by contacting any
broker, dealer or other financial service firm authorized to
sell Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares of the fund.
|
Additional shares may be purchased through a Retirement
Plans administrator or record keeper. There is no minimum
initial investment to purchase Class R1, R3, R4 or
R5 shares.
Important
information about opening a new account
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money
laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial
institutions to obtain, verify and record information that
identifies each person or entity that opens an account.
When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the
entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer
identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide
information on persons with authority or control over the
account, such as name, residential address, date of birth and
Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide
documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments
or partnership agreements and other information that will help
Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual
Fund Account Application for more details.
Information
for plan participants
Plan participants generally must contact their plan service
provider to purchase, redeem or exchange shares. The
administrator of a Retirement Plan or employee benefits office
can provide participants with detailed information on how to
participate in the plan, elect a fund as an investment option,
elect different investment options, alter the amounts
contributed to the plan or change allocations among investment
options. For questions about participant accounts, participants
should contact their employee benefits office, the plan
administrator or the organization that provides recordkeeping
services for the plan.
Financial service firms may provide some of the shareholder
servicing and account maintenance services required by
Retirement Plan accounts and their plan participants, including
transfers of registration, dividend payee changes and generation
of confirmation statements, and may arrange for plan
administrators to provide other investment or administrative
services. Financial service firms may charge Retirement Plans
and plan participants transaction fees
and/or
other
additional amounts for such services. Similarly, Retirement
Plans may charge plan participants for certain expenses. These
fees and additional amounts could reduce an investment return in
the fund.
Transaction
policies
Valuation
of shares
Calculation of
NAV
The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once
daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or
other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated
and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests.
The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and
redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is
computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities,
allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares
outstanding for that class.
Valuation of
Securities
Except as noted below, securities held by a fund are primarily
valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing
prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the
basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investments
companies held by a fund are valued based on the NAVs of those
investment companies.
Fair Valuation of Securities.
If market quotations or
official closing prices are not readily available or do not
accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a
securitys value has been materially affected by events
occurring before the funds pricing time but after the
close of the exchange or market on which the security is
principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair
value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees
have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to
the funds Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of
a securitys fair value may be made by persons acting
pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.
In deciding whether to a fair value a security, the funds
Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:
in the case of foreign securities:
|
|
|
|
|
developments in foreign markets,
|
|
|
|
|
|
the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of
trading in the market, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that
represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.
|
in the case of fixed income securities:
|
|
|
|
|
actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other
significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.
|
in the case of all securities:
|
|
|
|
|
political or other developments affecting the economy or markets
in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are
traded,
|
|
|
|
|
|
announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning
matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions,
recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster
affecting the issuers operations or regulatory changes or
market developments affecting the issuers industry, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
events affecting the securities markets in general (such as
market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in
U.S.
and/or
foreign markets).
|
Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that
a funds NAV reflects the fair market value of the
funds portfolio securities as of the close of regular
trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that is no longer
reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the
opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase
shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security
valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain thereby
diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a
securitys valuation may differ depending on the method
used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that
fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all
potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair
value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon
the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold
that security in an orderly transaction between market
participants but does not guarantee that the security can be
sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent
uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair
valuation price may differ significantly from the value that
would have
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
14
been used had a readily available market price for the
investment existed, and these differences could be material.
With respect to any portion of a funds assets that is
invested in other open-end investment companies, that portion of
the funds NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that
investment company. The prospectus for the other investment
company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value
pricing for that other investment company.
If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed
on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when
the fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the funds
shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to
purchase or redeem the funds shares.
Buy
and sell prices
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you
receive the NAV.
Execution
of requests
The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically
Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the
next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your
request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has
the right to redeem in kind.
In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the
processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds
for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal
securities laws.
Exchanges
You may exchange your Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares
for shares of the same class of other John Hancock Funds that
are available through your plan, or Money Market
Fund Class A shares, without paying any additional
sales charges. The registration for both accounts involved must
be identical. Note: Once exchanged into Money Market
Fund Class A, shares may only be exchanged back into
Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares, as applicable.
The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time,
upon 60 days written notice to its shareholders. For
further details, see Additional services and
programs in the SAI (see the back cover of this
prospectus).
Excessive
trading
The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and
does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market
timing or other types of excessive short-term trading.
Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt
portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses
for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do
not generate these costs.
Right
to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders
Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment
purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or
cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the
order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any
purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing
excessive trading and transactions accepted by any
shareholders financial intermediary. For example, the fund
may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or
exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a
specific Limitation on exchange activity, as
described below, if the fund or its agent determines that
accepting the order could interfere with the efficient
management of the funds portfolio, or otherwise not be in
the funds best interest in light of unusual trading
activity related to your account. In the event that the fund
rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption
nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you
would like the redemption request to be processed even if the
purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate
redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange
order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one
business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of
exchange requests in the event that, in the funds
judgment, such delay would be in the funds best interest,
in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the
exchange will receive the funds NAV at the conclusion of
the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole
discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account
holder level or the underlying shareholder level.
Exchange
limitation policies
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and
procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations
described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail
excessive trading practices.
Limitation
on exchange activity
The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order,
suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the
ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the
fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction
involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is
likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent
cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of
market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to
have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its
agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an
exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other
reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including
exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be
made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the
funds shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement
to permit market timing or disruptive trading.
Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are
aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount
of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits
referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under
certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be
modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to
conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or
Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or
pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and
dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange
limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation
since the fund believes that they are advantageous to
shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market
timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools
involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption
requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events
affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.
These exchange limits are subject to the funds ability to
monitor exchange activity, as discussed under Limitation
on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading
practices below. Depending upon the composition of the
funds shareholder accounts, and in light of the
limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail
excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the
funds shareholders may not be subject to the exchange
limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange
limitation policy, the fund considers information available to
it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading
activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common
ownership, control or influence.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
15
Limitation
on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading
practices
Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices
sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and,
despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading,
there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to
identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices.
The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail
excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational
systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not
always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors
should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or
prevent all frequent trading or other practices that
disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to
monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee
accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the
financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker,
retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor,
maintains the records of the funds underlying beneficial
owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common
forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain
financial intermediaries such as financial advisers, brokers,
retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors.
These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to
aggregate its clients transactions and ownership positions
and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to
the fund. However, the fund will work with financial
intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from
engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions
on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into
information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries
pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide
to the fund, at the funds request, certain information
relating to their customers investing in the fund through
omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this
information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices.
Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow
any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future
purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in
excessive trading in violation of the funds policies. The
fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided
to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it
will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur
through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the
funds ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading
practices in these types of accounts may be limited.
Excessive
trading risk
To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail
excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may
interfere with the efficient management of the funds
portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain
activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as
maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and
engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased
portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would
correspondingly increase the funds operating costs and
decrease the funds investment performance. Maintenance of
higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower
fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.
While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund,
certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets
of excessive trading. For example:
|
|
|
A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in
small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities
in
particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair
valued as discussed under Valuation of shares,
entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may
seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their
understanding of the value of those types of securities
(referred to as price arbitrage).
|
|
|
A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in
securities of
non-U.S.
issuers
may be a potential target for excessive trading if
investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general
trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the
close of the primary market for such securities.
|
|
|
A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in
below investment-grade (junk) bonds
that may trade
infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under
Valuation of shares, incurs greater risk of
excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in
an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of
those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
|
Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient
management of a funds portfolio and raise costs. A fund
that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be
exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that
invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less
significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in
U.S. government securities, money market instruments,
investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S.
equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause
dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other
shareholders.
Account
information
The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying
an account holders identity. For example, an individual
will be required to supply his or her name, residential address,
date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide
the required information, we may not be able to open your
account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close
your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV and take any
other steps that it deems reasonable.
Certificated
shares
The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are
electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can
only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature
Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power
and a signature guarantee.
Sales
in advance of purchase payments
When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase
money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed
in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds
to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to
ten business days after the purchase.
Dividends
and account policies
Account
statements
In general, you will receive account statements from your
plans recordkeeper.
Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a
Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by
January 31, by your plans recordkeeper.
Dividends
The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them
monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed annually,
typically after the end of the funds fiscal year. Most of
the funds dividends are income dividends. Your dividends
begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and
continues through the day your shares are actually sold.
Dividend
reinvestments
Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional
shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this
option, or if you do
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
16
not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested.
Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital
gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be
mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10
or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the
combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10,
your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your
dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after
180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will
be reinvested.
Taxability
of dividends
For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes,
dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken
as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the
funds short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary
income. Dividends from the funds long-term capital gains
are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or
long-term depends on the funds holding period. Some
dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been
paid the previous December.
The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if
applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax
category, although you should verify your tax liability with
your tax professional.
Returns
of capital
If the funds distributions exceed its taxable income and
capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion
of the distributions made in the same taxable year my be
recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return
of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will
reduce each shareholders cost basis in the fund and result
in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss
when those shares on which the distribution was received are
sold.
Taxability
of transactions
Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable
event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes.
Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares
you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the
transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities
generated by your transactions.
Disclosure
of fund holdings
The funds policy regarding disclosure of portfolio
holdings can be found in the SAI and the portfolio holdings
information can be found at www.jhfunds.com.
The following information for the fund is posted on the Web
site, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top
ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top
ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten
portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted
to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month
end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to
the SEC on
Form N-Q
as of the end of the first and third quarters of the funds
fiscal year and on
Form N-CSR
as of the second and fourth quarters of the funds fiscal
year.
Strategic Income
Fund
Your
account
17
For
more information
Two
documents are available that offer further information on the
fund:
Annual/Semiannual
report to shareholders
Includes
financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected performance,
as well as the auditors report (in annual report only).
Statement
of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI
contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund,
and includes a summary of the funds policy regarding
disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and
regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC
and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of)
this prospectus.
To
obtain a free copy of these documents
There are
several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report,
prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:
Online:
www.jhfunds.com
|
|
By mail:
|
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH
03802-9510
|
By phone:
1-888-972-8696
You can also
view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:
Online:
www.sec.gov
By
e-mail
(duplicating fee required):
publicinfo@sec.gov
|
|
By mail (duplicating fee required):
|
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC
20549-0102
|
In person:
at the SECs Public Reference Room
in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call
1-800-732-0330.
©
2009 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS,
LLC 91RPN 10/09 SEC
file number:
811-04651
MEMBER FINRA | SIPC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA
02210-2805
Electronic
delivery now available at
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 Shares
Statement of Additional Information
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about John Hancock Strategic
Income Fund (the Fund) in addition to the information that is contained in the Funds current
Prospectus for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, and the Funds Class I shares and Class R1,
Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares Prospectuses (the Prospectuses). The Fund is a
diversified series of John Hancock Strategic Series (the Trust).
This SAI is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. This SAI
incorporates by reference the Funds Annual Report. A copy of a Prospectus or the Annual Report
for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 can be obtained free of charge by writing or telephoning:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P. O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9521
1-800-225-5291
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND
The Fund is the sole series of the Trust, an open-end investment management company organized as a
Massachusetts business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust was
organized in April 1986.
John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser) is the Funds investment adviser. The Adviser is a
wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Manulife
Financial Corporation (Manulife Financial). Founded in 1862, John Hancock Financial Services and
its subsidiaries (John Hancock) today offer a broad range of financial products and services,
including whole, term, variable, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products,
mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance and various forms of business
insurance.
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
most of Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients 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$420.9 billion (US$362.0 billion) as at June 30, 2009.
Manulife Financial trades as MFC on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) and the Pacific Stock Exchange (PSE), and under 0945 on the Stock Exchange of
Hong Kong (SEHK). Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
The Fund is sub-advised by MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.) or the
Sub-Adviser). MFC Global (U.S.) is a subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a
subsidiary of Manulife Financial. MFC Global (U.S.) is responsible for providing investment advice
to the Fund subject to the review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board) and the
overall supervision of the Adviser.
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the supervision of MFC
Global (U.S.)s services to the Fund.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds investment objective and
policies discussed in the Prospectus. Appendix A contains further information describing investment
risks. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The investment
objective is fundamental and may only be changed with shareholder approval.
The investment objective of the Fund is a high level of current income. The Fund will seek to
achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in: (i) foreign government and corporate
debt securities, (ii) U.S. Government securities and (iii) lower-rated high yield high risk debt
securities.
The Fund may invest in all types of debt securities. The debt securities in which the Fund may
invest include bonds, debentures, notes (including variable and floating rate instruments),
preferred and preference stock, zero coupon bonds, payment-in-kind securities, increasing rate note
securities, participation interest, multiple class pass through securities, collateralized mortgage
obligations, stripped debt securities, other mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities
and other derivative debt securities. Under normal circumstances, the Funds assets will be
invested in each of the foregoing three sectors. However, from time to time the Fund may invest up
to 100% of its total assets in any one sector.
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of net assets in common stocks of U.S. and foreign companies.
3
Investment Companies.
To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief,
the Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies in pursuit of its investment objective.
This may include investments in money market mutual funds in connection with the Funds management
of daily cash portions. In addition to the advisory and operational fees the Fund bears directly in
connection with its own operation, the Fund and its shareholders will also bear the pro rata
portion of each other investment companys advisory and operational expenses.
Lower Rated Securities
. The higher yields and high income sought by the Fund are generally
obtainable from high yield risk securities in the lower rating categories of the established rating
services. These securities are rated below Baa by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or
below BBB by Standard & Poors Ratings Group (S&P) or Fitch Investors Service (Fitch). The
Fund may invest in securities rated as low as D by Moodys or S&P, which indicates that the
obligations are in default. Lower rated securities are generally referred to as junk bonds. See
Appendix B attached to this SAI for a description of the characteristics of the various ratings
categories. The Fund is not obligated to dispose of securities whose issuers subsequently are in
default or which are downgraded below the minimum ratings noted above. The credit ratings of
Moodys, S&P and Fitch (the Rating Agencies), such as those ratings described in this SAI, may
not be changed by the Rating Agencies in a timely fashion to reflect subsequent economic events.
The credit ratings of securities do not evaluate market risk. The Fund may also invest in unrated
securities which, in the opinion of the Adviser, offer comparable yields and risks to the rated
securities in which the Fund may invest.
Ratings as Investment Criteria.
In general, the ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch
represent the opinions of these agencies as to the quality of the securities which they rate. It
should be emphasized however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute
standards of quality. These ratings will be used by the Fund as initial criteria for the selection
of portfolio securities. Among the factors which will be considered are the long-term ability of
the issuer to pay principal and interest and general economic trends. Appendix B contains further
information concerning the rating of Moodys, S&P and Fitch and their significance. Subsequent to
its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced
below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. Neither of these events will require the sale
of the securities by the Fund.
Debt securities that are rated in the lower rating categories, or which are unrated, involve
greater volatility of price and risk of loss of principal and income. In addition, lower ratings
reflect a greater possibility of an adverse change in financial condition affecting the ability of
the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The market price and liquidity of lower
rated fixed income securities generally respond to short-term corporate and market developments to
a greater extent than the price and liquidity of higher rated securities, because these
developments are perceived to have a more direct relationship to the ability of an issuer of lower
rated securities to meet its ongoing debt obligations. Although the Adviser seeks to minimize these
risks through diversification, investment analysis and attention to current developments in
interest rates and economic conditions, there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be
successful in limiting the Funds exposure to the risks associated with lower rated securities.
Because the Fund invests in securities in the lower rated categories, the achievement of the Funds
goals is more dependent on the Advisers ability than would be the case if the Fund were investing
in securities in the higher rated categories.
The Funds investments in debt securities may include increasing rate note securities, zero coupon
bonds and payment-in-kind bonds. Zero coupon bonds have a determined interest rate, but payment of
the interest is deferred until maturity of the bonds. Payment- in-kind securities pay interest in
either cash or additional securities, at the issuers option, for a specified period. The market
prices of zero coupon and payment-in-kind bonds are affected to a greater extent by interest rate
changes, and thereby tend to be more volatile than securities which pay interest periodically and
in cash. Increasing rate note securities are typically refinanced by the issuers within a short
period of time.
The market value of debt securities which carry no equity participation usually reflects yields
generally available on securities of similar quality and type. When such yields decline, the
market value of a portfolio already invested at higher yields can be expected to rise if such
securities are protected against early call. In general, in selecting securities for its
portfolio, the Fund intends to seek protection against early call. Similarly, when such yields
4
increase, the market value of a portfolio already invested at lower yields can be expected to
decline. The Funds portfolio may include debt securities which sell at substantial discounts from
par. These securities are low coupon bonds which, because of their lower acquisition cost tend to
sell on a yield basis approximating current interest rates during periods of high interest rates.
Reduced volume and liquidity in the high yield high risk bond market or the reduced availability of
market quotations may make it more difficult to dispose of the Funds investments in high yield
high risk securities and to value accurately these assets. The reduced availability of reliable,
objective data may increase the Funds reliance on managements judgment in valuing high yield high
risk bonds. In addition, the Funds investments in high yield high risk securities may be
susceptible to adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not justified by fundamental
factors. The Funds investments, and consequently its net asset value per share (NAV), will be
subject to the market fluctuations and risk inherent in all securities.
Foreign Securities
. The Fund may invest in debt obligations (which may be denominated in
the U.S. dollar or in foreign currencies) issued or guaranteed by foreign corporations, certain
supranational entities (such as the World Bank), and foreign governments (including political
subdivisions having taxing authority) or their agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund may also
invest in debt securities that are issued by U.S. corporations and denominated in non-U.S.
currencies. No more than 25% of the Funds total assets, at the time of purchase, will be invested
in government securities of any one foreign country.
The Fund may also invest in American Depository Receipts (ADRs). ADRs (sponsored and
unsponsored) are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company which evidence
ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation, and are designed for trading in
United States securities markets. Issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not contractually obligated to
disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may not be a correlation
between that information and the market value of an unsponsored ADR.
The percentage of the Funds assets that will be allocated to foreign securities will vary
depending on the relative yields of foreign and U.S. securities, the economies of foreign
countries, the condition of such countries financial markets, the interest rate climate of such
countries and the relationship of such countries currency to the U.S. dollar. These factors are
judged on the basis of fundamental economic criteria (e.g., relative inflation levels and trends,
growth rate forecasts, balance of payments status and economic policies) as well as technical and
political data. The Fund may invest in any country where the Adviser believes there is a potential
to achieve the Funds investment objective. Investments in securities of issuers in
non-industrialized countries generally involve more risk and may be considered highly speculative.
The value of portfolio securities denominated in foreign currencies may increase or decrease in
response to changes in currency exchange rates. The Fund will incur costs in connection with
converting between currencies.
Foreign Currency Transactions.
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts
involving currencies of the different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible
variations in the foreign exchange rate between these currencies as well as to enhance return or as
a substitute for the purchase or sale of currency. The foreign currency transactions of the Fund
may be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency
prevailing in the foreign exchange market. Forward foreign currency contracts are contractual
agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the
time of the contract. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency
contracts with respect to specific receivables for payables of the Fund accruing in connection with
the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities denominated in foreign currencies. Portfolio
hedging is the use of forward foreign currency contracts to offset portfolio security positions
denominated or quoted in such foreign currencies. The Fund will not attempt to hedge all of its
foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any,
deemed appropriate by the Adviser.
If the Fund enters into a forward contract requiring it to purchase foreign currency, the Fund will
segregate cash or liquid securities in a separate account in an amount equal to the value of the
Funds total assets committed to the consummation of such forward contract. Those assets will be
valued at market daily and if the value of the assets in
5
the separate account declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account so that
the value of the account will equal the amount of the Funds commitment with respect to such
contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices
of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such
transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should
rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so
generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above
the devaluation level it anticipates.
There is no limitation on the value of the Funds assets that may be committed to forward contracts
or on the term of a forward contract. In addition to the risks described above, forward contracts
are subject to the following additional risks: (1) that the Funds performance will be adversely
affected by unexpected changes in currency exchange rates; (2) that the counterparty to a forward
contract will fail to perform its contractual obligations; (3) that the Fund will be unable to
terminate or dispose of its position in a forward contract; and (4) with respect to hedging
transactions in forward contracts, that there will be imperfect correlation between price changes
in the forward contract and price changes in the hedged portfolio assets.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as that
currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing.
Since transactions in foreign currency are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or
commissions are involved.
Global Risks
. Investments in foreign securities may involve certain risks not present in
domestic investments due to exchange controls, less publicly available information, more volatile
or less liquid securities markets, and the possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation or
political, economic or social instability. There may be difficulty in enforcing legal rights
outside the United States. Some foreign companies are not subject to the same uniform financial
reporting requirements, accounting standards and governmental supervision as domestic companies,
and foreign exchange markets are regulated differently from the U.S. stock market. Security
trading practices abroad may offer less protection to investors such as the Fund. In addition,
foreign securities may be denominated in the currency of the country in which the issuer is
located. Consequently, changes in the foreign exchange rate will affect the value of the Funds
shares and dividends. Finally, you should be aware that the expense ratios of international funds
generally are higher than those of domestic funds, because there are greater costs associated with
maintaining custody of foreign securities and the increased research necessary for international
investing results in a higher advisory fee.
These risks may be intensified in the case of investments in emerging markets or countries with
limited or developing capital markets. These countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region,
Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. Security prices in these markets can be
significantly more volatile than in more developed countries, reflecting the greater uncertainties
of investing in less established markets and economies. Political, legal and economic structures
in many of these emerging market countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid
development, and they may lack the social, political, legal and economic stability characteristic
of more developed countries. Emerging market countries may have failed in the past to recognize
private property rights. They may have relatively unstable governments, present the risk of
nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership, or prohibitions on repatriation
of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. Their
economies may be predominately based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes
in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or
inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable
to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of
substantial holdings difficult or impossible at times. The Fund may be required to establish
special custodial or other arrangements before making certain investments in these countries.
Securities of issuers located in these countries may have limited marketability and may be subject
to more abrupt or erratic price movements.
The Fund may acquire other restricted securities including securities for which market quotations
are not readily available. These securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions
or in public offerings with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933
Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be
6
obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse
between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security
under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions
were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to
sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair market value as determined in good faith by the
Funds Trustees.
Repurchase Agreements.
In a repurchase agreement the Fund would buy a security for a
relatively short period (usually not more than 7 days) subject to the obligation to sell it back to
the issuer at a fixed time and price plus accrued interest. The Fund will enter into repurchase
agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and with primary dealers in U.S.
Government securities. The Adviser will continuously monitor the creditworthiness of the parties
with whom it enters into repurchase agreements.
The Fund has established a procedure providing that the securities serving as collateral for each
repurchase agreement must be delivered to the Funds custodian either physically or in book entry
form and that the collateral must be marked to market daily to ensure that each repurchase
agreement is fully collateralized at all times. In the event of bankruptcy or other default by a
seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience delays in or be prevented from
liquidating the underlying securities and could experience losses, including the possible decline
in the value of the underlying securities during the period in while the Fund seeks to enforce its
rights thereto, possible subnormal levels of income and decline in value of the underlying
securities or lack of access to income during this period and the expense of enforcing its rights.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
. The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements
which involve the sale of U.S. Government securities held in its portfolio to a bank with an
agreement that the Fund will buy back the securities at a fixed future date at a fixed price plus
an agreed amount of interest which may be reflected in the repurchase price. Reverse repurchase
agreements are considered to be borrowings by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the
risk that the market value of securities purchased by the Fund with proceeds of the transaction may
decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the Fund which it is obligated to
repurchase. To minimize various risks associated with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund will
establish and maintain a separate account consisting of liquid securities, of any type or maturity,
in an amount at least equal to the repurchase prices of these securities (plus any accrued interest
thereon) under such agreements. The Fund will also continue to be subject to the risk of a decline
in the market value of the securities sold under the agreements because it will reacquire those
securities upon effecting their repurchase. In addition, the Fund will not enter into reverse
repurchase agreements and other borrowings exceeding in the aggregate 33% of the market value of
its total assets. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with federally
insured banks which are approved in advance as being creditworthy by the Board. Under procedures
established by the Board, the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the
banks involved.
Restricted Securities.
The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered
(restricted securities) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), including
commercial paper issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the 1933 act. However, the Fund will not
invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. If the Board determines, based
upon a continuing review of the trading markets for specific Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A
securities, that they are liquid, they will not be subject to the 15% limit in illiquid
investments. The Board may adopt guidelines and delegated to the Adviser the daily function of
determining and monitoring the liquidity of restricted securities. The Board, however, will retain
sufficient oversight and be ultimately responsible for the determinations. The Board will
carefully monitor the Funds liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice
could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund if qualified institutional
buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.
Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Currency
. The Fund may purchase and write
(sell) call and put options on any securities in which it may invest, on any securities index based
on securities in which it may invest or on any currency in which Fund investments may be
denominated. These options may be listed on national domestic securities exchanges or foreign
securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. The Fund may write covered put and
call options and purchase put and call options to enhance total return, as a substitute for the
7
purchase or sale of securities or currency, or to protect against declines in the value of
portfolio securities and against increases in the cost of securities to be acquired.
Writing Covered Options
.
A call option on securities or currency written by the Fund
obligates the Fund to sell specified securities or currency to the holder of the option at a
specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. A put option on
securities or currency written by the Fund obligates the Fund to purchase specified securities or
currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before
the expiration date. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except
that the exercise of securities index options requires cash settlement payments and does not
involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are
designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security. Writing covered call options may deprive the
Fund of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities or foreign
currency assets in its portfolio. Writing covered put options may deprive the Fund of the
opportunity to profit from a decrease in the market price of the securities or foreign currency
assets to be acquired for its portfolio.
All call and put options written by the Fund are covered. A written call option or put option may
be covered by (i) maintaining cash or liquid securities, either of which may be quoted or
denominated in any currency, in a segregated account with a value at least equal to the Funds
obligation under the option, (ii) entering into an offsetting forward commitment and/or (iii)
purchasing an offsetting option or any other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or
otherwise, reduces the Funds net exposure on its written option position. A written call option
on securities is typically covered by maintaining the securities that are subject to the option in
a segregated account. The Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities
whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index.
The Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing an
option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be
terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option.
Such purchases are referred to as closing purchase transactions.
Purchasing Options
.
The Fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an
increase, or put options in anticipation of a decrease (protective puts), in the market value of
securities or currencies of the type in which it may invest. The Fund may also sell call and put
options to close out its purchased options.
The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase
specified securities or currency at a specified price during the option period. The Fund would
ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during the option period, the value
of such securities or currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and
transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the
call option.
The purchase of a put option would entitle the Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell
specified securities or currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of
protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the Funds
portfolio securities or the currencies in which they are denominated. Put options may also be
purchased by the Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of
securities or currencies which it does not own. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if,
during the option period, the value of the underlying securities or currency decreased below the
exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would
realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the
purchase of put options may be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the Funds
portfolio securities.
The Funds options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the
exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. These
limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by
a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are
written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading
facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus,
the
8
number of options which the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or
purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or
other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these
limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
Risks Associated with Options Transactions
.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on a domestic or foreign options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded
option or at any particular time. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction
with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying
securities or currencies or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until the options expire
or are exercised. Similarly, if the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with
respect to options it has purchased, it would have to exercise the options in order to realize any
profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities or
currencies.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i)
there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by
an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of
options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange;
(v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be
adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or
other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or
a particular class or series of options). If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on
that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding
options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of
trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The Funds ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded
options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not
fulfill their obligations. The Adviser will determine the liquidity of each over-the-counter
option in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Trustees.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities
transactions. The successful use of options depends in part on the Advisers ability to predict
future price fluctuations and, for hedging transactions, the degree of correlation between the
options and securities or currency markets.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
. To seek to increase total return or
hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates, the Fund may
purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options
on these futures contracts. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions
with respect to any of these contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on various
securities (such as U.S. Government securities), securities indices, foreign currencies and any
other financial instruments and indices. All futures contracts entered into by the Fund are traded
on U.S. or foreign exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed, regulated or approved by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Futures Contracts
.
A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between
two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments or currencies for an agreed price
during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract
relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the
contract).
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated
through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on
securities or currency will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make, or
take, delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically
advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures
contracts are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the
settlement date.
9
Hedging and Other Strategies
. Hedging is an attempt to establish with more certainty than
would otherwise be possible the effective price or rate of return on portfolio securities or
securities that the Fund proposes to acquire or the exchange rate of currencies in which portfolio
securities are quoted or denominated. When securities prices are falling, the Fund can seek to
offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures
contracts. When securities prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts,
can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it
effects anticipated purchases. The Fund may seek to offset anticipated changes in the value of a
currency in which its portfolio securities, or securities that it intends to purchase, are quoted
or denominated by purchasing and selling futures contracts on such currencies.
The Fund may, for example, take a short position in the futures market by selling futures
contracts in an attempt to hedge against an anticipated decline in market prices or foreign
currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar value of the Funds portfolio securities.
Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by the Fund
or securities with characteristics similar to those of the Funds portfolio securities. Similarly,
the Fund may sell futures contracts on any currencies in which its portfolio securities are quoted
or denominated or in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities
denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation
between the two currencies.
If, in the opinion of the Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends
for the Funds portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments,
securities indices or other indices, the Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of
its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in the Funds
portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Adviser will
attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and
compensate for any differential by having the Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures
contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the
Funds portfolio securities.
When a short hedging position is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities
will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other
hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the Funds portfolio securities would be
substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the Fund may take a long position by purchasing futures contracts. This
would be done, for example, when the Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular
securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then
available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices that are currently available.
The Fund may also purchase futures contracts as a substitute for transactions in securities or
foreign currency, to alter the investment characteristics of or currency exposure associated with
portfolio securities or to gain or increase its exposure to a particular securities market or
currency.
Options on Futures Contracts
.
The Fund may purchase and write options on futures for the
same purposes as its transactions in futures contracts. The purchase of put and call options on
futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified price to
sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option
period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, the Fund obtains the benefit of the
futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event
of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a
decline in the value of the Funds assets. By writing a call option, the Fund becomes obligated,
in exchange for the premium (upon exercise of the option) to sell a futures contract if the option
is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a
put option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the
price of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. However, the Fund becomes obligated (upon
exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a
value lower than the exercise price. The loss incurred by the Fund in writing options on futures
is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or
purchasing an offsetting option of the same series. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected. The
10
Funds ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the
development and maintenance of a liquid market.
Other Considerations
. The Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions
either for bona fide hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return as permitted by the CFTC.
To the extent that the Fund is using futures and related options for hedging purposes, futures
contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of securities (or the currency in
which they are quoted or denominated) that the Fund owns or futures contracts will be purchased to
protect the Fund against an increase in the price of securities (or the currency in which they are
quoted or denominated) it intends to purchase. The Fund will determine that the price fluctuations
in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are substantially related
to price fluctuations in securities held by the Fund or securities or instruments which it expects
to purchase. As evidence of its hedging intent, the Fund expects that on 75% or more of the
occasions on which it takes a long futures or option position (involving the purchase of futures
contracts), the Fund will have purchased, or will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent
amounts of related securities (or assets denominated in the related currency) in the cash market at
the time when the futures or option position is closed out. However, in particular cases, when it
is economically advantageous for the Fund to do so, a long futures position may be terminated or an
option may expire without the corresponding purchase of securities or other assets.
To the extent that the Fund engages in nonhedging transactions in futures contracts and options on
futures, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish these nonhedging positions
will not exceed 5% of the NAV of the Funds portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits
and losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which such options were in-the-money
at the time of purchase.
Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin
deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or
currencies, require the Fund to establish a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid
securities in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, these
transactions themselves entail certain other risks. For example, unanticipated changes in interest
rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for
the Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
Perfect correlation between the Funds futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible
to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio
position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund
may be exposed to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or protect against
currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies because
the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors not related
to currency fluctuations.
Some futures contracts or options on futures may become illiquid under adverse market conditions.
In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading
in a futures contract or related option, which may make the instrument temporarily illiquid and
difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the
price of a futures contract or related option can vary from the previous days settlement price.
Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This
may prevent the Fund from closing out positions and limiting its losses.
Forward Commitment and When-Issued Securities
. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-
issued or forward commitment basis. When-issued refers to securities whose terms are available
and for which a market exists, but which have not been issued. The Fund will engage in when-issued
transactions with respect to securities purchased for its portfolio in order to obtain what is
considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of the transaction. For when-issued
transactions, no payment is made until delivery is due, often a month or more after the purchase.
In a forward commitment transaction, the Fund contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at
a future date beyond customary settlement time.
11
When the Fund engages in forward commitment and when issued transactions, it relies on the seller
to consummate the transaction. The failure of the issuer or seller to consummate the transaction
may result in the Funds losing the opportunity to obtain a price and yield considered to be
advantageous. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis also
involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the
settlement date.
On the date the Fund enters into an agreement to purchase securities on a when-issued or forward
commitment basis, the Fund will segregate in a separate account cash or liquid securities equal in
value to the Funds commitment. These assets will be valued daily at market, and additional cash
or securities will be segregated in a separate account to the extent that the total value of the
assets in the account declines below the amount of the when-issued commitments. Alternatively, the
Fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns.
Borrowing
. The Fund may borrow money in an amount that does not exceed 33% of its total
assets. Borrowing by the Fund involves leverage, which may exaggerate any increase or decrease in
the Funds investment performance and in that respect may be considered a speculative practice.
The interest that the Fund must pay on any borrowed money, additional fees to maintain a line of
credit or any minimum average balances required to be maintained are additional costs which will
reduce or eliminate any potential investment income and may offset any capital gains. Unless the
appreciation and income, if any, on the asset acquired with borrowed funds exceed the cost of
borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund.
Short Sales
. The Fund may engage in short sales in order to profit from an anticipated
decline in the value of a security. The Fund may also engage in short sales to attempt to limit
its exposure to a possible market decline in the value of its portfolio securities through short
sales of securities which the Adviser believes possess volatility characteristics similar to those
being hedged. To effect such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security sold short to make
delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing
it at the market price at the time of replacement. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is
required to pay to the lender any accrued interest or dividends and may be required to pay a
premium. The Fund may only make short sales against the box, meaning that the Fund, by virtue of
its ownership of other securities, has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount
to the securities sold and, if the right is conditional, the sale is made upon the same conditions.
The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between the date of the short sale
and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. On the other hand, the Fund will
incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between those
dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the
amount of any premium or interest or dividends the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a
short sale. The successful use of short selling as a hedging device may be adversely affected by
imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities
being hedged.
Under applicable guidelines of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), if
the Fund engages in short sales, it must put in a segregated account (not with the broker) an
amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the difference between (a) the market value of the
securities sold short (b) any cash or U.S. Government securities required to be deposited as
collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds from the
short sale). In addition, until the Fund replaces the borrowed security, it must daily maintain
the segregated account at such a level that the amount deposited in it plus the amount deposited
with the broker as collateral will equal the current market value of the securities sold short.
Short selling may produce higher than normal portfolio turnover which may result in increased
transaction costs to the Fund.
Government Securities
. Certain U.S. Government securities, including U.S. Treasury bills,
notes and bonds, and certificates issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie
Mae), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Certain other U.S.
Government securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies
12
or government sponsored enterprises, are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United
States, but may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. These
securities include obligations issued by instrumentalities such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the
Student Loan Marketing Association (Sallie Mae). No assurance can be given that the U.S.
Government will provide financial support to these federal agencies, authorities, instrumentalities
and government sponsored enterprises in the future. Any governmental guarantees on portfolio
securities do not apply to these securities market value or current yield, or to the Funds
shares.
Mortgage Securities
Prepayment of Mortgages.
Mortgage securities differ from conventional bonds in that principal is
paid over the life of the securities rather than at maturity. As a result, the Fund which invests
in mortgage securities receives monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest, and may
receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. When
the Fund reinvests the payments and any unscheduled prepayments of principal it receives, it may
receive a rate of interest which is higher or lower than the rate on the existing mortgage
securities. For this reason, mortgage securities may be less effective than other types of debt
securities as a means of locking in long term interest rates.
In addition, because the underlying mortgage loans and assets may be prepaid at any time, if the
Fund purchases mortgage securities at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected
will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will increase
yield to maturity. Conversely, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than
expected prepayments will increase yield to maturity, while slower than expected payments will
reduce yield to maturity.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities.
Adjustable rate mortgage securities are similar to the fixed
rate mortgage securities discussed above, except that, unlike fixed rate mortgage securities,
adjustable rate mortgage securities are collateralized by or represent interests in mortgage loans
with variable rates of interest. These variable rates of interest reset periodically to align
themselves with market rates. Most adjustable rate mortgage securities provide for an initial
mortgage rate that is in effect for a fixed period, typically ranging from three to twelve months.
Thereafter, the mortgage interest rate will reset periodically in accordance with movements in a
specified published interest rate index. The amount of interest due to an adjustable rate mortgage
holder is determined in accordance with movements in a specified published interest rate index by
adding a pre-determined increment or margin to the specified interest rate index. Many adjustable
rate mortgage securities reset their interest rates based on changes in:
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one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Bill rates;
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three-month or six-month Treasury Bill rates;
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11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds;
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National Median Cost of Funds; or
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one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other market rates.
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During periods of increasing rates, the Fund will not benefit from such increase to the extent that
interest rates rise to the point where they cause the current coupon of adjustable rate mortgages
held as investments to exceed any maximum allowable annual or lifetime reset limits or cap rates
for a particular mortgage. In this event, the value of the mortgage securities held by the Fund
would likely decrease. During periods of declining interest rates, income to the Fund derived from
adjustable rate mortgages which remain in a mortgage pool may decrease in contrast to the income on
fixed rate mortgages, which will remain constant. Adjustable rate mortgages also have less
potential for appreciation in value as interest rates decline than do fixed rate investments. Also,
the Funds NAV could vary to the extent that current yields on adjustable rate mortgage securities
held as investments are different than market yields during interim periods between coupon reset
dates.
Privately-Issued Mortgage Securities.
Privately-issued mortgage securities provide for the monthly
principal and interest payments made by individual borrowers to pass through to investors on a
corporate basis, and in privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations, as further described
below. Privately-issued mortgage securities are
13
issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including:
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mortgage bankers;
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commercial banks;
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investment banks;
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savings and loan associations; and
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special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.
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Since privately-issued mortgage certificates are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit
status of the Ginnie Mae or Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more
types of credit enhancement. For a description of the types of credit enhancements that may
accompany privately-issued mortgage securities, see Types of Credit Support below. The Fund will
not limit its investments in mortgage-backed securities to those with credit enhancements.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs).
CMOs generally are bonds or certificates issued in
multiple classes that are collateralized by or represent an interest in mortgages. CMOs may be
issued by single-purpose, stand-alone finance subsidiaries or trusts of financial institutions,
government agencies, investment banks or other similar institutions. Each class of CMOs, often
referred to as a tranche, may be issued with a specific fixed coupon rate (which may be zero) or
a floating coupon rate. Each class of CMOs also has a stated maturity or final distribution date.
Principal prepayments on the underlying mortgages may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially
earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrued on
CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis.
The principal of and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several
classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. The general goal sought to be achieved in allocating
cash flows on the underlying mortgages to the various classes of a series of CMOs is to create
tranches on which the expected cash flows have a higher degree of predictability than the
underlying mortgages. In creating such tranches, other tranches may be subordinated to the
interests of these tranches and receive payments only after the obligations of the more senior
tranches have been satisfied. As a general matter, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO
tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance. As part
of the process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs,
one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows
on the underlying mortgages. The yields on these tranches are relatively higher than on tranches
with more predictable cash flows. Because of the uncertainty of the cash flows on these tranches,
and the sensitivity of these transactions to changes in prepayment rates on the underlying
mortgages, the market prices of and yields on these tranches tend to be highly volatile. The
market prices of and yields on tranches with longer terms to maturity also tend to be more volatile
than tranches with shorter terms to maturity due to these same factors. To the extent the
mortgages underlying a series of a CMO are so called subprime mortgages (mortgages granted to
borrowers whose credit history is not sufficient to obtain a conventional mortgage), the risk of
default is higher which increases the risk that one or more tranches of a CMO will not receive its
predicted cash flows.
CMOs purchased by the Fund may be:
(1) collateralized by pools of mortgages in which each mortgage is guaranteed as to payment of
principal and interest by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government;
(2) collateralized by pools of mortgages in which payment of principal and interest is guaranteed
by the issuer and the guarantee is collateralized by U.S. Government securities; or
(3) securities for which the proceeds of the issuance are invested in mortgage securities and
payment of the principal and interest is supported by the credit of an agency or instrumentality of
the U.S. Government.
Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS).
The Fund may invest
in separately traded interest components of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
The interest components of selected securities are traded independently under the STRIPS program.
Under the STRIPS program, the interest components are individually numbered and separately issued
by the U.S. Treasury at the
14
request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts independently.
Stripped Mortgage Securities.
Stripped mortgage securities are derivative multi-class mortgage
securities. Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S.
Government, or by private issuers, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks,
commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped
mortgage securities have greater volatility than other types of mortgage securities in which the
Fund invests. Although stripped mortgage securities are purchased and sold by institutional
investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, the market for
such securities has not yet been fully developed. Accordingly, stripped mortgage securities may be
illiquid and, together with any other illiquid investments, will not exceed 15% of the Funds net
assets. See Additional Investment Policies Illiquid Securities.
Stripped mortgage securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different
proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type
of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the
principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the
remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest
(the interest only or IO class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the
principal only or PO class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to
changes in prevailing interest rates and the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on
the related underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material
adverse effect on an investing funds yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets
experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, such fund may fail to fully recoup
its initial investment in these securities even if the securities are rated highly.
As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest
rates. The value of the other mortgage securities described in the Prospectus and this SAI, like
other debt instruments, will tend to move in the opposite direction to interest rates.
Accordingly, investing in IOs, in conjunction with the other mortgage securities described in the
Prospectus and this SAI, is expected to contribute to the Funds relatively stable NAV.
Under the Code, POs may generate taxable income from the current accrual of original issue
discount, without a corresponding distribution of cash to the Fund.
Types of Credit Support.
Mortgage securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the
obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the impact of an obligors failure to make
payments on underlying assets, mortgage securities may contain elements of credit support. A
discussion of credit support is described under Asset-Backed Securities.
Asset-Backed Securities
The securitization techniques used to develop mortgage securities are also being applied to a broad
range of other assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, automobile and
credit card receivables are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to mortgage
pass-through structures or in a pay-through structure similar to the CMO structure.
Generally, the issuers of asset-backed bonds, notes or pass-through certificates are special
purpose entities and do not have any significant assets other than the receivables securing such
obligations. In general, the collateral supporting asset-backed securities is of a shorter
maturity than mortgage loans. As a result, investment in these securities should be subject to
less volatility than mortgage securities. Instruments backed by pools of receivables are similar to
mortgage-backed securities in that they are subject to unscheduled prepayments of principal prior
to maturity. When the obligations are prepaid, the Fund must reinvest the prepaid amounts in
securities with the prevailing interest rates at the time. Therefore, the Funds ability to
maintain an investment, including high-yielding asset-backed securities, will be affected adversely
to the extent that prepayments of principal must be reinvested in securities which have lower
yields than the prepaid obligations. Moreover, prepayments of securities purchased at a premium
could result in a realized loss. Unless otherwise stated in the Prospectus, the Fund will only
invest in asset-backed securities rated, at the time of purchase, AA or better by S&P or Fitch or
Aa or better by Moodys.
15
As with mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets
representing the obligation of a number of different parties and use similar credit enhancement
techniques. For a description of the types of credit enhancement that may accompany asset-backed
securities, see Types of Credit Support below. The Fund will not limit its investments in
asset-backed securities to those with credit enhancements. Although asset-backed securities are not
generally traded on a national securities exchange, such securities are widely traded by brokers
and dealers, and will not be considered illiquid securities for the purposes of the investment
restriction on illiquid securities under Additional Investment Policies.
Types of Credit Support.
To lessen the impact of an obligors failure to make payments on
underlying assets, mortgage securities and asset-backed securities may contain elements of credit
support. Such credit support falls into two categories:
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liquidity protection; and
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default protection.
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Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the
pool of assets, to ensure that the pass-through of payments due on the underlying pool of assets
occurs in a timely fashion. Default protection provides protection against losses resulting from
ultimate default and enhances the likelihood of ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a
portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance
policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various
means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The Fund will
not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may
increase the price of a security.
Some examples of credit support include:
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senior-subordinated securities (multiple class securities with one
or more classes subordinate to other classes as to the payment of
principal thereof and interest thereon, with the result that defaults
on the underlying assets are borne first by the holders of the
subordinated class);
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creation of reserve funds (where cash or investments, sometimes
funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying assets, are
held in reserve against future losses); and
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over-collateralization (where the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the
underlying assets exceed those required to make payment on the securities and pay any
servicing or other fees).
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The ratings of mortgage securities and asset-backed securities for which third-party credit
enhancement provides liquidity protection or default protection are generally dependent upon the
continued creditworthiness of the provider of the credit enhancement. The ratings of these
securities could be reduced in the event of deterioration in the creditworthiness of the credit
enhancement provider even in cases where the delinquency and loss experienced on the underlying
pool of assets is better than expected.
The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information
concerning the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquency or loss
greater than anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in mortgage securities
or asset-backed securities.
Collateralized Debt Obligations.
The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs),
which include collateralized bond obligations (CBOs), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs)
and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A
CBO is a trust which is backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed
income securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include,
among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate
corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated
loans.
For both CBOs and CLOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called
tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the equity tranche which bears the
bulk of defaults from the bonds or
16
loans in the CBO trust or CLO trust, as applicable, and serves to protect the other, more senior
tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is partially protected
from defaults, a senior tranche from a CBO trust or CLO trust typically has higher ratings and
lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the
protection from the equity tranche, CBO or CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to
actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of
protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO or CLO securities
as a class. In the case of both the equity tranche and the CBO or CLO tranches, the market prices
of and yields on tranches with longer terms to maturity tend to be more volatile than tranches with
shorter terms to maturity due to the greater volatility and uncertainty of cash flows.
The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the
class of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately
offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments
in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market
may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to qualify for Rule 144A transactions. In addition to the normal
risks associated with fixed income securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and the Prospectus
(e.g., interest rate risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but are not
limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate
to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or
default; (iii) the Fund may invest in CDOs that are subordinate to other classes and, therefore,
receive payments only after the obligations of the more senior class have been satisfied; and (iv)
the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may
produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.
Structured or Hybrid Notes.
The Fund may invest in structured or hybrid notes. The
distinguishing feature of a structured or hybrid note is that the amount of interest and/or
principal payable on the note is based on the performance of a benchmark asset or market other than
fixed income securities or interest rates. Examples of these benchmarks include stock prices,
currency exchange rates and physical commodity prices. Investing in a structured note allows the
Fund to gain exposure to the benchmark market while fixing the maximum loss that the Fund may
experience in the event that market does not perform as expected. Depending on the terms of the
note, the Fund may forego all or part of the interest and principal that would be payable on a
comparable conventional note; the Funds loss cannot exceed this foregone interest and/or
principal. An investment in structured or hybrid notes involves risks similar to those associated
with a direct investment in the benchmark asset.
Participation Interests
. Participation interests, which may take the form of interests in,
or assignments of certain loans, are acquired from banks that have made these loans or are members
of a lending syndicate. The Funds investments in participation interests may be subject to its
15% limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars.
As one way of managing its exposure to different types of
investments, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and other types of swap
agreements such as caps, collars and floors. In a typical interest rate swap, one party agrees to
make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate times a notional principal amount, in
return for payments equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for a specified period of time.
If a swap agreement provides for payment in different currencies, the parties might agree to
exchange the notional principal amount as well. Swaps may also depend on other prices or rates,
such as the value of an index or mortgage prepayment rates.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified
circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer
of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified
interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated
to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An
interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift the Funds investment exposure from one type of investment to
another. For example, if the Fund agreed to exchange payments in dollars for payments in a foreign
currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the Funds exposure to U.S. interest rates and
increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect
similar to buying or writing options. Depending on how
17
they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Funds
investments and its share price and yield.
Swap agreements are sophisticated hedging instruments that typically involve a small investment of
cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. As a result, swaps can be highly volatile and may
have a considerable impact on the Funds performance. Swap agreements are subject to risks related
to the counterparts ability to perform, and may decline in value if the counterparts credit
worthiness deteriorates. The Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding
swap agreements or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions. The Fund will maintain in
a segregated account with its custodian, cash or liquid, high grade debt securities equal to the
net amount, if any, of the excess of the Funds obligations over its entitlement with respect to
swap, cap, collar or floor transactions.
Credit Default Swap Agreements.
The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements.
The buyer in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the seller a periodic stream of
payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default on an underlying reference
obligation has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the par
value (full notional value) of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation.
The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no event
of default occurs, the Fund loses its investment and recovers nothing. However, if an event of
default occurs, the buyer receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have
little or no value. As a seller, the Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of
the contract, which can run between six months and ten years but are typically structured between
three and five years, provided that there is no default event. If an event of default occurs, the
seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation. Credit default swaps
involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In
addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk,
counterparty risk and credit risks. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with
counterparties who are rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical
rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is
believed by the Adviser to be equivalent to such rating. A buyer also will lose its investment and
recover nothing should an event of default occur. If an event of default were to occur, the value
of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled with the periodic payments previously
received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of
value to the Fund.
If the Fund enters into a credit default swap, the Fund may be required to report the swap as a
listed transaction for tax shelter reporting purposes on the Funds federal income tax return. If
the IRS were to determine that the credit default swap is a tax shelter, the Fund could be subject
to penalties under the Code.
Pay-In-Kind, Delayed and Zero Coupon Bonds.
The Fund may invest in pay-in-kind, delayed
and zero coupon bonds. These are securities issued at a discount from their face value because
interest payments are typically postponed until maturity. The amount of the discount rate varies
depending on factors including the time remaining until maturity, prevailing interest rates, the
securitys liquidity and the issuers credit quality. These securities also may take the form of
debt securities that have been stripped of their interest payments. A portion of the discount with
respect to stripped tax-exempt securities or their coupons may be taxable. The market prices in
pay-in-kind, delayed and zero coupon bonds generally are more volatile than the market prices of
interest- bearing securities and are likely to respond to a grater degree to changes in interest
rates than interest-bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality. The Funds
investments in pay-in-kind, delayed and zero coupon bonds may require the Fund to sell certain of
its portfolio securities to generate sufficient cash to satisfy certain income distribution
requirements. See Tax Status.
Brady Bonds.
The Fund may invest in so-called Brady Bonds and other sovereign debt
securities of countries that have restructured or are in the process of restructuring sovereign
debt pursuant to the Brady Plan. Brady Bonds are debt securities described as part of a
restructuring plan created by U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for
debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external indebtedness (generally, commercial bank
debt). In restructuring its external debt under the Brady Plan framework, a debtor nation
negotiates with its existing bank lenders as well as multilateral institutions such as the World
Bank and the International Monetary Fund (the IMF). The Brady Plan facilitates the exchange of
commercial bank debt for
18
newly issued (known as Brady Bonds). The World Bank and IMF provide funds pursuant to loan
agreements or other arrangements which enable the debtor nation to collateralize the new Brady
Bonds or to repurchase outstanding bank debt at a discount. Under these arrangements IMF debtor
nations are required to implement of certain domestic monetary and fiscal reforms. These reforms
have included the liberalization of trade and foreign investment, the privatization of state-owned
enterprises and the setting of targets for public spending and borrowing. These policies and
programs promote the debtor countrys ability to service its external obligations and promote its
economic growth and development. The Brady Plan only sets forth general guiding principles for
economic reform and debt reduction, emphasizing that solutions must be negotiated on a case-by-case
basis between debtor nations and their creditors. The Adviser believes that economic reforms
undertaken by countries in connection with the issuance of Brady Bonds make the debt of countries
which have issued or have announced plans to issue Brady Bonds an attractive opportunity for
investment.
Brady Bonds may involve a high degree of risk, may be in default or present the risk of default.
Agreements implemented under the Brady Plan to date are designed to achieve debt and debt-service
reduction through specific options negotiated by a debtor nation with its creditors. As a result,
the financial packages offered by each country differ. The types of options have included the
exchange of outstanding commercial bank debt for bonds issued at 100% of face value of such debt,
bonds issued at a discount of face value of such debt, bonds bearing an interest rate which
increases over time and bonds issued in exchange for the advancement of new money by existing
lenders. Certain Brady Bonds have been collateralized as to principal due at maturity by U.S.
Treasury zero coupon bonds with a maturity equal to the final maturity of such Brady Bonds,
although the collateral is not available to investors until the final maturity of the Brady Bonds.
Collateral purchases are financed by the IMF, the World Bank and the debtor nations reserves. In
addition, the first two or three interest payments on certain types of Brady Bonds may be
collateralized by cash or securities agreed upon by creditors. Although Brady Bonds may be
collateralized by U.S. Government securities, repayment of principal and interest is not guaranteed
by the U.S. Government.
Lending of Securities.
The Fund may lend its securities so long as such loans do not
represent more than 33 1/3% of the Funds total assets. As collateral for the loaned securities,
the borrower gives the lending portfolio collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the
loaned securities (105% for foreign equity and corporate securities). The collateral will consist
of cash (including U.S. dollar and foreign currency). The borrower must also agree to increase the
collateral if the value of the loaned securities increases. As with other extensions of credit,
there are risks that collateral could be inadequate in the event of the borrower failing
financially, which could result in actual financial loss, and risks that recovery of loaned
securities could be delayed, which could result in interference with portfolio management decisions
or exercise of ownership rights. The collateral is managed by an affiliate of the Adviser. The
Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including
the risk that the Fund may lose money on the investment or may fail to earn sufficient income to
meet its obligations to the borrower. In addition, the Fund In the section Additional Services and
Programs, the following subsection is amended and restated: may lose its right to vote its shares
of the loaned securities at a shareholders meeting if the subadviser fails to timely recall the
security or the borrower fails to return the recalled security in advance of the record date for
the meeting.
The Fund has entered into an agreement with The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, doing business as
Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (Goldman Sachs), as its securities lending agent (the Securities
Lending Agreement). Under the Securities Lending Agreement, Goldman Sachs will generally bear the
risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities.
Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may
not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the
borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased when the Funds
loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the
number of borrowers to which the Fund may lend securities and the Fund may lend securities to only
one or a small group of borrowers. In addition, under the Securities Lending Agreement, loans may
be made to affiliates of Goldman Sachs as identified in the Securities Lending Agreement.
Rights and Warrants
. The Fund may purchase warrants and rights which are securities
permitting, but not obligating, their holder to purchase the underlying securities at a
predetermined price subject to the Funds
19
Investment Restrictions. Generally, warrants and stock purchase rights do not carry with them the
right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and
they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in
warrants and rights may be considered to entail greater investment risk than certain other types of
investments. In addition, the value of warrants and rights does not necessarily change with the
value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or
prior to their expiration date. Investment in warrants and rights increases the potential profit
or loss to be realized from the investment of a given amount of the Funds assets as compared with
investing the same amount in the underlying stock.
Time Deposits
. The SEC considers time deposits with periods of greater than seven days to
be illiquid, subject to the restriction that illiquid securities are limited to no more than 15% of
the Funds net assets.
Short Term Trading and Portfolio Turnover
. Short-term trading means the purchase and
subsequent sale of a security after it has been held for a relatively brief period of time. The
Fund may engage in short term trading in response to stock market conditions, changes in interest
rates or other economic trends and developments or to take advantage of yield disparities between
fixed income securities in order to realize capital gains or improve income. Short term trading may
have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover rate. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or
greater) involves correspondingly greater brokerage expenses. The Funds portfolio rate is set
forth in the table under the caption Financial Highlights in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following investment restrictions will not be changed
without approval of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities which, as used in the
Prospectus and this SAI, means approval by the lesser of (1) the holders of 67% or more of the
Funds shares represented at a meeting if more than 50% of the Funds outstanding shares are
present in person or by proxy at that meeting or (2) more than 50% of the Funds outstanding
shares.
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(1)
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|
The Fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended,
and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
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(2)
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The Fund may not borrow money, except from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary
emergency purposes in amounts not to exceed 33 1/3% of the Funds total assets (including the
amount borrowed) taken at market value. The Fund will not use leverage to attempt to increase
income. The Fund will not purchase securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the
Funds total assets.
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(3)
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The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except
to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the
disposition of portfolio securities.
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(4)
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The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of
companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or
interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real
estate acquired as a result of the Funds ownership of securities.
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(5)
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The Fund may not make loans except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as
interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
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(6)
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The Fund may invest in commodities or commodity contracts or in puts, calls, or combinations
of both, except interest rate futures contracts, options on securities, securities indices,
currency and other financial instruments and options on such futures contracts, forward
foreign currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, securities index put or call
warrants and repurchase agreements entered into in accordance with the Funds investment
policies.
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20
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(7)
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The Fund may not concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used
in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time.
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(8)
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The Fund has elected to be treated as a diversified investment company, as that term is used
in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, from time to time.
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Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of
assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in
percentage resulting from changes in the value of the Funds assets will not be considered a
violation of the restriction.
Non-fundamental Investment Restrictions.
The following investment restrictions are
designated as non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.
The Fund may not:
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(a)
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Participate on a joint or joint-and-several basis in any securities trading account. The
bunching of orders for the sale or purchase of marketable portfolio securities with other
accounts under the management of the Adviser to save commissions or to average prices among
them is not deemed to result in a joint securities trading account.
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(b)
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Purchase securities on margin (except that it may obtain such short-term credits as may be
necessary for the clearance of transactions in securities and forward foreign currency
exchange contracts and may make margin payments in connection with transactions in futures
contracts and options on futures) or make short sales of securities unless by virtue of its
ownership of other securities, the Fund has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind
and amount to the securities sold and, if the right is conditional, the sale is made upon the
same conditions.
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(c)
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Invest for the purpose of exercising control over or management of any company.
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(d)
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Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
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In addition, the Fund complies with the following nonfundamental limitation on its investments:
The Fund may not exercise any conversion, exchange or purchase rights associated with corporate
debt securities in the portfolio if, at the time, the value of all equity interests would exceed
10% of the Funds total assets taken at market value.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of
assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in
percentage resulting from changes in the values or the total costs of the Funds assets will not be
considered a violation of the restriction.
If allowed by the Funds other investment policies and restrictions, the Fund may invest up to 5%
of its total assets in Russian equity securities and up to 10% of its total assets in Russian fixed
income securities. All Russian securities must be: (1) denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian
dollars, euros, sterling, or yen; (2) traded on a major exchange; and (3) held physically outside
of Russia.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The annual rate of portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. A high
rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage
commission expenses, which must be borne directly by the Fund. Portfolio turnover is calculated by
dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of Fund portfolio securities during the fiscal year by
the monthly average of the value of the Funds portfolio securities.
21
(Excluded from the computation are all securities, including options, with maturities at the time
of acquisition of one year or less). The portfolio turnover rates for the Fund for the fiscal
years ended May 31, 2007, May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2009 were as follows:
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Fund
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2009
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2008
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2007
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Strategic Income Fund
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|
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43
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%
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|
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52
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%
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118
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%
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DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS.
The Board and the boards of other John Hancock Funds (JHF) have adopted a Policy Regarding
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings to protect the interests of the shareholders of the Trust and to
address potential conflicts of interest that could arise between the interests of shareholders and
the interests of the Adviser, or the interests of the Funds sub-advisers, principal underwriter or
affiliated persons of the Funds Adviser or principal underwriter. The Trusts general policy with
respect to the release of portfolio holdings to nonaffiliated persons is to do so only in limited
circumstances and only to provide nonpublic information regarding portfolio holdings to any person,
including affiliated persons, on a need to know basis and, when released, to release such
information only as consistent with applicable legal requirements and the fiduciary duties owed to
shareholders. The Trust applies its policy uniformly to all parties, including individual and
institutional investors, intermediaries, affiliated persons of the Fund, and to all third party
service providers and rating agencies.
Portfolio holdings information that is not publicly available will be released only pursuant to the
exceptions described in the Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. Material nonpublic
holdings information may be provided to nonaffiliated persons as part of the investment activities
of the Fund to: entities which, by explicit agreement, are required to maintain the confidentiality
of the information disclosed; rating organizations, such as Moodys, S&P, Morningstar and Lipper;
or other entities for the purpose of compiling reports and preparing data; proxy voting services
for the purpose of voting proxies; entities providing computer software; courts (including
bankruptcy courts) or regulators with jurisdiction over the Trust, and its affiliates; and,
institutional traders to assist in research and trade execution. Exceptions to the portfolio
holdings release policy can only be approved by the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) or his
duly authorized delegate after considering: (a) the purpose of providing such information; (b) the
procedures that will be used to ensure that such information remains confidential and is not traded
upon; and (c) whether such disclosure is in the best interest of the shareholders.
At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: Vestek
(holdings, monthly with 30 day lag); Morningstar (holdings, monthly with 32 day lag); Lipper
(holdings, monthly with 32 day lag); Fact Set (holdings, daily); PricewaterhouseCoopers (prices,
annual audits); Confluence (holdings, daily); ISS (holdings, daily); Elkins McSherry (purchases and
sales, quarterly); NASDQ (NAVs, daily); Charles River (holdings and securities details, daily); and
DST (NAVs, daily).
The CCO is also required to pre-approve the disclosure of nonpublic information regarding portfolio
holdings to any affiliated persons of the Trust. The CCO will use the same three considerations
stated above before approving disclosure of nonpublic information to affiliated persons.
The CCO shall report to the Board whenever additional disclosures of portfolio holdings are
approved. The CCOs report shall be at the Board meeting following such approval. When the CCO
believes that the disclosure of nonpublic information to a nonaffiliated person is a potential
conflict of interest between the interest of the shareholders and the interest of affiliated
persons of the Trust, the CCO shall refer the conflict to the Board. The Board shall then only
permit such disclosure of the nonpublic information if, in its reasonable business judgment, its
concludes that such disclosure will be in the best interests of the Trusts shareholders.
The receipt of compensation by the Fund, the Adviser, a sub-adviser or an affiliate as
consideration for disclosing nonpublic portfolio holdings information is not deemed a legitimate
business purpose and is strictly forbidden.
22
THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT
The business of the Fund is managed by the Trustees of the Trust, including certain Trustees who
are not interested persons (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Trust (the
Independent Trustees), who elect officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of
the Fund and who execute policies formulated by the Board. Several of the officers and Trustees of
the Trust are also officers or Directors of the Adviser, or officers and Directors of the Funds
principal distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC (John Hancock Funds or the Distributor).
23
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Interested Trustees
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Number of
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Funds in John
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Hancock Fund
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Complex
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Name
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Position with
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Principal Occupation(s) and Other
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Overseen by
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(Birth Year)
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the Trust
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Directorships During the Past 5 Years
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Trustee
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James R.
Boyle
(1)
(1959)
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Trustee
(since 2006)
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Executive Vice President, MFC (since
1999); Director and President, John
Hancock Variable Life Insurance
Company (since 2007); Director and
Executive Vice President, John
Hancock Life Insurance Company
(JHLICO) (since 2004); Chairman
and Director, the Adviser, The
Berkeley Financial Group, LLC (The
Berkeley Group) (holding company)
and the Distributor (since 2005);
Chairman and Director, John Hancock
Investment Management Services, LLC
(JHIMS) (since 2006); Senior Vice
President, The Manufacturers Life
Insurance Company (U.S.A) (until
2004).
(2)
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262
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John G.
Vrysen
(1)
(1955)
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Trustee
(since 2009)
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Senior Vice President, MFC (since
2006); Director, Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating
Officer, the Adviser, The Berkeley
Group, JHA, and the Distributor
(since 2007); Chief Operating
Officer, John Hancock Funds (JHF)
John Hancock Funds III (JHF III)
(2007 to 2009), John Hancock Funds
II (JHF II, and John Hancock Trust
(JHT) (since 2007); Director, John
Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
(Signature Services) (since 2005);
Chief Financial Officer, the
Adviser, The Berkeley Group, MFC
Global (U.S.), JHA, the Distributor,
JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT
(2005-2007); Vice President, MFC
(until 2006).
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47
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(1)
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The Trustee is an Interested Trustee due to his position with the Adviser and
certain of its affiliates.
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(2)
|
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Prior to January 1, 2005, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (JHLICO
(U.S.A.)) was named The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.).
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Independent Trustees
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Number of
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|
|
Funds in John
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|
|
|
Hancock Fund
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Complex
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Name
|
|
with the
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Other
|
|
Overseen by
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(Birth Year)
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|
Trust
|
|
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
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|
Trustee
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James F. Carlin
(1940)
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Trustee
(since 2006)
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Director and Treasurer, Alpha
Analytical Laboratories (chemical
analysis) (since 1985); Part Owner
and Treasurer, Lawrence Carlin
Insurance Agency, Inc. (since 1995);
Part Owner and Vice President, Mone
Lawrence Carlin Insurance Agency,
Inc. (until 2005); Chairman and CEO,
Carlin Consolidated, Inc.
(management/investments) (since
1987); Trustee, Massachusetts Health
and Education Tax Exempt Trust (1993
to 2003).
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47
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24
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|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds in John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hancock Fund
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Complex
|
Name
|
|
with the
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Other
|
|
Overseen by
|
(Birth Year)
|
|
Trust
|
|
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
|
William H.
Cunningham
(1944)
|
|
Trustee
(since 2006)
|
|
Professor, University of Texas,
Austin, Texas (since 1971); former
Chancellor, University of Texas
System and former President of the
University of Texas, Austin, Texas;
Chairman and CEO, IBT Technologies
(until 2001); Director of the
following: Hicks Acquisition Company
1, Inc. (since 2007); Hire.com
(until 2004), STC Broadcasting, Inc.
and Sunrise Television Corp. (until
2001), Symtx, Inc. (electronic
manufacturing) (since 2001),
Adorno/Rogers Technology, Inc.
(until 2004), Pinnacle Foods
Corporation (until 2003), rateGenius
(until 2003), Lincoln National
Corporation (insurance) (since
2006), Jefferson-Pilot Corporation
(diversified life insurance company)
(until 2006), New Century Equity
Holdings (formerly Billing Concepts)
(until 2001), eCertain (until 2001),
ClassMap.com (until 2001), Agile
Ventures (until 2001), AskRed.com
(until 2001), Southwest Airlines
(since 2000), Introgen (manufacturer
of biopharmaceuticals) (since 2000)
and Viasystems Group, Inc.
(electronic manufacturer) (until
2003); Advisory Director,
Interactive Bridge, Inc. (college
fundraising) (until 2001); Advisory
Director, Q Investments (until
2003); Advisory Director, JP Morgan
Chase Bank (formerly Texas Commerce
Bank Austin), LIN Television
(until 2008), WilTel Communications
(until 2003) and Hayes Lemmerz
International, Inc. (diversified
automotive parts supply company)
(since 2003).
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Jackson
(1952)
|
|
Trustee
(since 2008)
|
|
Chief Executive Officer, American
Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay
(since 2002); Board of Directors of
Eastern Bank Corporation (since
2001); Board of Directors of Eastern
Bank Charitable Foundation (since
2001); Board of Directors of
American Student Association Corp.
(since 1996); Board of Directors of
Boston Stock Exchange (2002 to
2008); Board of Directors of Harvard
Pilgrim Healthcare (since 2007).
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles L. Ladner
(1938)
|
|
Trustee
(since 2006)
|
|
Chairman and Trustee, Dunwoody
Village, Inc. (retirement services)
(since 2008); Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, UGI
Corporation (public utility holding
company) (retired 1998); Vice
President and Director for AmeriGas,
Inc. (retired 1998); Director of
AmeriGas Partners, L.P.(gas
distribution) (until 1997);
Director, EnergyNorth, Inc. (until
1995); Director, Parks and History
Association (until 2005).
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stanley Martin
(1947)
|
|
Trustee
(since 2008)
|
|
Senior Vice President/Audit
Executive, Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (2004 to 2006);
Executive Vice President/Consultant,
HSBC Bank USA (2000 to 2003); Chief
Financial Officer/Executive Vice
President, Republic New York
Corporation & Republic National Bank
of New York (1998 to 2000); Partner,
KPMG LLP (1971 to 1998).
|
|
|
47
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds in John
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hancock Fund
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
Complex
|
Name
|
|
with the
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) and Other
|
|
Overseen by
|
(Birth Year)
|
|
Trust
|
|
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
|
Patti McGill Peterson
(1943)
|
|
Trustee (since 2006)
Chairperson (since 2008)
|
|
Principal, PMP Globalinc
(consulting) (since 2007); Senior
Associate, Institute for Higher
Education Policy (since 2007);
Executive Director, CIES
(international education agency)
(until 2007); Vice President,
Institute of International Education
(until 2007); Senior Fellow, Cornell
University Institute of Public
Affairs, Cornell University
(1997-1998); Former President Wells
College, St. Lawrence University and
the Association of Colleges and
Universities of the State of New
York. Director of the following:
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
(until 2003); Security Mutual Life
(insurance) (until 1997); ONBANK
(until 1993). Trustee of the
following: Board of Visitors, The
University of Wisconsin, Madison
(since 2007); Ford Foundation,
International Fellowships Program
(until 2007); UNCF, International
Development Partnerships (until
2005); Roth Endowment (since 2002);
Council for International
Educational Exchange (since 2003).
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Moore
(1939)
|
|
Trustee
(since 2006)
|
|
President and Chief Executive
Officer, Institute for Evaluating
Health Risks, (nonprofit
institution) (until 2001); Senior
Scientist, Sciences International
(health research) (until 2003);
Former Assistant Administrator &
Deputy Administrator, Environmental
Protection Agency; Principal,
Hollyhouse (consulting) (since
2000); Director, CIIT Center for
Health Science Research (nonprofit
research) (until 2007).
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven R. Pruchansky
(1944)
|
|
Trustee (since 2006)
Vice Chairman (since 2008)
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest
Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director
and President, Greenscapes of
Southwest Florida, Inc. (until
2000); Member, Board of Advisors,
First American Bank (since 2008);
Managing Director, Jon James, LLC
(real estate) (since 2000);
Director, First Signature Bank &
Trust Company (until 1991);
Director, Mast Realty Trust (until
1994); President, Maxwell Building
Corp. (until 1991).
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory A. Russo
(1949)
|
|
Trustee
(since 2008)
|
|
Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory
Matters, KPMG, LLC (KPMG) (2002 to
2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial
Markets, KPMG (1998 to 2002).KPMG
(1998 to 2002).
|
|
|
47
|
|
Correspondence intended for any of the Trustees may be sent to the attention of the individual
Trustee or to the Board at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. All communications
addressed to the Board or individual Trustee will be logged and sent to the Board or individual
Trustee.
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Officers who are not Trustees
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, (Year of Birth),
|
|
Held with
|
|
Officer
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s) and
other Directorships
During Past
|
Address
|
|
Fund
|
|
since
|
|
5 Years
|
Keith F. Hartstein
(1956)
|
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Senior Vice
President, MFC
(since 2004);
Director, President
and Chief Executive
Officer, the
Adviser, The
Berkeley Group, the
Distributor (since
2005); Director,
MFC Global (U.S.)
(since 2005);
Chairman and
Director, Signature
Services (since
2005); Director,
President and Chief
Executive Officer,
JHIMS (since 2006);
President and Chief
Executive Officer,
JHF and JHF III,
Director, Chairman
and President, NM
Capital Management,
Inc. (since 2005);
Member and former
Chairman,
Investment Company
Institute Sales
Force Marketing
Committee (since
2003); Director,
President and Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer,
JHF II and JHT (2005 to July
2009), President
and Chief Executive
Officer, MFC Global
(U.S.) (2005 to
2006); Executive
Vice President, the
Distributor (until
2005).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew G. Arnott
(1)
(1971)
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Officer of the
following: Senior
Vice President
(since 2009),
Manulife Financial
Corporation;
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer
(since 2009),
Senior Vice
President
(2007-2009), Vice
President (2005 to
2007), the Adviser;
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer
(since 2009),
Senior Vice
President (2008 to
2009), Vice
President (2006 to
2008), JHIMS;
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer
(since 2009), The
Berkeley Group;
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer
(since 2009),
Senior Vice
President
(2006-2009), Vice
President
(2005-2006),
2
nd
Vice
President
(2004-2005), the
Distributor;
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer
(since 2009), Vice
President (2007 to
2009), JHF; Vice
President (since
2007), JHF II and
JHT; Product
Management and
Development, Senior
Vice President
(2005 to 2009), the
Distributor;
Marketing and
Product Management,
Vice President and
Director (1998 to
2005), the
Distributor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas M. Kinzler
(1955)
|
|
Secretary and Chief
Legal Officer
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Vice President and
Counsel, JHLICO
(U.S.A.) (since
2006); Secretary
and Chief Legal
Officer, JHF, JHF
II, JHF III and JHT
(since 2006); Vice
President and
Associate General
Counsel,
Massachusetts
Mutual Life
Insurance Company
(1999 to 2006);
Secretary and Chief
Legal Counsel, MML
Series Investment
Fund (2000 to
2006); Secretary
and Chief Legal
Counsel, MassMutual
Institutional Funds
(2000 to 2004);
Secretary and Chief
Legal Counsel,
MassMutual Select
Funds and
MassMutual Premier
Funds (2004 to
2006).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Francis V. Knox, Jr.
(1947)
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Vice President and
CCO, JHIMS, the
Adviser and MFC
Global (U.S.)
(since 2005); Vice
President and Chief
Compliance Officer,
JHF, JHF II, JHF
III and JHT (since
2005); Vice
President and
Assistant
Treasurer, Fidelity
Group of Funds
(until 2004).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Leary
(1)
(1965)
|
|
Treasurer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Vice President,
JHLICO (U.S.A.) and
Treasurer for JHF,
JHF II, JHF III and
JHT (since 2009);
Assistant Treasurer
for JHF, JHF II,
JHF III and JHT
(2007 to 2009),
Vice President and
Director of Fund
Administration, JP
Morgan (2004 to
2007).
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Officers who are not Trustees
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, (Year of Birth),
|
|
Held with
|
|
Officer
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s) and
other Directorships
During Past
|
Address
|
|
Fund
|
|
since
|
|
5 Years
|
Charles A. Rizzo
(1957)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Chief Financial
Officer, JHF, JHF
II, JHF III and JHT
(since 2007);
Assistant
Treasurer, Goldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (registered
investment
companies) (2005 to
2007); Vice
President, Goldman
Sachs (2005 to
2007); Managing
Director and
Treasurer of
Scudder Funds,
Deutsche Asset
Management (2003 to
2005).
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Mr. Leary was appointed by the Board of Trustees on May 7, 2009. Mr. Arnott was
elected by the Board of Trustees on September 1, 2009.
|
|
Duties of Trustees; Board Meetings and Board Committees
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Under the Trusts Declaration of Trust,
the Trustees are responsible for managing the affairs of the Trust, including the appointment of
advisers and subadvisers. The Trustees may appoint officers who assist in managing its day-to-day
affairs. The Board met seven times during the Trusts last fiscal year.
As of January 2009, the Board had five standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compliance
Committee; the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee; Investment Committee A; and the
Contracts/Operations Committee.
The current membership of each committee is set forth below. As Chairperson of the Board, Ms.
McGill Peterson is considered an
ex officio
member of each committee and, therefore, is able to
attend and participate in any committee meeting, as appropriate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Governance and
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
Audit
|
|
Compliance
|
|
Administration
|
|
Performance A
|
|
Contracts/Operations
|
|
|
Mr. Carlin
|
|
All Independent
|
|
Ms. Jackson
|
|
Mr. Cunningham*
|
Ms. Jackson
|
|
Mr. Russo
|
|
Trustees
|
|
Mr. Ladner
|
|
Mr. Ladner
|
Mr. Martin
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Martin
|
|
Dr. Moore
|
Mr. Pruchansky*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Pruchansky
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Effective September 1, 2009, Mr. Pruchansky replaced Mr. Cunningham on the Audit Committee and Mr.
Cunningham replaced Mr. Pruchansky on the Contracts/Operations Committee.
|
|
Prior to January 2009, the Board had four standing committees: the Audit and Compliance Committee;
the Governance Committee; the Investment Performance Committee; and the Contracts/Operations
Committee. During the period from April 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, the Audit and
Compliance Committee met six times; the Governance Committee met three times; the Investment
Performance Committee met three times; and the Contracts/Operations Committee met three times.
During the period from January 1, 2009 through May 31, 2009, the Audit Committee met twice; the
Compliance Committee met once; the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee met once;
Investment Committee A met once; and the Contracts/Operations Committee met twice.
Audit Committee.
All of the members of this Committee are independent, and each member is
financially literate with at least one having accounting or financial management expertise. The
Board has adopted a written charter for the Committee. This Committee recommends to the full Board
independent registered public accounting firms for the Fund, oversees the work of the independent
registered public accounting firm in connection with the Funds audit, communicates with the
independent registered public accounting firm on a regular basis and provides a forum
28
for the independent registered public accounting firm to report and discuss any matters it deems
appropriate at any time.
Compliance Committee.
The primary role of this Committee is to oversee the activities of the
Trusts Chief Compliance Officer; the implementation and enforcement of the Trusts compliance
policies and procedures; and compliance with the Trusts and the Independent Trustees Codes of
Ethics.
Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee.
This Committee is comprised of all of the
Independent Trustees. This Committee reviews the activities of the other standing committees and
makes the final selection and nomination of candidates to serve as Independent Trustees. The
Interested Trustees and the officers of the Trust are nominated and selected by the Board.
In reviewing a potential nominee and in evaluating the renomination of current Independent
Trustees, this Committee will generally apply the following criteria: (i) the nominees reputation
for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards; (ii) the nominees business acumen,
experience and ability to exercise sound judgments; (iii) a commitment to understand the Fund and
the responsibilities of a trustee of an investment company; (iv) a commitment to regularly attend
and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees; (v) the ability to understand
potential conflicts of interest involving management of the Fund and to act in the interests of all
shareholders; and (vi) the absence of a real or apparent conflict of interest that would impair the
nominees ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the
responsibilities of an Independent Trustee. This Committee does not necessarily place the same
emphasis on each criteria and each nominee may not have each of these qualities.
It is the intent of this Committee that at least one Independent Trustee be an audit committee
financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
As long as an existing Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of this Committee, to satisfy
these criteria, the Trust anticipates that the Committee would favor the renomination of an
existing Independent Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while the Committee will
consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as Independent Trustees, this Committee may
only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board or a committee determines
that the selection of a new or additional Independent Trustee is in the best interests of the Fund.
In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership is determined to be advisable,
this Committee will, in addition to any shareholder recommendations, consider candidates identified
by other means, including candidates proposed by members of this Committee. This Committee may
retain a consultant to assist it in a search for a qualified candidate, and did so in 2008. The
Committee has adopted Procedures for the Selection of Independent Trustees.
Any shareholder recommendation for Independent Trustee must be submitted in compliance with all of
the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be
considered by this Committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a shareholder, this
Committee, in addition to the criteria discussed above, may consider the objectives of the
shareholder in submitting that nomination and whether such objectives are consistent with the
interests of all shareholders. If the Board determines to include a shareholders candidate among
the slate of nominees, the candidates name will be placed on the Funds proxy card. If this
Committee or the Board determines not to include such candidate among the Boards designated
nominees and the shareholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-8, the shareholders
candidate will be treated as a nominee of the shareholder who originally nominated the candidate.
In that case, the candidate will not be named on the proxy card distributed with the Funds Proxy
Statement.
Shareholders may communicate with the members of the Board as a group or individually. Any such
communication should be sent to the Board or an individual Trustee c/o The Secretary of the Trust
at the following address: 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805. The Secretary may
determine not to forward any letter to the members of the Board that does not relate to the
business of the Fund.
29
Investment Performance Committees A.
The Committee monitors and analyzes the performance of the
Fund generally, consults with the Adviser as necessary if the Fund requires special attention, and
reviews peer groups and other comparative standards as necessary.
Contracts/Operations Committee.
This Committee oversees the initiation, operation, and renewal of
the various contracts between the Fund and other entities. These contracts include advisory and
subadvisory agreements, custodial and transfer agency agreements and arrangements with other
service providers.
Compensation of Trustees
The Trust pays fees only to its Independent Trustees. Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other
out-of-pocket expenses. The following table shows the compensation paid to each Independent
Trustee for his or her service as a Trustee for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008.
Independent Trustee Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustee
|
|
Trust
|
|
|
John Hancock Fund Complex
*
|
Carlin
|
|
$
|
21,460
|
|
|
$
|
268,834
|
|
Cunningham
|
|
$
|
12,005
|
|
|
$
|
160,500
|
|
Jackson
|
|
$
|
4,565
|
|
|
$
|
42,750
|
|
Ladner
|
|
$
|
12,005
|
|
|
$
|
165,500
|
|
Martin
|
|
$
|
6,668
|
|
|
$
|
59,960
|
|
McGill Peterson
|
|
$
|
12,005
|
|
|
$
|
160,500
|
|
Moore
|
|
$
|
15,650
|
|
|
$
|
215,000
|
|
Pruchansky
|
|
$
|
16,290
|
|
|
$
|
206,500
|
|
Russo
|
|
$
|
37,545
|
|
|
$
|
59,960
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
The John Hancock Funds Complex consists of 40 series. The Trust does not have a pension or
retirement plan for any of its Trustees or officers. The Trust participates in the John Hancock
Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees (the Plan). Under the Plan, an Independent
Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred fees invested in shares of one or more funds in the
John Hancock Fund Complex and the amount paid to the Independent Trustees under the Plan will be
determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees fees does not
obligate the Trust to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Trust to pay any
particular level of compensation to the Trustee. Under these circumstances, the Trustee is not the
legal owner of the underlying shares, but does participate in any positive or negative return on
those shares to the same extent as all other shareholders. As of December 31, 2008, the value of
the aggregate accrued deferred compensation amount from all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex
for Mr. Cunningham was $155,441; Mr. Ladner was $71,250; Ms. McGill Peterson was $112,504; Dr.
Moore was $209,776; and Mr. Pruchansky was $255,930 under the Plan.
|
|
Trustee Ownership of Shares of the Fund
The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of the shares of the Fund, and the dollar
range of the aggregate value of the shares of all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex overseen
or to be overseen by a Trustee, owned beneficially by each Trustee as of December 31, 2008. The
current value of the funds that the participating Independent Trustees have selected under the Plan
is included in this table. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a
direct or indirect pecuniary interest. Exact dollar amounts of securities held are not listed in
the table. Rather, the ranges are identified according to the following key:
A-$0
B -$1 up to and including $10,000
C -$10,001 up to and including $50,000
30
D -$50,001 up to and including $100,000
E -$100,001 or more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund/Trustee
|
|
Boyle
|
|
Carlin
|
|
Cunningham
|
|
Jackson
|
|
Ladner
|
|
Martin
|
Strategic Income
|
|
A
|
|
B
|
|
A
|
|
A
|
|
B
|
|
A
|
John Hancock Fund Complex
|
|
E
|
|
E
|
|
E
|
|
B
|
|
E
|
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
McGill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund/Trustee
|
|
Peterson
|
|
Moore
|
|
Pruchansky
|
|
Russo
|
|
Vrysen
|
Strategic Income
|
|
D
|
|
B
|
|
B
|
|
A
|
|
B
|
John Hancock Fund Complex
|
|
E
|
|
E
|
|
E
|
|
C
|
|
E
|
All of the officers listed are officers or employees of the Adviser or affiliated companies. Some
of the Trustees and officers may also be officers and/or directors and/or Trustees of one or more
of the other funds for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment
adviser.
As of August 28, 2009, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group beneficially owned less
than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As of that date, to the knowledge of the Fund, the
following shareholders owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the
indicated classes of shares of the Fund:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Share
|
|
Record or
|
Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
|
|
Beneficial
|
Class
|
|
Shareholder Name
|
|
Address
|
|
Ownership
|
|
Ownership
|
A
|
|
JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
(USA) RPS SEG FUNDS
& ACCOUNTING ET-7
|
|
601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
|
|
|
7.28
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO
INC
MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT
|
|
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA
94104-4151
|
|
|
8.17
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
CITIGROUP GLOBAL
MARKETS INC
|
|
333 WEST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK NY
10001-2402
|
|
|
6.03
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
|
|
|
14.27
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
|
|
CITIGROUP GLOBAL
MARKETS INC ATTN
CINDY TEMPESTA 7TH
FLOOR
|
|
333 WEST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK NY
10001-2402
|
|
|
8.15
|
%
|
|
Record
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Share
|
|
Record or
|
Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
|
|
Beneficial
|
Class
|
|
Shareholder Name
|
|
Address
|
|
Ownership
|
|
Ownership
|
C
|
|
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
|
|
|
23.14
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
PERSHING LLC
|
|
PO BOX 2052
JERSEY CITY NJ
07303-2052
|
|
|
6.87
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
PERSHING LLC
|
|
PO BOX 2052
JERSEY CITY NJ
07303-2052
|
|
|
10.76
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
|
|
|
40.61
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R1
|
|
MG TRUST COMPANY
CUST FBO DELTA
EMPLOYEES 401K
PROFIT SHARING
|
|
700 17
TH
ST STE 300
DENVER
CO
80202-3531
|
|
|
5.24
|
%
|
|
Beneficial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R1
|
|
MG TRUST COMPANY
CUST EUGENIO
CASTILLO MD
|
|
700 17
TH
ST STE 30
DENVER
CO
80202-3531
|
|
|
6.45
|
%
|
|
Beneficial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R1
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST
COMPANY TTEE FBO
C/O MUTUAL FUNDS
RICHARDS SPEARS
KIBBE & ORBE ASSOC
401 K RET PLAN
|
|
PO BOX 8880
WILMINGTON DE
19899-8880
|
|
|
8.68
|
%
|
|
Beneficial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R1
|
|
MG TRUST COMPANY
CUST FIRST TOOL
CORPORATION
|
|
700 17TH ST STE 300
DENVER CO
80202-3531
|
|
|
11.79
|
%
|
|
Beneficial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R1
|
|
MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
|
|
4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
|
|
|
19.60
|
%
|
|
Record
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Share
|
|
Record or
|
Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
|
|
Beneficial
|
Class
|
|
Shareholder Name
|
|
Address
|
|
Ownership
|
|
Ownership
|
R3
|
|
JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE CO
ATTN: KELLY A CONWAY
|
|
601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R4
|
|
JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE CO
ATTN: KELLY A CONWAY
|
|
601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Record
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R5
|
|
JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE CO
ATTN: KELLY A CONWAY
|
|
601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Record
|
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser, located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805, a premier investment
management company, managed approximately $18.4 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds,
private accounts and retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional
investors as of June 30, 2009. Additional information about the Adviser can be found on the
website: www.jhfunds.com.
The Sub-Adviser, MFC Global (U.S.), located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199,
was organized in 1979 and as of June 30, 2009 had approximately $23.5 billion in assets under
management. The Sub-Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of John Hancock Financial
Services, Inc. (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC).
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the supervision of MFC
Global (U.S.)s services to the Fund.
Advisory Agreement.
The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability corporation whose principal
offices are located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The ultimate parent of
the Adviser is Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) based in Toronto, Canada. MFC is the holding
company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (the Life Company) and its subsidiaries,
collectively known as Manulife Financial. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
The Fund has entered into an investment management contract (the Advisory Agreement) with the
Adviser. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to
the Fund. On May 5, 2009, the Funds shareholders approved a new form of Advisory Agreement that
streamlines and standardizes the advisory agreements across the John Hancock Fund Complex. The new
form of Advisory Agreement became effective July 1, 2009.
As compensation for its advisory services under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser receives a fee
from the Fund. The amount of the advisory fee is determined by applying the daily equivalent of an
annual fee rate to the net assets of the Fund. On May 5, 2009, the shareholders also approved
provisions that effectively change the frequency with which advisory fees are paid by the funds
from monthly payment to daily payment. Because the Funds advisory
33
fees have historically been
accrued on a daily basis, there is no difference between the amounts that the Fund would have paid
if daily payment of advisory fees were in effect in prior periods instead of monthly payment.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser selects, contracts with, and compensates
subadvisers to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. The Adviser
monitors each subadvisers management of the Funds investment operations in accordance with the
investment objectives and related policies of the Fund, and reviews the performance of such
Subadvisers and reports periodically on such performance to the Board.
The Fund bears all the costs of its organization and operation, including but not limited to
expenses of preparing, printing and mailing all shareholders reports, notices, Prospectuses, proxy
statements and reports to regulatory agencies; expenses relating to the issuance, registration and
qualification of shares; government fees; interest charges; expenses of furnishing to shareholders
their account statements; taxes; expenses of redeeming shares; brokerage and other expenses
connected with the execution of portfolio securities transactions; expenses pursuant to the Funds
plan of distribution; fees and expenses of custodians including those for keeping books and
accounts maintaining a committed line of credit and calculating the NAV of shares; fees and
expenses of transfer agents and dividend disbursing agents; legal, accounting, financial,
management, tax and auditing fees and expenses of the Fund; the compensation and expenses of
Trustees who are not otherwise affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or any of their affiliates;
expenses of Trustees and shareholders meetings; trade association memberships (as explicitly
approved by the Trustees); insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses.
Securities held by the Fund may also be held by other funds or investment advisory clients for
which the Adviser or their respective affiliates provide investment advice. Because of different
investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more funds
or clients when one or more other funds or clients are selling the same security. If opportunities
for purchase or sale of securities by the Adviser for the Fund or for other funds or clients for
which the Adviser renders investment advice arise for consideration at or about the same time,
transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds or
clients in a manner deemed equitable to all of them. To the extent that transactions on behalf of
more than one client of the Adviser or their respective affiliates may increase the demand for
securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect
on price.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Agreement
relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the
part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund may use the name John Hancock or any name derived from or
similar to it only for so long as the Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof
remains in effect. If the Agreement is no longer in effect, the Fund (to the extent that it
lawfully can) will cease to use such name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or
otherwise connected with the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or the Life Company may grant the
nonexclusive right to use the name John Hancock or any similar name to any other corporation or
entity, including but not limited to any investment company of which the Life Company or any
subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any successor to the business of any subsidiary or affiliate
thereof shall be the investment adviser.
From time to time, the Adviser may reduce its fee or make other arrangements to limit the Funds
expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets. The Adviser retains the right to
re-impose a fee and recover any other payments to the extent that, at the end of any fiscal year,
the Funds actual expenses at year end fall below this limit.
The following table shows the advisory fees that the Fund incurred and paid to the Adviser for (i)
the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007; (ii) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008; and (iii) the fiscal
year ended May 31, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
Year ended May 31, 2007
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2008
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2009
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
$
|
4,930,093
|
|
|
$
|
4,414,875
|
|
|
$
|
3,929,904
|
|
34
Securities held by the Fund may also be held by other funds or investment advisory clients for
which the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates provides investment advice.
Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought
for one or more funds or clients when one of more other funds or clients are selling the same
security. If opportunities for purchase or sale of securities by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser for
the Fund or for other funds or clients for which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser renders investment
advice arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be
made insofar as feasible for the respective funds or clients in a manner deemed equitable to all of
them. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates may increase the demand for securities being purchased
or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which their
respective Agreements relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from its reckless
disregard of the obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund may use the name John Hancock or any name derived from or
similar to it only for so long as the Advisory Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment
thereof remains in effect. If the Advisory Agreement is no longer in effect, the Fund (to the
extent that it lawfully can) will cease to use such a name or any other name indicating that it is
advised by or otherwise connected with the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or the John Hancock
Life Insurance Company (the Life Company) may grant the nonexclusive right to use the name John
Hancock or any similar name to any other corporation or entity, including but not limited to any
investment company of which the Life Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any
successor to the business of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall be the investment adviser.
The continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Distribution Agreement (discussed below), and the
Sub-Advisory Agreement was approved by all Trustees. The Advisory Agreement, Sub-Advisory
Agreement and the Distribution Agreement will continue in effect from year to year, provided that
its continuance is approved annually both (i) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Trust or by the Trustees, and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are
not parties to the Agreement or interested persons of any such parties. Each of these Agreements
may be terminated on 60 days written notice by either party or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund and will terminate automatically if assigned. The
Sub-Advisory Agreement terminates automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement.
Personnel of the Adviser and its affiliates may trade securities for their personal accounts. The
Fund also may hold, or may be buying or selling, the same securities. To prevent the Fund from
being disadvantaged, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, principal underwriter and the Fund have adopted a
code of ethics which restricts the trading activity of those personnel.
Accounting and Legal Services Agreement
. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, is a party to
an Accounting and Legal Services Agreement with the Adviser and its affiliates. The following
table shows the fees that the Fund incurred and paid to the Adviser for certain tax, accounting and
legal services for: (i) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007; (ii) the fiscal year ended May 31,
2008; and (iii) the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009.
Accounting and Legal Service Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended May 31, 2007
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2008
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2009
|
$179,541
|
|
$
|
132,653
|
|
|
$
|
161,425
|
|
Service Agreement.
Effective as of July 1, 2009, the Board approved a new Service Agreement with
JHA to replace the prior Accounting and Legal Services Agreement, under which the Fund received
Non-Advisory Services. These Non-Advisory Services include, but are not limited to, legal, tax,
accounting, valuation, financial reporting and performance, compliance, service provider oversight,
portfolio and cash management, SEC filings,
35
graphic design, and other services that are not
investment advisory in nature. JHA will be reimbursed for its costs in providing Non-Advisory
Services to the Fund under the Service Agreement.
JHA is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund
in connection with the matters to which the Service Agreement relates, except losses resulting from
willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by JHA in the performance of its duties or from
reckless disregard by John Hancock of its obligations under the Agreement.
The Service Agreement has an initial term of two years, and may continue thereafter so long as such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of
the Independent Trustees. The Trust, on behalf the Fund, or JHA may terminate the Agreement at any
time without penalty on 60 days written notice to the other party. The Agreement may be amended
by mutual written agreement of the parties, without obtaining
shareholder approval.
Advisers and Sub-Advisers Other Business Relationships
. A description of business relationships
among the Adviser, the Sub-Advisers, John Hancock Investment Management Services, Inc.
(JHIMS)
1,
other John Hancock Funds sub-advisers and Manulife Financials affiliates is
below:
Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. (EPOCH) Agreement for the JHF III Global Shareholder Yield
Fund
.
JHIMS and EPOCH have entered into an agreement regarding the Global Shareholder Yield
Fund, a JHF III fund, under which EPOCH has agreed not to serve as investment adviser (including
sub-adviser) to another investment company managed in a style similar to the Global Shareholder
Yield Fund for a certain period of time. In the event EPOCH should advise such an investment
company, the agreement would entitle JHIMS to certain liquidated damages due to the fact that JHIMS
and the distributor to the Global Shareholder Yield Fund will make unreimbursed expenditures in the
organization and ongoing promotion of the fund.
Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC (GMO)
.
As
a part of the overall business arrangement between JHIMS and GMO under which JHIMS has obtained
exclusive rights to certain GMO investment management services for up to five years, JHIMS has
agreed that under certain circumstances it (and not JHF II
2
, JHF III
3
or
JHT
4
or a particular fund) will pay to GMO a specified amount (up to $25 million if the
GMO sub-advisory agreement is terminated within a five year period from the date of its
effectiveness. JHIMS has also agreed that, subject to its fiduciary duties as an investment adviser
to each fund and its shareholders, it will not recommend to the Board of Trustees to terminate the
applicable GMO sub-advisory agreement or to reduce any of the fees payable thereunder to GMO for a
five year period from the date of its effectiveness. Neither JHF III, JHT nor JHF II is a party to
any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon JHF III, JHT, JHF II, the funds subadvised
by GMO or the Board of Trustees of JHF III/JHT/JHF II. However, these arrangements present certain
conflicts of interest because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the
GMO agreement for as long as the termination provisions described above remain in effect.
Independence
Investment LLC (Independence) Business Arrangement
. On May 31, 2006 a
subsidiary of Manulife entered into an agreement with the parent of Convergent Capital Management
(Convergent) pursuant to which substantially all of the assets of Independence, a subsidiary of
Manulife, were transferred to a newly formed subsidiary (New Independence) of Convergent (the
Transaction). Prior to the closing of the Transaction, Independence was the sub-adviser to the
Growth and Income Trust and Small Cap Trust, each a series of John Hancock Trust, and the Small Cap
Fund, a series of JHF II (collectively, the Funds) and at the closing of the Transaction New
Independence became the sub-adviser to the Funds.
The Transaction was structured as a sale of assets. At closing Convergent paid Manulife
approximately $25 million (subject to adjustment). In addition, Convergent will also make
contingent payments to Manulife on certain anniversary dates of the closing if the revenue received
by New Independence from the management of proprietary accounts of Manulife and its affiliates or
accounts for which Manulife or its affiliates act as investment adviser meet certain revenue
targets. Consequently, while the contingent payments are not dependent upon the approval or
continuation of the sub-advisory agreements with respect to any of the Funds, the revenues
earned by New Independence as a result of its sub-advisory relationship with respect to the Funds would
count towards the revenue
36
target necessary to earn the contingent payments. The maximum amount of
contingent payments is $10 million. Nothing in the agreement between Manulife and Convergent
imposes any limitations upon the rights of JHIMS to recommend termination of the New Independence
Sub-advisory Agreements.
In July 2009, Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC, succeeded to the operations of Independence as a
result of a transaction in which the operations of two investment adviser subsidiaries of
Convergent were combined.
Pzena Investment Management, LLC (Pzena) Agreement for the JHF III Classic Value Mega Cap
Fund
.
JHIMS and Pzena have entered into an agreement regarding the Classic Value Mega Cap
Fund, a JHF III fund, under which Pzena has agreed not to serve as investment adviser (including
sub-adviser) to another investment company managed in a style similar to the Class Value Mega Cap
Fund for a certain period of time. In the event Pzena should advise such an investment company, the
agreement would entitle JHIMS to certain liquidated damages due to the fact that JHIMS and the
distributor to the Classic Value Mega Cap Fund will make unreimbursed expenditures in the
organization and ongoing promotion of the fund.
Business
Arrangement between JHIMS and Rainier Investment Management, Inc. (Rainier)
As
part of the business arrangement between JHIMS and Rainier, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain
circumstances, it (and neither the Rainier Growth Fund (the Fund) nor JHF III) will pay to
Rainier specified amounts if total assets of John Hancock investment products subadvised by Rainier
do not equal or exceed certain thresholds for a period of up to three years. Such amounts may total
up to $7.5 million per year for each of the three years. As a further part of this arrangement,
JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and not the Fund or JHF III) will pay to
Rainier a specified amount if the Rainier subadvisory agreement for the Fund is terminated within a
three-year period. Such amount may total up to $22.5 million. JHIMS has also agreed that, subject
to its fiduciary duties as an investment adviser to the Fund and its shareholders, it will not
support or recommend to the Board any termination of the Rainier subadvisory agreement with respect
to the Fund for a three-year period. Neither JHF III nor either of the Fund or the Rainier fund is
a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or its
respective board of trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however,
because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Rainier subadvisory
agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Funds advisory and
subadvisory agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered
these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Rainier.
Business
Arrangement between JHIMS and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (Robeco).
As
part of the business arrangement between JHIMS and Robeco, JHIMS has agreed, that in addition to
the assets transferred to the Disciplined Value Fund (the Fund) from the predecessor
Robeco-managed at the closing of the reorganization, December 19, 2008, that the Fund will have at
least $200,000,000 in total assets under management within twelve (12) months after the closing. As
a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and
neither the Fund nor JHF III) will pay to Robeco a specified amount if the Robeco subadvisory
agreement for the Fund is terminated within a three-year period. Such amount may total up to $1.2
million. Neither JHF III nor either of the Fund or the predecessor Robeco fund is a party to any of
these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or its respective board of
trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because the Adviser
has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Robeco subadvisory agreement for as
long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Funds advisory and subadvisory
agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these
potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Robeco.
Advisory and Sub-Advisory Relationships with Other Funds
.
JHIMS is also the investment
adviser for all of the series of JHF II, JHF III and JHT.
The following John Hancock Funds (JHF
5
) subadvisers are also subadvisers to JHF II and
JHT:
1. Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP is the subadviser to the U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund.
37
2. Pzena is the subadviser to the Classic Value Fund/Trust.
3. MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.A.) Limited (MFC Global (U.S.A.)) is the subadviser to
the American Diversified Growth & Income Portfolio/Trust, American Fundamental Holdings
Portfolio/Trust, American Global Diversification Portfolio/Trust, Asset Allocation Fund, Core High
Yield Fund, Global Agribusiness Fund, Global Infrastructure Fund, Global Timber Fund, Index 500
Fund, 500 Index Trust, 500 Index Trust B, Money Market Fund/Trust, Money Market Trust B, Mid Cap
Index Fund/Trust, Pacific Rim Trust, Optimized All Cap Fund/Trust, Optimized Value Fund/Trust,
Small Cap Index Fund/Trust, Total Stock Market Index Fund/Trust, Absolute Return Portfolio/Trust,
Lifestyle Portfolios/Trusts, Lifecycle Portfolios/Trust, Index Allocation Trust, Franklin Templeton
Founding Allocation Trust, Retirement Distribution Portfolio and Retirement Rising Distribution
Portfolio.
4. MFC Global (U.S.), LLC is the subadviser to the Active Bond Fund/Trust, Emerging Growth
Fund/Trust, High Income Fund/Trust, Leveraged Companies Fund, Short Term Government Income Fund and
Strategic Income Fund/Trust.
5. GMO is the subadviser to the Growth Trust, Growth Opportunities Fund/Trust, International Core
Trust, International Growth Fund/Trust, Intrinsic Value Trust, Managed Trust, Small Cap
Opportunities Fund, U.S. Multi Sector Fund/Trust, U.S. Core Trust and Value Opportunities
Fund/Trust,
6. Independence is the subadviser to the Small Cap Fund/Trust.
7. Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (Deutsche) is the subadviser consultant to All
Cap Core Fund/Trust, Lifestyle Portfolios/Trust, Lifecycle Portfolios, Global Real Estate
Fund/Trust, Real Estate Securities Fund/Trust and Strategic Income Trust.
John Hancock Freedom 529
.
The John Hancock Freedom 529 is a national multi-managed Section
529 education savings plan. Several of the portfolios offered by John Hancock Freedom 529 are
managed by JHA and Pzena is the sub-adviser.
John Hancock Private Client Group
.
MFC Global (U.S.) provides investment advisory services
to the John Hancock Private Client Group which services separately managed accounts sponsored by
broker dealers.
Management of John Hancock/Manulife Assets
.
Several of the affiliated sub-advisers such as
MFC Global (U.S.A.) and MFC Global (U.S.) provide investment advisory services to John
Hancock/Manulife for on balance sheet assets.
Affiliates of Sub-advisers That Distribute John Hancock Products
.
Affiliates of the
following John Hancock Funds sub-advisers also distribute other John Hancock products:
1. Deutsche (Alex Brown and Scudder)
2. Independence (City National)
3. John Hancock Financial Network (affiliate of JHIMS, MFC Global (U.S.) and MFC Global (U.S.A.))
|
1
|
|
John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLP (JHIMS), a registered investment
adviser.
|
|
|
2
|
|
John Hancock Funds II (JHF II), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the
laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management
company registered under the 1940 Act;
|
|
|
3
|
|
John Hancock Funds III (JHF III), a Massachusetts business trust organized under
the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management
company registered under the 1940 Act;
|
38
|
4
|
|
John Hancock Trust (JHT), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws
of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company
registered under the 1940 Act; and
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
John Hancock Funds (JHF), consists of fourteen Massachusetts business trusts
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are open-end
investment management companies registered under the 1940 Act; includes nine closed-end
investment companies.
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|
Proxy Voting
. The Trusts proxy voting policies and procedures (the Trusts Procedures)
delegate to the Sub-adviser the responsibility to vote all proxies relating to securities held by
that portfolio in accordance with the Sub-advisers proxy voting policies and procedures. A
Sub-adviser has a duty to vote such proxies in the best interests of the portfolio and its
shareholders. Complete descriptions of the Trusts Procedures and the proxy voting procedures of
the Sub-adviser are set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.
It is possible that conflicts of interest could arise for a Sub-adviser when voting proxies. Such
conflicts could arise, for example, when the Sub-adviser or its affiliate has a client or other
business relationship with the issuer of the security being voted or with a third party that has an
interest in the vote. A conflict of interest could also arise when the Trust, its investment
adviser or principal underwriter or any of their affiliates has an interest in the vote.
In the event a Sub-adviser becomes aware of a material conflict of interest, the Trusts Procedures
generally require the Sub-adviser to follow any conflicts procedures that may be included in the
Sub-advisers proxy voting procedures. Although conflicts procedures will vary among sub-advisers,
they generally include one or more of the following:
(a) voting pursuant to the recommendation of a third party voting service;
(b) voting pursuant to pre-determined voting guidelines; or
(c) referring voting to a special compliance or oversight committee.
The specific conflicts procedures of the Sub-adviser are set forth in its proxy voting procedures
included in Appendix C. While these conflicts procedures may reduce, they will not necessarily
eliminate, any influence on proxy voting of conflicts of interest.
Although the Sub-adviser has a duty to vote all proxies on behalf of the portfolios it sub-advises,
it is possible that the sub-adviser may not be able to vote proxies under certain circumstances.
For example, it may be impracticable to translate in a timely manner voting materials that are
written in a foreign language or to travel to a foreign country when voting in person rather than
by proxy is required. In addition, if the voting of proxies for shares of a security prohibits the
sub-adviser from trading the shares in the marketplace for a period of time, the Sub-adviser may
determine that it is not in the best interests of the portfolio to vote the proxies. A sub-adviser
may also choose not to recall securities that have been lent in order to vote proxies for shares of
the security since the portfolio would lose security lending income if the securities were
recalled.
Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most
recent 12-month period ended June 30
th
is available (1) without charge, upon request, by
calling (800) 344-1029 (attention: Secretary) and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Other Accounts the Portfolio Managers are Managing
.
The table below indicates for each portfolio
manager, information about the accounts over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment
responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of
May 31, 2009. For purposes of the table, Other Pooled Investment Vehicles may include investment
partnerships and group trusts, and Other Accounts may include separate accounts for institutions
or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar
institutional accounts.
39
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|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
|
Barry H. Evans, CFA
|
|
Other Registered Investment Companies: Five (5) funds with total assets of
approximately $1.7 billion.
|
|
|
|
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|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts: Eighty-three (83) accounts with total assets of approximately
$2.2 billion.
|
|
|
|
John F. Iles
|
|
Other Registered Investment Companies: Two (2) funds with total assets of
approximately $767 million.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts: Ten (10) accounts with total assets of approximately $2.6 billion.
|
|
|
|
Daniel S. Janis, III
|
|
Other Registered Investment Companies: None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Accounts: Seven (7) accounts with total assets of approximately $1.7
billion.
|
The Adviser does not receive a fee based upon the investment performance of any of the accounts
included under Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers in the table above.
When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential
arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of
potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined
below, the Fund does not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio
managers responsibility for the management of the Fund as well as one or more other accounts. The
Adviser has adopted procedures that are intended to monitor compliance with the policies referred
to in the following paragraphs. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interests are increased
to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another.
The Adviser has structured its compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit
such potential for conflicts of interests. See Compensation of Portfolio Managers below.
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|
|
A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment
opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings and private
placements. If, for example, an initial public offering that was expected to appreciate in
value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that
account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did
not receive an allocation on the initial public offering. The Adviser has policies that
require a portfolio manager to allocate such investment opportunities in an equitable
manner and generally to allocate such investments proportionately among all accounts with
similar investment objectives.
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|
|
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|
A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades
for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for
more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the
security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable
price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the
security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales
represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make
subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager
intends to trade the same
|
40
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|
|
security for more than one account, the policies of the Adviser
generally require that such trades be bunched, which means that the trades for the
individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are
some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for
contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise
where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible
price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, the Adviser will place the order
in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client.
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|
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|
A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio managers compensation is
tied to the performance of that account rather than all accounts managed by the portfolio
manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the
performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are
disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek
to have the accounts that determine the portfolio managers bonus achieve the best possible
performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if the Adviser
receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account,
whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio managers
compensation. The investment performance on specific accounts is not a factor in
determining the portfolio managers compensation. See Compensation of Portfolio Managers
below. The Adviser does not receive a performance-based fee with respect to any of the
accounts managed by the portfolio managers.
|
|
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A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial
interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that
had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment
partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio
manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio
manager held an interest. The Adviser imposes certain trading restrictions and reporting
requirements for accounts in which a portfolio manager or certain family members have a
personal interest in order to confirm that such accounts are not favored over other
accounts.
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If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment
objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest may arise. In making portfolio manager
assignments, the Adviser seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However,
where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives
and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the
best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues
to hold or increase the holding in such security.
|
Compensation of Portfolio Managers
.
The Sub-Adviser has adopted a system of compensation for
portfolio managers and others involved in the investment process that is applied systematically
among investment professionals. At the Sub-Adviser, the structure of compensation of investment
professionals is currently comprised of the following basic components: base salary, and an annual
investment bonus plan, as well as customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time
employees of the Sub-Adviser. A limited number of senior investment professionals, who serve as
officers of both the Sub-Adviser and its parent company, may also receive options or restricted
stock grants of common shares of Manulife Financial. The following describes each component of the
compensation package for the individuals identified as a portfolio manager for the fund.
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|
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Base salary.
Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis.
The Sub-Adviser seeks to set compensation at market rates, taking into account the
experience and responsibilities of the investment professional.
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Bonus Plan
. Only investment professionals are eligible to participate in the
Investment Bonus Plan. Under the plan, investment professionals are eligible for an annual
bonus. The plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation
that is tied to the investment professional achieving superior investment performance and
aligns the financial incentives of the Sub-Adviser and the investment professional. Any
bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be
well in excess of base salary. Payout of a portion of this bonus may be deferred for up
|
41
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|
|
to five years. While the amount of any bonus is discretionary, the following factors are
generally used in determining bonuses under the plan:
|
|
|
|
Investment Performance
:
The investment performance of all accounts managed by the
investment professional over one-, three- and five- year periods are considered. The
pre-tax performance of each account is measured relative to an appropriate peer group
benchmark (for example a Morningstar large cap growth peer group if the fund invests
primarily in large cap stocks with a growth strategy). With respect to fixed income
accounts, relative yields are also used to measure performance.
|
|
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The Profitability of the Sub-Adviser
: The profitability of the Sub-Adviser and its
parent company are also considered in determining bonus awards, with greater emphasis
placed upon the profitability of the Sub-Adviser.
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Investment Performance
:
The more intangible contributions of an investment
professional to the Sub-Advisers business, including the investment professionals
support of sales activities, new fund/strategy idea generation, professional growth and
development, and management, where applicable, are evaluating in determining the amount
of any bonus award.
|
|
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|
Options and Stock Grants
. A limited number of senior investment professionals may
receive options to purchase shares of Manulife Financial stock. Generally, such option
would permit the investment professional to purchase a set amount of stock at the market
price on the date of grant. The option can be exercised for a set period (normally a
number of years or until termination of employment) and the investment professional would
exercise the option if the market value of Manulife Financial stock increases. Some
investment professionals may receive restricted stock grants, where the investment
professional is entitle to receive the stock at no or nominal cost, provided that the stock
is forgone if the investment professionals employment is terminated prior to a vesting
date.
|
The Sub-Adviser also permits investment professionals to participate on a voluntary basis in a
deferred compensation plan, under which the investment professional may elect on an annual basis to
defer receipt of a portion of their compensation until retirement. Participation in the plan is
voluntary. No component of the compensation arrangements for the investment professionals involves
mandatory deferral arrangements.
While the profitability of the Sub-Adviser and the investment performance of the accounts that the
investment professionals maintain are factors in determining an investment professionals overall
compensation, the investment professionals compensation is not linked directly to the NAV of any
fund.
Share Ownership by Portfolio Managers
.
The following table indicates as of May 31, 2009 the value,
within the indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund.
For purposes of this table, the following letters represent the range indicated below:
A - $0
B - $1 $10,000
C - $10,001 $50,000
D - $50,001 $100,000
E - $100,001 $500,000
F - $500,001 $1,000,000
G - More than $1 million
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Range of Beneficial Ownership
|
Barry Evans
|
|
D
|
John F. Iles
|
|
D
|
Daniel S. Janis, III
|
|
E
|
42
DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS
The Fund has a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds. Under the agreement John Hancock
Funds is obligated to use its best efforts to sell shares of each class of the Fund. Shares of the
Fund are also sold by selected
broker-dealers, banks and registered investment advisors (Selling Firms) that have entered into
selling agreements with John Hancock Funds. These Selling Firms are authorized to designate other
intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. John Hancock Funds
accepts orders for the purchase of the shares of the Fund that are continually offered at NAV next
determined, plus any applicable sales charge, if any. In connection with the sale of Fund shares,
John Hancock Funds and Selling Firms receive compensation from a sales charge imposed, in the case
of Class A shares, at the time of sale. In the case of Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class R3, Class
R4 and Class R5 shares, the Selling Firm receives compensation immediately but John Hancock Funds
is compensated on a deferred basis.
Affiliated Underwriting Transactions by the Sub-Adviser
.
The Fund has approved procedures in
conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Fund may purchase securities that are
offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the sub-advisers participates. These procedures
prohibit the Fund from directly or indirectly benefiting a sub-adviser affiliate in connection with
such underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where a sub-adviser affiliate participates as a
principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the
amount of securities that the Fund could purchase.
Set forth below is a table reflecting the total underwriting commissions (sales charges) for sales
of the Funds share classes for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009. No sales
charges are imposed on Class I, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Underwriting
|
|
Total Underwriting
|
|
Total Underwriting
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions year ended
|
|
Commissions year ended
|
|
Commissions year ended
|
Fund
|
|
Share Class
|
|
May 31, 2007
|
|
May 31, 2008
|
|
May 31, 2009
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
|
Class A
|
|
$
|
796,179
|
|
|
$
|
756,192
|
|
|
$
|
1,423,233
|
|
|
|
Class B
|
|
$
|
623,696
|
|
|
$
|
307,565
|
|
|
$
|
203,857
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
$
|
25,568
|
|
|
$
|
13,208
|
|
|
$
|
41,664
|
|
The Board has adopted distribution plans with respect to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class
R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares of the Fund (the 12b-1 Plans) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act. Under the 12b-1 Plans, the Fund pays distribution and service fees at an aggregate
annual rate of up to 0.30% for Class A shares, 1.00% for Class B and Class C shares, 0.50% for
Class R1 and Class R3 shares, 0.25% for Class R4 shares, and 0.00% for Class R5 shares, of the
Funds average daily net assets attributable to shares of that class. However, the service fee
will not exceed 0.25% of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares.
There are two types of Distribution Plans: reimbursement and compensation plans. While a
reimbursement plan provides for reimbursement of certain distribution and shareholder service
expenses of a fund, a compensation plan provides for direct payment of distribution and shareholder
service fees to the distributor.
Under a reimbursement plan, if the aggregate payments received by John Hancock Funds, LLC, the
Funds distributor, in any fiscal year exceed the expenditures made by the Distributor in that year
pursuant to that plan, the Distributor reimburses the Fund for the amount of the excess. If,
however, the expenditures made by the Distributor on the Funds behalf during any fiscal year
exceed the payments received under a class reimbursement plan, the Distributor is entitled to
carry over such unreimbursed expenses with interest to be paid in subsequent fiscal years from
available 12b-1 amounts. (Unreimbursed expenses for Class A shares are not carried over.) The
Fund does not treat unreimbursed expenses under the Class C and Class R1 12b-1 Plans as a liability
of the Fund, because the Trustees could have terminated either of these Plans at any time with no
additional liability to the shareholders or the Fund for these expenses. The Class R3 and Class R4
12b-Plans were established as compensation plans.
43
For the period ended May 31, 2009, an aggregate of $45,101,251 in Distribution Expenses or 28.76%
of the average net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund was not reimbursed or recovered by John
Hancock Funds through the receipt of deferred sales charges or 12b-1 fees in prior periods. For
the period ended May 31, 2009, an aggregate of $4,412,415 in Distribution Expenses or 2.25% of the
average net assets of the Class C shares of the Fund was not
reimbursed or recovered by John Hancock Funds through the receipt of deferred sales charges or
12b-1 fees. For the period ended May 31, 2009, an aggregate of $85,430 in Distribution Expenses or
1.70% of the average net assets of the Class R1 shares of the Fund was not reimbursed or recovered
by John Hancock Funds through the receipt of deferred sales charges or 12b-1 fees.
On May 5, 2009, the Funds Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders approved proposals to change
the 12b-1 Plans from reimbursement to compensation plans. While the amendments did not change
the maximum amount that may be paid under these 12b-1 Plans to the Distributor in connection with
the distribution of these shares of the Fund, the Distributor is no longer obligated to reimburse
the Fund to the extent that such payments exceed distribution-related expenses incurred by the
Distributor with respect to the Fund for a particular fiscal year. Under the compensation 12b-1
Plans for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, the Distributor will retain the entire amount of the
payments made to it, even if such amount exceeds the Distributors actual distribution-related
expenses for the applicable fiscal year. The Class R1 12b-1 Plan will continue, however, to
operate as a reimbursement plan.
Under the 12b-1 Plans, the Fund makes payments to the Distributor from assets attributable to
particular share classes to compensate the Distributor and other selling dealers, various banks,
broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, for providing certain services to the holders of
these share classes. Such services may include the following:
|
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formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities;
|
|
|
|
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|
preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature;
|
|
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|
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preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and Fund reports to other than
existing shareholders;
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obtaining such information with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the
Distributor deems advisable;
|
|
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making payments to dealers and others engaged in the sale of shares or who engage in
shareholder support services; and
|
|
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|
|
|
providing training, marketing and support with respect to the sale of shares.
|
|
The Distributor may remit on a continuous basis all of the payments it receives to its registered
representatives and other financial intermediaries as a trail fee in recognition of their services
and assistance.
The Distributor makes payments to dealers on accounts for which such dealer is designated dealer of
record. Payments are based on the average net asset value of the accounts. At least quarterly,
the Distributor provides to the Board, and the Board reviews, a written report of the amounts
expended pursuant to the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Continuance of the 12b-1 Plans must be approved by the Board, including a majority of the
Independent Trustees, annually. The 12b-1 Plans may be amended by a vote of the Board, including a
majority of the Independent Trustees, except that the plans may not be amended to materially
increase the amount spent for distribution without approval of the shareholders of the affected
class. Agreements entered into pursuant to the 12b-1 Plans terminate automatically in the event of
an assignment and may be terminated upon a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by
vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities of the affected class.
44
Class I shares of the Fund are not subject to any distribution plan. Expenses associated with the
obligation of the Distributor to use its best efforts to sell Class I shares will be paid by the
Adviser or by the Distributor and will not be paid from the fees paid under Plans for any other
class of shares of the Fund.
The Fund has also adopted a separate Service Plan for Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5
shares (the Service Plan). The Service Plan authorizes the Fund to pay securities dealers, plan
administrators or other service
organizations who agree to provide certain services to retirement plans or plan participants
holding shares of the Fund the following annual service fees, in each case based upon the average
daily net assets attributable to the class of shares held by such plan participants: Class R1:
0.25%; Class R3: 0.15%; Class R4: 0.10%; and Class R5: 0.05%. These services may include (a)
acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder and nominee for all plan participants; (b)
maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns Class R1, Class R3,
Class R4 or Class R5 shares; (c) processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class R1, Class
R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares on behalf of plan participants, and handling the transmission of
funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds; (d) addressing plan participant
questions regarding their accounts and the Fund; and (e) other services related to servicing such
retirement plans.
The Plans and all amendments were approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent
Trustees and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans by
votes cast in person at meetings called for the purpose of voting on such Plans.
Pursuant to the Plans, at least quarterly, John Hancock Funds provides the Fund with a written
report of the amounts expended under the Plans and the purpose for which these expenditures were
made. The Trustees review these reports on a quarterly basis to determine their continued
appropriateness.
The Plans provide that they will continue in effect only so long as its continuance is approved at
least annually by a majority of both the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. The Plans provide
that they may be terminated without penalty: (a) by a vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees; (b) by a vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding shares of the applicable class in
each case upon 60 days written notice to John Hancock Funds; and (c) automatically in the event of
assignment. The Plans further provide that they may not be amended to increase the maximum amount
of the fees for the services described therein without the approval of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the class of the Fund which has voting rights with respect to the Plan. Each
Plan provides that no material amendment to the Plans will be effective unless it is approved by a
majority vote of the Trustees and the Independent Trustees of the Fund. The holders of Class A,
Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares have exclusive voting rights
with respect to the Plan applicable to their respective class of shares. In adopting the Plans,
the Trustees concluded that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans
will benefit the holders of the applicable class of shares of the Fund.
Expenses associated with the obligation of John Hancock Funds to use its best efforts to sell Class
R5 shares will be paid by the Adviser or by John Hancock Funds and will not be paid by the Fund.
Amounts paid to John Hancock Funds by any class of shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the
expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that
expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law,
according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such
class, as may be approved from time to time by vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to
time, the Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of
those activities will be borne by the Fund in proportion to its relative NAV.
During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund paid John Hancock Funds the following amounts
of expenses in connection with its services to the Fund.
45
Expense Items
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Printing and
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Interest
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Mailing of
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Carrying or
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Prospectus to
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Compensation
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Expenses of John
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Other Finance
|
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Advertising
|
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New Shareholders
|
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to Selling Firms
|
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Hancock Funds
|
|
Charges
|
Class A
|
|
$
|
112,171
|
|
|
$
|
10,701
|
|
|
$
|
870,039
|
|
|
$
|
1,044,665
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
Class B
|
|
$
|
29,397
|
|
|
$
|
6,677
|
|
|
$
|
854,406
|
|
|
$
|
583,792
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
Class C
|
|
$
|
62,827
|
|
|
$
|
4,558
|
|
|
$
|
1,149,020
|
|
|
$
|
526,275
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
Class R1
|
|
$
|
1,651
|
|
|
$
|
176
|
|
|
$
|
17,424
|
|
|
$
|
15,580
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
Class R3
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
Class R4
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
2
|
|
|
$
|
-0-
|
|
SALES COMPENSATION
As part of their business strategies, the Fund, along with the Distributor, pays compensation to
Selling Firms that sell the Funds shares. These firms typically pass along a portion of this
compensation to your broker or financial representative.
The two primary sources of Selling Firm compensation payments for each class of the Funds shares
are: (1) the 12b-1 fees that are paid out of the Funds assets; and (2) sales charges paid by
investors. The sales charges and 12b-1 fees are detailed in the prospectus and under the
Distribution Contracts, Initial Sales Charges on Class A Shares and Deferred Sales Charge on
Class B and Class C Shares in this SAI. The portions of these expenses that are paid to Selling
Firms are shown in the First Year Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation chart. For Class I
shares, John Hancock Funds may make a one-time payment at the time of initial purchase out of its
own resources to a Selling Firm which sells shares of the Fund. This payment may not exceed 0.15%
of the amount invested.
Initial compensation
Whenever you make an investment in Class A, Class B or Class C shares of the
Fund, the Selling Firm receives a reallowance/payment/commission as described in the First Year
Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation chart. The Selling Firm also receives the first years
12b-1 service fee at this time.
Annual compensation.
For Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund, beginning in the second
year after an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of
its average daily net (aged) assets. In addition, beginning in the second year after an investment
is made in Class C shares of the Fund, the Distributor will pay the Selling Firm a distribution fee
in an amount not to exceed 0.75% of the average daily net (aged) assets. In certain cases, for
Class A shares, 12b-1 fees are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible
assets. These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears.
For Class R1 and Class R3 shares of the Fund, beginning with the first year an investment is made,
the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of its average daily net assets. In
addition, the Distributor will pay the Selling Firm a distribution fee in an amount not to exceed
0.25% of the average daily net assets. For Class R4 shares of the Fund, beginning with the first
year that an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 distribution fee of
0.25% of its average daily net assets. These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in
arrears.
Rollover Program Compensation.
The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or other
plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, as amended (the
Code) which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, is eligible to receive
ongoing compensation (Rollover Compensation) when a plan participant terminates from the
qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock sponsored custodial IRA or John Hancock
custodial ROTH IRA invested in shares of John Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid to
the broker-dealer at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John
Hancock funds (0.15% for the John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program.
46
Rollover
Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. The
Rollover Compensation is not related to the reallowance and/or Rule 12b-1 fees that a broker-dealer
may earn as broker-dealer of record in connection with sales of John Hancock funds.
Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries.
Shares of the funds are primarily sold through
financial intermediaries (firms), such as broker/dealers, banks, registered investment advisers,
independent financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. The Distributor may make,
either from 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own
resources, additional payments to firms. These payments are sometimes referred to as revenue
sharing. Many firms that sell shares of the Funds receive one or more types of these cash
payments. The categories of payments that John Hancock Funds provides to firms are described
below. These categories are not mutually exclusive and John Hancock Funds may make additional
types of revenue sharing payments in the future. The same firms may receive payments under more
than one or all categories. These payments assist in John Hancock Funds efforts to promote the
sale of the funds shares. John Hancock Funds agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating
any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the
firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These
payments could be significant to a firm. John Hancock Funds determines which firms to support and
the extent of the payments it is willing to make. John Hancock Funds generally chooses to
compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the funds and that are
willing to cooperate with the distributors promotional efforts. John Hancock Funds does not make
an independent assessment of the cost of providing such services.
As of July 1, 2009, , the following member firms of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
have arrangements in effect with John Hancock Funds pursuant to which the firm is entitled to a
revenue sharing payment.
|
1st Global Capital Corp
|
AIG Network
|
Ameriprise Financial Services Inc
|
AXA Advisors, LLC
|
Banc of America Investments Inc
|
Cambridge Investment Research
|
Centaurus Financial Inc
|
Charles Schwab
|
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
|
Commonwealth Financial Network
|
Crown Capital Securities LP
|
Cuso Financial Services LP
|
DA Davidson & Co Inc
|
E Trade Securities Inc
|
Ferris Baker Watts Inc
|
Fidelity
|
First Allied Securities Inc
|
First Tennessee Brokerage Inc
|
Geneos Wealth Management
|
Girard Securities Inc
|
H D Vest Financial Services Inc
|
Harbour Investments Inc
|
ING Advisors
|
ING -Financial Network Investment Corp
|
ING Financial Partners, Inc
|
ING-Multi-Financial Securities Corporation
|
ING -PrimeVest Financial Services
|
Intersecurities Inc
|
47
|
Investacorp Inc
|
Investment Professionals Inc
|
Investors Capital Corp
|
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
|
JJB Hilliard WL Lyons, Inc
|
Lincoln Financial (Advisors & Securities)
|
LPL Network
|
LPL Financial Corporation
|
LPL -Associated Securities Corp
|
LPL -Mutual Service Corporation
|
LPL- Waterstone Financial Group
|
LPL -Uvest Financial Services Group
|
Merrill Lynch
|
MML Investor Services Inc
|
Morgan Stanley & Company, Inc.
|
National Planning Holding
|
NPH -Invest Financial Corp
|
NPH -Investment Centers of America
|
NPH -National Planning Corporation
|
NPH -SII Investments Inc
|
NFP Securities Inc
|
Oppenheimer & Co Inc
|
Raymond James & Associates Inc
|
Raymond James Financial Services Inc
|
RBC Capital Markets Corporation
|
Robert W Baird & Co
|
Securities America Inc
|
Signator Investors Inc
|
Stifel Nicolaus & Co Incorporated
|
The Huntington Investment Co
|
The Investment Center, Inc.
|
Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc
|
UBS Financial Services Inc
|
Wachovia Securities LLC
|
Wells Fargo Investments LLC
|
The John Hancock funds also have arrangements with intermediaries that are not members of FINRA.
Other firms, who are not members of FINRA, also may receive revenue sharing payments.
Securities of Regular Broker Dealers.
The table below presents information regarding the
securities of the Funds regular broker dealers (or the parent of the regular broker-dealers) that
were held by the Fund as of the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
Regular Broker Dealer
|
|
Holdings ($000s)
|
Citigroup, Inc.
|
|
|
9,067
|
|
Lehman Brothers, Inc.
|
|
|
1,560
|
|
Bank of America Corp.
|
|
|
9,571
|
|
Sales and Asset Based Payments.
John Hancock Funds makes revenue sharing payments as incentives to
certain firms to promote and sell shares of the funds. John Hancock Funds hopes to benefit from
revenue sharing by increasing the funds net assets, which, as well as benefiting the funds, would
result in additional management and
48
other fees for John Hancock Advisers and its affiliates. In
consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature certain funds in its sales system or give
John Hancock Funds additional access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, a
firm may agree to participate in the marketing efforts of John Hancock Funds by allowing it to
participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediarys sales force.
Although an intermediary may seek revenue sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in
servicing its clients that have invested in the funds, the intermediary may earn a profit on these
payments. Revenue sharing payments may provide a firm with an incentive to favor the funds.
The revenue sharing payments John Hancock Funds makes may be calculated on sales of shares of funds
(Sales-Based Payments). Such payments also may be calculated on the average daily net assets of
the applicable funds attributable to that particular financial intermediary (Asset-Based
Payments). Sales-Based Payments primarily create incentives to make new sales of shares of the
funds and Asset-Based Payments primarily create incentives to retain previously sold shares of the
funds in investor accounts. John Hancock Funds may pay a firm either or both Sales-Based Payments
and Asset-Based Payments.
Administrative and Processing Support Payments.
John Hancock Funds also may make payments to
certain firms that sell shares of the funds for certain administrative services, including record
keeping and sub-accounting shareholder accounts, to the extent that the funds do not pay for these
costs directly. John Hancock Funds also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the
funds in connection with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction
processing. The types of payments that John Hancock Funds may make under this category include,
among others, payment of ticket charges per purchase or exchange order placed by a financial
intermediary, payment of networking fees in connection with certain mutual fund trading systems, or
one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up funds on a firms mutual fund trading
system.
Other Cash Payments.
From time to time, John Hancock Funds may provide, either from 12b-1
distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional compensation to firms that sell or
arrange for the sale of shares of the funds. Such compensation provided by John Hancock Funds may
include financial assistance to firms that enable John Hancock Funds to participate in and/or
present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered
representatives and other employees, client entertainment, client and investor events, and other
firm-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered
representatives and other employees in connection with client prospecting, retention and due
diligence trips. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or
state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. John Hancock Funds makes payments for
entertainment events they deem appropriate, subject to John Hancock Funds guidelines and
applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the
relationship.
John Hancock Funds and its affiliates may have other relationships with firms relating to the
provisions of services to the funds, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction
processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for funds. If a firm provides these
services, the investment adviser or the funds may compensate the firm for these services. In
addition, a firm may have other compensated or uncompensated relationships with the investment
adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the funds.
49
First Year Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor pays
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sales charge
|
|
Selling Firm
|
|
Selling Firm
|
|
|
|
|
(% of offering
|
|
receives
|
|
receives 12b-1
|
|
Total Selling Firm
|
|
|
price) (1)
|
|
commission (2)
|
|
service fee (3)
|
|
compensation (4)(5)
|
Class A investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Up to $99,999
|
|
|
4.50
|
%
|
|
|
3.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$100,000 - $249,999
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
3.01
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
3.25
|
%
|
$250,000 - $499,999
|
|
|
2.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.06
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
2.30
|
%
|
$500,000 - $999,999
|
|
|
2.00
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments of Class A shares of $1 million or more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First $1M - $4,999,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
Next $1 - $5M above that
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Next $1 or more above that
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments of Class A shares by certain Retirement Plans (6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First $1 - $4,999,999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
Next $1 - $5M above that
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Next $1 or more above that
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class B investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class C investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00%
|
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R1 investments(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R3 investments(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R4 investments(8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R5 investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
See Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares for discussion on how to qualify for a reduced
sales charge.
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Hancock Funds may take recent redemptions into account in determining if an investment
qualifies as a new investment.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
For Class A investments under $1 million, a portion of the Selling Firms commission is paid
out of the sales charge.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
For Class A, B and C shares, the Selling Firm receives 12b-1 fees in the first year as a
percentage of the amount invested and after the first year as a percentage of average daily net
eligible assets. Monthly payments are made in arrears. In certain circumstances, 12b-1 fees are
paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. This compensation
applies to the following: Selling Firms with a fee-based/WRAP program agreement with John Hancock
Funds, LLC, certain retirement platforms with over 100 eligible employees at the inception of the
Fund account or $1 million in plan assets, and Selling Firms that roll over assets from a
terminated participants qualified plan, which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity
contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA investing in John
Hancock funds. Monthly payments are made in arrears.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Selling Firm commission and 12b-1 service fee percentages are calculated from different
amounts, and therefore may not equal the total Selling Firm compensation percentages if combined
using simple addition.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Underwriter retains the balance.
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain
Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges. These purchases consist of $1 million or
more, purchases by employer sponsored defined contribution retirement plans investing $1 million or
more, or with 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase.
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
John Hancock Funds may make a one-time payment at time of initial purchase out of its own
resources to a Selling Firm that sells Class I shares of the Fund. This payment may be up to 0.15%
of the amount invested.
|
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
For purchases of Class R1, Class R3 and Class R4, beginning with the first year an investment
is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee paid monthly in arrears. See
Distribution Contracts for description of Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 Service Plan
charges and payments.
|
|
Contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) revenues collected by John Hancock Funds may be used to
pay Selling Firm commissions when there is no initial sales charge.
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV for each class of the Fund is determined each business day at the close of regular trading
on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) by dividing a classs net assets by the number of
its shares outstanding. On any day an international market is closed and the NYSE is open, any
foreign securities will be valued at the prior days close with the current days exchange rate.
Trading of foreign securities may take place on Saturdays and U.S. business holidays on which the
Funds NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the Funds portfolio securities may trade and the NAV
of the Funds redeemable securities may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder has no
access to the Fund.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods which are generally described below. As noted
in the prospectus, portfolio securities may also be fair valued by a Funds Pricing Committee in
certain instances.
Equity Securities Traded on Stock Exchanges
Most equity securities that are traded on stock exchanges (including securities traded in
both the over-the-counter (OTC) market and on an exchange) are valued at the last sales prices as of the close of the
exchange in the principal market on which the security trades, or, lacking any sales, at the
closing bid prices. Certain exceptions exist. For example, securities traded on the London Stock
Exchange and NASDAQ are valued at the official closing price.
51
Securities Traded on the OTC Market
Securities
traded only in the over-the-counter OTC market are generally valued at the last bid prices quoted by
brokers that make markets in the securities at the close of regular trading on the NYSE.
Debt Securities and Convertible Securities
Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market value
determined by the securitys most recent bid price (sales price if the principal market is an
exchange) in the principal market in which it is normally traded, as furnished by recognized
dealers in such securities. Debt securities (other than certain short
term debt securities that are valued at amortized cost) and convertible securities may also be valued on the basis of
information furnished by a pricing service. A number of pricing
services are available and a Fund may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
Short Term Debt Instruments
Certain short term debt instruments will be valued on an amortized cost basis.
Under this method of valuation, the instrument is initially valued at cost. For securities
purchased at a discount or premium, a Fund assumes a constant proportionate amortization in value
until maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the
instrument. While the amortized cost method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in
periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that
would be received upon sale of the instrument.
Open-End Investment Companies
Shares of
other open-end investment companies are valued based on the
NAVs of those investment companies.
Securities Denominated in Foreign Currencies
The value
of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the
prevailing exchange rate at the close of the NYSE.
Options and Futures Contracts
Exchange-traded options are valued at sale prices, if available, and at the mean of the bid and ask
prices if a sale price is unavailable.
Futures contracts are valued at the most recent settlement price.
Limited Partnerships and Pooled Investment Vehicles
The value of a Funds interest in entities such as limited partnerships and other pooled
investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, will be determined by fair valuation. In general,
the fair value of a Funds interest in a hedge fund will represent the amount that the Fund
could reasonably expect to receive from the hedge fund or from a third party if the Funds
interest was redeemed or sold at the time of valuation, based on information available at the
time the valuation is made that the Fund reasonably believes to be reliable. In determining
fair value for investments in a hedge fund, a Fund ordinarily may rely upon the fair value
information provided to it by the administrator for and/or manager of
the hedge fund, computed in compliance with the hedge funds valuation policies and
procedures, in addition to any other relevant information available at the time of valuation.
In certain instances, a Funds Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation
does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and
may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from
the reported valuation.
Non-Negotiable Security
52
A non-negotiable security not treated as an illiquid security because it may be redeemed with the
issuer, subject to a penalty for early redemption, shall be assigned a value that takes into
account the reduced amount that would be received if it were liquidated at the time of valuation.
For purposes of calculating the NAV of a Funds shares, investment transactions are accounted for
on a trade date plus one basis (i.e. the business day following the trade date). However, for
financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on
the trade date.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES
Shares of the Fund are offered at a price equal to their NAV plus a sales charge which, at the
option of the purchaser, may be imposed either at the time of purchase (the initial sales charge)
or on a contingent deferred basis (the contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC). The fund no
longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. The Board reserves the
right to change or waive the Funds minimum investment requirements and to reject any order to
purchase shares (including purchase by exchange) when in the judgment of the Adviser such rejection
is in the Funds best interest.
The sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A shares of the Fund are described in the
Prospectus. Methods of obtaining reduced sales charges referred to generally in the Prospectus are
described in detail below. In calculating the sales charge applicable to current purchases of
Class A shares of the Fund, the investor is entitled to accumulate current purchases with the
current offering price of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class I2, Class T, Class ADV or
all R share classes of the John Hancock mutual funds owned by the investor (see Combination and
Accumulation Privileges below).
In order to receive the reduced sales charge, the investor must notify his/her financial advisor
and/or the financial advisor must notify Signature Services, Inc. at the time of purchase of the
Class A shares, about any other John Hancock mutual funds owned by the investor, the investors
spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household (see Combination and
Accumulation Privilege below). This includes investments held in an individual retirement
account, including those held at a broker or financial adviser other than the one handling your
current purchase. Additionally, individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may
also be aggregated if the investments are for a single trust estate or for a group retirement plan.
Assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same
participants outside of the plan.
John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible
accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase.
Signature Services will automatically link certain accounts registered in the same client name,
with the same taxpayer identification number, for the purpose of qualifying you for lower initial
sales charge rates. You must notify Signature Services and your broker dealer (financial adviser)
at the time of purchase of any eligible accounts held by your spouse or children under 21, living
in the same household in order to insure these assets are linked to your accounts.
Without Sales Charge
. Class A shares may be offered without a front-end sales charge or
CDSC to various individuals and institutions as follows:
A Trustee or officer of the Trust; a Director or officer of the Adviser and its affiliates,
sub-adviser or Selling Firms; employees or sales representatives of any of the foregoing;
retired officers, employees or Directors of any of the foregoing; a member of the immediate
family (spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, parent, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
daughter-in-law, son-in-law, niece, nephew and same sex domestic partner; Immediate Family)
of any of the foregoing; or any fund, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the
individuals described above.
53
|
|
|
A broker, dealer, financial planner, consultant or registered investment advisor that has
entered into a signed agreement with John Hancock funds providing specifically for the use of
Fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based investment products or
services made available to their clients.
|
|
|
|
|
Individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or
SARSEP invested in John Hancock Funds directly to an IRA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or
SARSEP invested in John Hancock Funds directly to a ROTH IRA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, ROTH IRA, SEP,
SARSEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock Funds back to the
original account type from which it was converted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminating participants rolling over assets held in a pension,
profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or
described in Section 457(b) of the Code which is funded by certain
John Hancock group annuity contracts, directly to a John Hancock
custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA investing in John
Hancock funds, including subsequent investments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after
distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or other
plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in
Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior
to its termination, were held in certain John Hancock group
annuity contracts but are now transferred from such contracts and
held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing
organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA
sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made
available through John Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA
or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock
funds, including subsequent investments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial
403(b) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account.
|
|
NOTE: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457,
403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as
described in Code sections 401(a), 403(b), 457 and not specified above as waiver eligible, will be
subject to applicable sales charges.
|
|
|
A member of a class action lawsuit against insurance companies who is investing settlement
proceeds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or the Princeton
Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A shares, including
transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third
party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch
Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further
information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement plans investing through the PruSolutions
sm
program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Participants in certain 529 Plans that have a signed agreement with John
Hancock Funds. No CDSC will be due for redemptions on plan purchases made at
NAV with no finders fee. However, if a plan had a finders fee or commission,
and the entire plan redeemed within 12 months of the first investment in the
plan, a CDSC would be due.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Participant directed retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees at
the inception of the Fund account. Each of these employees may purchase
Class A shares with no initial sales charge, if the plan sponsor notifies
Signature Services of the number of employees at the time the account is
established. However, all shares are redeemed within 12 months of the inception
of the plan, a CDSC will be imposed at the following rate:
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
|
Amount Invested
|
|
CDSC Rate
|
First $1 to $4,999,999
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
Next $1 to $5M above that
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
Next $1 or more above that
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
Class A shares may also be purchased without an initial sales charge in connection with certain
liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal
holding companies.
In Kind Re-registrations.
A shareholder who withdraws funds via a tax reportable
transaction, from one John Hancock fund account, that has previously paid a sales charge, and
reregisters those assets directly to another John Hancock Fund account, without the assets ever
leaving John Hancock Funds, may do so without paying a sales charge. The beneficial owner must
remain the same, i.e., in kind.
Note: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457,
403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as
described in Code sections 401(a), 403(b), 457 are not eligible for this provision, and will be
subject to applicable sales charges.
Reducing Your Class A Sales Charges
Combination and Accumulation Privileges.
In calculating the sales charge applicable to
purchases of Class A shares made at one time, the purchases will be combined to reduce sales
charges if made by (a) an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21
living in the same household, purchasing securities for his or their own account, (b) a trustee or
other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or group retirement plan and (c) groups which
qualify for the Group Investment Program (see below). Individual qualified and non-qualified
investments can be combined to take advantage of this privilege, however, assets held within a
group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside
of the plan.
Class A investors may also reduce their Class A sales charge by taking into account not only the
amount being invested but also the current offering price of all the Class A, Class B, Class C,
Class I, Class I2, Class T, Class ADV and all R share classes of all John Hancock funds already
held by such person. However, Class A shares of John Hancock money market funds will only be
eligible for the accumulation privilege if the investor has previously paid a sales charge on the
amount of those shares. To receive a reduced sales charge, the investor must tell his/her financial
advisor or Signature Services at the time of the purchase about any other John Hancock mutual funds
held by that investor his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same
household. Further information about combined purchases, including certain restrictions on combined
group purchases, is available from Signature Services or a Selling Firms representative.
Group Investment Program
. Under the Combination and Accumulation Privileges, all members
of a group may combine their individual purchases of Class A shares to potentially qualify for
breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. This feature is provided to any group which (1) has been
in existence for more than six months, (2) has a legitimate purpose other than the purchase of
mutual fund shares at a discount for its members, (3) utilizes salary deduction or similar group
methods of payment, and (4) agrees to allow sales materials of the fund in its mailings to members
at a reduced or no cost to John Hancock Funds.
Letter of Intention
. Reduced Class A sales charges under the Combination and Accumulation
Privilege are also applicable to investments made pursuant to a Letter of Intention (the LOI),
which should be read carefully prior to its execution by an investor. The Fund offers two options
regarding the specified period for making investments under the LOI. All investors have the option
of making their investments over a specified period of thirteen (13) months. Individuals who are
using the Fund as a funding medium for their retirement plan account, however, may opt to make the
necessary investments called for by the LOI over a forty-eight (48) month period. These retirement
plans include traditional, Roth IRAs and Coverdell ESAs, SEP, SARSEP, 401(k), 403(b) (including
TSAs), SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Money Purchase Pension, Profit Sharing and Section 457 plans. An
individuals non-qualified and qualified retirement plan investments can be combined to satisfy an
LOI (either 13 or 48 months).
55
Since some retirement plans are held in an omnibus account, an
investor wishing to count retirement plan holdings towards a Class A purchase must notify Signature
Services and his/her financial adviser of these holdings. Such an investment (including
accumulations, combinations and reinvested dividends) must aggregate $100,000 or more
during the specified period from the date of the LOI or from a date within ninety (90) days prior
thereto, upon written request to Signature Services. Purchases made within 90 days prior to the
signing of an LOI will be counted towards fulfillment of the LOI, however, the original sales
charge will not be recalculated for these previous purchase. The sales charge applicable to all
amounts invested after an LOI is signed is computed as if the aggregate amount intended to be
invested had been invested immediately. If such aggregate amount is not actually invested, the
difference in the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge payable had the LOI not been in
effect is due from the investor. However, for the purchases actually made within the specified
period (either 13 or 48 months) the sales charge applicable will not be higher than that which
would have applied (including accumulations and combinations) had the LOI been for the amount
actually invested.
The LOI authorizes Signature Services to hold in escrow sufficient Class A shares (approximately 5%
of the aggregate) to make up any difference in sales charges on the amount intended to be invested
and the amount actually invested, until such investment is completed within the specified period,
at which time the escrowed Class A shares will be released. If the total investment specified in
the LOI is not completed, the Class A shares held in escrow may be redeemed and the proceeds used
as required to pay such sales charge as may be due. By signing the LOI, the investor authorizes
Signature Services to act as his attorney-in-fact to redeem any escrowed Class A shares and adjust
the sales charge, if necessary. A LOI does not constitute a binding commitment by an investor to
purchase, or by the Fund to sell, any additional Class A shares and may be terminated at any time.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
Investments in Class B and Class C shares are purchased at NAV per share without the imposition of
an initial sales charge so that the Fund will receive the full amount of the purchase payment.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
. Class B and Class C shares that are redeemed within six
years or one year of purchase, respectively, will be subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth in
the Prospectus as a percentage of the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The charge will be
assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost
of the Class B or Class C shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account
value above the initial purchase prices, including all shares derived from reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions.
Class B shares are not available to retirement that had more than 100 eligible employees at the
inception of the Fund account. You must notify Signature Services of the number of eligible
employees at the time your account is established.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of payment
for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for the
purpose of determining the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of both
Class B and Class C shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been
made on the first day of the month.
In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in a
manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. It will be assumed that your
redemption comes first from shares you have held beyond the six year CDSC redemption period for
Class B or one year CDSC redemption period for Class C, or those you acquired through dividend and
capital gain reinvestment, and next from the shares you have held the longest during the six year
period for Class B shares. For this purpose, the amount of any increase in a shares value above
its initial purchase price is not subject to a CDSC. Thus, when a share that has appreciated in
value is redeemed during the CDSC period, a CDSC is assessed only on its initial purchase price.
When requesting a redemption for a specific dollar amount please indicate if you require the
proceeds to equal the dollar amount requested. If not indicated, only the specified dollar amount
will be redeemed from your account and the proceeds will be less any applicable CDSC.
56
Example:
You have purchased 100 Class B shares at $10 per share. The second year after your purchase, your
investments NAV per share has increased by $2 to $12, and you have gained 10 additional shares
through dividend reinvestment. If you redeem 50 shares at this time your CDSC will be calculated
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds of 50 shares redeemed at $12 per shares (50 x 12)
|
|
$
|
600.00
|
|
*Minus Appreciation ($12 - $10) x 100 shares
|
|
|
(200.00
|
)
|
Minus proceeds of 10 shares not subject to CDSC (dividend reinvestment)
|
|
|
(120.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Amount subject to CDSC
|
|
$
|
280.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
The appreciation is based on all 100 shares in the account
not
just the shares being
redeemed.
|
|
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to John Hancock Funds and are used in whole or in part by John
Hancock Funds to defray its expenses related to providing distribution related services to the Fund
in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares, such as the payment of compensation
to selected Selling Firms for selling Class B and Class C shares. The combination of the CDSC and
the distribution and service fees facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class B and Class
C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of the purchase.
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.
The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of
Class B shares and Class C shares and Class A shares that are subject to CDSC, unless indicated
otherwise, in the circumstances defined below:
For all account types:
|
*
|
|
Redemptions made pursuant to the Funds right to liquidate your account if you own shares
worth less than the stated minimum in the section Opening an account in the prospectus.
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions made under certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving
other investment companies or personal holding companies.
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions due to death or disability. (Does not apply to trust accounts unless trust is
being dissolved.)
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions made under the Reinstatement Privilege, as described in Sales Charge Reductions
and Waivers of the Prospectus.
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions of Class B and Class C shares made under a periodic withdrawal plan, or
redemptions for fees charged by planners or advisors for advisory services, as long as your
annual redemptions do not exceed 12% of your account value, including reinvested dividends, at
the time you established your periodic withdrawal plan and 12% of the value of subsequent
investments (less redemptions) in that account at the time you notify Investor Services.
(Please note, this waiver does not apply to periodic withdrawal plan redemptions of Class A
shares that are subject to a CDSC.)
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group,
Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, including transferee
recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator
recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement
Group representative for further information.
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions by Class A shares by retirement plans that invested through the
PruSolutions
sm
program.
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception date of a retirement
plan at John Hancock.
|
|
57
For Retirement Accounts (such as traditional, Roth and Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k),
Rollover IRA, TSA, 457, 403(b),
401(k),
Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and other
plans as described in the Code unless otherwise noted.
|
*
|
|
Redemptions made to effect mandatory or life expectancy distributions under the Code.
(
Waiver based on required, minimum distribution calculations for John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA
assets only.)
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Returns of excess contributions made to these plans.
|
|
|
*
|
|
Rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b) (7) account
assets required by John Hancock funds as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining
and administering 403(b) (7) accounts.
|
|
|
*
|
|
Redemptions made to effect current distributions, as outlined in the chart on the following
page, to participants or beneficiaries from employer sponsored retirement plans under section
401(a) (such as Money Purchase Pension Plans and Profit-Sharing/401(k) Plans), 403(b), 457 and
408 (SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs) of the Code.
|
|
Please see matrix for some examples.
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
401 (a) Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(401 (k), MPP,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PSP) 457 & 408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of
|
|
(SEPs & Simple
|
|
|
|
|
|
IRA, IRA
|
|
Non-
|
Distribution
|
|
IRAs)
|
|
403 (b)
|
|
457
|
|
Rollover
|
|
retirement
|
Death or Disability
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over 70
1
/
2
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived for required
minimum
distributions* or
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments.
|
|
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Between 59
1
/
2
and 70
1
/
2
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived for Life
Expectancy or 12%
of account value
annually in
periodic payments.
|
|
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under 59
1
/
2
(Class B and Class
C only)
|
|
Waived for annuity
payments (72t) or
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments.
|
|
Waived for annuity
payments (72t) or
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments.
|
|
Waived for annuity
payments (72t) or
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments.
|
|
Waived for annuity
payments (72t) or
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments.
|
|
12% of account
value annually in
periodic payments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination of Plan
|
|
Not Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Not Waived
|
|
Not Waived
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hardships
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qualified Domestic
Relations Orders
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination of
Employment Before
Normal Retirement
Age
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of Excess
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
Waived
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Required minimum distributions based on John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only.
|
|
If you qualify for a CDSC waiver under one of these situations, you must notify Signature Services
at the time you make your redemption. The waiver will be granted once Signature Services has
confirmed that you are entitled to the waiver.
59
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS R1, CLASS R3, CLASS R4 AND CLASS R5 SHARES
Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are available only to retirement plans,
traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs
where the shares are held on the books of the Fund through investment only omnibus accounts (either
at the plan level or at the level of the financial service firm) that trade through the National
Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC).
SPECIAL REDEMPTIONS
Although it would not normally do so, the Fund has the right to pay the redemption price of shares
of the Fund in whole or in part in readily marketable portfolio securities as prescribed by the
Trustees. When the shareholder sells portfolio securities received in this fashion, the
shareholder will incur a brokerage charge. Any such securities would be valued for the purposes of
making such payment at the same value as used in determining NAV. The Fund has, however, elected
to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940Act. Under that rule, the Fund must redeem its shares
for cash except to the extent that the redemption payments to any shareholder during any 90-day
period would exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Funds NAV at the beginning of such period.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Exchange Privilege
. The Fund permits exchanges of shares of any class for shares of the
same class in any other John Hancock fund offering that same class. The registration for both
accounts involved must be identical. Identical registration is determined by having the same
beneficial owner on both accounts involved in the exchange.
Investors may exchange Class I, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares for the same class of shares
of other John Hancock funds or Class A shares of John Hancock Money Market Fund. If an investor
exchanges Class I, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares for Class A shares of Money Market Fund,
any future exchanges out of the Money Market Fund Class A must be to the same class of shares from
which they were originally exchanged.
Under certain circumstances, an investor who purchases Class I Shares in the Fund pursuant to a
fee-based, wrap or other investment platform program of certain firms as determined by the Fund may
be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion of Class A Shares owned by the investor in the same
Fund to Class I Shares of that Fund. Conversion of Class A Shares to Class I Shares of the same
Fund in these particular circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss.
See Tax Status for information regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of
the Fund.
Exchanges between funds are based on their respective NAVs. No sales charge is imposed, except on
exchanges of Class A shares from Money Market Fund to another John Hancock fund, if a sales charge
has not previously been paid on those shares. However, the shares acquired in an exchange will be
subject to the CDSC schedule of the shares acquired if and when such shares are redeemed. For
purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon redemption of shares acquired in an exchange, the
holding period of the original shares is added to the holding period of the shares acquired in an
exchange.
If a retirement plan exchanges the plans Class A account in its entirety from the Fund to a
non-John Hancock investment, the one-year CDSC applies.
The Fund reserves the right to require that previously exchanged shares (and reinvested dividends)
be in the Fund for 90 days before a shareholder is permitted a new exchange.
An exchange of shares is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and the purchase of shares
of another for federal income tax purposes. An exchange may result in a taxable gain or loss. See
Tax Status.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
The Fund permits the establishment of a Systematic Withdrawal
Plan. Payments under this plan represent proceeds arising from the redemption of Fund shares which
may result in realization of gain or loss for purposes of federal, state and local income taxes.
The maintenance of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan
60
concurrently with purchases of additional shares of
the Fund could be disadvantageous to a shareholder because of the initial sales charge payable on
purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class B
and Class C shares and because redemptions are taxable events. Therefore, a shareholder should not
purchase shares at the same time that a Systematic Withdrawal Plan is in effect. The Fund reserves
the right to modify or discontinue the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of any shareholder on 30 days
prior written notice to such shareholder, or to discontinue the availability of such plan in the
future. The shareholder may terminate the plan at any time by giving proper notice to Signature
Services.
Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program (MAAP)
. The program is explained in the Class A,
Class B and Class C Prospectus. The program, as it relates to automatic investment checks, is
subject to the following conditions:
The investments will be drawn on or about the day of the month indicated.
The privilege of making investments through the MAAP may be revoked by Signature Services without
prior notice if any investment is not honored by your bank. The bank shall be under no obligation
to notify the shareholder as to the non-payment of any checks.
The program may be discontinued by the shareholder either by calling Signature Services or upon
written notice to Signature Services which is received at least five (5) business days prior to the
order date of any investment.
Reinstatement or Reinvestment Privilege
. If Signature Services and your financial adviser
are notified prior to reinvestment, a shareholder who has redeemed shares of the Fund may, within
120 days after the date of redemption, reinvest without payment of a sales charge any part of the
redemption proceeds in shares back into the same share class of the same John Hancock Fund and
account from which it was removed, subject to the minimum investment limit in that fund. The
proceeds from the redemption of Class A shares may be reinvested at NAV without paying a sales
charge in Class A shares of the Fund. If a CDSC was paid upon a redemption, a shareholder may
reinvest the proceeds from this redemption at NAV in additional shares of the same class and fund
and account from which the redemption was made. The shareholders account will be credited with
the amount of any CDSC charged upon the prior redemption and the new shares will continue to be
subject to the CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will, for
purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption, include the holding period of
the redeemed shares.
The Fund may refuse any reinvestment request and may change or cancel its reinvestment policies at
any time.
A redemption or exchange of shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, even
if the reinvestment privilege is exercised, and any gain or loss realized by a shareholder on the
redemption or other disposition of shares will be treated for tax purposes as described under the
caption Tax Status.
Retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynchs or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc.s
servicing programs.
Class A shares are available at NAV for Merrill Lynch or The Princeton
Retirement Group, Inc. retirement plans, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch
Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill
Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.
For participating retirement plans investing in Class B share, shares will convert to Class A
shares after eight years, or sooner if the plan attains assets of $5 million (by means of a
CDSC-free redemption/purchase at NAV).
Section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts.
Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code
permits public school employers and employers of certain types of tax-exempt organizations to
establish for their eligible employees custodial accounts for the purpose of providing for
retirement income for such employees. Effective September 25, 2007, Treasury regulations impose
certain conditions on exchanges between one custodial account intended to qualify under Section
403(b)(7) (the exchanged account) and another contract or custodial account intended to qualify
under Section 403(b) (the replacing account) under the same employer plan (a Section 403(b)
Plan). Specifically, the replacing account agreement must include distribution restrictions that
are no less stringent than
61
those imposed under the exchanged account agreement, and the employer
must enter in an agreement with the
custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account under which the employer and the custodian
(or other issuer) of the replacing account will from time to time in the future provide each other
with certain information.
Due to these Regulations:
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1)
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The funds do not accept requests to establish new John Hancock
custodial 403(b)(7) accounts intended to qualify as a Section 403(b) Plan; and
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2)
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The funds do not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your
John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts (i.e., where yours is the replacing
account); and
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3)
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The funds require certain signed disclosure documentation in the
event:
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You established a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account with a
fund prior to September 24, 2007; and
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You direct the fund on or after September 25, 2007 to exchange or
transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account
assets to another 403(b) contract or account (i.e., where the
exchanged account is with the fund).
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4)
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Effective January 1, 2009, the funds will no longer accept salary
deferrals into 403(b)(7) accounts.
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In the event that the fund does not receive the required documentation, and you nonetheless direct
the fund to proceed with the transfer, the transfer may be treated as a taxable transaction.
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES
Shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed through certain Selling Firms. Selling Firms may
charge the investor additional fees for their services. The Fund will be deemed to have received a
purchase or redemption order when an authorized Selling Firm, or if applicable, a Selling Firms
authorized designee, receives the order. Orders may be processed at the NAV next calculated after
the Selling Firm receives the order. The Selling Firm must segregate any orders it receives after
the close of regular trading on the NYSE and transmit those orders to the Fund for execution at NAV
next determined. Some Selling Firms that maintain network/omnibus/nominee accounts with the Fund
for their clients charge an annual fee on the average net assets held in such accounts for
accounting, servicing, and distribution services they provide with respect to the underlying Fund
shares. This fee is paid by the Adviser, the Fund and/or the Distributor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS SHARES
The Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust
permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund without par value. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the
authority to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further
action by shareholders. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees have authorized shares of the
Fund and one other series. The Declaration of Trust also authorizes the Trustees to classify and
reclassify the shares of the Fund, or any new series of the Fund, into one or more classes. The
Trustees have authorized the issuance of eight classes of shares of the Fund, designated as Class
A, Class B, Class C, Class I. Class R1, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares.
The shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal proportionate interest in the aggregate net
assets attributed to that class of the Fund. Holders of each class of shares each have certain
exclusive voting rights on matters relating to their respective distribution plans. The different
classes of the Fund may bear different expenses relating to the
62
cost of holding shareholder
meetings necessitated by the exclusive voting rights of any class of shares. The Fund no longer
issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.
Dividends paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the
same manner, at the same time and on the same day and will be in the same amount, except for
differences resulting from the facts that: (i) the distribution and service fees relating to each
class of shares will be borne exclusively by that class; (ii) Class B and Class C shares will pay
higher distribution and service fees than Class A, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares,
Class R1 and Class R3 shares will pay higher distribution and service fees than Class A, Class R4
or Class R5 shares, and Class R4 shares will pay higher distribution and service fees than Class R5
shares; (iii) each class of shares will bear any other class expenses properly allocable to such
class of shares, subject to the conditions the IRS imposes with respect to the multiple-class
structures. Similarly, the NAV per share may vary depending on which class of shares is purchased.
No interest will be paid on uncashed dividend or redemption checks.
In the event of liquidation, shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata
in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to these shareholders. Shares entitle
their holders to one vote per share, are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription
or conversion rights. When issued, shares are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth
below.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration of Trust, the Fund has no intention of
holding annual meetings of shareholders. Fund shareholders may remove a Trustee by the affirmative
vote of at least two-thirds of the Trusts outstanding shares, and the Trustees shall promptly call
a meeting for such purpose when requested to do so in writing by the record holders of not less
than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. Shareholders may, under certain circumstances,
communicate with other shareholders in connection with requesting a special meeting of
shareholders. However, at any time that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office were
elected by the shareholders, the Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the
purpose of electing Trustees.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for acts or obligations of the trust. However, the Funds
Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts, obligations
and affairs of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification out of the
Funds assets for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable by reason of
being or having been a shareholder. The Declaration of Trust also provides that no series of the
Trust shall be liable for the liabilities of any other series. Liability is therefore limited to
circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations, and the possibility
of this occurrence is remote.
The Fund reserves the right to reject any application which conflicts with the Funds internal
policies or the policies of any regulatory authority. John Hancock Funds does not accept starter,
credit card or third party checks. All checks returned by the post office as undeliverable will be
reinvested at NAV in the fund or funds from which a redemption was made or dividend paid.
Information provided on the account application may be used by the Fund to verify the accuracy of
the information or for background or financial history purposes. A joint account will be
administered as a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, unless the joint owners notify
Signature Services of a different intent. A shareholders account is governed by the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For telephone transactions the transfer agent will take measures to
verify the identity of the caller, such as asking for name, account number, Social Security or
other taxpayer ID number and other relevant information. If appropriate measures are taken, the
transfer agent is not responsible for any losses that may occur to any account due to an
unauthorized telephone call. Also for your protection, telephone redemptions are not permitted on
accounts whose names or addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone
transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.
Shares of the Fund may generally be sold only to U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, and U.S. Domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates.
The Trusts Declaration of Trust also provides that the Board may approve the merger of the Fund
with an affiliated mutual fund without shareholder approval, in accordance with the 1940 Act. This
provision will permit mergers of affiliated funds without shareholder approval in certain
circumstances to reduce the incurring the expense of
63
soliciting proxies when a combination does not
raise significant issues for shareholders. For example, this provision would permit the
combination of two small funds having the same portfolio managers, the same investment
objectives and the same fee structure in order to achieve economies of scale and thereby reduce
fund expenses borne by shareholders. Such a merger will still require each funds board (including
a majority of the independent trustees) to determine that the merger is in the best interests of
the combining funds and will not dilute the interest of existing shareholders. The Trustees will
evaluate any and all information reasonably necessary to make their determination and consider and
give appropriate weight to all pertinent factors in fulfilling the overall duty of care owed to
shareholders.
Shareholders of an acquired fund will still be required to approve a combination that would result
in a change in a fundamental investment policy, a material change to the terms of an advisory
agreement, the institution of or an increase in Rule 12b-1 fees or when the board of the surviving
fund does not have a majority of independent trustees who were elected by its shareholders. Under
Massachusetts law, shareholder approval is not required for fund mergers, consolidation or sales of
assets. Shareholder approval nevertheless will be obtained for combinations of affiliated funds
when required by the 1940 Act. Shareholder approval will also be obtained for combinations with
unaffiliated funds when deemed appropriate by the Trustees.
SAMPLE CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
Class A shares of the Fund are sold with a maximum initial sales charge of 4.50%. Classes B and C
shares are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges and with a 5.00% and 1.00% CDSC,
respectively, on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Classes I and R1 shares of the Fund
are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges or CDSCs. The following tables show the maximum
offering price per share of each class of the Fund, using the Funds relevant NAV as of May 31,
2009.
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NAV and redemption
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Price Per Class A
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Maximum sales charge
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Maximum offering
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Fund
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Share
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(4.50% of offering
price)
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price to public
1
|
Strategic Income Fund
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$
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5.61
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$
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0.26
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$
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5.87
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NAV, Offering Price and Redemption Price per Share
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Fund
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Class B
2
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Class C
2
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Class I
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Class R1
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Class R3
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Class R4
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Class R5
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Strategic Income Fund
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$
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5.61
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$
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5.61
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$
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5.59
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$
|
5.61
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$
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5.59
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$
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5.59
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$
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5.59
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1
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NAV ÷ 95.5%.
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2
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Redemption price is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
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TAX STATUS
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for accounting and tax purposes, has qualified as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, and intends to continue to qualify
for each taxable year. As such and by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code
regarding the sources of its income, the timing of its distributions and the diversification of its
assets, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income (including net
realized capital gains) which is distributed to shareholders in accordance with the timing
requirements of the Code.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% non-deductible federal excise tax on certain amounts not
distributed (or not treated as having been distributed) on a timely basis in accordance with annual
minimum distribution requirements. The
64
Fund intends under normal circumstances to seek to avoid or
minimize liability for such tax by satisfying such distribution requirements.
Distributions from the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits (E&P) will be taxable
under the Code for investors who are subject to tax. If these distributions are paid from the
Funds investment company taxable
income, they will be taxable as ordinary income; and if they are paid from the Funds net capital
gain, they will be taxable as capital gain. (Net capital gain is the excess (if any) of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, and investment company taxable income is
all taxable income and capital gains, other than those gains and losses included in computing net
capital gain, after reduction by deductible expenses.) Some distributions may be paid in January
but may be taxable to shareholders as if they had been received on December 31 of the previous
year. The tax treatment described above will apply without regard to whether distributions are
received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Distributions, if any, in excess of E&P will constitute a return of capital under the Code, which
will first reduce an investors federal tax basis in Fund shares and then, to the extent such basis
is exceeded, will generally give rise to capital gains. Shareholders who have chosen automatic
reinvestment of their distributions will have a federal tax basis in each share received pursuant
to such a reinvestment equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to
receive the distribution in cash, divided by the number of shares received in the reinvestment.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions
involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain foreign currency options, foreign
currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign
currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be
treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders. Transactions in foreign currencies that are not directly related to
the Funds investment in stock or securities, including speculative currency positions could under
future Treasury regulations produce income not among the types of qualifying income from which
the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year. If the net foreign
exchange loss for a year treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 were to exceed the Funds
investment company taxable income computed without regard to such loss, the resulting overall
ordinary loss for such year would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future
years. Under such circumstances, distributions paid by the Fund could be deemed return of capital.
The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries with respect to
its investments in foreign securities. Some tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S.
may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Investors may be entitled to claim U.S. foreign tax credits or
deductions with respect to foreign income taxes or certain other foreign taxes (qualified foreign
taxes), paid by the Fund, subject to certain holding period requirements and limitations contained
in the Code, if the Fund so elects. If more than 50% of the value of the Funds total assets at
the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may
file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund will
be required to (i) include in ordinary gross income (in addition to taxable dividends and
distributions actually received) their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund
even though not actually received by them, and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as
qualified foreign income taxes paid by them.
If the Fund makes this election, shareholders may then deduct such pro rata portions of qualified
foreign taxes in computing their taxable incomes, or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax
credits, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders
who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct
their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will
be required to include their share of such taxes in gross income. Shareholders who claim a foreign
income tax credit for such foreign taxes may be required to treat a portion of dividends received
from the Fund as a separate category of income for purposes of computing the limitations on the
foreign tax credit. Tax-exempt shareholders will ordinarily not benefit from this election. Each
year (if any) that the Fund files the election described above, its shareholders will be notified
of the amount of (i) each shareholders pro rata share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by
the Fund and (ii) the portion of Fund dividends which represents income from each foreign country.
If the Fund does not satisfy the 50% requirement described above or otherwise does not make the
election, the Fund will deduct the foreign taxes it pays in determining the amount it has available
for distribution to
65
shareholders, and shareholders will not include these foreign taxes in their
income, nor will they be entitled to any tax deductions or credits with respect to such taxes.
The amount of the Funds net realized capital gains, if any, in any given year will vary depending
upon the Advisers current investment strategy and whether the Adviser believes it to be in the
best interest of the Fund to dispose of
portfolio securities and/or engage in options, futures or forward transactions that will generate
capital gains or engage in certain other derivatives transactions. At the time of an investors
purchase of Fund shares, a portion of the purchase price is often attributable to realized or
unrealized appreciation in the Funds portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund.
Consequently, subsequent distributions on those shares from such appreciation or income may be
taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investors shares is, as a result of
the distributions, reduced below the investors cost for such shares, and the distributions in
reality represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.
Upon a redemption or other disposition of shares of the Fund (including by exercise of the exchange
privilege) in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, a shareholder may realize a
taxable gain or loss depending upon the amount of the proceeds and the investors basis in his
shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets
in the shareholders hands. A sales charge paid in purchasing shares of the Fund cannot be taken
into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares
within 90 days after their purchase to the extent Class A shares of the Fund or another John
Hancock fund are subsequently acquired without payment of a sales charge pursuant to the
reinvestment or exchange privilege. This disregarded charge will result in an increase in the
shareholders tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. Also, any loss realized on a
redemption or exchange may be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with
other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days
after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to automatic dividend reinvestments. In such a
case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less
will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions
of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. Shareholders should consult their own tax
advisers regarding their particular circumstances to determine whether a disposition of Fund shares
is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in the foregoing discussion.
Although its present intention is to distribute, at least annually, all net capital gain, if any,
the Fund reserves the right to retain and reinvest all or any portion of the excess, as computed
for federal income tax purposes, of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss in
any year. The Fund will not in any event distribute net capital gain realized in any year to the
extent that a capital loss is carried forward from prior years against such gain. To the extent
such excess was retained and not exhausted by the carryforward of prior years capital losses, it
would be subject to federal income tax in the hands of the Fund. Upon proper designation of this
amount by the Fund, each shareholder would be treated for federal income tax purposes as if the
Fund had distributed to him on the last day of its taxable year his pro rata share of such excess,
and he had paid his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund and reinvested the remainder in
the Fund. Accordingly, each shareholder would (a) include his pro rata share of such excess as
capital gain in his return for his taxable year in which the last day of the Funds taxable year
falls, (b) be entitled either to a tax credit on his return for, or to a refund of, his pro rata
share of the taxes paid by the Fund, and (c) be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis for his
shares in the Fund by the difference between his pro rata share of such excess and his pro rata
share of such taxes.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is permitted to carry forward a net realized capital loss
in any year to offset net capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the
loss. To the extent subsequent net capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not result
in federal income tax liability to the Fund and as noted above, would not be distributed as such to
shareholders. The Fund has $136,699,859 of capital loss carryforwards available, to the extent
provided by regulations, to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards expire
at various times and amounts from 2010 to 2016.
66
Only a small portion, if any, of the distributions from the Fund may qualify for the dividends-
received deduction for corporations, subject to the limitations applicable under the Code. The
qualifying portion is limited to properly designated distributions attributed to dividend income
(if any) the Fund receives from certain stock in U.S. domestic corporations and the deduction is
subject to holding period requirements and debt-financing limitations under the Code.
If the Fund should have dividend income that qualifies for the reduced tax rate applicable to
qualified dividend income, the maximum amount allowable will be designated by the Fund. This amount
will be reflected on Form 1099-DIV for the current calendar year.
Investment in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default presents special tax issues for
the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue
interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be
taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should
be allocated between principal and income, and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout
context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund if it acquires such
obligations in order to reduce the risk of distributing insufficient income to preserve its status
as a regulated investment company and to seek to avoid becoming subject to federal income or excise
tax.
Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain
pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded
to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax
advisers for more information.
The Fund is required to accrue income on any debt securities that have more than a
de
minimus
amount of original issue discount (or debt securities acquired at a market discount, if
the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) prior to the receipt of the
corresponding cash payments. The mark to market or constructive sale rules applicable to certain
options, futures, forwards, short sales or other transactions may also require the Fund to
recognize income or gain without a concurrent receipt of cash. Additionally, some countries
restrict repatriation which may make it difficult or impossible for the Fund to obtain cash
corresponding to its earnings or assets in those countries. However, the Fund must distribute to
shareholders for each taxable year substantially all of its net income and net capital gains,
including such income or gain, to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for
any federal income or excise tax. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio
securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or borrow cash, to satisfy these
distribution requirements.
A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax exemption is generally
available to the extent (if any) the Funds distributions are derived from interest on (or, in the
case of intangible property taxes, the value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S.
Government obligations, provided in some states that certain thresholds for holdings of such
obligations and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. The Fund will not seek to satisfy any
threshold or reporting requirements that may apply in particular taxing jurisdictions, although the
Fund may in its sole discretion provide relevant information to shareholders.
The Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) all taxable
distributions to shareholders, as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund
shares, except in the case of certain exempt recipients, i.e., corporations and certain other
investors distributions to which are exempt from the information reporting provisions of the Code.
Under the backup withholding provisions of Code Section 3406 and applicable Treasury regulations,
all such reportable distributions and proceeds may be subject to backup withholding of federal
income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their correct
taxpayer identification number and certain certifications required by the IRS or if the IRS or a
broker notifies the Fund that the number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the
shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividend
income. The Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required taxpayer
identification number or certification that the number provided is correct. If the backup
withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash
or reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts
withheld may be credited against a shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability. Investors
should consult their tax advisers about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.
67
The Fund may be required to account for its transactions in forward rolls or swaps, caps, floors
and collars in a manner that, under certain circumstances, may limit the extent of its
participation in such transactions. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain, but
not loss, if a swap or other transaction is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated
financial position in the Funds portfolio. The Fund may have to sell portfolio securities under
disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or borrow cash, to satisfy these distribution
requirements.
Certain options, futures and forward foreign currency contracts undertaken by the Fund may cause
the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking to market even though its positions have not
been sold or terminated and affect the character as long-term or short-term (or, in the case of
foreign currency contracts, as ordinary income or loss) and timing of some gains and losses
realized by the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain, but not loss, if
an option, short sale or other transaction is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated
financial position in the Funds portfolio. Also, certain of the Funds losses on its transactions
involving options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting or successor portfolio positions
may be deferred rather than being taken into account currently in calculating the Funds taxable
income or gains. Certain of such transactions may also cause the Fund to dispose of investments
sooner than would otherwise have occurred. These transactions may therefore affect the amount,
timing and character of the Funds distributions to shareholders. The Fund will take into account
the special tax rules (including consideration of available elections) applicable to options,
futures and forward contracts in order to seek to minimize any potential adverse tax consequences.
The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S.
persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts or
estates) subject to tax under such law. The discussion does not address special tax rules
applicable to certain types of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, and
financial institutions. Dividends, capital gain distributions, and ownership of or gains realized
on the redemption (including an exchange) of Fund shares may also be subject to state and local
taxes. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to the federal, state or local tax
consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from, the Fund in their
particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. investors not engaged in a U.S. trade or business with which their Fund investment is
effectively connected will be subject to U.S. federal income tax treatment that is different from
that described above. These investors may be subject to nonresident alien withholding tax at the
rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty) on amounts treated as ordinary
dividends from the Fund and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8, W-8BEN or other authorized
withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding on certain other payments from the Fund.
Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors regarding such treatment and the application
of foreign taxes to an investment in the Fund.
The Fund is not subject to Massachusetts corporate excise or franchise taxes. The Fund anticipates
that, provided the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, it will also
not be required to pay any Massachusetts income tax.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
Decisions concerning the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and the allocation of brokerage
commissions are made by the Adviser or Sub-Advisers investment and/or trading personnel. Orders
for purchases and sales of securities are placed in a manner, which, in the opinion of such
personnel, will offer the best price and market for the execution of each such transaction. The
Funds trading practices and investments are reviewed periodically by the Sub-Advisers Senior
Investment Policy Committee and its Brokerage Practices Committee which consists of officers of the
Sub-Adviser and quarterly by the officers of the Adviser and the Independent Trustees.
Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities may include a commission or commissions paid by
the issuer and transactions with dealers serving as market maker reflect a spread. Investments
in debt securities are generally traded on a net basis through dealers acting for their own
account as principals and not as brokers; no brokerage commissions are payable on these
transactions. In the U.S. Government securities market, securities are generally traded on a net
basis with dealers acting as principal for their own account without a stated commission,
68
although
the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. On occasion, certain money
market instruments and agency securities may be purchased directly from the issuer, in which case
no commissions or premiums are paid. Investments in equity securities are generally traded on
exchanges or on over-the-counter markets at fixed commission rates or on a net basis. In other
countries, both debt and equity securities are traded on exchanges at fixed commission rates.
Commissions on foreign transactions are generally higher than the negotiated
commission rates available in the U.S. There is generally less government supervision and
regulation of foreign stock exchanges and broker-dealers than in the U.S.
The Funds primary policy is to execute all purchases and sales of portfolio instruments at the
most favorable prices consistent with best execution, considering all of the costs of the
transaction including brokerage commissions. The policy governs the selection of brokers and
dealers and the market in which a transaction is executed. Consistent with best execution, the
Funds trades may be executed by dealers that also sell shares of John Hancock funds. However, the
Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of
broker-dealers to execute the Funds portfolio transactions. To the extent consistent with the
foregoing, the Fund will be governed in the selection of brokers and dealers, and the negotiation
of brokerage commission rates and dealer spreads, by the reliability and quality of the services
and may include, to a lesser extent, the availability and value of research information and
statistical assistance furnished to the Adviser and Sub-Adviser of the Fund. The Adviser and
Sub-Adviser have implemented policies and procedures (approved by the Funds board of Trustees)
reasonably designed to ensure that the Funds selection of the broker-dealer is not influenced by
considerations about the sales of Fund shares.
Where research is available for cash payments, the Adviser pays for such research from its own
resources, and not with brokerage commissions. In other cases, as permitted by Section 28(e) of
the Exchange Act, the Fund may pay to a broker that provides brokerage and research services to the
Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have
charged for effecting that transaction. This practice is subject to a good faith determination by
the Trustees that such price is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies
as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. Commissions as interpreted by the SEC, include fees
paid to brokers for trades conducted on an agency basis, and certain mark-ups, mark-downs,
commission equivalents and other fees received by dealers in riskless principal transactions placed
in the over-the-counter market.
The term brokerage and research services includes research services received from broker-dealers
which supplement the Adviser or Sub-Advisers own research (and the research of its affiliates),
and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on the
U.S. and foreign economies, industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations
with respect to the U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and
individual companies; information on federal, state, local and foreign political developments;
portfolio management strategies; performance information on securities, indexes and investment
accounts; and information concerning prices and ratings of securities. Broker-dealers may
communicate such information electronically, orally, in written form or on computer software.
Research services may also include the providing of electronic communication of trade information
and, the providing of specialized consultations with the Adviser or Sub-Advisers personnel with
respect to computerized systems and data furnished as a component of other research services, the
arranging of meetings with management of companies, and the providing of access to consultants who
supply research information.
The outside research assistance is useful to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser since the broker-dealers
used by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser tends to follow a broader universe of securities and other
matters than the Advisers or Sub-Advisers staff can follow. In addition, the research provides
the Adviser or Sub-Adviser with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Research services
provided to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all
accounts managed or advised by the Adviser or by its affiliates or by the Sub-Adviser or by its
affiliates. Some broker-dealers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent
upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by the
Advisers or Sub-Advisers clients, including the Fund. However, the Fund is not under any
obligation to deal with any broker-dealer in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.
69
The Adviser and Sub-Adviser believe that the research services are beneficial in supplementing the
Advisers or Sub-Advisers research and analysis and that they improve the quality of the Advisers
investment advice. It is not possible to place a dollar value on information and services to be
received from brokers and dealers, since it is only supplementary to the research efforts of the
Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The advisory fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because the Adviser
receives such services. The receipt of research information is not expected to reduce
significantly the expenses of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. However, to the extent that the Adviser
or Sub-Adviser
would have purchased research services had they not been provided by broker-dealers, or would have
developed comparable information through its own staff, the expenses to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser
could be considered to have been reduced accordingly. The research information and statistical
assistance furnished by brokers and dealers may benefit the Life Company or other advisory clients
of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, and conversely, brokerage commissions and spreads paid by other
advisory clients of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may result in research information and statistical
assistance beneficial to the Fund. The Fund will make no commitment to allocate portfolio
transactions upon any prescribed basis.
Broker-dealers may be willing to furnish statistical, research and other factual information or
service to the Adviser for no consideration other than brokerage or underwriting commissions.
Securities may be bought or sold from time to time through such broker-dealers on behalf of the
Fund or the Advisers or Sub-Advisers other clients.
In effecting portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund and the Advisers other clients, the
Adviser may from time to time instruct the broker-dealer that executes the transaction to allocate,
or step-out a portion of the transaction to another broker-dealer. The broker-dealer to which
the Adviser stepped-out would then settle and complete the designated portion of the transaction.
Each broker-dealer would receive a commission or brokerage fee with respect to that portion of the
transaction that it settles and completes.
While the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser will be primarily responsible for the allocation of the Funds
brokerage business, the policies and practices of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser in this regard must be
consistent with the foregoing and at all times be subject to review by the Trustees.
For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Fund paid negotiated brokerage
commissions of $101,202, $63,633 and $61,386, respectively.
Pursuant to procedures determined by the Trustees and consistent with the above policy of obtaining
best net results, the Fund may execute portfolio transactions with or through brokers affiliated
with the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser (Affiliated Brokers). Affiliated Brokers may act as broker
for the Fund on exchange transactions, subject, however, to the general policy of the Fund set
forth above and the procedures adopted by the Trustees pursuant to the 1940 Act. Commissions paid
to an Affiliated Broker must be at least as favorable as those which the Trustees believe to be
contemporaneously charged by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving
similar securities being purchased or sold. A transaction would not be placed with an Affiliated
Broker if the Fund would have to pay a commission rate less favorable than the Affiliated Brokers
contemporaneous charges for comparable transactions for its other most favored, but unaffiliated,
customers except for accounts for which the Affiliated Broker acts as clearing broker for another
brokerage firm, and any customers of the Affiliated Broker not comparable to the Fund as determined
by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the Affiliated Broker. Because the Adviser or Sub-Adviser
that is affiliated with the Affiliated Broker has, as an investment adviser to the Fund, the
obligation to provide investment management services, which includes elements of research and
related investment skills such research and related skills will not be used by the Affiliated
Broker as a basis for negotiating commissions at a rate higher than that determined in accordance
with the above criteria.
The Advisers indirect parent, the Life Company, is the indirect sole shareholder of Signator
Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer (Signator or an Affiliated Broker). The Advisers indirect
parent, Manulife Financial, is the parent of another broker-dealer, John Hancock Distributors LLC
(JH Distributors or Affiliated Broker).
Other investment advisory clients advised by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may also invest in the same
securities as the Fund. When these clients buy or sell the same securities at substantially the
same time, the Adviser or Sub-
70
Adviser may average the transactions as to price and allocate the
amount of available investments in a manner which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believes to be
equitable to each client, including the Fund. Because of this, client accounts in a particular
style may sometimes not sell or acquire securities as quickly or at the same prices as they might
if each were managed and traded individually.
For purchases of equity securities, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will
be made to each participating account
pro rata
based on the order size. For high demand issues
(for example, initial public offerings), shares will be allocated pro rata by account size as well
as on the basis of account objective, account size (a small accounts allocation may be increased
to provide it with a meaningful position), and the accounts other holdings. In addition, an
accounts allocation may be increased if that accounts portfolio manager was responsible for
generating the investment idea or the portfolio manager intends to buy more shares in the secondary
market. For fixed income accounts, generally securities will be allocated when appropriate among
accounts based on account size, except if the accounts have different objectives or if an account
is too small to get a meaningful allocation. For new issues, when a complete order is not filled,
a partial allocation will be made to each account pro rata based on the order size. However, if a
partial allocation is too small to be meaningful, it may be reallocated based on such factors as
account objectives, strategies, duration benchmarks and credit and sector exposure. For example,
value funds will likely not participate in initial public offerings as frequently as growth funds.
In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the
Fund or the size of the position obtainable for it. On the other hand, to the extent permitted by
law, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with
those to be sold or purchased for other clients managed by it in order to obtain best execution.
TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P. O. Box 9510, Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510, a wholly owned
indirect subsidiary of the Life Company, is the transfer and dividend paying agent for the Fund.
The Fund pays Signature Services monthly a fee which is based on an annual rate of $17.50 for each
shareholder account. The Fund also pays Signature Services monthly a fee that is based on an
annual rate of 0.015% of average daily net assets attributable to the Fund. The Fund also pays
certain out-of-pocket expenses. Expenses are aggregated and allocated to each class on the basis
of their relative NAVs.
Prior to June 1, 2008, the annual fee per shareholder account equaled $16.00 for Class A, $18.50
for Class B, $17.50 for Class C, $15.00 for Class I, and $16.00 for Class R1. The annual
asset-based fee amounted to 0.015% for Class A, Class B and Class C, 0.04% for Class I, and 0.05%
for Class R1.
Prior to June 1, 2007, the annual asset-based fee for Class I shares amounted to 0.05%.
For shares held of record in omnibus or other group accounts where administration and other
shareholder services are provided by the Selling Firm or group administrator, the Selling Firm or
administrator will charge a service fee to the Fund. For such shareholders, Signature Services
does not charge its account fee.
CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO
Portfolio securities of the Fund are held pursuant to a custodian agreement between the Trust, on
behalf of the Fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), Lafayette Corporate
Center, Two Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 92111. Under the custodian agreement, State Street
performs custody, foreign custody manager and fund accounting services.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund is PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, 125
High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP audits and renders an opinion
on the Funds annual financial statements and reviews the Funds annual federal income tax return.
71
LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS
On June 25, 2007, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser) and John Hancock Funds, LLC (the
Distributor) and two of their affiliates (collectively, the John Hancock Affiliates) reached a
settlement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) that resolved an investigation of certain practices relating to the
John Hancock Affiliates variable annuity and mutual fund operations involving directed brokerage
and revenue sharing. Under the terms of the settlement, each John Hancock Affiliate was censured
and agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to the United States Treasury. In addition, the Adviser
and the Distributor agreed to pay disgorgement of $2,087,477 and prejudgment interest of $359,460
to entities, including certain John Hancock Funds, that participated in the Advisers directed
brokerage program during the period from 2000 to October 2003. Collectively, all John Hancock
Affiliates agreed to pay a total disgorgement of $16,926,420 and prejudgment interest of $2,361,460
to the entities advised or distributed by John Hancock Affiliates. The Adviser discontinued the
use of directed brokerage in recognition of the sale of fund shares in October 2003.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 is incorporated herein
by reference from the Funds most recent Annual Report to Shareholders filed with the SEC on Form
N-CSR pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the 1940 Act.
CODES OF ETHICS
The Trust, Adviser, Distributor and Subadviser have adopted Codes of Ethics that comply with Rule
17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Each Code of Ethics permits personnel subject to the Code of Ethics to
invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund.
72
APPENDIX A- Description of Investment Risk
MORE ABOUT RISK
The Funds risk profile is largely defined by the funds principal securities and investment
practices. You may find the most concise description of the funds risk profile in the prospectus.
The Fund is permitted to utilize within limits established by the trustees certain other
securities and investment practices that have higher risks and opportunities associated with them.
To the extent that the fund utilizes these securities or practices, its overall performance may be
affected, either positively or negatively. On the following pages are brief definitions of certain
associated risks with them, with examples of related securities and investment practices included
in brackets. See the Investment Objectives and Policies and Investment Restrictions sections
of this SAI for a description of this Funds investment policies. The Fund follows certain
policies that may reduce these risks.
As with any mutual fund, there is no guarantee that the fund will earn income or show a positive
total return over any period of time days, months or years.
TYPES OF INVESTMENT RISK
Correlation risk
The risk that changes in the value of a hedging instrument will not match those
of the asset being hedged (hedging is the use of one investment to offset the effects of another
investment). Incomplete correlation can result in unanticipated risks.
(e.g., currency contracts,
futures and related options, options on securities and indices, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Credit risk
The risk that the issuer of a security, or the counterparty to a contract, will
default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation.
(e.g., non- investment-grade
debt securities, borrowing; reverse repurchase agreements, covered mortgage dollar roll
transactions, repurchase agreements, securities lending, Brady bonds, foreign debt securities,
in-kind, delayed and zero coupon debt securities, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed
securities, participation interest, options on securities, structured securities and swaps, caps
floors and collars).
Currency risk
The risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign
currencies may negatively affect an investment. Adverse changes in exchange rates may erode or
reverse any gains produced by foreign currency-denominated investments, and may widen any
losses
.(e.g., foreign debt securities, currency contracts, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Extension risk
The risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a
mortgage-backed security beyond the expected prepayment time, typically reducing the securitys
value
.(e.g. mortgage-backed securities and structured securities).
Interest rate risk
The risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. With
fixed-rate securities, a rise in interest rates typically causes a fall in values, while a fall in
rates typically causes a rise in values.
(e.g., non-investment-grade debt securities, covered
mortgage dollar roll transactions, Brady bonds, foreign debt securities, in-kind, delayed and zero
coupon debt securities, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, participation
interest, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Leverage risk
Associated with securities or practices (such as borrowing) that multiply small
index or market movements into large changes in value.
(e.g. borrowing; reverse repurchase
agreements, covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, when-issued securities and forward
commitments, currency contracts, financial futures and options; securities and index options,
structured securities, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
A-1
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Hedged
When a derivative (a security whose value is based on another security or index) is
used as a hedge against an opposite position that the fund also holds, any loss generated by
the derivative should be substantially offset by gains on the hedged investment, and vice
versa. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains.
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Speculative
To the extent that a derivative is not used as a hedge, the fund is directly
exposed to the risks of that derivative. Gains or losses from speculative positions in a
derivative may be substantially greater than the derivatives original cost.
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Liquidity risk
The risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time
and the price that the seller would like. The seller may have to lower the price, sell other
securities instead, or forego an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect
on fund management or performance.
(e.g. non-investment-grade debt securities, restricted and
illiquid securities, mortgage-backed securities, participation interest, currency contracts,
futures and related options; securities and index options, structured securities, swaps, caps,
floors and collars).
Management risk
The risk that a strategy used by athe Funds management may fail to produce the
intended result. Common to all mutual funds.
Market risk
The risk that the market value of a security may move up and down, sometimes rapidly
and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, an industry, a sector of the bond market
or the market as a whole. Common to all stocks and bonds and the mutual funds that invest in them
.
(e.g. covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, short-term trading, when-issued securities and
forward commitments, Brady bonds, foreign debt securities, in-kind, delayed and zero coupon debt
securities, restricted and illiquid securities, rights and warrants, financial futures and options;
and securities and index options, structured securities).
Natural event risk
The risk of losses attributable to natural disasters, crop failures and similar
events.
Opportunity risk
The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary
to take advantage of it are tied up in less advantageous investments.(
e.g. covered mortgage dollar
roll transactions, when-issued securities and forward commitments, currency contracts, financial
futures and options; securities and securities and index options).
Political risk
The risk of losses attributable to government or political actions, from changes in
tax or trade statutes to governmental collapse and war.
(e.g. Brady bonds and foreign debt
securities).
Prepayment risk
The risk that unanticipated prepayments may occur during periods of falling
interest rates, reducing the value of mortgage-backed securities.
(e.g., mortgage backed
securities).
Valuation risk
The risk that the Fund has valued certain of its securities at a higher price than
it can sell them for.
(e.g., non-investment-grade debt securities, participation interest,
structured securities, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
A-2
APPENDIX B
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of various debt
instruments they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized that ratings are not absolute
standards of quality. Consequently, debt instruments with the same maturity, coupon and rating may
have different yields while debt instruments of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings
may have the same yield.
MOODYS
Aaa:
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa:
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A:
Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa:
Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade
and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba:
Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements are subject to substantial credit
risk.
B:
Obligations rated B are considered speculative elements and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa:
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit
risk.
Ca:
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with
some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C:
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with
little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
S&P
AAA:
An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poors. The
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA:
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree.
The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A:
An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB:
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic
conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor
to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC and C:
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC CC and C are regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C
the highest. While such obligations
B-1
will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB:
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions, which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
B:
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the
obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse
business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or
willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC:
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon
favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse conditions, the obligor is not likely to
have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC:
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C:
The C rating may be used to over a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or
similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.
D:
An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments
on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired,
unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also
will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or taking of a similar action if payments on
an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-):
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus
(+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR:
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on
which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
FITCH
Investment Grade
AAA:
Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They
are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.
This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA:
Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They
indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not
significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A:
High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for
payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more
vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher
ratings.
BBB:
Good credit quality. B ratings indicate that there is currently expectations of low
credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse
changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is
the lowest investment grade category.
B-2
Speculative Grade
BB:
Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing,
particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial
alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this
category are not investment grade.
B:
Highly speculative.
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For issuers and performing obligations, B ratings indicate that significant credit risk
is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being
met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable
business and economic environment.
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For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential
for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of R1
(outstanding).
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CCC
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For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for
meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic
conditions.
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For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential
for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted by
plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of R2
(superior), or R3 (good) or R4 (average).
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CC
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For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.
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For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with Recovery
Raging of R4 (average) or R5 (below average).
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C
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For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent.
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For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential
for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of
R6 (poor).
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RD
Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on
some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of
obligations.
D
Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default
generally is defined as one of the following:
-
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failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or
interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation;
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-
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the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or
winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor; or
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-
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the distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where
creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or
economic terms compared with the existing obligation.
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Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument
that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the
expiration of the deferral or grace period.
Issuers will be rated D upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated
along the continuum of C to B rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and
other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis
indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay
interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligations documentation
B-3
during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of
the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the B or CCC-C categories.
Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations documentation. Fitch will
assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a
material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligations documentation, or where
it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitchs published definition of default are the
most appropriate ratings to assign.
CORPORATE AND TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moodys
Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated
issuers:
P-1
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt
obligations.
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P-2
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt
obligations.
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P-3
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term
obligations.
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NP
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Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.
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S&P
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Commercial Paper
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An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt
having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories,
ranging from A for the highest-quality obligations to D for the lowest. These categories are
as follows:
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A-1
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This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those
issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign
(+) designation.
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A-2
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Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative
degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.
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A-3
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Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however,
more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the
higher designations.
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B
Issues rated B are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.
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C
This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.
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B-4
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D
Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when interest payments of
principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless S&P believes such payments will be made during such grace period.
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Dual Ratings
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S&P assigns dual rating to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of
their structure.
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The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the
second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for
bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option
(for example, AAA/A-1+). With short-term demand debt, not rating symbols are used with the
commercial paper rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).
Other
Considerations -
The ratings of S&P, Moodys, and Fitch represent their respective opinions
of the quality of the municipal securities they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized,
however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently,
municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and ratings may have different yields and
municipal securities of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same
yield.
TAX-EXEMPT NOTE RATINGS
Moodys
Short-Term Debt Ratings
There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered
investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided
into three levels MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of
speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of
the obligation.
MIG 1
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established
cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for
refinancing.
MG 2
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as
large as in the preceding group.
MG 3
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be
narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Dept instruments in this category may
lack sufficient margins of protection.
S&P
Short-Term Issue
An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to
notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond
three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used
in making that assessment:
B-5
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Amortization schedule the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the
more likely it will be treated as note; and
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Source of payment the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing,
the more likely it will be treated as a note.
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SP-1
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong
capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial
and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
B-6
APPENDIX C
PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF THE ADVISER, THE JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS AND THE SUB-ADVISER
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
&
JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
General
John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Advisers, LLC (collectively the
Adviser) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended (the Advisers Act), and serves as the investment adviser to a number of management
investment companies (including series thereof) (each a Fund) registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Adviser generally retains one or more
sub-advisers to manage the assets of the Funds, including voting proxies with respect to a Funds
portfolio securities. From time to time, however, the Adviser may elect to manage directly the
assets of a Fund, including voting proxies with respect to its portfolio securities, or a Funds
board of trustees or directors may otherwise delegate to the Adviser authority to vote such
proxies. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires that a registered investment adviser adopt
and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it votes proxies
with respect to a clients securities in the best interest of the client. Pursuant thereto, the
Adviser has adopted and implemented these proxy voting policies and procedures (the Procedures).
Fiduciary Duty
The Adviser has a fiduciary duty to vote proxies on behalf of a Fund in the best interest of the
Fund and its shareholders.
Voting of Proxies
The Adviser will vote proxies with respect to a Funds portfolio securities when authorized to do
so by the Fund and subject to the Funds proxy voting policies and procedures and any further
direction or delegation of authority by the Funds board of trustees or directors. The decision on
how to vote a proxy will be made by the person(s) to whom the Adviser has from time to time
delegated such responsibility (the Designated Person). The Designated Person may include the
Funds portfolio manager(s) and a Proxy Voting Committee, as described below.
When voting proxies with respect to a Funds portfolio securities, the following standards will
apply:
The Designated Person will vote based on what it believes to be in the best interest of the
Fund and its shareholders and in accordance with the Funds investment guidelines.
Each voting decision will be made independently. The Designated Person may enlist the
services of reputable professionals (who may include persons employed by or otherwise associated
with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons) or independent proxy evaluation services such as
Institutional Shareholder Services, to assist with the analysis of voting issues and/or to carry
out the actual voting process. However, the ultimate decision as to how to vote a proxy will
remain the responsibility of the Designated Person.
The Adviser believes that a good management team of a company will generally act in the
best interests of the company. Therefore, the Designated Person will take into consideration as a
key factor in voting proxies with respect to securities of a company that are held by the Fund the
quality of the companys management and, in general, will vote as
D-1
recommended by such management except in situations where the Designated Person believes such
recommended vote is not in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
As a general principle, voting with respect to the same portfolio securities held by more
than one Fund should be consistent among those Funds having substantially the same mandates.
The Adviser will provide the Fund, from time to time in accordance with the Funds proxy
voting policies and procedures and any applicable laws and regulations, a record of the Advisers
voting of proxies with respect to the Funds portfolio securities.
Material Conflicts of Interest
In carrying out its proxy voting responsibilities, the Adviser will monitor and resolve potential
material conflicts (Material Conflicts) between the interests of (a) a Fund and (b) the Adviser
or any of its affiliated persons. Affiliates of the Adviser include Manulife Financial and its
subsidiaries. Material Conflicts may arise, for example, if a proxy vote relates to matters
involving any of these companies or other issuers in which the Adviser or any of its affiliates has
a substantial equity or other interest.
If the Adviser or a Designated Person becomes aware that a proxy voting issue may present a
potential Material Conflict, the issue will be referred to the Advisers Legal and Compliance
Department. If the Legal and Compliance Department determines that a potential Material Conflict
does exist, a Proxy Voting Committee will be appointed to consider and resolve the issue. The Proxy
Voting Committee may make any determination that it considers reasonable and may, if it chooses,
request the advice of an independent, third-party proxy service on how to vote the proxy.
Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds
The Adviser or the Designated Person will vote proxies with respect to the shares of a Fund that
are held by another Fund that operates as a fund of funds (a Fund of Funds) in the manner
provided in the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Fund of Funds (including such policies
and procedures relating to material conflicts of interest) or as otherwise directed by the board of
trustees or directors of the Fund of Funds.
Proxy Voting Committee(s)
The Adviser will from time to time, and on such temporary or longer term basis as it deems
appropriate, establish one or more Proxy Voting Committees. A Proxy Voting Committee shall include
the Advisers Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) and may include legal counsel. The terms of
reference and the procedures under which a Proxy Voting Committee will operate will be reviewed
from time to time by the Legal and Compliance Department. Records of the deliberations and proxy
voting recommendations of a Proxy Voting Committee will be maintained in accordance with applicable
law, if any, and these Procedures.
Records Retention
The Adviser will retain (or arrange for the retention by a third party of) such records relating to
proxy voting pursuant to these Procedures as may be required from time to time by applicable law
and regulations, including the following:
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i.
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these Procedures and all amendments hereto;
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ii.
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all proxy statements received regarding Fund portfolio securities;
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iii.
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records of all votes cast on behalf of a Fund;
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iv.
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records of all Fund requests for proxy voting information;
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D-2
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v.
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any documents prepared by the Designated Person or a Proxy Voting Committee
that were material to or memorialized the basis for a voting decision;
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vi.
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all records relating to communications with the Funds regarding Conflicts; and
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vii.
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all minutes of meetings of Proxy Voting Committees.
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Reporting to Fund Boards
The Adviser will provide the board of trustees or directors of a Fund (the Board) with a copy of
these Procedures, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Procedures have been
adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, the Adviser will
provide the Board with notice and a copy of any amendments or revisions to the Procedures and will
report quarterly to the Board all material changes to the Procedures.
The CCOs annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of material changes
to the Procedures during the period covered by the report.
If the Adviser votes any proxies in a manner inconsistent with either these Procedures or a Funds
proxy voting policies and procedures, the Adviser will provide the CCO with a report detailing such
exceptions.
In the case of proxies voted by a sub-adviser to a Fund (a Sub-adviser) pursuant to the Funds
proxy voting procedures, the Adviser will request the Sub-adviser to certify to the Adviser that
the Sub-adviser has voted the Funds proxies as required by the Funds proxy voting policies and
procedures and that such proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with these Procedures and
to provide the Adviser will a report detailing any instances where the Sub-adviser voted any
proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Funds proxy voting policies and procedures. The Adviser
will then report to the Board on a quarterly basis regarding the Sub-adviser certification and
report to the Board any instance where the Sub-adviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent
with the Funds proxy voting policies and procedures.
Adopted: December 2007
D-3
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY:
General
The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each registered investment company in the John Hancock
family of funds listed on Schedule A (collectively, the Trust), including a majority of the
Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the 1940 Act)) of the Trust (the Independent Trustees), adopts these proxy voting
policies and procedures.
Each fund of the Trust or any other registered investment company (or series thereof) (each, a
fund) is required to disclose its proxy voting policies and procedures in its registration
statement and, pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act, file annually with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and make available to shareholders its actual proxy voting record. In this
regard, the Trust Policy is set forth below.
Delegation of Proxy Voting Responsibilities
It is the policy of the Trust to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to
portfolio securities held by a fund to the funds investment adviser (adviser) or, if the funds
adviser has delegated portfolio management responsibilities to one or more investment
sub-adviser(s), to the funds sub-adviser(s), subject to the Boards continued oversight. The
sub-adviser for each fund shall vote all proxies relating to securities held by each fund and in
that connection, and subject to any further policies and procedures contained herein, shall use
proxy voting policies and procedures adopted by each sub-adviser in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act).
Except as noted below under Material Conflicts of Interest, the Trust Policy with respect to a fund
shall incorporate that adopted by the funds sub-adviser with respect to voting proxies held by its
clients (the Sub-adviser Policy). Each Sub-adviser Policy, as it may be amended from time to
time, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Trust Policy. Each sub-adviser to a fund is
directed to comply with these policies and procedures in voting proxies relating to portfolio
securities held by a fund, subject to oversight by the funds adviser and by the Board. Each
adviser to a fund retains the responsibility, and is directed, to oversee each sub-advisers
compliance with these policies and procedures, and to adopt and implement such additional policies
and procedures as it deems necessary or appropriate to discharge its oversight responsibility.
Additionally, the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) shall conduct such monitoring and
supervisory activities as the CCO or the Board deems necessary or appropriate in order to
appropriately discharge the CCOs role in overseeing the sub-advisers compliance with these
policies and procedures.
The delegation by the Board of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of
the funds is entirely voluntary and may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time.
Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds
A.
Where the Fund of Funds is not the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund
With respect to voting proxies relating to the shares of an underlying fund (an Underlying Fund)
held by a fund of the Trust operating as a fund of funds (a Fund of Funds) in reliance on Section
12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act where the Underlying Fund has shareholders other than the Fund of Funds
which are not other Fund of Funds, the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the
Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such Underlying Fund
shares.
D-4
B.
Where the Fund of Funds is the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund
In the event that one or more Funds of Funds are the sole shareholders of an Underlying Fund, the
adviser to the Fund of Funds or the Trust will vote proxies relating to the shares of the
Underlying Fund as set forth below unless the Board elects to have the Fund of Funds seek voting
instructions from the shareholders of the Funds of Funds in which case the Fund of Funds will vote
proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely
received from such shareholders.
1.
Where Both the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are Voting on Substantially
Identical Proposals
In the event that the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are voting on substantially
identical proposals (the Substantially Identical Proposal), then the adviser or the Fund
of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion
as the vote of the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the Substantially Identical
Proposal.
2.
Where the Underlying Fund is Voting on a Proposal that is Not Being Voted on By the
Fund of Funds
a.
Where there is No Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the
Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal
In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund
and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and
there is no material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders
of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the adviser
will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund pursuant to its Proxy
Voting Procedures.
b.
Where there is a Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the
Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal
In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund
and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and
there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of
the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the Fund of Funds
will seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the
proposal and will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same
proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders. A material
conflict is generally defined as a proposal involving a matter in which the adviser
or one of its affiliates has a material economic interest.
Material Conflicts of Interest
If: (1) a sub-adviser to a fund becomes aware that a vote presents a material conflict between the
interests of: (a) shareholders of the fund; and (b) the funds adviser, sub-adviser, principal
underwriter, or any of their affiliated persons, and (2) the sub-adviser does not propose to vote
on the particular issue in the manner prescribed by its Sub-adviser Policy or the material conflict
of interest procedures set forth in its Sub-adviser Policy are otherwise triggered, then the
sub-adviser will follow the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Sub-adviser
Policy when voting such proxies.
If a Sub-adviser Policy provides that in the case of a material conflict of interest between fund
shareholders and another party, the sub-adviser will ask the Board to provide voting instructions,
the sub-adviser shall vote the proxies, in its discretion, as recommended by an independent third
party, in the manner prescribed by its Sub-adviser Policy or abstain from voting the proxies.
D-5
Securities Lending Program
Certain of the funds participate in a securities lending program with the Trust through an agent
lender. When a funds securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrowers name
and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. Where a sub-adviser determines, however, that a
proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially important to the clients account, the
sub-adviser should request that the agent recall the security prior to the record date to allow the
sub-adviser to vote the securities.
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in the Trusts SAI (SAI)
The Trust shall include in its SAI a summary of the Trust Policy and of the Sub-adviser Policy
included therein. (In lieu of including a summary of these policies and procedures, the Trust may
include each full Trust Policy and Sub-adviser Policy in the SAI.)
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports
The Trust shall disclose in its annual and semi-annual shareholder reports that a description of
the Trust Policy, including the Sub-adviser Policy, and the Trusts proxy voting record for the
most recent 12 months ended June 30 are available on the Securities and Exchange Commissions
(SEC) website, and without charge, upon request, by calling a specified toll-free telephone
number. The Trust will send these documents within three business days of receipt of a request, by
first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
Filing of Proxy Voting Record on Form N-PX
The Trust will annually file its complete proxy voting record with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Form
N-PX shall be filed for the twelve months ended June 30 no later than August 31 of that year.
PROCEDURES:
Review of Sub-advisers Proxy Voting
The Trust has delegated proxy voting authority with respect to fund portfolio securities in
accordance with the Trust Policy, as set forth above.
Consistent with this delegation, each sub-adviser is responsible for the following:
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1)
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Implementing written policies and procedures, in compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 under
the Advisers Act, reasonably designed to ensure that the sub-adviser votes portfolio
securities in the best interest of shareholders of the Trust.
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2)
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Providing the adviser with a copy and description of the Sub-adviser Policy prior to
being approved by the Board as a sub-adviser, accompanied by a certification that
represents that the Sub-adviser Policy has been adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6
under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, providing the adviser with notice of any amendment or
revision to that Sub-adviser Policy or with a description thereof. The adviser is required
to report all material changes to a Sub-adviser Policy quarterly to the Board. The CCOs
annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of the material
changes to each Sub-adviser Policy during the period covered by the report.
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3)
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Providing the adviser with a quarterly certification indicating that the sub-adviser
did vote proxies of the funds and that the proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent
with the Sub-adviser Policy. If the sub-adviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent
with the Sub-adviser Policy, the sub-adviser will provide the adviser with a report
detailing the exceptions.
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D-6
Adviser Responsibilities
The Trust has retained a proxy voting service to coordinate, collect, and maintain all
proxy-related information, and to prepare and file the Trusts reports on Form N-PX with the SEC.
The adviser, in accordance with its general oversight responsibilities, will periodically review
the voting records maintained by the proxy voting service in accordance with the following
procedures:
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1)
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Receive a file with the proxy voting information directly from each sub-adviser on a
quarterly basis.
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2)
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Select a sample of proxy votes from the files submitted by the sub-advisers and compare
them against the proxy voting service files for accuracy of the votes.
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3)
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Deliver instructions to shareholders on how to access proxy voting information via the
Trusts semi-annual and annual shareholder reports.
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Proxy Voting Service Responsibilities
Aggregation of Votes:
The proxy voting services proxy disclosure system will collect fund-specific and/or account-level
voting records, including votes cast by multiple sub-advisers or third party voting services.
Reporting:
The proxy voting services proxy disclosure system will provide the following reporting features:
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1)
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multiple report export options;
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2)
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report customization by fund-account, portfolio manager, security, etc.; and
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3)
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account details available for vote auditing.
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Form N-PX Preparation and Filing:
The adviser will be responsible for oversight and completion of the filing of the Trusts reports
on Form N-PX with the SEC. The proxy voting service will prepare the EDGAR version of Form N-PX
and will submit it to the adviser for review and approval prior to filing with the SEC. The proxy
voting service will file Form N-PX for each twelve-month period ending on June 30. The filing must
be submitted to the SEC on or before August 31 of each year.
D-7
Schedule A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS:
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Adopted:
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Amended:
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John Hancock Trust
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September 28, 2007
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March 26, 2008
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John Hancock Funds II
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September 28, 2007
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March 26, 2008
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John Hancock Funds III
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Bond Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Capital Series
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Current Interest
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Equity Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Investment Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Investment Trust II
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Investment Trust III
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Series Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Strategic Series
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock World Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Bank & Thrift Opportunity Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Income Securities Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Investors Trust
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder
Yield Fund
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September 11, 2007
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June 10, 2008
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D-8
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.))
Proxy Voting Summary
We believe in placing our clients interests first. Once we invest, we monitor all our clients
holdings, to ensure that they maintain their potential to produce results for investors.
As part of our active investment management strategy, we keep a close eye on each company we invest
in. Routinely, companies issue proxies by which they ask investors like us to vote for or against
a change, such as a new management team, a new business procedure or an acquisition. We base our
decisions on how to vote these proxies with the goal of maximizing the value of our clients
investments.
MFC Global (U.S.) manages open-end funds, closed-end funds and portfolios for institutions and
high-net-worth investors. Occasionally, we utilize the expertise of an outside asset manager by
means of a sub-advisory agreement. In all cases, MFC Global (U.S.) makes the final decision as to
how to vote our clients proxies. There is one exception, however, and that pertains to our
international accounts. The investment management team for international investments votes the
proxies for the accounts they manage. Unless voting is specifically retained by the named
fiduciary of the client, MFC Global (U.S.) will vote proxies for ERISA clients.
In order to ensure a consistent, balanced approach across all our investment teams, we have
established a proxy oversight group comprised of associates from our investment, operations and
legal teams. The group has developed a set of policies and procedures that detail the standards
for how MFC Global (U.S.) votes proxies. MFC Global (U.S.)s other clients have granted us the
authority to vote proxies in our advisory contracts or comparable documents.
MFC Global (U.S.) has hired a third party proxy voting service which has been instructed to vote
all proxies in accordance with our established guidelines except as otherwise instructed.
In evaluating proxy issues, our proxy oversight group may consider information from many sources,
including the portfolio manager, management of a company presenting a proposal, shareholder groups,
and independent proxy research services. Proxies for securities on loan through securities lending
programs will generally not be voted, however a decision may be made to recall a security for
voting purposes if the issue is material.
Below are the guidelines we adhere to when voting proxies. Please keep in mind that these are
purely guidelines. Our actual votes will be driven by the particular circumstances of each proxy.
From time to time votes may ultimately be cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration
relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. Decisions on these matters
(case-by-case, abstention, recall) will normally be made by a portfolio manager under the
supervision of the chief investment officer and the proxy oversight group. We may abstain from
voting a proxy if we conclude that the effect on our clients economic interests or the value of
the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.
D-9
Proxy Voting Guidelines
Board of Directors
We believe good corporate governance evolves from an independent board.
We support the election of uncontested director nominees, but will withhold our vote for any
nominee attending less than 75% of the board and committee meetings during the previous fiscal
year. Contested elections will be considered on a case by case basis by the proxy oversight group,
taking into account the nominees qualifications. We will support managements ability to set the
size of the board of directors and to fill vacancies without shareholder approval but will not
support a board that has fewer than 3 directors or allows for the removal of a director without
cause.
We will support declassification of a board and block efforts to adopt a classified board
structure. This structure typically divides the board into classes with each class serving a
staggered term.
In addition, we support proposals for board indemnification and limitation of director liability,
as long as they are consistent with corporate law and shareholders interests. We believe that
this is necessary to attract qualified board members.
Selection of Auditors
We believe an independent audit committee can best determine an auditors qualifications.
We will vote for management proposals to ratify the boards selection of auditors, and for
proposals to increase the independence of audit committees.
Capitalization
We will vote for a proposal to increase or decrease authorized common or preferred stock and the
issuance of common stock, but will vote against a proposal to issue or convert preferred or
multiple classes of stock if the board has unlimited rights to set the terms and conditions of the
shares, or if the shares have voting rights inferior or superior to those of other shareholders.
In addition, we will support a management proposal to: create or restore preemptive rights; approve
a stock repurchase program; approve a stock split or reverse stock split; and, approve the issuance
or exercise of stock warrants
Acquisitions, Mergers and Corporate Restructuring
Proposals to merge with or acquire another company will be voted on a case-by-case basis, as will
proposals for recapitalization, restructuring, leveraged buyout, sale of assets, bankruptcy or
liquidation. We will vote against a reincorporation proposal if it would reduce shareholder
rights. We will vote against a management proposal to ratify or adopt a poison pill or to
establish a supermajority voting provision to approve a merger or other business combination. We
would however support a management proposal to opt out of a state takeover statutory provision, to
spin-off certain operations or divisions and to establish a fair price provision.
Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights
In general, we support proposals that foster good corporate governance procedures and that provide
shareholders with voting power equal to their equity interest in the company.
To preserve shareholder rights, we will vote against a management proposal to restrict
shareholders right to: call a special meeting and to eliminate a shareholders right to act by
written consent. In addition, we will not support a
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management proposal to adopt a supermajority vote requirement to change certain by-law or charter
provisions or a non-technical amendment to by-laws or a charter that reduces shareholder rights.
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation is designed to attract, retain and motivate talented executives and
independent directors, but should not be so significant as to materially dilute shareholders
interests.
We will vote against the adoption or amendment of a stock option plan if:
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the compensation committee is not fully independent;
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plan dilution is more than 10% of outstanding common stock;
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company allows or has allowed the re-pricing or replacement of underwater options in the
past three fiscal years (or the exchange of underwater options) without shareholder
approval;
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the option is not premium priced or indexed, or does not vest based on future
performance.
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With respect to the adoption or amendment of employee stock purchase plans or a stock award plan,
we will vote against management if:
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the plan allows stock to be purchased at less than 85% of fair market value;
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this plan dilutes outstanding common equity greater than 10%;
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all stock purchase plans, including the proposed plan, exceed 15% of outstanding common
equity;
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the potential dilution from all company plans is more than 85%.
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With respect to director stock incentive/option plans, we will vote against management if:
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the minimum vesting period for options or time lapsing restricted stock is les than one
year;
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the potential dilution for all company plans is more than 85%.
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Other Business
For routine business matters which are the subject of many proxy related questions, we will vote
with management proposals to:
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change the company name;
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approve other business;
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adjourn meetings;
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make technical amendments to the by-laws or charters;
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approve financial statements;
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approve an employment agreement or contract.
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Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders are permitted per SEC regulations to submit proposals for inclusion in a companys
proxy statement. We will generally vote against shareholder proposals and in accordance with the
recommendation of management except as follows where we will vote for proposals:
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calling for shareholder ratification of auditors;
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calling for auditors to attend annual meetings;
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seeking to increase board independence;
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requiring minimum stock ownership by directors;
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seeking to create a nominating committee or to increase the independence of the
nominating committee;
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seeking to increase the independence of the audit committee.
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Corporate and social policy issues
We believe that ordinary business matters are primarily the responsibility of management and
should be approved solely by the corporations board of directors.
Proposals in this category, initiated primarily by shareholders, typically request that the company
disclose or amend certain business practices. We generally vote against business practice
proposals and abstain on social policy issues, though we may make exceptions in certain instances
where we believe a proposal has substantial economic implications.
D-12
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.))
Proxy Voting Procedures
The role of the proxy voting service
MFC Global (U.S.) has hired a proxy voting service to assist with the voting of client proxies.
The proxy service coordinates with client custodians to ensure that proxies are received for
securities held in client accounts and acted on in a timely manner. The proxy service votes all
proxies received in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines established and adopted by MFC
Global (U.S.). When it is unclear how to apply a particular proxy voting guideline or when a
particular proposal is not covered by the guidelines, the proxy voting service will contact the
proxy oversight group coordinator for a resolution.
The role of the proxy oversight group and coordinator
The coordinator will interact directly with the proxy voting service to resolve any issues the
proxy voting service brings to the attention of MFC Global (U.S.). When a question arises
regarding how a proxy should be voted the coordinator contacts the firms investment professionals
and the proxy oversight group for a resolution. In addition the coordinator ensures that the proxy
voting service receives responses in a timely manner. Also, the coordinator is responsible for
identifying whether, when a voting issue arises, there is a potential conflict of interest
situation and then escalating the issue to the firms Executive Committee. For securities out on
loan as part of a securities lending program, if a decision is made to vote a proxy, the
coordinator will manage the return/recall of the securities so the proxy can be voted.
The role of mutual fund trustees
The boards of trustees of our mutual fund clients have reviewed and adopted the proxy voting
guidelines of the funds investment adviser. The trustees will periodically review the proxy
voting guidelines and suggest changes they deem advisable.
Conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest are resolved in the best interest of clients.
With respect to potential conflicts of interest, proxies will be voted in accordance with MFC
Global (U.S.)s predetermined policies. If application of the predetermined policy is unclear or
does not address a particular proposal, a special internal review by the MFC Global (U.S.)
Executive Committee will determine the vote. After voting, a report will be made to the client (in
the case of an investment company, to the funds board of trustees), if requested. An example of a
conflict of interest created with respect to a proxy solicitation is when MFC Global (U.S.) must
vote the proxies of companies that they provide investment advice to or are currently seeking to
provide investment advice to, such as to pension plans.
D-13
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 23.
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Exhibits.
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99.(a)
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Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. previously filed as exhibit
99.(a) to post-effective amendment no. 42 filed on September 14, 2005, accession number
0001010521-05-000405.
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99.(a).1
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Amendment dated June 24, 2005 to Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8,
2005, regarding change of address of principal place of business. previously filed as
exhibit 99.(a).1 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession
number 0001010521-06-000829.
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99.(a).2
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Amendment of Section 5.11 and Abolition of John Hancock High Income Fund dated December 6,
2005 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. previously filed
as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession
number 0001010521-06-000829.
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99.(a).3
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Amendment of Section 5.11 and Establishment of Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares
dated May 7, 2009 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005.
previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 46 filed on May 15, 2009,
accession number 0000950135-09-004067.
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99.(a).4
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Amendment dated April 17, 2009 to Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding
amendment and restatement of Section 8.4.
FILED HEREWITH
.
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99.(b)
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By Laws. Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. previously filed as exhibit
99.(b) to post-effective amendment no. 42 filed on September 14, 2005, accession number
0001010521-05-000405.
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99.(b).1
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Amendment dated March 11, 2008 to Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005.
previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).1 to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25,
2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
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99.(b).2
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Amendment dated June 9, 2009 to Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005.
FILED
HEREWITH
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99.(c)
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Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, see exhibit 99(a) and 99(b).
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99.(d)
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Investment Advisory Contracts. Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009 between John Hancock
Advisers, LLC and the Registrant on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
FILED
HEREWITH
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99.(d).1
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Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 31, 2005 between Registrant, John Hancock Advisers,
LLC and MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (formerly, Sovereign
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Asset Management
LLC) on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund. previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).2
to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession number
0001010521-06-000829.
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99.(e)
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Underwriting Contracts. Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 1991 between Registrant and
John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc. (renamed John Hancock Funds, LLC).
previously filed as exhibit 99.B6 to post-effective amendment no. 21 filed on June 29, 1995,
accession number 0000950146-95-000353.
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99.(e).1
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Form of Soliciting Dealer Agreement between John Hancock Broker Distribution Services,
Inc. and Selected Dealers. previously filed as exhibit 99.(e).1 to post-effective amendment
no. 41 filed on September 29, 2004, accession number 0001010521-04-000224.
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99.(e).2
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Form of Financial Institution Sales and Service Agreement between John Hancock Funds, Inc.
and the John Hancock funds. previously filed as exhibit 99.B6.3 to post-effective amendment
no. 21 filed on June 29, 1995, accession number 0000950146-95-000353.
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99.(f)
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Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. Not Applicable.
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99.(g)
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Custodian Agreement. Master Custodian Agreement dated September 10, 2008 between John
Hancock Mutual Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company. previously filed as exhibit
99.(g) to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25, 2008, accession number
0001010521-08-000420.
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99.(h)
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Other Material Contracts. Class A Service Agreement dated January 24, 2000 between Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. and John Hancock Strategic Income Fund, John Hancock Funds, Inc. and John
Hancock Signature Services, Inc. previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).2 to post-effective
amendment no. 32 filed on September 25, 2000, accession number 0001010521-00-000425.
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99.(h).1
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Master Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2007 between John Hancock
Mutual Funds advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
previously filed as exhibit 99.(h) to post-effective amendment no. 44 filed on September 25,
2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000662.
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99.(h).2
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Amendment dated June 1, 2008, to the Master Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated
June 1, 2007. previously filed as exhibit 99. (h).1 to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed
on September 25, 2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
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99.(h).3
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Service Agreement dated July 1, 2009 between John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock
Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Mutual Funds.
FILED HEREWITH
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99.(i)
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Not applicable.
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99.(j)
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Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
FILED HEREWITH.
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99.(k)
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Not Applicable.
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99. (l)
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Not Applicable.
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99.(m)
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Class A, B and C Distribution Plans dated July 1, 2009 between Registrant and John Hancock
Funds, LLC on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund.
FILED HEREWITH
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99.(m).1
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Rule 12b-1 Plan. Class R Distribution Plan dated August 1, 2003 between John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund and John Hancock Funds, LLC. previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).4 to
post-effective amendment no. 38 filed on August 5, 2003, accession number
0001010521-03-000258.
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99.(m).2
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Class R Service Plan dated August 1, 2003 between John Hancock High Income Fund and John
Hancock Funds, LLC. previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).5 to post-effective amendment no. 38
filed on August 5, 2003, accession number 0001010521-03-000258.
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99.(m).3
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Class R3, R4 and R5 Distribution Plans dated May 1, 2009 between Registrant and John
Hancock Funds, LLC on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund.
FILED HEREWITH
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99.(m).4
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Class R3, R4 and R5 Service Plans dated May 1, 2009 between Registrant and John Hancock
Funds, LLC on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund for Class R shares.
FILED
HEREWITH
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99.(n).
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Rule 18f-3 Plan. Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 dated May
7, 2009 for John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC. previously
filed as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 46 filed on May 15, 2009, accession
number 0000950135-09-004067.
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99.(p)
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Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics dated January 1, 2008 for John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John
Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, John Hancock
Distributors, LLC, and each open-end and closed-end fund advised by a John Hancock adviser.
previously filed as exhibit 99.(p) to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25,
2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
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99.(p).1
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Code of Ethics dated December 6, 2005 for the Independent Directors/Trustees of the John
Hancock Funds. previously filed as exhibit 99.(p).1 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed
on September 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000829.
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99.(p).2
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Code of Ethics dated March 1, 2008 for MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC.
previously filed as exhibit 99.(P).2 to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25,
2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
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99.(q)
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Power of Attorney dated May 7, 2009.
FILED HEREWITH
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Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with Registrant.
Item 25. Indemnification.
Indemnification provisions relating to the Registrants Trustees, officers, employees and agents
are set forth in Article IV of the Registrants Declaration of Trust included as Exhibit (a) herein.
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Under Section 12 of the Distribution Agreement, John Hancock Funds, LLC (John Hancock Funds) has
agreed to indemnify the Registrant and its Trustees, officers and controlling persons against
claims arising out of certain acts and statements of John Hancock Funds.
Section 9(a) of the By-Laws of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (the Insurance Company)
provides, in effect, that the Insurance Company will, subject to limitations of law, indemnify each
present and former director, officer and employee of the Insurance Company who serves as a Trustee
or officer of the Registrant at the direction or request of the Insurance Company against
litigation expenses and liabilities incurred while acting as such, except that such indemnification
does not cover any expense or liability incurred or imposed in connection with any matter as to
which such person shall be finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable
belief that his action was in the best interests of the Insurance Company. In addition, no such
person will be indemnified by the Insurance Company in respect of any final adjudication unless
such settlement shall have been approved as in the best interests of the Insurance Company either
by vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting composed of directors who have no interest in the
outcome of such vote, or by vote of the policyholders. The Insurance Company may pay expenses
incurred in defending an action or claim in advance of its final disposition, but only upon receipt
of an undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment if he should be determined not to
be entitled to indemnification.
Article V of the Limited Liability Company Agreement of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser)
provide as follows:
Section 5.06. Indemnity and Exculpation.
(a) No Indemnitee, and no shareholder, director, officer, member, manager, partner, agent,
representative, employee or Affiliate of an Indemnitee, shall have any liability to the Company or
to any Member for any loss suffered by the Company (or the Corporation) which arises out of any
action or inaction by such Indemnitee with respect to the Company (or the Corporation) if such
Indemnitee so acted or omitted to act (i) in the good faith (A) belief that such course of conduct
was in, or was not opposed to, the best interests of the Company (or the Corporation), or (B)
reliance on the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) such course of conduct did not constitute
gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
(b) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify each person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of
the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a Director or Officer, or is or was serving,
or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Company (or previously at the request of the
Corporation), as a director, officer, manager or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
(including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an
Indemnitee), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity,
against all expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom.
(c) As a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified, the Indemnitee must notify the Company
in writing as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving him
for which indemnity hereunder will or could be sought. With respect to any action, suit, proceeding
or investigation of which the Company is so notified, the Company will be entitled to participate
therein at its own
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expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee.
(d) In the event that the Company does not assume the defense of any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation of which the Company receives notice under this Section 5.06, the Company shall pay
in advance of the final disposition of such matter any expenses (including attorneys fees)
incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding or
investigation or any appeal therefrom; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses
incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced
in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Section 5.06, which undertaking shall be accepted
without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnitee to make such repayment; and further
provided that no such advancement of expenses shall be made if it is determined that (i) the
Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to, the best interests of the Company, or (ii) with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
(e) The Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a
proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless the initiation thereof was
approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee to
the extent such Indemnitee is reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, and in the event the
Company makes any indemnification payments to an Indemnitee and such Indemnitee is subsequently
reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such
indemnification payments to the Company to the extent of such insurance reimbursement.
(f) All determinations hereunder as to the entitlement of an Indemnitee to indemnification or
advancement of expenses shall be made in each instance by (a) a majority vote of the Directors
consisting of persons who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in
question (Disinterested Directors), whether or not a quorum, (b) a majority vote of a quorum of
the outstanding Common Shares, which quorum shall consist of Members who are not at that time
parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question, (c) independent legal counsel (who may, to
the extent permitted by law, be regular legal counsel to the Company), or (d) a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(g) The indemnification rights provided in this Section 5.06 (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of
any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of Members
or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, and (ii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of the Indemnitees. The Company may, to the extent authorized from
time to time by its Board of Directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents
of the Company or other persons serving the Company and such rights may be equivalent to, or
greater or less than, those set forth in this Section 5.06. Any indemnification to be provided
hereunder may be provided although the person to be indemnified is no longer a Director or Officer.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers.
For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of
each of the officers and Directors of the Adviser, reference is made to Form ADV (801-8124) filed
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) John Hancock Funds, LLC acts as principal underwriter for the Registrant and also serves as
principal underwriter or distributor of shares for John Hancock Bond Trust, John Hancock California
Tax-Free Income Fund, John Hancock Capital Series, John Hancock Current Interest, John Hancock Equity Trust, John Hancock Funds
III, John Hancock Investment Trust, John Hancock Investment Trust II, John Hancock Investment Trust
III, John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust, John Hancock Series Trust, John Hancock Sovereign
Bond Fund, John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series Fund, John Hancock World
Fund, and John Hancock Funds II.
(b) The following table presents certain information with respect to each director and officer of
John Hancock Funds, LLC:
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POSITIONS AND
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NAME AND PRINCIPAL
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POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
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OFFICES WITH
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BUSINESS ADDRESS
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UNDERWRITER
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REGISTRANT
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James R. Boyle
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Director, Chairman
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Trustee
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Keith F. Hartstein
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Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
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President and Chief
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601 Congress Street
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Executive Officer
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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John G. Vrysen
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Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
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Trustee
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Michael Mahoney
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Chief Compliance Officer
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Peter Levitt
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Treasurer
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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John J. Danello
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Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel
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Vice President, Law
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Thomas M. Kinzler
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Secretary
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Secretary and Chief
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601 Congress Street
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Legal Officer
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Declan OBeirne
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Chief Financial Officer
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Andrew G. Arnott
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Senior Vice President
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Chief Operating Officer
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Jeff Duckworth
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Senior Vice President
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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- 6 -
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POSITIONS AND
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NAME AND PRINCIPAL
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POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
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OFFICES WITH
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BUSINESS ADDRESS
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UNDERWRITER
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REGISTRANT
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Carey Hoch
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Senior Vice President
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Howard Cronson
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Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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Krishna Ramdial
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Vice President, Treasury
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None
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601 Congress Street
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Boston, Massachusetts 02210
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(c) None.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section
31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules promulgated thereunder are
in the possession and custody of the Registrants custodian State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2
Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and its transfer agent, John Hancock Signature
Services, Inc., 1 John Hancock Way, Suite 1000, Boston, Massachusetts 02217, with the exception of
certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents which are in the possession and custody
of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210.
Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained
by registered investment advisers are in the custody and possession of the Adviser and each of the
respective Subadvisers to the Funds of the Registrant.
By MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC, the subadviser to the John Hancock Strategic
Income Fund, at its offices at 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199-7603.
Item 29. Management Services.
Not Applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings.
Not Applicable.
- 7 -
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets
all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant
to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly
authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the
25
th
day of September, 2009.
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JOHN
HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
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By:
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/s/ Keith F. Hartstein
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Keith F. Hartstein
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to
the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Keith F. Hartstein
Keith F. Hartstein
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President and
Chief Executive Officer
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
Charles A. Rizzo
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial
Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ James R. Boyle*
James R. Boyle
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ James F. Carlin*
James F. Carlin
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ William H. Cunningham*
William H. Cunningham
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Deborah C. Jackson*
Deborah C. Jackson
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Charles L. Ladner*
Charles L. Ladner
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Stanley Martin*
Stanley Martin
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ John A. Moore*
John A. Moore
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Patti McGill Peterson*
Patti McGill Peterson
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Steven R. Pruchansky*
Steven R. Pruchansky
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ Gregory A. Russo*
Gregory A. Russo
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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/s/ John G. Vrysen*
John G. Vrysen
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Trustee
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September 25, 2009
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*By:
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Power of Attorney
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By:
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/s/ Nicholas J. Kolokithas
Nicholas J. Kolokithas
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Attorney-in-Fact
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Pursuant to Power of Attorney
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Filed Herewith
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- 8 -
Exhibit Index
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99.(a).4
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Amendment dated April 17, 2009 to Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005.
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99.(b).2
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Amendment dated June 9, 2009 to Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005.
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99.(d)
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Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009.
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99.(h).3
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Service Agreement dated July 1, 2009.
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99 (j)
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Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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99.(m)
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Class A, B, C Distribution Plans dated July 1, 2009.
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99.(m).3
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Class R3, R4, R5 Distribution Plans dated May 1, 2009.
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99.(m).4
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Class R3, R4, R5 Service Plans dated May 1, 2009.
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99.(q)
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Power of Attorney dated May 7, 2009.
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- 9 -