UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811- 3006

John Hancock Bond Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-663-4497

Date of fiscal year end:       May 31
     
     
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2020



ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.



John Hancock

Government Income Fund

Annual report 5/31/2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291 (Class A, Class B and Class C shares) or 888-972-8696 (Class I and Class R6 shares) or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

JHDIGEST_INCOME-DIGCOVMASK.JPG


JHREPORT_LETTER-DIGEST.JPG

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

Global financial markets delivered strong returns during first half of the 12-month period ended May 31, 2020; however, heightened fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) sent markets tumbling during the latter half of February and early March. Investors reacted by exiting higher-risk assets and moving into cash, leading to a liquidity crunch in the fixed-income markets.

In response to the sell-off, the U.S. Federal Reserve acted quickly, lowering interest rates to near zero and reinstating quantitative easing, as well as announcing its plans to shore up short-term debt. These steps, along with the passage of a $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill, helped lift the markets during the last two months of the period, while credit spreads rebounded off their highs as liquidity concerns eased.

The continued spread of COVID-19, trade disputes, rising unemployment, and other geopolitical tensions may continue to create uncertainty among businesses and investors. Your financial professional can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to seek to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way. 

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

ANDREWARNOTT_SIG.JPG

Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Government Income Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
5   Manager's discussion of fund performance
7   A look at performance
9   Your expenses
11   Fund's investments
16   Financial statements
19   Financial highlights
24   Notes to financial statements
34   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
35   Tax information
36   Statement regarding liquidity risk management
39   Trustees and Officers
43   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital. Maintaining a stable share price is a secondary goal.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH56A_AATRBAR.JPG

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. Treasury and government agency bonds.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The fund's Morningstar category average is a group of funds with similar investment objectives and strategies and is the equal-weighted return of all funds per category. Morningstar places funds in certain categories based on their historical portfolio holdings. Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

The past performance shown here reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund's objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund's prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Government bonds delivered strong gains

Slowing economic growth, a flight to quality from higher-risk assets, and the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates to near zero contributed to the rally.

U.S. Treasuries outperformed

U.S. Treasuries generated impressive total returns, as did agency mortgage-backed securities.

The fund trailed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Bond Index

An overweight in securitized assets and a corresponding underweight in U.S. Treasuries were the leading causes of the shortfall.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH2X04_PORTFOLIOCOMPPIE.JPG

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       3


QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH2X04_QUALITYCOMPPIE.JPG



A note about risks

The fund may be subject to various risks as described in the fund's prospectus. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment. For more information, please refer to the "Principal risks" section of the prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       4


Manager's discussion of fund performance

How would you describe the investment backdrop during the 12 months ended May 31, 2020?

The government bond market performed very well, led by U.S. Treasuries. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note experienced a remarkable decline from 2.14% on May 31, 2019, to 0.65% on the final day of the period. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) Shorter-term debt staged an equally impressive rally, with the yield on the two-year note falling from 1.95% to 0.16%. The emergence of COVID-19 was the primary driver of these unusual moves. As officials shut down large portions of the economy in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, investors began to factor the likelihood of a recession into asset prices.

The ensuing sell-off in higher-risk market segments led to a surge in demand for higher-quality assets, which boosted U.S. Treasuries. Government bonds were further aided by the U.S. Federal Reserve's (Fed's) decision to cut short-term interest rates to near zero and institute several other measures designed to support the economy and markets. Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) also benefited from these developments, but other areas of the government bond market—including asset-backed securities (ABS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS)—didn't keep pace with the index.

What elements of the fund's positioning helped and hurt results?

Asset allocation was the primary detractor from relative performance. We typically seek to diversify the portfolio beyond U.S. Treasuries and into higher-yielding segments of the government bond market that aren't represented in the benchmark. The fund therefore typically has overweight positions in government-backed securitized assets such as agency MBS, ABS, and CMBS. This approach was a net detractor during the period. While the overweight in agency MBS was a positive, the benefit was outweighed by the effect of being overweight in ABS and CMBS. The underperformance of CMBS was particularly notable, as the COVID-19 crisis fueled worries that a growing number of commercial tenants would be unable to make their rent payments. Duration and yield curve positioning was also a modest negative due to the fund's shorter average duration (below-benchmark interest-rate sensitivity).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       5


What were some key aspects of your portfolio activity?

We gradually lowered portfolio risk during 2019 on the belief that valuations in the higher-yielding areas of the government bond market had become less compelling. We achieved this by reducing the fund's allocations to securitized assets and adding to its weighting in U.S. Treasuries. Overall, we maintained a steady approach that provided exposure to government bonds and sought to capitalize on relative values throughout the asset class.

We believe yields can stay low for some time, although it's possible the yield curve will steepen as the economic outlook improves. We closed the period with a neutral duration versus the index, and we favored short- to intermediate-term bonds based on our expectation that the Fed will remain accommodative for an extended period. We also saw a continued opportunity in agency MBS given that the Fed continues to buy securities in this area.

MANAGED BY


 
Howard C. Greene, CFA, Manulife IM (US)
Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife IM (US)

MANULIFE-INVESTMENT_LOGO.JPG

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Howard C. Greene, CFA, and Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       6


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MAY 31, 2020 


                       
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
subsidized
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
unsubsidized1
  1-year 5-year 10-year     5-year 10-year   as of
5-31-20
  as of
5-31-20
Class A 5.12 2.21 2.66     11.57 29.97   0.32   0.25
Class B 3.65 1.85 2.44     9.62 27.26   -0.47   -0.48
Class C 7.64 2.22 2.28     11.62 25.27   -0.47   -0.47
Class I2,3 9.73 3.21 3.16     17.10 36.50   0.51   0.50
Class R62,3 9.85 3.20 3.16     17.07 36.47   0.64   0.63
Index 11.24 3.85 3.50     20.79 41.10    

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 4.0% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class B and Class C shares. The returns for Class A shares have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, effective 2-3-14. The Class B shares' CDSC declines annually between years 1 to 6 according to the following schedule: 5%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2%, 1%. No sales charge will be assessed after the sixth year. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I and Class R6 shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report.Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until September 30, 2021 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

           
  Class A Class B Class C Class I Class R6
Gross (%) 1.04 1.79 1.79 0.79 0.68
Net (%) 0.98 1.78 1.78 0.78 0.67

Please refer to the most recent prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.

The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility and other factors, the fund's current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call 800-225-5291 or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund's performance results reflect any applicable fee waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.

Index is the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Bond Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       7


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Government Income Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Bond Index.

JH56A_GROWTHOF10K.JPG

         
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index ($)
Class B4 5-31-10 12,726 12,726 14,110
Class C4 5-31-10 12,527 12,527 14,110
Class I2,3 5-31-10 13,650 13,650 14,110
Class R62,3 5-31-10 13,647 13,647 14,110

The values shown in the chart for Class A shares with maximum sales charge have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the Class A shares' maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, which became effective on 2-3-14.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. Treasury and government agency bonds.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effect of reimbursements and waivers.
2 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectus.
3 Class I shares and Class R6 shares were first offered on 9-9-16 and 8-30-17, respectively. Returns prior to these dates are those of Class A shares that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
4 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       8


Your expenses
These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Understanding fund expenses
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:
Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.
We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.
Actual expenses/actual returns
The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund’s actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund’s actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020.
Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at May 31, 2020, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the “expenses paid” for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund’s ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund’s hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the class’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND 9

 

Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectus for details regarding transaction costs.
SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART

    Account
value on
12-1-2019
Ending
value on
5-31-2020
Expenses
paid during
period ended
5-31-20201
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,067.60 $5.07 0.98%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,020.10 4.95 0.98%
Class B Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,062.30 9.18 1.78%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,016.10 8.97 1.78%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,063.40 9.18 1.78%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,016.10 8.97 1.78%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,068.70 4.03 0.78%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.10 3.94 0.78%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,068.10 3.46 0.67%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.70 3.39 0.67%
    
1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
10 JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fund’ s investments
AS OF 5-31-20
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government and Agency obligations 86.8%       $275,454,021
(Cost $257,382,926)          
U.S. Government 60.4%       191,553,281
U.S. Treasury          
Bond 2.000 02-15-50   2,850,000 3,258,018
Bond 2.375 11-15-49   12,875,000 15,866,426
Bond 2.875 05-15-43   4,450,000 5,797,863
Bond 2.875 11-15-46   8,345,000 11,076,358
Bond 2.875 05-15-49   4,534,000 6,118,775
Bond 3.125 08-15-44   7,475,000 10,175,052
Note 0.125 05-15-23   3,000,000 2,993,789
Note 0.375 04-30-25   8,000,000 8,027,188
Note 0.500 03-15-23   3,000,000 3,026,367
Note 0.500 03-31-25   3,000,000 3,028,477
Note 0.500 04-30-27   1,250,000 1,250,635
Note 0.625 03-31-27   2,500,000 2,522,754
Note 1.125 02-28-22   4,000,000 4,066,406
Note 1.125 02-28-25   5,000,000 5,198,633
Note 1.125 02-28-27   1,500,000 1,564,102
Note (A) 1.125 05-15-40   1,000,000 989,688
Note 1.375 02-15-23   1,000,000 1,032,305
Note 1.500 01-15-23   19,195,000 19,857,078
Note 1.500 02-15-30   10,650,000 11,511,984
Note 1.625 12-31-21   9,600,000 9,818,250
Note 1.750 12-31-24   40,000,000 42,665,625
Note 1.750 11-15-29   10,000,000 11,038,281
Note 3.000 10-31-25   9,350,000 10,669,227
U.S. Government Agency 26.4%       83,900,740
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.          
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 04-01-43   969,469 1,049,867
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-49   949,350 1,003,139
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 12-01-44   3,123,501 3,417,945
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 02-01-47   1,334,436 1,431,456
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-47   3,232,702 3,431,297
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-48   2,221,462 2,355,117
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-49   1,474,175 1,562,895
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-40   658,588 724,107
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-41   727,399 799,764
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-41   819,219 900,719
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 11-01-43   1,103,764 1,212,537
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-46   1,292,433 1,403,593
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 06-01-47   1,212,430 1,307,587
Note 0.375 04-20-23   5,000,000 5,011,737
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND 11

 

Fund’ s investments
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)        
Federal National Mortgage Association          
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 03-01-28   1,112,035 $1,180,523
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-49   2,405,482 2,541,774
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-49   2,396,703 2,524,259
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-49   2,416,974 2,553,918
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-43   1,782,089 1,952,828
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-44   834,688 915,441
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-45   4,232,794 4,646,267
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-45   3,813,668 4,137,337
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-47   1,548,630 1,643,767
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 05-01-48   1,348,079 1,474,287
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 10-01-49   1,784,261 1,894,989
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-40   1,943,489 2,136,270
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-40   1,336,246 1,468,792
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-41   1,381,070 1,516,336
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 10-01-41   1,267,033 1,397,465
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-42   672,529 741,761
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 07-01-42   1,625,197 1,794,024
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 11-01-42   3,262,647 3,582,200
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 11-01-43   2,852,217 3,158,311
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-43   1,572,977 1,729,005
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 08-01-40   1,299,277 1,454,108
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 06-01-41   2,292,608 2,560,799
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 07-01-41   2,121,488 2,369,660
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 11-01-41   401,761 449,387
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 02-01-42   1,348,161 1,499,971
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 04-01-48   1,772,320 1,939,215
Note 0.625 04-22-25   5,000,000 5,026,286
Collateralized mortgage obligations 10.1%       $32,047,385
(Cost $32,055,973)          
Commercial and residential 2.1%     6,545,373
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.
Series 2018-RP1, Class A1 (B)(C)
3.000 09-25-64   1,491,985 1,534,042
Commercial Mortgage Trust (Cantor Fitzgerald/Deutsche Bank AG)
Series 2012-CR2, Class XA IO
1.630 08-15-45   3,747,970 103,692
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2012-HSBC, Class XA IO (B)
1.431 07-05-32   4,732,902 122,501
Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust    
Series 2018-3, Class MA 3.500 08-25-57   2,054,433 2,192,442
Series 2019-1, Class MA 3.500 07-25-58   1,522,053 1,628,705
Series 2019-2, Class MA 3.500 08-25-58   899,170 963,991
U.S. Government Agency 8.0%     25,502,012
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.    
12 JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)      
Series 4083, Class PB 3.500 09-15-41   4,046,128 $4,347,801
Series 4459, Class CA 5.000 12-15-34   96,625 106,166
Series K017, Class X1 IO 1.286 12-25-21   3,361,011 48,392
Series K018, Class A2 2.789 01-25-22   1,929,494 1,979,735
Series K018, Class X1 IO 1.300 01-25-22   3,261,865 49,099
Series K022, Class X1 IO 1.194 07-25-22   8,611,217 174,884
Series K026, Class X1 IO 0.970 11-25-22   4,188,754 80,651
Series K030, Class X1 IO 0.178 04-25-23   46,497,036 213,328
Series K032, Class A1 3.016 02-25-23   641,635 663,236
Series K038, Class X1 IO 1.126 03-25-24   6,602,277 232,897
Series K048, Class X1 IO 0.243 06-25-25   5,058,383 54,940
Series K050, Class X1 IO 0.324 08-25-25   72,517,484 1,095,928
Series K053, Class X1 IO 0.887 12-25-25   27,695,635 1,157,719
Series K054, Class X1 IO 1.172 01-25-26   21,565,762 1,164,590
Series K715, Class X1 IO 1.101 01-25-21   34,133,970 170,530
Series K716, Class A2 3.130 06-25-21   570,166 579,885
Series K718, Class X1 IO 0.603 01-25-22   20,309,373 145,791
Series K720, Class X1 IO 0.522 08-25-22   62,900,211 508,856
Series K722, Class X1 IO 1.307 03-25-23   26,241,101 743,363
Series K725, Class A1 2.666 05-25-23   1,174,269 1,210,298
Series KSMC, Class A2 2.615 01-25-23   2,000,000 2,090,301
Federal National Mortgage Association    
Series 1993-225, Class TK 6.500 12-25-23   101,388 106,170
Series 2013-40, Class DG 2.000 06-25-37   457,328 458,422
Series 2014-44, Class DA 3.000 07-25-36   890,758 953,622
Series 2014-49, Class CA 3.000 08-25-44   828,484 876,618
Series 2018-M7, Class A1 (C) 3.052 03-25-28   1,857,044 2,021,474
Government National Mortgage Association    
Series 2012-114, Class IO 0.760 01-16-53   1,516,204 55,928
Series 2013-30, Class A 1.500 05-16-42   406,364 406,874
Series 2015-7, Class IO 0.734 01-16-57   13,659,522 602,483
Series 2017-109, Class IO 0.599 04-16-57   2,527,526 118,077
Series 2017-124, Class IO 0.712 01-16-59   2,710,090 145,553
Series 2017-140, Class IO 0.618 02-16-59   1,705,834 91,232
Series 2017-20, Class IO 0.733 12-16-58   3,898,999 203,667
Series 2017-41, Class IO 0.766 07-16-58   2,586,733 146,185
Series 2017-46, Class IO 0.616 11-16-57   2,981,139 150,429
Series 2017-54, Class IO 0.636 12-16-58   16,906,779 841,726
Series 2017-61, Class IO 0.764 05-16-59   1,877,370 114,817
Series 2017-74, Class IO 0.718 09-16-58   2,953,818 140,942
Series 2017-89, Class IO 0.765 07-16-59   3,466,126 224,555
Series 2018-114, Class IO 0.555 04-16-60   3,623,269 197,728
Series 2018-68, Class A 2.850 04-16-50   686,413 710,751
Series 2018-9, Class IO 0.557 01-16-60   2,165,959 116,369
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND 13

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities 1.0%         $2,988,988
(Cost $3,015,534)          
Asset backed securities 1.0%         2,988,988
Bravo Mortgage Asset Trust
Series 2006-1A, Class A2 (1 month LIBOR + 0.240%) (B)(D)
0.408 07-25-36   185,709 184,008
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Series 2006-2, Class A3 (3 month LIBOR + 0.130%) (D)
1.121 10-25-36   858,424 807,657
TAL Advantage V LLC
Series 2014-1A, Class A (B)
3.510 02-22-39   146,250 144,510
Towd Point Mortgage Trust          
Series 2017-1, Class A1 (B)(C) 2.750 10-25-56   103,002 104,487
Series 2017-2, Class A1 (B)(C) 2.750 04-25-57   79,223 80,355
Series 2017-3, Class A1 (B)(C) 2.750 07-25-57   1,056,981 1,073,164
Series 2017-5, Class A1 (1 month LIBOR + 0.600%) (B)(D) 0.768 02-25-57   605,133 594,807
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Short-term investments 1.7%         $5,396,628
(Cost $5,396,828)          
Short-term funds 1.7%         5,396,628
John Hancock Collateral Trust (E) 0.3653(F)   539,032 5,396,628
    
Total investments (Cost $297,851,261) 99.6%     $315,887,022
Other assets and liabilities, net 0.4%       1,337,502
Total net assets 100.0%         $317,224,524
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
IO Interest-Only Security - (Interest Tranche of Stripped Mortgage Pool). Rate shown is the annualized yield at the end of the period.
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
(A) Security purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
(B) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration.
(C) Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on a weighted average of interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown is the current rate as of period end.
(D) Variable rate obligation. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
(E) Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor.
(F) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 5-31-20.
14 JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DERIVATIVES
FUTURES
Open contracts Number of
contracts
Position Expiration
date
Notional
basis^
Notional
value^
Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
2-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures 91 Long Sep 2020 $20,094,126 $20,096,781 $2,655
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures 101 Long Sep 2020 12,672,553 12,688,126 15,573
            $18,228
^ Notional basis refers to the contractual amount agreed upon at inception of open contracts; notional value represents the current value of the open contract.
At 5-31-20, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $298,580,597. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $17,324,653, of which $19,466,340 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $2,141,687 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
See Notes to financial statements regarding investment transactions and other derivatives information.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND 15

 

Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 5-31-20

Assets  
Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $292,454,433) $310,490,394
Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $5,396,828) 5,396,628
Total investments, at value (Cost $297,851,261) 315,887,022
Receivable for futures variation margin 30,655
Collateral held at broker for futures contracts 243,195
Interest receivable 1,232,377
Receivable for fund shares sold 1,260,400
Receivable for securities lending income 2,241
Receivable from affiliates 1,142
Other assets 49,774
Total assets 318,706,806
Liabilities  
Distributions payable 15,819
Payable for delayed delivery securities purchased 995,168
Payable for fund shares repurchased 354,608
Payable to affiliates  
Accounting and legal services fees 20,748
Transfer agent fees 30,680
Distribution and service fees 7,321
Trustees' fees 202
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 57,736
Total liabilities 1,482,282
Net assets $317,224,524
Net assets consist of  
Paid-in capital $310,368,378
Total distributable earnings (loss) 6,856,146
Net assets $317,224,524
 
Net asset value per share  
Based on net asset value and shares outstanding - the fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value  
Class A ($248,741,215 ÷ 24,709,336 shares)1 $10.07
Class B ($269,468 ÷ 26,782 shares)1 $10.06
Class C ($8,647,038 ÷ 859,039 shares)1 $10.07
Class I ($21,616,549 ÷ 2,145,684 shares) $10.07
Class R6 ($37,950,254 ÷ 3,767,405 shares) $10.07
Maximum offering price per share  
Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 96%)2 $10.49
    
1 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2 On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.
16 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended  5-31-20

Investment income  
Interest $6,016,570
Securities lending 42,263
Income distributions received from affiliated investments 23,252
Total investment income 6,082,085
Expenses  
Investment management fees 1,391,588
Distribution and service fees 630,111
Accounting and legal services fees 47,386
Transfer agent fees 303,483
Trustees' fees 4,418
Custodian fees 57,328
State registration fees 88,637
Printing and postage 62,187
Professional fees 64,725
Other 19,424
Total expenses 2,669,287
Less expense reductions (128,222)
Net expenses 2,541,065
Net investment income 3,541,020
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
Net realized gain (loss) on  
Unaffiliated investments 6,741,553
Affiliated investments 16,283
Futures contracts 1,002,595
  7,760,431
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of  
Unaffiliated investments 12,547,634
Affiliated investments (200)
Futures contracts (74,428)
  12,473,006
Net realized and unrealized gain 20,233,437
Increase in net assets from operations $23,774,457
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 17

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

  Year ended
5-31-20
Year ended
5-31-19
Increase (decrease) in net assets    
From operations    
Net investment income $3,541,020 $5,021,989
Net realized gain (loss) 7,760,431 (1,293,801)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 12,473,006 9,084,302
Increase in net assets resulting from operations 23,774,457 12,812,490
Distributions to shareholders    
From earnings    
Class A (3,512,369) (5,349,501)
Class B (4,516) (19,338)
Class C (45,734) (125,331)
Class I (135,296) (109,969)
Class R6 (414,815) (536,828)
Total distributions (4,112,730) (6,140,967)
From fund share transactions 49,557,028 (15,135,071)
Total increase (decrease) 69,218,755 (8,463,548)
Net assets    
Beginning of year 248,005,769 256,469,317
End of year $317,224,524 $248,005,769
18 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial highlights
CLASS A SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.34 $9.08 $9.41 $9.61 $9.64
Net investment income1 0.13 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.75 0.31 (0.29) (0.14) 0.04
Total from investment operations 0.88 0.49 (0.13) 0.19
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.15) (0.23) (0.20) (0.20) (0.22)
Net asset value, end of period $10.07 $9.34 $9.08 $9.41 $9.61
Total return (%)2,3 9.51 5.46 (1.35) 0.02 1.98
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $249 $217 $222 $249 $282
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.04 1.03 1.06 1.12 1.10
Expenses including reductions 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98
Net investment income 1.34 2.04 1.69 1.49 1.61
Portfolio turnover (%) 166 87 103 63 60
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 19

 

CLASS B SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.33 $9.08 $9.41 $9.61 $9.64
Net investment income1 0.05 0.11 0.08 0.07 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.75 0.29 (0.28) (0.14) 0.03
Total from investment operations 0.80 0.40 (0.20) (0.07) 0.11
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.07) (0.15) (0.13) (0.13) (0.14)
Net asset value, end of period $10.06 $9.33 $9.08 $9.41 $9.61
Total return (%)2,3 8.65 4.52 (2.12) (0.76) 1.20
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $— 4 $1 $2 $3 $4
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.79 1.78 1.81 1.87 1.85
Expenses including reductions 1.78 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.75
Net investment income 0.55 1.23 0.87 0.70 0.84
Portfolio turnover (%) 166 87 103 63 60
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
4 Less than $500,000.
20 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS C SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.34 $9.08 $9.41 $9.61 $9.65
Net investment income1 0.05 0.11 0.08 0.07 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.75 0.30 (0.28) (0.14) 0.02
Total from investment operations 0.80 0.41 (0.20) (0.07) 0.10
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.07) (0.15) (0.13) (0.13) (0.14)
Net asset value, end of period $10.07 $9.34 $9.08 $9.41 $9.61
Total return (%)2,3 8.64 4.63 (2.12) (0.76) 1.09
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $9 $6 $8 $13 $18
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.79 1.78 1.81 1.87 1.85
Expenses including reductions 1.78 1.77 1.77 1.77 1.75
Net investment income 0.53 1.25 0.88 0.70 0.84
Portfolio turnover (%) 166 87 103 63 60
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 21

 

CLASS I SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 1
Per share operating performance        
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.34 $9.09 $9.42 $9.72
Net investment income2 0.15 0.20 0.16 0.12
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.75 0.29 (0.27) (0.26)
Total from investment operations 0.90 0.49 (0.11) (0.14)
Less distributions        
From net investment income (0.17) (0.24) (0.22) (0.16)
Net asset value, end of period $10.07 $9.34 $9.09 $9.42
Total return (%)3 9.73 5.55 (1.13) (1.46) 4
Ratios and supplemental data        
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $22 $5 $4 $24
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions 0.79 0.79 0.81 0.85 5
Expenses including reductions 0.78 0.79 0.77 0.75 5
Net investment income 1.52 2.24 1.71 1.73 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 166 87 103 63 6
    
1 The inception date for Class I shares is 9-9-16.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
6 Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-16 to 5-31-17.
22 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 1
Per share operating performance      
Net asset value, beginning of period $9.34 $9.09 $9.45
Net investment income2 0.16 0.21 0.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.75 0.29 (0.33)
Total from investment operations 0.91 0.50 (0.18)
Less distributions      
From net investment income (0.18) (0.25) (0.18)
Net asset value, end of period $10.07 $9.34 $9.09
Total return (%)3 9.85 5.67 (1.91) 4
Ratios and supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $38 $19 $21
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):      
Expenses before reductions 0.67 0.68 0.71 5
Expenses including reductions 0.67 0.67 0.67 5
Net investment income 1.64 2.35 2.20 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 166 87 103 6
    
1 The inception date for Class R6 shares is 8-30-17.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
6 Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-17 to 5-31-18.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 23

 

Notes to financial statements
Note 1Organization
John Hancock Government Income Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Bond Trust (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital. Maintaining a stable share price is a secondary goal.
The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class B shares are closed to new investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase (certain exclusions may apply). Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ.
Note 2Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Futures contracts are typically valued at the last traded price on the exchange on which they trade.
Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the
24 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of May 31, 2020, by major security category or type:
  Total
value at
5-31-20
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
U.S. Government and Agency obligations $275,454,021 $275,454,021
Collateralized mortgage obligations 32,047,385 32,047,385
Asset backed securities 2,988,988 2,988,988
Short-term investments 5,396,628 $5,396,628
Total investments in securities $315,887,022 $5,396,628 $310,490,394
Derivatives:        
Assets        
Futures $18,228 $18,228
When-issued/delayed-delivery securities. The fund may purchase or sell debt securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, or in a “To Be Announced” (TBA) or “forward commitment” transaction, with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. TBA securities resulting from these transactions are included in the portfolio or in a schedule to the portfolio (Sale Commitments Outstanding). At the time a fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in its NAV. The price of such security and the date that the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues until settlement takes place. At the time that the fund enters into this type of transaction, the fund is required to have sufficient cash and/or liquid securities to cover its commitments.
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed-delivery securities transactions, including the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts, and the issuer’s failure to issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to declines in the value of the securities purchased or increase in the value of securities sold prior to settlement date.
Stripped securities. Stripped securities are financial instruments structured to separate principal and interest cash flows so that one class receives principal payments from the underlying assets (PO or principal only), while the other class receives the interest cash flows (IO or interest only). Both PO and IO investments represent an interest in the cash flows of an underlying stripped security. If the underlying assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the fund may fail to fully recover its initial investment in an IO security. The market value of these securities can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates or prepayments on the underlying securities. In addition, these securities present additional credit risk such that the fund may not receive all or part of its principal or interest payments because the borrower or issuer has defaulted on its obligation.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 25

 

Mortgage and asset backed securities. The fund may invest in mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, which are debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund's income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund's cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. The timely payment of principal and interest of certain mortgage-related securities is guaranteed with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Pools created and guaranteed by non-governmental issuers, including government-sponsored corporations (e.g. FNMA), may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, but there can be no assurance that private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. The fund is also subject to risks associated with securities with contractual cash flows including asset-backed and mortgage related securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage pass-through securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The value, liquidity and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate value, pre-payments, delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
Securities lending. The fund may lend its securities to earn additional income. The fund receives collateral from the borrower in an amount not less than the market value of the loaned securities. The fund will invest its cash collateral in John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), an affiliate of the fund, which has a floating NAV and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment company. JHCT invests in short-term money market investments. The fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by JHCT with respect to the cash collateral.
The fund has the right to recall loaned securities on demand. If a borrower fails to return loaned securities when due, then the lending agent is responsible and indemnifies the fund for the lent securities. The lending agent uses the collateral received from the borrower to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement securities, the lending agent is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of JHCT.
Although the risk of loss on securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the borrower and through lending agent indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the borrower fails to return the securities on a timely basis. The fund receives compensation for lending its securities by retaining a portion of the return on the investment of the collateral and compensation from fees earned from borrowers of the securities. Securities lending income received by the fund is net of fees retained by the securities lending agent. Net income received from JHCT is a component of securities lending income as recorded on the Statement of operations. As of May 31, 2020, there were no securities on loan.
26 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Overdraft. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Line of credit. The fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. For the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $3,035.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.
Change in accounting principle. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non contingently callable debt securities and is effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact to the fund.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
For federal income tax purposes, as of May 31, 2020, the fund has a short-term capital loss carryforward of $4,056,892 and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $6,902,844 available to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards do not expire.
As of May 31, 2020, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
The tax character of distributions for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
  May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
Ordinary income $4,112,730 $6,140,967
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 27

 

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $507,048 of undistributed ordinary income.
Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to amortization and accretion on debt securities.
Note 3Derivative instruments
The fund may invest in derivatives in order to meet its investment objective. Derivatives include a variety of different instruments that may be traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market, on a regulated exchange or through a clearing facility. The risks in using derivatives vary depending upon the structure of the instruments, including the use of leverage, optionality, the liquidity or lack of liquidity of the contract, the creditworthiness of the counterparty or clearing organization and the volatility of the position. Some derivatives involve risks that are potentially greater than the risks associated with investing directly in the referenced securities or other referenced underlying instrument. Specifically, the fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty to an OTC derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction.
Certain derivatives are traded or cleared on an exchange or central clearinghouse. Exchange-traded or centrally-cleared transactions generally present less counterparty risk to a fund than OTC transactions. The exchange or clearinghouse stands between the fund and the broker to the contract and therefore, credit risk is generally limited to the failure of the exchange or clearinghouse and the clearing member.
Futures. A futures contract is a contractual agreement to buy or sell a particular currency or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future. Futures are traded on an exchange and cleared through a central clearinghouse. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets and contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in the underlying financial instrument and potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the fund to the risk of loss up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the fund to unlimited risk of loss.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities. The amount of required margin is set by the broker and is generally based on a percentage of the contract value. The margin deposit must then be maintained at the established level over the life of the contract. Cash that has been pledged by the fund is detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities as Collateral held at broker for futures contracts. Securities pledged by the fund, if any, are identified in the Fund's investments. Subsequent payments, referred to as variation margin, are made or received by the fund periodically and are based on changes in the market value of open futures contracts. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and unrealized gain or loss is recorded by the fund. Receivable for futures variation margin is included on the Statement of assets and liabilities. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
During the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund used futures contracts to manage the duration of the fund. The fund held futures contracts with USD notional values ranging from $16.1 million to $32.8 million, as measured at each quarter end.
28 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fair value of derivative instruments by risk category
The table below summarizes the fair value of derivatives held by the fund at May 31, 2020 by risk category:
Risk Statement of assets
and liabilities
location
Financial
instruments
location
Assets
derivatives
fair value
Liabilities
derivatives
fair value
Interest rate Receivable/payable for futures variation margin Futures 1 $18,228
    
1 Reflects cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures as disclosed in Fund's investments. Only the year end variation margin is separately disclosed on the Statement of assets and liabilities.
Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations
The table below summarizes the net realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the year ended May 31, 2020:
  Statement of operations location - Net realized gain (loss) on:
Risk Futures contracts
Interest rate $1,002,595
The table below summarizes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the year ended May 31, 2020:
  Statement of operations location - Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Risk Futures contracts
Interest rate $(74,428)
Note 4Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 5Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation. Prior to June 28, 2019, the Advisor was known as John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Distributor was known as John Hancock Funds, LLC.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a) 0.530% of the first $300 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, (b) 0.450% of the next $700 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, and (c) 0.430% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 29

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended May 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total operating expenses at 0.98% for Class A shares, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, borrowing costs, prime brokerage fees and short dividend expense. The fee waiver and/or expense reimbursements will expire on September 30, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time.
For the year ended May 31, 2020, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
Class Expense reduction
Class A $125,502
Class B 41
Class C 449
Class Expense reduction
Class I $575
Class R6 1,655
Total $128,222
 
Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.
The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.48% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans for certain classes as detailed below pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:
Class Rule 12b-1 Fee
Class A 0.25%
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $182,827 for the year ended May 31, 2020. Of this amount, $26,903 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes and $155,924 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.
30 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Class A, Class B and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class B shares that are redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to CDSCs, at declining rates, beginning at 5.00%. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended May 31, 2020, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $12,188 and $396 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively. During the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no CDSCs received by the Distributor for Class B shares.
Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock group of funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.
Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $563,482 $281,720
Class B 5,518 682
Class C 61,111 7,660
Class I 10,436
Class R6 2,985
Total $630,111 $303,483
Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.
Note 6Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class A shares        
Sold 5,497,481 $53,790,964 2,517,492 $22,796,300
Distributions reinvested 337,580 3,261,422 542,583 4,920,573
Repurchased (4,359,552) (42,181,569) (4,266,954) (38,588,211)
Net increase (decrease) 1,475,509 $14,870,817 (1,206,879) $(10,871,338)
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 31

 

  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class B shares        
Sold 885 $8,945 346 $3,152
Distributions reinvested 432 4,129 1,989 18,003
Repurchased (62,916) (603,260) (81,505) (736,331)
Net decrease (61,599) $(590,186) (79,170) $(715,176)
Class C shares        
Sold 501,933 $4,965,226 175,871 $1,592,839
Distributions reinvested 4,511 43,499 13,175 119,382
Repurchased (321,842) (3,102,667) (443,766) (4,013,330)
Net increase (decrease) 184,602 $1,906,058 (254,720) $(2,301,109)
Class I shares        
Sold 2,655,974 $26,464,768 286,094 $2,598,653
Distributions reinvested 13,790 135,128 12,083 109,738
Repurchased (1,056,468) (10,554,687) (197,902) (1,787,137)
Net increase 1,613,296 $16,045,209 100,275 $921,254
Class R6 shares        
Sold 2,354,504 $23,363,655 368,226 $3,336,578
Distributions reinvested 42,770 414,796 59,163 536,828
Repurchased (659,887) (6,453,321) (667,965) (6,042,108)
Net increase (decrease) 1,737,387 $17,325,130 (240,576) $(2,168,702)
Total net increase (decrease) 4,949,195 $49,557,028 (1,681,070) $(15,135,071)
Note 7Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments and U.S. Treasury obligations, amounted to $36,664,116 and $38,297,528, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $446,541,789 and $396,659,694, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020.
Note 8Investment in affiliated underlying funds
The fund may invest in affiliated underlying funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. Information regarding the fund's fiscal year to date purchases and sales of the affiliated underlying funds as well as income and capital gains earned by the fund, if any, is as follows:
              Dividends and distributions
Affiliate Ending
share
amount
Beginning
value
Cost of
purchases
Proceeds
from shares
sold
Realized
gain
(loss)
Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
Income
distributions
received
Capital gain
distributions
received
Ending
value
John Hancock Collateral Trust* 539,032 $293,727,061 $(288,346,516) $16,283 $(200) $65,515 $5,396,628
    
32 JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

* Refer to the Securities lending note within Note 2 for details regarding this investment.
Note 9LIBOR discontinuation risk
LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This event will likely cause LIBOR to cease to be published. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have suggested alternative rates, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any replacement rate.
It is uncertain what impact the discontinuation of LIBOR will have on the use of LIBOR as a reference rate for securities in which the fund invests. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. In addition, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
Note 10Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Government Income Fund 33

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Bond Trust and Shareholders of John Hancock Government Income Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the Fund’s investments, of John Hancock Government Income Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Bond Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended May 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 13, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.
34 JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Tax information (Unaudited)
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended May 31, 2020.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its Section 199A dividends as defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation §1.199A-3(d).
Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2020 Form 1099-DIV in early 2021. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2020.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND 35

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT


Operation of the Liquidity Risk Management Program

This section describes operation and effectiveness of the Liquidity Risk Management Program (LRMP) established in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Liquidity Rule). The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Fund in the John Hancock Group of Funds (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule has appointed John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (together, the Advisor) to serve as Administrator of the LRMP with respect to each of the Funds, including John Hancock Government Income Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. In order to provide a mechanism and process to perform the functions necessary to administer the LRMP, the Advisor established the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). The Fund's subadvisor, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor) executes the day-to-day investment management and security-level activities of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the LRMP, subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board.

The Committee holds monthly meetings to: (1) review the day-to-day operations of the LRMP; (2) review and approve month end liquidity classifications; (3) review quarterly testing and determinations, as applicable; and (4) review other LRMP related material. The Committee also conducts daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual quantitative and qualitative assessments of each subadvisor to a Fund that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule and is a part of the LRMP to monitor investment performance issues, risks and trends. In addition, the Committee may conduct ad-hoc reviews and meetings with subadvisors as issues and trends are identified, including potential liquidity and valuation issues.

The Committee provided the Board at a meeting held on March 15-17, 2020 with a written report which addressed the Committee's assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation and operation of the LRMP and any material changes to the LRMP. The report, which covered the period December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, included an assessment of important aspects of the LRMP including, but not limited to:

Operation of the Fund's Redemption-In-Kind Procedures;
Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM) determination;
Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments;
Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size (RATS) determination;
Security-level liquidity classifications; and
Liquidity risk assessment.

The report also covered material liquidity matters which occurred or were reported during this period applicable to the Fund, if any, and the Committee's actions to address such matters.

Redemption-In-Kind Procedures

Rule 22e-4 requires any fund that engages in or reserves the right to engage in in-kind redemptions to adopt and implement written policies and procedures regarding in-kind redemptions as part of the management of its liquidity risk. These procedures address the process for redeeming in kind, as well as the circumstances under which the Fund would consider redeeming in kind. Anticipated large redemption activity will be evaluated to identify situations where redeeming in securities instead of cash may be appropriate.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       36


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the implementation and operation of the Redemption-In-Kind Procedures and determined they are operating in a manner that such procedures are adequate and effective to manage in-kind redemptions on behalf of the Fund as part of the LRMP.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum determination

The Committee uses an HLIM model to determine a Fund's HLIM. This process incorporates the Fund's investment strategy, historical redemptions, liquidity classification rollup percentages and cash balances, redemption policy, access to funding sources, distribution channels and client concentrations. If the Fund falls below its established HLIM for a period greater than 7 consecutive calendar days, the Committee prepares a report to the Board within one business day following the seventh consecutive calendar day with an explanation of how the Fund plans to restore its HLIM within a reasonable period of time.

Based on the HLIM model, the Committee has determined that the Fund qualifies as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (PHLF). It is therefore not required to establish a HLIM. The Fund is tested quarterly to confirm its PHLF status.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to HLIM and PHLF determinations, and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments

Rule 22e-4 sets an aggregate illiquid investment limit of 15% for a fund. Funds are prohibited from acquiring an illiquid investment if this results in greater than 15% of its net assets being classified as illiquid. When applying this limit, the Committee defines "illiquid investment" to mean any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If a 15% illiquid investment limit breach occurs for longer than 1 business day, the Fund is required to notify the Board and provide a plan on how to bring illiquid investments within the 15% threshold, and after 7 days confidentially notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

In February 2019, as a result of extended security markets closures in connection with the Chinese New Year in certain countries, the SEC released guidance, and the Committee approved and adopted an Extended Market Holiday Policy to plan for and monitor known Extended Market Holidays (defined as all expected market holiday closures spanning four or more calendar days).

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to the 15% illiquid investment limit and determined such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LMRP.

Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size determination

In order to assess the liquidity risk of a Fund, the Committee considers the impact on the Fund that redemptions of a RATS would have under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Modelling the Fund's RATS requires quantifying cash flow volatility and analyzing distribution channel concentration and redemption risk. The model is designed to estimate the amount of assets that the Fund could reasonably anticipate trading on a given day, during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, to satisfy redemption requests.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       37


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to RATS determinations and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at making RATS determinations as part of the LRMP.

Security-level liquidity classifications

When classifying the liquidity of portfolio securities, the Fund adheres to the liquidity classification procedures established by the Advisor. In assigning a liquidity classification to Fund portfolio holdings, the following key inputs, among others, are considered: the Fund's RATS, feedback from the applicable Subadvisor on market-, trading- and investment-specific considerations, an assessment of current market conditions and fund portfolio holdings, and a value impact standard. The Subadvisor also provides position-level data to the Committee for use in monthly classification reconciliation in order to identify any classifications that may need to be changed as a result of the above considerations.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to security-level liquidity classifications and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Liquidity risk assessment

The Committee periodically reviews and assesses, the Fund's liquidity risk, including its investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions (including whether the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund, the extent to which the strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, and the use of borrowings for investment purposes and derivatives), cash flow analysis during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The Committee also monitors global events, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus, that could impact the markets and liquidity of portfolio investments and their classifications.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed Fund-Level Liquidity Risk Assessment Reports for each of the Funds and determined that the investment strategy for each Fund continues to be appropriate for an open-ended structure.

Adequacy and Effectiveness

Based on the review and assessment conducted by the Committee, the Committee has determined that the LRMP has been implemented, and is operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at assessing and managing the liquidity risk of each Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       38


Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 195
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 195
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1988).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2005-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 195
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 1986 195
Trustee
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 (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986).

     
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       39


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 195
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women's Forum (since 2018); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); 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 Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

     
James M. Oates,2 Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 1994 195
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (2014-2020); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992), Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2009 195
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (2012-2020), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (2011-2020), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (2012-2018) and Finance Committee Chairman (2014-2018), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       40


Non-Independent Trustees3

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 195
President and Non-Independent Trustee
Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (since 2018); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017).

     
Marianne Harrison, Born: 1963 2018 195
Non-Independent Trustee
President and CEO, John Hancock (since 2017); President and CEO, Manulife Canadian Division (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, CAE Inc. (since 2019); Member, Board of Directors, MA Competitive Partnership Board (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, Communitech, an industry-led innovation center that fosters technology companies in Canada (2017-2019); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Assurance Canada (2015-2017); Board Member, St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation (2014-2017); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Bank of Canada (2013-2017); Member, Standing Committee of the Canadian Life & Health Assurance Association (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, John Hancock USA, John Hancock Life & Health, John Hancock New York (2012-2013). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018).

Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2005
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2005).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2007); Treasurer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       41


Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Christopher (Kit) Sechler, Born: 1973 2018
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Deputy Chief Counsel, John Hancock Investments (since 2015); Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel (2009-2015), John Hancock Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018); Assistant Secretary of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2009).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

The Statement of Additional Information of the fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       42


More information

   

Trustees

Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Marianne Harrison
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Gregory A. Russo

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

Subadvisor

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

Portfolio Managers

Jeffrey N. Given, CFA
Howard C. Greene, CFA

Principal distributor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund's Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.

       
  You can also contact us:
  800-225-5291
jhinvestments.com

Regular mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 219909
Kansas City, MO 64121-9909

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219909
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND       43


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Financial Industries

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

New Opportunities

Regional Bank

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Quality Growth

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Global Thematic Opportunities

International Dynamic Growth

International Growth

International Small Company

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Bond

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Alternative Risk Premia

Diversified Macro

Infrastructure

Multi-Asset Absolute Return

Seaport Long/Short

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Balanced

Multi-Asset High Income

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.


John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

JHDIGEST_BACKCOVER-LOGO.JPG

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com

This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Government Income Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

MIMLOGO_DIGEST.JPG

   
MF1210533 56A 5/20
7/2020


John Hancock

Investment Grade Bond Fund

Annual report 5/31/2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291 (Class A, Class B and Class C shares) or 888-972-8696 (Class I, Class R2, Class R4 and Class R6 shares) or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

JHDIGEST_INCOME-DIGCOVMASK.JPG


JHREPORT_LETTER-DIGEST.JPG

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

Global financial markets delivered strong returns during first half of the 12-month period ended May 31, 2020; however, heightened fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) sent markets tumbling during the latter half of February and early March. Investors reacted by exiting higher-risk assets and moving into cash, leading to a liquidity crunch in the fixed-income markets.

In response to the sell-off, the U.S. Federal Reserve acted quickly, lowering interest rates to near zero and reinstating quantitative easing, as well as announcing its plans to shore up short-term debt. These steps, along with the passage of a $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill, helped lift the markets during the last two months of the period, while credit spreads rebounded off their highs as liquidity concerns eased.

The continued spread of COVID-19, trade disputes, rising unemployment, and other geopolitical tensions may continue to create uncertainty among businesses and investors. Your financial professional can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to seek to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way. 

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

ANDREWARNOTT_SIG.JPG

Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Investment Grade Bond Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
5   Manager's discussion of fund performance
7   A look at performance
9   Your expenses
11   Fund's investments
35   Financial statements
39   Financial highlights
46   Notes to financial statements
56   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
57   Tax information
58   Statement regarding liquidity risk management
61   Trustees and Officers
65   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH55A_AATRBAR.JPG

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The fund's Morningstar category average is a group of funds with similar investment objectives and strategies and is the equal-weighted return of all funds per category. Morningstar places funds in certain categories based on their historical portfolio holdings. Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

The past performance shown here reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund's objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund's prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Investment-grade bonds rallied

The slowdown in growth associated with COVID-19, together with the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to cut short-term interest rates to near zero, fueled elevated demand for higher-quality bonds.

The fund trailed its benchmark

Although the fund produced a strong absolute return, it didn't keep pace with the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

Security selection was the primary cause of the shortfall

The fund's holdings in asset-backed securities and corporate bonds underperformed the corresponding benchmark components.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH2X06_PORTFOLIOCOMPPIE.JPG

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       3


QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH2X06_QUALITYCOMPPIE.JPG



A note about risks

The fund may be subject to various risks as described in the fund's prospectus. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment. For more information, please refer to the "Principal risks" section of the prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       4


Manager's discussion of fund performance

How would you describe the investment backdrop during the 12 months ended May 31, 2020?

Investment-grade bonds produced strong total returns, with meaningful price appreciation augmenting the benefit of income. From the beginning of the period through mid-February 2020, the fixed-income market delivered steady gains thanks in part to stable economic growth and the U.S. Federal Reserve's (Fed's) shift to a more accommodative monetary policy. This environment changed considerably once COVID-19 became the primary driver of investor sentiment midway through the first calendar quarter. The prospect of a dramatic economic slowdown, together with the Fed's decision to cut short-term interest rates to near zero, fueled a remarkable rally in U.S. Treasuries. Corporate bonds lagged in the sell-off, but they subsequently made up the lost ground with an impressive advance in April and May. These trends contributed to a sizable gain for the fund's benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, with corporates and U.S. Treasuries the largest drivers of the positive return. Securitized assets such as mortgage-backed securities (MBS), while posting gains, lagged somewhat.

What elements of the fund's positioning helped and hurt results?

The fund delivered a positive total return but failed to keep pace with its benchmark. Security selection, particularly among asset-backed securities and corporates, was the primary reason for the shortfall. Sector allocation had a largely neutral effect on results. While overweights in corporates and MBS added value, the benefit was offset by an overweight in commercial mortgage-backed securities and an underweight in U.S. Treasuries. Duration and yield curve positioning also detracted, albeit to a very limited extent.

What were some key aspects of your portfolio activity?

Believing valuations in the credit sectors had become rich in relation to historical levels, we steadily reduced portfolio risk in the second half of 2019 and early 2020. We sought to accomplish this by decreasing the fund's allocations to investment-grade corporate bonds and increasing its weighting in agency MBS. Additionally, we repositioned the portfolio toward the intermediate portion of the yield curve. We refrained from making any major changes to the portfolio during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, but we increased the fund's weighting in corporates and reduced its position in agency MBS as valuations became more compelling in the sell-off. We

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       5


achieved this largely through additions in high-quality debt in the new issue market, where there was a record level issuance in the first five months of 2020.

At the close of the period, we viewed corporates as the most attractive area of the market based on our cautiously optimistic view on the prospects for the U.S. economy. Still, we maintained a cautious approach given the unusual circumstances facing the economy and markets. We therefore continued to emphasize bottom-up security selection and robust fundamental analysis to identify opportunities among stable, high-quality issuers in the best position to withstand a potentially difficult environment. At the same time, we sought to avoid issuers where our analysis showed that yields weren't adequately compensating investors for the potential risks.

MANAGED BY


 
Howard C. Greene, CFA, Manulife IM (US)
Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife IM (US)

MANULIFE-INVESTMENT_LOGO.JPG

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Howard C. Greene, CFA, and Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       6


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MAY 31, 2020 


                       
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
subsidized
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
unsubsidized1
  1-year 5-year 10-year     5-year 10-year   as of
5-31-20
  as of
5-31-20
Class A 3.37 2.71 3.87     14.31 46.18   1.74   1.66
Class B 1.90 2.42 3.69     12.69 43.61   1.08   1.00
Class C 5.90 2.78 3.52     14.69 41.34   1.08   1.00
Class I2 7.97 3.81 4.59     20.56 56.70   2.06   1.98
Class R22,3 7.57 3.46 4.25     18.54 51.65   1.69   1.61
Class R42,3 7.82 3.69 4.37     19.88 53.39   1.94   1.76
Class R62,3 7.99 3.93 4.49     21.25 55.18   2.19   2.10
Index 9.42 3.94 3.92     21.34 46.91    

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 4.0% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class B and Class C shares. The returns for Class A shares have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, effective 2-3-14. The Class B shares' CDSC declines annually between years 1 to 6 according to the following schedule: 5%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2%, 1%. No sales charge will be assessed after the sixth year. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6 shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectus for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until September 30, 2021 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

               
  Class A Class B Class C Class I Class R2 Class R4 Class R6
Gross (%) 0.86 1.61 1.61 0.61 1.00 0.85 0.50
Net (%) 0.75 1.50 1.50 0.50 0.89 0.64 0.39

Please refer to the most recent prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.

The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility and other factors, the fund's current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call 800-225-5291 or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund's performance results reflect any applicable fee waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.

Index is the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       7


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

JH55A_GROWTHOF10K.JPG

         
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index ($)
Class B4 5-31-10 14,361 14,361 14,691
Class C4 5-31-10 14,134 14,134 14,691
Class I2 5-31-10 15,670 15,670 14,691
Class R22,3 5-31-10 15,165 15,165 14,691
Class R42,3 5-31-10 15,339 15,339 14,691
Class R62,3 5-31-10 15,518 15,518 14,691

The values shown in the chart for Class A shares with maximum sales charge have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the Class A shares' maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, which became effective on 2-3-14.

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effect of reimbursements and waivers.
2 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
3 Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6 shares were first offered on 3-27-15. Returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
4 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       8


Your expenses
These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Understanding fund expenses
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:
Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.
We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.
Actual expenses/actual returns
The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund’s actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund’s actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020.
Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at May 31, 2020, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the “expenses paid” for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund’s ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund’s hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the class’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 9

 

Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectus for details regarding transaction costs.
SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART

    Account
value on
12-1-2019
Ending
value on
5-31-2020
Expenses
paid during
period ended
5-31-20201
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,040.60 $3.88 0.76%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.20 3.84 0.76%
Class B Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,036.70 7.69 1.51%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,017.50 7.62 1.51%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,036.70 7.69 1.51%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,017.50 7.62 1.51%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,040.90 2.60 0.51%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.50 2.58 0.51%
Class R2 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,039.00 4.59 0.90%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,020.50 4.55 0.90%
Class R4 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,040.20 3.32 0.65%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.80 3.29 0.65%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,041.50 1.99 0.39%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,023.10 1.97 0.39%
    
1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
10 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fund’ s investments
AS OF 5-31-20
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government and Agency obligations 40.1%       $831,334,528
(Cost $788,002,087)          
U.S. Government 14.7%       305,227,160
U.S. Treasury          
Bond 2.000 02-15-50   28,761,000 32,878,542
Bond 2.250 08-15-49   17,801,000 21,352,856
Bond 2.750 11-15-42   54,595,000 69,653,410
Bond 3.000 02-15-47   1,282,000 1,742,969
Bond 3.125 11-15-41   27,585,000 37,232,207
Note 0.125 04-30-22   4,310,000 4,307,643
Note 0.375 03-31-22   9,545,000 9,580,794
Note 0.375 04-30-25   46,206,000 46,363,028
Note 0.625 05-15-30   54,052,000 53,899,979
Note 1.625 09-30-26   18,120,000 19,447,148
Treasury Inflation Protected Security 0.250 07-15-29   8,169,069 8,768,584
U.S. Government Agency 25.4%       526,107,368
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.          
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 03-01-43   452,000 493,157
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 03-01-43   3,733,538 4,018,661
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 04-01-43   643,015 696,341
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-45   1,545,410 1,661,015
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-46   1,743,700 1,865,747
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-46   1,321,189 1,409,700
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-46   4,803,785 5,100,085
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-46   1,122,218 1,210,374
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 04-01-47   774,075 825,933
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 04-01-47   11,103,731 11,725,918
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 09-01-49   13,257,214 14,000,069
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-49   8,769,331 9,243,721
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-49   4,936,621 5,216,325
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-49   15,333,455 16,250,150
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-49   20,387,089 21,472,120
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 02-01-50   16,115,777 16,978,519
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 02-01-42   1,264,078 1,378,499
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-44   647,226 713,699
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-46   2,767,602 2,975,653
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 10-01-46   1,978,081 2,160,763
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-46   1,834,539 1,979,385
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 12-01-46   1,023,071 1,108,324
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-47   6,552,050 7,149,218
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 02-01-47   1,837,087 1,975,532
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-47   1,142,488 1,246,617
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-47   2,808,667 3,011,993
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 11

 

Fund’ s investments
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)        
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-48   5,649,610 $6,153,935
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 05-01-49   19,907,245 21,136,084
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-49   13,819,450 14,711,609
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 12-01-49   7,294,216 7,746,882
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 12-01-49   5,886,008 6,232,890
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 11-01-43   241,448 265,242
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 02-01-44   101,680 111,795
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 07-01-45   3,579,169 3,956,494
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 03-01-48   1,971,762 2,112,281
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 08-01-48   1,155,960 1,248,519
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-48   3,606,203 3,853,257
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 02-01-41   520,484 582,375
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 03-01-47   1,973,238 2,159,780
Federal National Mortgage Association          
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 07-01-27   208,377 220,038
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-34   820,897 877,824
15 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-24   221,050 234,888
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-42   1,055,370 1,145,178
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 04-01-43   3,587,202 3,842,015
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-45   3,738,253 3,964,077
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 08-01-46   1,823,488 1,946,179
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-46   2,152,389 2,302,322
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 01-01-47   2,177,272 2,322,407
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 02-01-47   1,159,677 1,250,388
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-47   2,551,928 2,722,037
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-47   10,852,031 11,460,113
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-48   2,791,397 2,956,533
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-48   14,046,699 14,781,116
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 12-01-48   1,727,250 1,824,035
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 07-01-49   16,448,818 17,298,548
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 09-01-49   12,640,259 13,307,462
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 09-01-49   6,907,233 7,271,824
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 09-01-49   2,904,585 3,114,540
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-49   3,147,473 3,314,248
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 10-01-49   4,947,285 5,266,244
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-49   24,229,565 25,602,387
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-49   2,779,978 2,984,401
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 11-01-49   2,963,968 3,131,903
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-42   1,276,833 1,392,780
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-42   1,835,627 2,012,642
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-42   2,953,476 3,244,750
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-43   539,460 587,436
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-43   456,662 503,696
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-43   1,905,195 2,087,728
12 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)        
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-43   309,683 $339,644
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-44   2,899,443 3,179,952
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 10-01-44   3,880,222 4,249,554
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-45   784,361 850,930
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-45   1,917,155 2,079,866
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-46   3,057,836 3,257,156
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-46   1,242,936 1,341,434
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-47   4,248,032 4,633,788
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-47   3,995,508 4,319,627
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-47   1,825,151 1,937,276
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 12-01-47   2,528,253 2,722,285
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-48   5,217,277 5,617,680
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-48   2,071,259 2,267,761
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-48   875,015 945,450
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-49   7,341,686 7,789,727
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 09-01-49   16,573,245 17,589,320
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 10-01-49   8,029,174 8,527,450
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 12-01-49   10,224,302 10,858,803
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-50   14,946,854 15,770,502
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-50   11,174,715 11,881,294
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-40   597,623 656,903
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-41   478,708 526,192
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-41   803,723 882,945
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-41   2,382,941 2,642,396
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 10-01-41   30,916 34,098
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 11-01-41   1,224,588 1,344,528
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-42   329,920 363,883
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-42   460,056 505,115
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 03-01-42   2,333,781 2,559,441
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 05-01-43   2,382,373 2,609,754
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-43   1,712,934 1,925,668
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 10-01-43   1,424,145 1,574,311
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-43   2,120,120 2,330,421
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 01-01-44   353,208 392,769
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 02-01-46   1,441,715 1,565,350
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 06-01-46   1,015,323 1,099,220
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 07-01-46   2,558,327 2,769,722
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 03-01-47   4,115,822 4,461,058
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 05-01-47   2,643,701 2,862,977
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 12-01-47   1,072,457 1,168,112
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 04-01-48   3,836,464 4,175,052
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 06-01-48   3,173,740 3,400,283
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 10-01-48   2,136,691 2,321,259
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 09-01-49   9,879,490 10,600,129
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 13

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)        
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 08-01-40   1,013,649 $1,134,443
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 08-01-40   483,194 540,624
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 12-01-40   330,784 369,996
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 05-01-41   397,506 444,752
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 05-01-41   567,777 634,196
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 06-01-41   632,444 706,427
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 07-01-41   360,653 402,842
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 11-01-41   100,226 112,107
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 12-01-41   1,910,774 2,130,117
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 05-01-42   885,950 989,589
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 04-01-48   1,558,426 1,705,179
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 07-01-48   4,535,695 4,897,611
Foreign government obligations 0.4%       $9,113,230
(Cost $8,494,183)          
Qatar 0.2%         4,414,694
State of Qatar          
Bond (A) 3.375 03-14-24   2,246,000 2,381,016
Bond (A) 5.103 04-23-48   1,560,000 2,033,678
Saudi Arabia 0.2%         4,698,536
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Bond (A)
4.375 04-16-29   4,130,000 4,698,536
Corporate bonds 41.8%     $867,984,387
(Cost $850,309,892)          
Communication services 3.3%     68,756,821
Diversified telecommunication services 1.0%      
AT&T, Inc. 2.300 06-01-27   1,833,000 1,854,047
AT&T, Inc. 3.400 05-15-25   4,171,000 4,497,300
AT&T, Inc. 3.800 02-15-27   1,887,000 2,061,743
Level 3 Financing, Inc. (A) 3.400 03-01-27   2,563,000 2,591,834
Verizon Communications, Inc. 3.000 03-22-27   532,000 579,411
Verizon Communications, Inc. 4.400 11-01-34   1,435,000 1,760,728
Verizon Communications, Inc. 4.862 08-21-46   5,174,000 6,941,660
Entertainment 0.1%      
Activision Blizzard, Inc. 3.400 09-15-26   1,126,000 1,255,732
Media 1.8%      
Charter Communications Operating LLC 4.200 03-15-28   3,707,000 4,126,999
Charter Communications Operating LLC 4.800 03-01-50   3,511,000 3,909,607
Charter Communications Operating LLC 5.750 04-01-48   4,461,000 5,493,288
Charter Communications Operating LLC 6.484 10-23-45   3,910,000 5,050,231
Comcast Corp. 3.000 02-01-24   2,655,000 2,859,879
Comcast Corp. 3.100 04-01-25   1,820,000 1,989,101
Comcast Corp. 3.999 11-01-49   552,000 655,151
14 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Communication services (continued)      
Media (continued)      
Comcast Corp. 4.049 11-01-52   2,962,000 $3,537,680
Comcast Corp. 4.150 10-15-28   6,517,000 7,709,427
ViacomCBS, Inc. 4.750 05-15-25   2,932,000 3,225,768
Wireless telecommunication services 0.4%      
CC Holdings GS V LLC 3.849 04-15-23   1,590,000 1,703,478
Oztel Holdings SPC, Ltd. (A) 6.625 04-24-28   740,000 670,106
T-Mobile USA, Inc. (A) 3.875 04-15-30   3,665,000 3,973,153
T-Mobile USA, Inc. (A) 4.500 04-15-50   2,055,000 2,310,498
Consumer discretionary 3.6%     74,803,437
Automobiles 1.3%      
BMW US Capital LLC (A)(B) 2.950 04-14-22   904,000 920,997
Daimler Finance North America LLC (A) 2.700 06-14-24   1,005,000 1,006,232
Daimler Finance North America LLC (A) 3.500 08-03-25   1,005,000 1,036,284
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 4.134 08-04-25   5,895,000 5,513,063
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 5.113 05-03-29   3,341,000 3,119,826
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 5.875 08-02-21   3,696,000 3,705,240
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 4.000 01-15-25   5,255,000 5,296,159
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 4.300 07-13-25   2,964,000 3,026,361
Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. (A) 3.450 03-15-23   1,325,000 1,220,407
Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC (A) 2.900 05-13-22   3,109,000 3,163,588
Hotels, restaurants and leisure 0.3%      
Choice Hotels International, Inc. 3.700 12-01-29   2,479,000 2,297,612
Resorts World Las Vegas LLC (A) 4.625 04-16-29   1,565,000 1,475,268
Starbucks Corp. 2.250 03-12-30   2,637,000 2,625,356
Internet and direct marketing retail 1.2%      
Amazon.com, Inc. 3.150 08-22-27   4,805,000 5,458,383
Amazon.com, Inc. 4.050 08-22-47   3,193,000 4,197,550
Expedia Group, Inc. 3.250 02-15-30   2,496,000 2,231,844
Expedia Group, Inc. 3.800 02-15-28   3,508,000 3,238,028
Expedia Group, Inc. 5.000 02-15-26   3,711,000 3,794,785
Prosus NV (A) 4.850 07-06-27   775,000 858,820
Prosus NV (A) 5.500 07-21-25   1,690,000 1,889,518
QVC, Inc. 4.375 03-15-23   2,440,000 2,379,000
QVC, Inc. 5.125 07-02-22   735,000 734,081
QVC, Inc. 5.450 08-15-34   700,000 589,750
Multiline retail 0.4%      
Dollar Tree, Inc. 4.200 05-15-28   4,998,000 5,649,792
Target Corp. 2.250 04-15-25   1,637,000 1,744,782
Specialty retail 0.4%      
AutoNation, Inc. 4.750 06-01-30   1,394,000 1,451,313
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 15

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Consumer discretionary (continued)      
Specialty retail (continued)      
The TJX Companies, Inc. 3.500 04-15-25   2,555,000 $2,854,566
The TJX Companies, Inc. 3.875 04-15-30   2,831,000 3,324,832
Consumer staples 1.0%     21,313,408
Beverages 0.5%      
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. 4.600 04-15-48   2,553,000 2,838,399
Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV 2.750 01-22-30   1,571,000 1,595,743
Constellation Brands, Inc. 2.875 05-01-30   900,000 932,668
Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. 3.200 05-01-30   1,460,000 1,584,634
The Coca-Cola Company 4.200 03-25-50   2,126,000 2,747,372
Food and staples retailing 0.2%      
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc. (A) 2.700 07-26-22   1,343,000 1,371,756
Dollar General Corp. 3.500 04-03-30   1,682,000 1,880,984
The Kroger Company (B) 2.200 05-01-30   1,463,000 1,498,471
Food products 0.2%      
Cargill, Inc. (A) 1.375 07-23-23   1,171,000 1,190,909
Cargill, Inc. (A) 2.125 04-23-30   1,167,000 1,185,249
Kraft Heinz Foods Company (A) 4.875 02-15-25   1,495,000 1,531,402
Household products 0.1%      
The Clorox Company 1.800 05-15-30   2,931,000 2,955,821
Energy 2.4%     49,311,601
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 2.4%      
Aker BP ASA (A) 3.000 01-15-25   1,157,000 1,117,380
Cimarex Energy Company 4.375 06-01-24   1,125,000 1,139,976
Colorado Interstate Gas Company LLC (A) 4.150 08-15-26   1,020,000 1,098,496
Enbridge, Inc. (5.500% to 7-15-27, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.418%) 5.500 07-15-77   65,000 59,918
Enbridge, Inc. (6.250% to 3-1-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.641%) 6.250 03-01-78   2,006,000 1,925,760
Energy Transfer Operating LP 4.200 04-15-27   563,000 576,173
Energy Transfer Operating LP 4.250 03-15-23   2,877,000 2,983,437
Energy Transfer Operating LP 5.150 03-15-45   2,404,000 2,311,668
Energy Transfer Operating LP 5.875 01-15-24   1,612,000 1,759,946
Enterprise Products Operating LLC (5.250% to 8-16-27, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.033%) 5.250 08-16-77   4,405,000 3,968,949
Husky Energy, Inc. 3.950 04-15-22   1,010,000 1,017,476
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP 7.750 03-15-32   1,790,000 2,415,390
MPLX LP 4.000 03-15-28   1,747,000 1,797,875
MPLX LP 4.250 12-01-27   958,000 1,003,487
MPLX LP 5.250 01-15-25   992,000 1,028,475
ONEOK Partners LP 4.900 03-15-25   663,000 694,400
Phillips 66 3.700 04-06-23   669,000 714,833
16 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Energy (continued)      
Oil, gas and consumable fuels (continued)      
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC 4.200 03-15-28   1,279,000 $1,360,844
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC 5.000 03-15-27   1,592,000 1,766,660
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC 5.875 06-30-26   3,543,000 4,071,289
Saudi Arabian Oil Company (A) 2.875 04-16-24   4,104,000 4,250,505
Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP 3.900 07-15-26   2,310,000 2,328,647
Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP 5.400 10-01-47   1,406,000 1,396,621
The Williams Companies, Inc. 3.750 06-15-27   2,510,000 2,669,628
The Williams Companies, Inc. 4.550 06-24-24   4,249,000 4,606,279
TransCanada PipeLines, Ltd. 4.250 05-15-28   1,100,000 1,247,489
Financials 13.5%     279,557,561
Banks 9.2%      
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd. (6.750% to 6-15-26, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 5.168%) (A)(C) 6.750 06-15-26   1,020,000 1,129,018
Banco Santander SA 4.379 04-12-28   1,525,000 1,667,257
Bank of America Corp. (2.592% to 4-29-30, then SOFR + 2.150%) 2.592 04-29-31   3,361,000 3,454,578
Bank of America Corp. (3.864% to 7-23-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 0.940%) 3.864 07-23-24   4,975,000 5,386,056
Bank of America Corp. 3.950 04-21-25   4,185,000 4,572,525
Bank of America Corp. 4.200 08-26-24   1,118,000 1,232,959
Bank of America Corp. 4.450 03-03-26   4,038,000 4,547,522
Bank of America Corp. (6.300% to 3-10-26, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.553%) (C) 6.300 03-10-26   4,491,000 4,917,645
Bank of Montreal 1.850 05-01-25   2,880,000 2,952,662
Bank of Montreal 3.300 02-05-24   6,610,000 7,092,812
Barclays Bank PLC (A) 10.179 06-12-21   650,000 703,294
Barclays PLC 4.375 01-12-26   1,265,000 1,392,022
BPCE SA (A) 4.500 03-15-25   2,195,000 2,361,781
BPCE SA (A) 5.700 10-22-23   1,850,000 2,029,631
Citigroup, Inc. 3.200 10-21-26   3,959,000 4,236,189
Citigroup, Inc. 4.600 03-09-26   4,488,000 5,025,975
Citigroup, Inc. 5.500 09-13-25   905,000 1,058,569
Citizens Bank NA 2.250 04-28-25   2,366,000 2,414,102
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 3.250 04-30-30   3,254,000 3,343,701
Credit Agricole SA (A) 3.250 01-14-30   3,928,000 4,071,274
Danske Bank A/S (A) 5.000 01-12-22   2,497,000 2,616,175
Discover Bank 2.450 09-12-24   2,465,000 2,469,354
Fifth Third Bancorp 1.625 05-05-23   888,000 904,184
HSBC Holdings PLC (3.950% to 5-18-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 0.987%) 3.950 05-18-24   4,280,000 4,570,614
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 17

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials (continued)      
Banks (continued)      
HSBC Holdings PLC (6.375% to 3-30-25, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 4.368%) (C) 6.375 03-30-25   637,000 $642,975
HSBC Holdings PLC (6.875% to 6-1-21, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 5.514%) (C) 6.875 06-01-21   2,440,000 2,500,341
ING Bank NV (A) 5.800 09-25-23   224,000 247,391
ING Groep NV 3.550 04-09-24   2,004,000 2,148,025
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (2.522% to 4-22-30, then SOFR + 2.040%) 2.522 04-22-31   3,592,000 3,668,245
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 2.950 10-01-26   4,188,000 4,515,004
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (2.956% to 5-13-30, then SOFR + 2.515%) 2.956 05-13-31   3,304,000 3,401,455
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (3.960% to 1-29-26, then 3 month LIBOR + 1.245%) 3.960 01-29-27   3,522,000 3,926,475
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (4.600% to 2-1-25, then SOFR + 3.125%) (C) 4.600 02-01-25   2,724,000 2,415,643
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (6.750% to 2-1-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.780%) (C) 6.750 02-01-24   3,715,000 3,956,475
Lloyds Banking Group PLC 4.450 05-08-25   5,435,000 6,052,500
M&T Bank Corp. (5.125% to 11-1-26, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.520%) (C) 5.125 11-01-26   1,396,000 1,396,000
Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (3 month LIBOR + 0.640%) (D) 2.220 12-01-21   735,000 727,650
Regions Financial Corp. 2.250 05-18-25   6,031,000 6,144,148
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 3.244 10-05-26   4,347,000 4,377,600
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 3.400 01-18-23   2,354,000 2,430,859
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 3.450 06-02-25   4,246,000 4,287,331
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 3.500 06-07-24   4,407,000 4,582,721
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 4.400 07-13-27   697,000 733,500
Santander UK Group Holdings PLC (A) 4.750 09-15-25   1,699,000 1,795,382
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. 2.200 11-01-24   3,828,000 4,013,150
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. 3.150 05-19-27   708,000 780,619
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. 3.500 01-23-24   2,058,000 2,239,698
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (4.850% to 6-1-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.040%) (C) 4.850 06-01-23   1,225,000 1,165,612
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (6.750% to 8-1-21, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.678%) (C) 6.750 08-01-21   2,798,000 2,806,926
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (3.754% to 11-1-24, then 5 Year CMT + 2.100%) 3.754 11-01-29   733,000 741,498
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 3.875 09-12-23   3,467,000 3,671,188
The Toronto-Dominion Bank 2.650 06-12-24   4,780,000 5,093,227
18 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials (continued)      
Banks (continued)      
The Toronto-Dominion Bank 3.250 03-11-24   3,376,000 $3,667,338
Truist Financial Corp. 4.000 05-01-25   2,512,000 2,832,576
Wells Fargo & Company (2.188% to 4-30-25, then SOFR + 2.000%) 2.188 04-30-26   5,708,000 5,783,568
Wells Fargo & Company (2.393% to 6-2-27, then SOFR + 2.100%) 2.393 06-02-28   3,916,000 3,953,811
Wells Fargo & Company (3.068% to 4-30-40, then SOFR + 2.530%) 3.068 04-30-41   2,666,000 2,668,595
Wells Fargo & Company 3.550 09-29-25   5,117,000 5,595,475
Wells Fargo & Company (5.875% to 6-15-25, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.990%) (C) 5.875 06-15-25   6,476,000 6,889,881
Zions Bancorp NA 3.250 10-29-29   5,405,000 5,147,301
Capital markets 1.6%      
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. 3.000 04-02-25   2,252,000 2,418,215
Ares Capital Corp. 4.200 06-10-24   1,825,000 1,746,071
Cantor Fitzgerald LP (A) 4.875 05-01-24   2,610,000 2,658,058
Credit Suisse Group AG (A) 3.574 01-09-23   869,000 895,945
Lazard Group LLC 4.375 03-11-29   1,250,000 1,336,104
Macquarie Bank, Ltd. (A) 3.624 06-03-30   1,884,000 1,918,418
Macquarie Bank, Ltd. (A) 4.875 06-10-25   3,310,000 3,588,867
Morgan Stanley (2.188% to 4-28-25, then SOFR + 1.990%) 2.188 04-28-26   5,893,000 6,054,050
Morgan Stanley 3.875 01-27-26   1,722,000 1,937,482
Raymond James Financial, Inc. 4.650 04-01-30   827,000 951,232
Stifel Financial Corp. 4.250 07-18-24   1,315,000 1,381,734
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. 1.600 04-24-25   2,211,000 2,288,211
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 3.850 01-26-27   5,748,000 6,332,803
Consumer finance 0.5%      
Capital One Financial Corp. 2.600 05-11-23   1,425,000 1,463,256
Capital One Financial Corp. 3.900 01-29-24   3,233,000 3,432,964
Discover Financial Services 3.950 11-06-24   3,698,000 3,917,185
Discover Financial Services 4.100 02-09-27   1,385,000 1,451,874
Diversified financial services 0.7%      
GE Capital International Funding Company Unlimited Company 4.418 11-15-35   4,090,000 4,083,592
Jefferies Financial Group, Inc. 5.500 10-18-23   2,350,000 2,529,311
Jefferies Group LLC 4.150 01-23-30   2,730,000 2,742,401
Jefferies Group LLC 4.850 01-15-27   2,615,000 2,801,357
Voya Financial, Inc. (5.650% to 5-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.580%) (B) 5.650 05-15-53   2,164,000 2,145,628
Insurance 1.4%      
AXA SA 8.600 12-15-30   830,000 1,175,624
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. 3.700 06-22-27   4,178,000 4,101,073
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 19

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials (continued)      
Insurance (continued)      
CNO Financial Group, Inc. 5.250 05-30-29   2,787,000 $2,899,838
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. (A) 3.951 10-15-50   65,000 66,276
Lincoln National Corp. 4.000 09-01-23   710,000 768,382
MetLife, Inc. (6.400% to 12-15-36, then 3 month LIBOR + 2.205%) 6.400 12-15-36   2,696,000 3,124,502
MetLife, Inc. (9.250% to 4-8-38, then 3 month LIBOR + 5.540%) (A) 9.250 04-08-38   1,649,000 2,283,865
New York Life Insurance Company (A) 3.750 05-15-50   1,444,000 1,621,474
Nippon Life Insurance Company (5.100% to 10-16-24, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 3.650%) (A) 5.100 10-16-44   2,322,000 2,554,200
Ohio National Financial Services, Inc. (A) 5.550 01-24-30   1,240,000 1,160,353
Prudential Financial, Inc. (5.875% to 9-15-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.175%) 5.875 09-15-42   4,694,000 4,991,130
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America (A) 4.270 05-15-47   2,870,000 3,374,221
USAA Capital Corp. (A) 2.125 05-01-30   1,000,000 1,027,814
Thrifts and mortgage finance 0.1%      
Nationwide Building Society (3.622% to 4-26-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 1.181%) (A) 3.622 04-26-23   1,150,000 1,183,969
Health care 3.0%     62,055,865
Biotechnology 0.5%      
AbbVie, Inc. (A) 3.200 11-21-29   4,956,000 5,310,144
AbbVie, Inc. (A) 4.250 11-21-49   1,147,000 1,314,076
Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC 3.200 09-23-26   4,027,000 4,445,647
Health care equipment and supplies 0.0%      
Baxter International, Inc. (A) 3.950 04-01-30   371,000 437,179
Health care providers and services 2.1%      
AmerisourceBergen Corp. 2.800 05-15-30   2,564,000 2,625,186
AmerisourceBergen Corp. 3.450 12-15-27   2,805,000 3,092,690
Anthem, Inc. 2.375 01-15-25   713,000 749,372
Cottage Health Obligated Group 3.304 11-01-49   3,659,000 3,766,197
CVS Health Corp. 3.000 08-15-26   327,000 357,166
CVS Health Corp. 3.750 04-01-30   2,688,000 3,008,369
CVS Health Corp. 4.300 03-25-28   2,386,000 2,720,599
CVS Health Corp. 5.050 03-25-48   2,625,000 3,370,113
Fresenius Medical Care US Finance III, Inc. (A) 3.750 06-15-29   4,350,000 4,662,069
HCA, Inc. 4.125 06-15-29   4,492,000 4,879,169
HCA, Inc. 5.250 04-15-25   1,800,000 2,041,914
HCA, Inc. 5.250 06-15-26   1,240,000 1,411,513
20 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Health care (continued)      
Health care providers and services (continued)      
Partners Healthcare System, Inc. (B) 3.192 07-01-49   4,540,000 $4,612,332
Premier Health Partners 2.911 11-15-26   1,567,000 1,574,519
Stanford Health Care 3.310 08-15-30   904,000 1,010,885
Universal Health Services, Inc. (A) 4.750 08-01-22   1,985,000 1,985,000
Universal Health Services, Inc. (A) 5.000 06-01-26   1,297,000 1,329,425
Pharmaceuticals 0.4%      
GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC 3.000 06-01-24   2,924,000 3,168,987
Pfizer, Inc. 2.950 03-15-24   3,806,000 4,183,314
Industrials 4.4%     92,044,809
Aerospace and defense 0.8%      
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (A) 3.844 05-01-25   549,000 590,409
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (A) 4.200 05-01-30   1,378,000 1,491,807
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (A) 5.000 11-15-25   1,340,000 1,380,357
The Boeing Company 3.200 03-01-29   7,765,000 7,343,092
The Boeing Company 4.875 05-01-25   3,014,000 3,198,976
The Boeing Company 5.805 05-01-50   2,957,000 3,347,086
Air freight and logistics 0.2%      
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (B) 4.200 04-15-28   1,610,000 1,767,964
United Parcel Service, Inc. 3.900 04-01-25   1,863,000 2,117,344
Airlines 1.6%      
Air Canada 2013-1 Class A Pass Through Trust (A) 4.125 05-15-25   665,837 605,912
Air Canada 2017-1 Class B Pass Through Trust (A) 3.700 01-15-26   853,175 554,975
American Airlines 2013-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 4.000 07-15-25   814,123 632,011
American Airlines 2013-2 Class A Pass Through Trust 4.950 01-15-23   1,417,334 1,105,521
American Airlines 2015-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 3.375 05-01-27   2,046,468 1,586,353
American Airlines 2015-1 Class B Pass Through Trust 3.700 05-01-23   606,364 348,659
American Airlines 2016-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 4.100 01-15-28   2,179,421 1,471,109
American Airlines 2016-1 Class AA Pass Through Trust 3.575 01-15-28   1,612,087 1,483,120
American Airlines 2017-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 4.000 02-15-29   1,219,075 841,162
American Airlines 2017-1 Class AA Pass Through Trust 3.650 02-15-29   2,361,425 2,184,318
American Airlines 2017-2 Class A Pass Through Trust 3.600 10-15-29   667,033 466,923
American Airlines 2019-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 3.500 02-15-32   1,117,525 737,566
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 21

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Industrials (continued)      
Airlines (continued)      
American Airlines 2019-1 Class AA Pass Through Trust 3.150 02-15-32   1,434,567 $1,255,246
British Airways 2013-1 Class A Pass Through Trust (A) 4.625 06-20-24   2,379,594 2,165,430
British Airways 2013-1 Class B Pass Through Trust (A) 5.625 06-20-20   18,836 18,814
British Airways 2018-1 Class A Pass Through Trust (A) 4.125 09-20-31   1,848,341 1,475,295
Continental Airlines 2007-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 5.983 04-19-22   549,460 478,031
Delta Air Lines 2002-1 Class G-1 Pass Through Trust 6.718 01-02-23   615,680 584,974
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 2.900 10-28-24   3,355,000 2,719,946
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 3.800 04-19-23   1,756,000 1,559,536
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 4.375 04-19-28   3,173,000 2,578,079
JetBlue 2019-1 Class AA Pass Through Trust 2.750 05-15-32   1,838,309 1,666,610
United Airlines 2014-2 Class A Pass Through Trust 3.750 09-03-26   1,998,796 1,749,057
United Airlines 2014-2 Class B Pass Through Trust 4.625 09-03-22   592,494 495,490
United Airlines 2016-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 3.450 07-07-28   1,805,622 1,318,355
United Airlines 2016-1 Class B Pass Through Trust 3.650 01-07-26   2,185,292 1,428,127
United Airlines 2018-1 Class B Pass Through Trust 4.600 03-01-26   487,846 323,166
United Airlines 2019-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 4.550 08-25-31   1,494,293 1,109,878
US Airways 2010-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 6.250 04-22-23   444,106 361,946
US Airways 2012-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 5.900 10-01-24   494,540 410,468
Building products 0.3%      
Carrier Global Corp. (A) 2.242 02-15-25   2,539,000 2,542,897
Carrier Global Corp. (A) 2.493 02-15-27   1,208,000 1,171,656
Carrier Global Corp. (A) 2.722 02-15-30   1,016,000 968,730
Owens Corning 3.950 08-15-29   1,789,000 1,884,987
Industrial conglomerates 0.6%      
3M Company 3.250 02-14-24   3,503,000 3,807,183
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 2.169 05-01-23   2,276,000 2,321,855
General Electric Company 4.350 05-01-50   2,829,000 2,748,384
General Electric Company 5.550 01-05-26   3,786,000 4,202,268
Machinery 0.1%      
Otis Worldwide Corp. (A) 2.056 04-05-25   2,017,000 2,081,139
22 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Industrials (continued)      
Professional services 0.2%      
IHS Markit, Ltd. (A) 4.000 03-01-26   1,635,000 $1,746,834
IHS Markit, Ltd. (A) 4.750 02-15-25   687,000 748,246
IHS Markit, Ltd. 4.750 08-01-28   1,237,000 1,417,985
Road and rail 0.1%      
Canadian Pacific Railway Company 2.050 03-05-30   1,718,000 1,712,675
Trading companies and distributors 0.5%      
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC 2.875 08-14-24   3,100,000 2,615,669
Air Lease Corp. 3.625 12-01-27   792,000 702,229
Aircastle, Ltd. 5.500 02-15-22   786,000 738,810
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (A) 4.250 11-01-29   650,000 643,500
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (A) 4.375 08-15-27   1,500,000 1,515,000
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (A) 5.250 08-01-26   3,370,000 3,521,650
Information technology 5.9%     122,477,469
Communications equipment 0.3%      
Motorola Solutions, Inc. 4.600 02-23-28   4,044,000 4,457,483
Motorola Solutions, Inc. 4.600 05-23-29   731,000 816,100
Electronic equipment, instruments and components 0.3%      
Jabil, Inc. 3.600 01-15-30   4,345,000 4,284,737
Tech Data Corp. 3.700 02-15-22   2,216,000 2,221,918
IT services 0.3%      
PayPal Holdings, Inc. 2.850 10-01-29   4,005,000 4,319,356
Visa, Inc. 2.700 04-15-40   1,744,000 1,849,167
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 3.3%      
Applied Materials, Inc. 1.750 06-01-30   1,446,000 1,444,895
Applied Materials, Inc. 2.750 06-01-50   1,676,000 1,670,032
Broadcom Corp. 3.125 01-15-25   1,720,000 1,778,107
Broadcom Corp. 3.875 01-15-27   7,623,000 8,020,581
Broadcom, Inc. (A) 4.700 04-15-25   2,920,000 3,200,046
Broadcom, Inc. (A) 4.750 04-15-29   3,293,000 3,607,653
Broadcom, Inc. (A) 5.000 04-15-30   3,486,000 3,848,327
KLA Corp. 4.100 03-15-29   1,615,000 1,866,195
Lam Research Corp. 3.750 03-15-26   705,000 798,173
Lam Research Corp. 4.000 03-15-29   4,661,000 5,431,719
Lam Research Corp. 4.875 03-15-49   1,830,000 2,447,462
Marvell Technology Group, Ltd. 4.875 06-22-28   3,170,000 3,536,247
Microchip Technology, Inc. 4.333 06-01-23   5,539,000 5,801,359
Micron Technology, Inc. 2.497 04-24-23   3,220,000 3,296,727
Micron Technology, Inc. 4.185 02-15-27   5,838,000 6,454,176
Micron Technology, Inc. 4.975 02-06-26   755,000 847,925
Micron Technology, Inc. 5.327 02-06-29   5,029,000 5,800,335
NVIDIA Corp. 2.850 04-01-30   2,484,000 2,729,232
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 23

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Information technology (continued)      
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment (continued)      
NXP BV (A) 3.400 05-01-30   835,000 $867,580
NXP BV (A) 3.875 06-18-26   2,246,000 2,425,841
NXP BV (A) 4.875 03-01-24   2,316,000 2,560,968
Software 0.7%      
Autodesk, Inc. 2.850 01-15-30   862,000 917,865
Citrix Systems, Inc. 3.300 03-01-30   3,135,000 3,227,311
Microsoft Corp. 4.450 11-03-45   2,359,000 3,238,471
Oracle Corp. 2.950 04-01-30   4,763,000 5,226,104
VMware, Inc. 4.500 05-15-25   2,281,000 2,453,256
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 1.0%      
Apple, Inc. 1.125 05-11-25   3,019,000 3,068,060
Dell International LLC (A) 4.900 10-01-26   3,484,000 3,764,792
Dell International LLC (A) 5.300 10-01-29   3,113,000 3,384,386
Dell International LLC (A) 5.850 07-15-25   1,015,000 1,136,051
Dell International LLC (A) 8.350 07-15-46   2,472,000 3,133,422
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company 4.900 10-15-25   3,549,000 3,993,728
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.750 01-01-25   2,400,000 2,551,682
Materials 1.7%     36,100,337
Chemicals 0.7%      
Albemarle Wodgina Pty, Ltd. (A) 3.450 11-15-29   1,880,000 1,779,163
Ecolab, Inc. 4.800 03-24-30   1,832,000 2,283,512
EI du Pont de Nemours and Company 1.700 07-15-25   1,184,000 1,213,162
Methanex Corp. 4.250 12-01-24   1,437,000 1,324,795
Methanex Corp. 5.250 12-15-29   1,867,000 1,630,166
Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV (A) 5.500 01-15-48   1,170,000 1,168,538
Syngenta Finance NV (A) 4.441 04-24-23   2,090,000 2,144,885
Syngenta Finance NV (A) 5.676 04-24-48   1,145,000 1,079,337
The Sherwin-Williams Company 2.300 05-15-30   2,597,000 2,585,683
Construction materials 0.1%      
Vulcan Materials Company 3.500 06-01-30   1,796,000 1,891,349
Containers and packaging 0.3%      
Colonial Enterprises, Inc. (A) 3.250 05-15-30   6,112,000 6,502,577
Metals and mining 0.1%      
Anglo American Capital PLC (A) 4.750 04-10-27   1,840,000 1,962,679
Newmont Corp. 2.800 10-01-29   728,000 757,322
Paper and forest products 0.5%      
Georgia-Pacific LLC (A) 1.750 09-30-25   3,016,000 3,080,481
Georgia-Pacific LLC (A) 2.300 04-30-30   5,887,000 6,013,688
Inversiones CMPC SA (A) 3.850 01-13-30   683,000 683,000
24 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Real estate 1.4%     $28,533,779
Equity real estate investment trusts 1.4%      
American Homes 4 Rent LP 4.250 02-15-28   2,082,000 2,047,752
American Tower Corp. 2.400 03-15-25   1,731,000 1,810,975
American Tower Corp. 2.950 01-15-25   1,669,000 1,783,608
American Tower Corp. 3.550 07-15-27   4,367,000 4,788,667
American Tower Corp. 3.800 08-15-29   1,730,000 1,937,111
Crown Castle International Corp. 3.300 07-01-30   902,000 975,697
Crown Castle International Corp. 4.150 07-01-50   1,142,000 1,311,317
CyrusOne LP 3.450 11-15-29   1,850,000 1,827,763
Equinix, Inc. 3.200 11-18-29   3,477,000 3,741,913
GLP Capital LP 3.350 09-01-24   575,000 530,351
GLP Capital LP 5.375 04-15-26   1,814,000 1,814,000
SBA Tower Trust (A) 2.836 01-15-25   1,559,000 1,603,937
SBA Tower Trust (A) 3.722 04-11-23   2,230,000 2,269,287
Ventas Realty LP 3.500 02-01-25   2,101,000 2,091,401
Utilities 1.6%     33,029,300
Electric utilities 1.0%      
ABY Transmision Sur SA (A) 6.875 04-30-43   1,802,405 2,271,031
Emera US Finance LP 3.550 06-15-26   1,084,000 1,179,144
Empresa Electrica Angamos SA (A) 4.875 05-25-29   637,738 647,546
Engie Energia Chile SA (A) 3.400 01-28-30   2,750,000 2,771,615
FirstEnergy Corp. 2.650 03-01-30   1,235,000 1,287,481
Israel Electric Corp., Ltd. (A) 6.875 06-21-23   490,000 554,767
NRG Energy, Inc. (A)(B) 3.750 06-15-24   1,095,000 1,135,424
Vistra Operations Company LLC (A) 3.550 07-15-24   4,086,000 4,177,603
Vistra Operations Company LLC (A) 3.700 01-30-27   3,385,000 3,436,936
Vistra Operations Company LLC (A) 4.300 07-15-29   3,130,000 3,235,719
Independent power and renewable electricity producers 0.2%      
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. 3.550 05-01-27   3,908,000 4,387,609
Multi-utilities 0.4%      
Dominion Energy, Inc. 3.375 04-01-30   1,668,000 1,825,375
NiSource, Inc. 3.600 05-01-30   1,088,000 1,229,533
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC 2.750 06-01-24   4,550,000 4,889,517
Municipal bonds 1.0%         $20,950,242
(Cost $20,811,646)          
Central Plains Energy Project (Nebraska) 4.000 12-01-49   2,040,000 2,289,370
Foothill-Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (California) 4.094 01-15-49   1,284,000 1,311,580
Mississippi Hospital Equipment & Facilities Authority 3.720 09-01-26   1,643,000 1,740,512
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority 4.081 06-15-39   1,758,000 1,606,320
New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority 4.131 06-15-42   155,000 135,422
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 25

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Ohio Air Quality Development Authority 2.100 10-01-28   4,460,000 $4,461,695
Ohio Turnpike & Infrastructure Commission 3.216 02-15-48   1,420,000 1,445,418
Regents of the University of California Medical Center Pooled Revenue 3.006 05-15-50   3,880,000 3,750,912
Tennergy Corp. (Tennessee)Series A 5.000 02-01-50   3,670,000 4,209,013
Collateralized mortgage obligations 8.3%       $170,847,230
(Cost $171,729,815)          
Commercial and residential 6.0%     122,943,818
Americold LLC
Series 2010-ARTA, Class D (A)
7.443 01-14-29   885,000 891,500
AOA Mortgage Trust
Series 2015-1177, Class C (A)(E)
3.010 12-13-29   1,136,000 1,135,821
Arroyo Mortgage Trust    
Series 2018-1, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.763 04-25-48   1,541,551 1,567,118
Series 2019-2, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.347 04-25-49   1,259,216 1,283,301
Series 2019-3, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.962 10-25-48   941,731 951,025
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust    
Series 2015-200P, Class A (A) 3.218 04-14-33   1,204,000 1,268,523
Series 2015-200P, Class C (A)(E) 3.596 04-14-33   1,436,000 1,490,827
Series 2019-BPR, Class DNM (A)(E) 3.843 11-05-32   995,000 640,981
BBCMS Trust    
Series 2015-MSQ, Class D (A)(E) 3.990 09-15-32   640,000 626,478
Series 2015-SRCH, Class D (A)(E) 4.957 08-10-35   947,000 930,181
Series 2020-C6, Class A2 2.690 02-15-53   949,000 994,299
Benchmark Mortgage Trust    
Series 2018-B1, Class A2 3.571 01-15-51   2,375,000 2,477,163
Series 2018-B7, Class A2 4.377 05-15-53   3,255,000 3,516,096
Series 2019-B10, Class A2 3.614 03-15-62   1,145,000 1,226,821
Series 2019-B11, Class A2 3.410 05-15-52   1,010,000 1,075,209
Series 2019-B12, Class A2 3.001 08-15-52   2,425,000 2,550,779
Series 2019-B14, Class A2 2.915 12-15-62   2,338,000 2,453,929
BRAVO Residential Funding Trust
Series 2019-NQM1, Class A1 (A)(E)
2.666 07-25-59   601,508 608,130
Bunker Hill Loan Depositary Trust    
Series 2019-1, Class A1 (A) 3.613 10-26-48   151,282 153,561
Series 2019-2, Class A1 (A) 2.879 07-25-49   3,619,694 3,608,179
BWAY Mortgage Trust
Series 2015-1740, Class XA IO (A)
0.896 01-10-35   11,465,000 166,616
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2018-BIOA, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.321%) (A)(D)
1.505 03-15-37   842,000 793,678
CAMB Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2019-LIFE, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.750%) (A)(D)
1.934 12-15-37   290,000 277,872
Cantor Commercial Real Estate Lending
Series 2019-CF1, Class A2
3.623 05-15-52   3,290,000 3,528,053
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust    
Series 2015-GC29, Class A3 2.935 04-10-48   1,627,000 1,675,118
26 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Commercial and residential (continued)      
Series 2015-GC29, Class A4 3.192 04-10-48   3,080,000 $3,210,629
Series 2015-GC33, Class A4 3.778 09-10-58   3,837,714 4,181,520
Series 2019-PRM, Class A (A) 3.341 05-10-36   1,175,000 1,210,683
Series 2019-SMRT, Class A (A) 4.149 01-10-36   1,190,000 1,247,496
Series 2020-GC46, Class A2 2.708 02-15-53   3,245,000 3,404,755
COLT Mortgage Loan Trust    
Series 2019-2, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.337 05-25-49   495,818 498,806
Series 2020-1, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.488 02-25-50   1,331,813 1,339,722
Commercial Mortgage Trust (Cantor Fitzgerald/Deutsche Bank AG)    
Series 2012-CR2, Class XA IO 1.630 08-15-45   4,912,571 135,913
Series 2012-CR3, Class XA IO 1.854 10-15-45   8,624,139 289,397
Series 2014-CR15, Class XA IO 0.937 02-10-47   5,067,320 133,986
Series 2014-CR20, Class A3 3.326 11-10-47   4,485,000 4,747,607
Series 2016-CR28, Class A3 3.495 02-10-49   545,000 589,358
Series 2016-CR28, Class A4 3.762 02-10-49   1,940,000 2,125,238
Commercial Mortgage Trust (Citigroup/Deutsche Bank AG)
Series 2018-COR3, Class XA IO
0.445 05-10-51   25,886,891 765,084
Commercial Mortgage Trust (Deutsche Bank AG)    
Series 2013-300P, Class D (A)(E) 4.394 08-10-30   1,135,000 1,139,890
Series 2017-PANW, Class A (A) 3.244 10-10-29   399,000 408,252
Series 2020-CBM, Class A2 (A) 2.896 02-10-37   572,000 556,429
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates    
Series 2019-ICE4, Class B (1 month LIBOR + 1.230%) (A)(D) 1.414 05-15-36   1,000,000 967,417
Series 2019-ICE4, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.600%) (A)(D) 1.784 05-15-36   2,230,000 2,116,637
CSMC Trust    
Series 2019-AFC1, Class A1 (A) 2.573 07-25-49   1,450,155 1,462,785
Series 2020-AFC1, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.240 02-25-50   1,379,586 1,381,650
GCAT LLC
Series 2019-NQM1, Class A1 (A)
2.985 02-25-59   1,923,180 1,933,814
GCAT Trust
Series 2020-NQM1, Class A1 (A)
2.247 01-25-60   2,413,715 2,404,768
GS Mortgage Securities Trust    
Series 2013-GC12, Class A3 2.860 06-10-46   1,745,000 1,758,865
Series 2015-590M, Class C (A)(E) 3.805 10-10-35   1,475,000 1,421,022
Series 2015-GC30, Class A3 3.119 05-10-50   2,702,799 2,866,890
Series 2015-GC34, Class A3 3.244 10-10-48   3,495,000 3,713,921
Series 2016-RENT, Class D (A)(E) 4.067 02-10-29   990,000 974,400
Series 2017-485L, Class C (A)(E) 3.982 02-10-37   605,000 580,850
Series 2019-GC39, Class A2 3.457 05-10-52   1,773,000 1,882,430
Series 2019-GC40, Class A2 2.971 07-10-52   3,275,000 3,451,617
Series 2020-UPTN, Class A (A) 2.751 02-10-37   1,234,000 1,204,144
Hudsons Bay Simon JV Trust
Series 2015-HBFL, Class DFL (1 month LIBOR + 3.900%) (A)(D)
4.882 08-05-34   820,000 698,912
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 27

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Commercial and residential (continued)      
IMT Trust    
Series 2017-APTS, Class AFX (A) 3.478 06-15-34   432,000 $431,345
Series 2017-APTS, Class CFX (A)(E) 3.497 06-15-34   575,000 530,960
Irvine Core Office Trust
Series 2013-IRV, Class A2 (A)(E)
3.173 05-15-48   925,736 939,224
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2015-C31, Class A3
3.801 08-15-48   2,743,212 3,015,698
JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2019-COR5, Class A2
3.150 06-13-52   4,390,000 4,628,252
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust    
Series 2012-HSBC, Class XA IO (A) 1.431 07-05-32   6,468,998 167,436
Series 2015-JP1, Class A5 3.914 01-15-49   2,905,000 3,205,191
KNDL Mortgage Trust
Series 2019-KNSQ, Class C (1 month LIBOR + 1.050%) (A)(D)
1.234 05-15-36   1,285,000 1,223,118
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust
Series 2015-C25, Class A5
3.635 10-15-48   2,730,000 2,961,185
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust
Series 2017-CLS, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.400%) (A)(D)
1.584 11-15-34   1,015,000 970,687
MSCG Trust
Series 2016-SNR, Class D (A)
6.550 11-15-34   952,000 930,837
Natixis Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2018-ALXA, Class C (A)(E)
4.316 01-15-43   520,000 517,326
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2020-1A, Class A1B (A)(E)
3.500 10-25-59   1,397,383 1,431,441
One Market Plaza Trust
Series 2017-1MKT, Class D (A)
4.146 02-10-32   460,000 457,961
Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust
Series 2019-2, Class MA
3.500 08-25-58   1,359,828 1,457,858
Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust    
Series 2018-IMC1, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.793 03-25-48   237,500 239,002
Series 2020-1, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.275 02-25-50   1,206,056 1,204,576
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust    
Series 2016-C33, Class A3 3.162 03-15-59   1,515,000 1,590,794
Series 2016-LC24, Class A4 2.942 10-15-49   1,885,014 1,987,772
Series 2017-SMP, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.650%) (A)(D) 1.834 12-15-34   360,000 286,763
Series 2019-C51, Class A2 3.039 06-15-52   3,725,000 3,926,459
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2012-C9, Class XA IO (A)
1.889 11-15-45   4,114,789 143,788
U.S. Government Agency 2.3%     47,903,412
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.    
Series K017, Class X1 IO 1.286 12-25-21   9,283,344 133,661
Series K018, Class X1 IO 1.300 01-25-22   9,072,574 136,564
28 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)      
Series K021, Class X1 IO 1.417 06-25-22   2,461,290 $57,154
Series K022, Class X1 IO 1.194 07-25-22   36,534,230 741,970
Series K030, Class X1 IO 0.178 04-25-23   204,545,591 938,455
Series K038, Class A2 3.389 03-25-24   2,486,000 2,714,919
Series K038, Class X1 IO 1.126 03-25-24   20,822,221 734,510
Series K040, Class A2 3.241 09-25-24   4,380,000 4,811,599
Series K048, Class A2 (E) 3.284 06-25-25   2,310,000 2,568,751
Series K048, Class X1 IO 0.243 06-25-25   6,478,789 70,367
Series K049, Class A2 3.010 07-25-25   4,073,000 4,484,283
Series K052, Class A2 3.151 11-25-25   1,833,000 2,036,108
Series K064, Class A1 2.891 10-25-26   848,350 911,998
Series K718, Class X1 IO 0.603 01-25-22   22,522,259 161,676
Series K727, Class A2 2.946 07-25-24   6,080,000 6,501,163
Series K728, Class A2 (E) 3.064 08-25-24   4,035,000 4,368,890
Series KIR3, Class A1 3.038 08-25-27   3,920,000 4,288,072
Federal National Mortgage Association
Series 2015-M13, Class A2 (E)
2.710 06-25-25   2,865,000 3,085,264
Government National Mortgage Association    
Series 2012-114, Class IO 0.760 01-16-53   909,723 33,557
Series 2016-174, Class IO 0.890 11-16-56   8,388,054 541,401
Series 2017-109, Class IO 0.599 04-16-57   12,582,884 587,827
Series 2017-124, Class IO 0.712 01-16-59   11,286,072 606,149
Series 2017-140, Class IO 0.618 02-16-59   5,791,307 309,733
Series 2017-169, Class IO 0.727 01-16-60   11,800,774 632,552
Series 2017-20, Class IO 0.733 12-16-58   19,436,519 1,015,278
Series 2017-22, Class IO 0.942 12-16-57   3,050,486 213,563
Series 2017-41, Class IO 0.766 07-16-58   10,842,355 612,739
Series 2017-46, Class IO 0.616 11-16-57   12,072,916 609,201
Series 2017-61, Class IO 0.764 05-16-59   6,243,569 381,848
Series 2018-114, Class IO 0.555 04-16-60   11,964,883 652,944
Series 2018-158, Class IO 0.691 05-16-61   20,281,142 1,396,442
Series 2018-69, Class IO 0.574 04-16-60   5,974,799 333,009
Series 2018-9, Class IO 0.557 01-16-60   7,034,575 377,942
Series 2019-131, Class IO 0.931 07-16-61   11,532,730 853,823
Asset backed securities 7.1%         $147,725,128
(Cost $148,714,112)          
Asset backed securities 7.1%         147,725,128
Ally Master Owner Trust
Series 2018-1, Class A2
2.700 01-17-23   2,997,000 3,022,037
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2020-1, Class C
1.590 10-20-25   2,076,000 1,992,634
AMSR Trust
Series 2020-SFR1, Class A (A)
1.819 04-17-37   2,077,000 1,997,239
Applebee's Funding LLC
Series 2019-1A, Class A2I (A)
4.194 06-07-49   2,530,000 2,064,050
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 29

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities (continued)          
Arby's Funding LLC
Series 2015-1A, Class A2 (A)
4.969 10-30-45   1,337,000 $1,330,917
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC          
Series 2019-3A, Class A (A) 2.360 03-20-26   1,591,000 1,520,974
Series 2020-1A, Class A (A) 2.330 08-20-26   1,489,000 1,390,372
BRE Grand Islander Timeshare Issuer LLC
Series 2019-A, Class A (A)
3.280 09-26-33   581,634 562,111
CARS-DB4 LP
Series 2020-1A, Class A1 (A)
2.690 02-15-50   1,861,529 1,868,190
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust
Series 2018-A1, Class A1
2.490 01-20-23   1,435,000 1,453,924
CLI Funding LLC
Series 2018-1A, Class A (A)
4.030 04-18-43   1,170,371 1,171,938
Coinstar Funding LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A2 (A)
5.216 04-25-47   1,319,200 1,268,719
Corevest American Finance Trust
Series 2019-3, Class A (A)
2.705 10-15-52   448,724 445,539
CWABS Asset-Backed Certificates Trust
Series 2004-10, Class AF5B
4.520 02-25-35   85,895 86,072
DB Master Finance LLC          
Series 2017-1A, Class A2I (A) 3.629 11-20-47   787,865 793,112
Series 2017-1A, Class A2II (A) 4.030 11-20-47   1,451,588 1,446,231
Series 2019-1A, Class A2I (A) 3.787 05-20-49   3,440,998 3,514,050
Domino's Pizza Master Issuer LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A23 (A)
4.118 07-25-47   3,875,625 4,026,891
DRB Prime Student Loan Trust          
Series 2015-D, Class A2 (A) 3.200 01-25-40   684,927 692,295
Series 2016-B, Class A2 (A) 2.890 06-25-40   748,806 762,143
Driven Brands Funding LLC
Series 2015-1A, Class A2 (A)
5.216 07-20-45   1,609,175 1,620,858
Elara HGV Timeshare Issuer LLC
Series 2019-A, Class A (A)
2.610 01-25-34   1,285,335 1,221,346
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2020-1A, Class C (A)
2.490 01-15-25   3,405,000 3,370,035
Five Guys Funding LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A2 (A)
4.600 07-25-47   2,128,913 2,107,822
FOCUS Brands Funding LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A2I (A)
3.857 04-30-47   455,900 442,373
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust          
Series 2018-1, Class A (A) 3.190 07-15-31   5,556,000 5,817,541
Series 2018-2, Class A (A) 3.470 01-15-30   3,220,000 3,343,620
Series 2020-1, Class A (A) 2.040 08-15-31   3,578,000 3,592,915
Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust
Series 2019-2, Class A
3.060 04-15-26   3,969,000 3,980,390
GMF Floorplan Owner Revolving Trust
Series 2019-2, Class A (A)
2.900 04-15-26   3,600,000 3,716,495
Golden Credit Card Trust
Series 2018-4A, Class A (A)
3.440 10-15-25   5,200,000 5,540,078
30 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities (continued)          
Great American Auto Leasing, Inc.
Series 2019-1, Class A4 (A)
3.210 02-18-25   1,847,000 $1,903,559
Hilton Grand Vacations Trust          
Series 2017-AA, Class A (A) 2.660 12-26-28   843,622 814,438
Series 2018-AA, Class A (A) 3.540 02-25-32   608,112 593,246
Home Partners of America Trust
Series 2019-1, Class A (A)
2.908 09-17-39   3,857,068 3,965,532
Jack in the Box Funding LLC          
Series 2019-1A, Class A23 (A) 4.970 08-25-49   616,900 563,723
Series 2019-1A, Class A2I (A) 3.982 08-25-49   711,425 675,697
Laurel Road Prime Student Loan Trust
Series 2019-A, Class A2FX (A)
2.730 10-25-48   1,515,000 1,549,122
MelTel Land Funding LLC
Series 2019-1A, Class A (A)
3.768 04-15-49   617,307 619,913
Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2018-3, Class A1 (A)(E)
3.500 08-25-58   468,362 484,155
MVW Owner Trust          
Series 2015-1A, Class A (A) 2.520 12-20-32   83,087 81,270
Series 2018-1A, Class A (A) 3.450 01-21-36   1,365,573 1,375,073
Navient Private Education Loan Trust
Series 2016-AA, Class A2A (A)
3.910 12-15-45   572,465 594,874
Navient Private Education Refi Loan Trust          
Series 2019-EA, Class A2A (A) 2.640 05-15-68   2,015,000 2,029,305
Series 2019-FA, Class A2 (A) 2.600 08-15-68   3,389,000 3,465,224
Series 2020-BA, Class A2 (A) 2.120 01-15-69   3,760,000 3,717,574
Nelnet Student Loan Trust
Series 2004-4, Class A5 (3 month LIBOR + 0.160%) (D)
1.151 01-25-37   1,190,290 1,140,243
New Residential Mortgage LLC          
Series 2018-FNT1, Class A (A) 3.610 05-25-23   640,283 636,885
Series 2018-FNT2, Class A (A) 3.790 07-25-54   383,779 370,591
Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust
Series 2018-A, Class A4
2.890 06-17-24   1,750,000 1,803,233
NRZ Excess Spread-Collateralized Notes          
Series 2018-PLS1, Class A (A) 3.193 01-25-23   282,058 283,055
Series 2018-PLS2, Class A (A) 3.265 02-25-23   872,272 874,861
Oxford Finance Funding LLC          
Series 2019-1A, Class A2 (A) 4.459 02-15-27   441,000 434,416
Series 2020-1A, Class A2 (A) 3.101 02-15-28   1,910,000 1,894,269
PFS Financing Corp.
Series 2018-F, Class A (A)
3.520 10-15-23   1,965,000 1,977,076
Progress Residential Trust          
Series 2020-SFR1, Class A (A) 1.732 04-17-37   1,798,000 1,771,205
Series 2020-SFR2, Class A (A) 2.078 06-18-37   1,041,000 1,041,354
Santander Revolving Auto Loan Trust
Series 2019-A, Class A (A)
2.510 01-26-32   3,169,000 3,138,636
SCF Equipment Leasing LLC
Series 2019-1A, Class A2 (A)
3.230 10-20-24   740,000 716,609
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 31

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities (continued)          
Sesac Finance LLC
Series 2019-1, Class A2 (A)
5.216 07-25-49   1,870,863 $1,881,115
Sierra Timeshare Receivables Funding LLC          
Series 2018-3A, Class A (A) 3.690 09-20-35   345,717 339,775
Series 2019-1A, Class A (A) 3.200 01-20-36   397,573 390,613
SMB Private Education Loan Trust          
Series 2015-C, Class A2A (A) 2.750 07-15-27   298,074 302,263
Series 2016-A, Class A2A (A) 2.700 05-15-31   3,018,298 3,031,920
Series 2019-B, Class A2A (A) 2.840 06-15-37   3,573,000 3,667,919
Sonic Capital LLC
Series 2020-1A, Class A2I (A)
3.845 01-20-50   1,788,518 1,656,507
Sunbird Engine Finance LLC
Series 2020-1A, Class A (A)
3.671 02-15-45   1,090,170 816,212
Taco Bell Funding LLC
Series 2018-1A, Class A2I (A)
4.318 11-25-48   3,498,720 3,569,674
TAL Advantage V LLC
Series 2014-1A, Class A (A)
3.510 02-22-39   198,750 196,385
Towd Point Mortgage Trust          
Series 2015-1, Class A5 (A)(E) 3.907 10-25-53   355,000 361,225
Series 2015-2, Class 1M2 (A)(E) 3.735 11-25-60   815,000 838,666
Series 2015-6, Class M2 (A)(E) 3.750 04-25-55   1,775,000 1,826,639
Series 2017-1, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.750 10-25-56   463,509 470,190
Series 2017-2, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.750 04-25-57   309,901 314,329
Series 2018-1, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.000 01-25-58   966,737 994,038
Series 2018-3, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.750 05-25-58   1,139,961 1,198,275
Series 2018-4, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.000 06-25-58   2,717,811 2,819,896
Series 2018-6, Class A1A (A)(E) 3.750 03-25-58   1,791,799 1,870,157
Series 2019-1, Class A1 (A)(E) 3.750 03-25-58   927,536 983,862
Series 2019-4, Class A1 (A)(E) 2.900 10-25-59   1,618,191 1,672,897
Toyota Auto Loan Extended Note Trust
Series 2019-1A, Class A (A)
2.560 11-25-31   6,561,000 6,794,137
Triton Container Finance V LLC
Series 2018-1A, Class A (A)
3.950 03-20-43   2,432,250 2,406,144
Vantage Data Centers Issuer LLC
Series 2018-1A, Class A2 (A)
4.072 02-16-43   1,476,025 1,492,502
VSE VOI Mortgage LLC
Series 2017-A, Class A (A)
2.330 03-20-35   774,325 738,725
Westgate Resorts LLC          
Series 2016-1A, Class A (A) 3.500 12-20-28   79,998 79,610
Series 2017-1A, Class A (A) 3.050 12-20-30   258,762 253,737
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2019-1A, Class C (A)
3.450 03-15-24   1,493,000 1,521,006
Willis Engine Structured Trust V
Series 2020-A, Class A (A)
3.228 03-15-45   787,046 558,661
    
32 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Preferred securities 0.1%         $1,849,016
(Cost $1,965,184)          
Financials 0.0%         321,300
Banks 0.0%      
Wells Fargo & Company, 7.500%   238 321,300
Utilities 0.1%         1,527,716
Electric utilities 0.1%      
NextEra Energy, Inc., 5.279%   25,800 1,147,068
The Southern Company, 6.750%   2,561 122,749
Multi-utilities 0.0%      
Dominion Energy, Inc., 7.250%   1,437 150,569
DTE Energy Company, 6.250%   2,526 107,330
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Short-term investments 0.7%         $14,259,177
(Cost $14,256,432)          
Short-term funds 0.1%         1,244,177
John Hancock Collateral Trust (F) 0.3653(G)   124,272 1,244,177
    
        Par value^ Value
Repurchase agreement 0.6%         13,015,000
Barclays Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement dated 5-29-20 at 0.050% to be repurchased at $12,005,050 on 6-1-20, collateralized by $10,451,600 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.750% due 2-15-28 (valued at $12,245,242)       12,005,000 12,005,000
Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 5-29-20 at 0.000% to be repurchased at $1,010,000 on 6-1-20, collateralized by $980,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.000% due 11-30-22 (valued at $1,033,496)       1,010,000 1,010,000
    
Total investments (Cost $2,004,283,351) 99.5%     $2,064,062,938
Other assets and liabilities, net 0.5%       10,826,981
Total net assets 100.0%         $2,074,889,919
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
CMT Constant Maturity Treasury
ICE Intercontinental Exchange
IO Interest-Only Security - (Interest Tranche of Stripped Mortgage Pool). Rate shown is the annualized yield at the end of the period.
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 33

 

(A) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration. Rule 144A securities amounted to $373,633,388 or 18.0% of the fund's net assets as of 5-31-20.
(B) All or a portion of this security is on loan as of 5-31-20.
(C) Perpetual bonds have no stated maturity date. Date shown as maturity date is next call date.
(D) Variable rate obligation. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
(E) Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on a weighted average of interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown is the current rate as of period end.
(F) Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. This security represents the investment of cash collateral received for securities lending.
(G) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 5-31-20.
At 5-31-20, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $2,008,558,642. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $55,504,296, of which $80,219,105 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $24,714,809 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
34 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 5-31-20

Assets  
Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $2,003,041,919) including $1,211,557 of securities loaned $2,062,818,761
Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $1,241,432) 1,244,177
Total investments, at value (Cost $2,004,283,351) 2,064,062,938
Cash 647
Dividends and interest receivable 10,936,238
Receivable for fund shares sold 10,557,928
Receivable for investments sold 5,324,968
Receivable for securities lending income 2,528
Receivable from affiliates 8,866
Other assets 157,990
Total assets 2,091,052,103
Liabilities  
Distributions payable 275,082
Payable for investments purchased 7,680,678
Payable for delayed delivery securities purchased 3,916,000
Payable for fund shares repurchased 2,586,998
Payable upon return of securities loaned 1,237,875
Payable to affiliates  
Accounting and legal services fees 126,668
Transfer agent fees 164,336
Distribution and service fees 24,064
Trustees' fees 679
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 149,804
Total liabilities 16,162,184
Net assets $2,074,889,919
Net assets consist of  
Paid-in capital $2,003,628,677
Total distributable earnings (loss) 71,261,242
Net assets $2,074,889,919
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 35

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  (continued)

Net asset value per share  
Based on net asset value and shares outstanding - the fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value  
Class A ($519,838,629 ÷ 47,179,049 shares)1 $11.02
Class B ($899,181 ÷ 81,613 shares)1 $11.02
Class C ($26,308,281 ÷ 2,387,573 shares)1 $11.02
Class I ($930,416,391 ÷ 84,407,416 shares) $11.02
Class R2 ($6,140,161 ÷ 557,174 shares) $11.02
Class R4 ($709,141 ÷ 64,340 shares) $11.02
Class R6 ($590,578,135 ÷ 53,576,120 shares) $11.02
Maximum offering price per share  
Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 96%)2 $11.48
    
1 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2 On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.
36 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended  5-31-20

Investment income  
Interest $42,664,202
Securities lending 176,571
Dividends 72,813
Less foreign taxes withheld (1,253)
Total investment income 42,912,333
Expenses  
Investment management fees 5,861,751
Distribution and service fees 1,360,961
Accounting and legal services fees 273,812
Transfer agent fees 1,302,587
Trustees' fees 21,298
Custodian fees 193,583
State registration fees 199,633
Printing and postage 125,827
Professional fees 93,095
Other 54,340
Total expenses 9,486,887
Less expense reductions (1,199,297)
Net expenses 8,287,590
Net investment income 34,624,743
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
Net realized gain (loss) on  
Unaffiliated investments 30,217,129
Affiliated investments 6,777
  30,223,906
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of  
Unaffiliated investments 44,919,193
Affiliated investments 2,341
  44,921,534
Net realized and unrealized gain 75,145,440
Increase in net assets from operations $109,770,183
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 37

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

  Year ended
5-31-20
Year ended
5-31-19
Increase (decrease) in net assets    
From operations    
Net investment income $34,624,743 $23,229,775
Net realized gain 30,223,906 1,419,039
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 44,921,534 27,298,443
Increase in net assets resulting from operations 109,770,183 51,947,257
Distributions to shareholders    
From earnings    
Class A (11,489,144) (9,844,657)
Class B (24,911) (47,753)
Class C (415,629) (426,889)
Class I (14,528,085) (3,226,443)
Class R2 (64,329) (10,820)
Class R4 (15,129) (11,760)
Class R6 (14,290,315) (11,464,449)
Total distributions (40,827,542) (25,032,771)
From fund share transactions 1,100,564,732 44,927,329
Total increase 1,169,507,373 71,841,815
Net assets    
Beginning of year 905,382,546 833,540,731
End of year $2,074,889,919 $905,382,546
38 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial highlights
CLASS A SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.50 $10.17 $10.48 $10.53 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.23 0.27 0.24 0.23 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.57 0.35 (0.28) 2 (0.01)
Total from investment operations 0.80 0.62 (0.04) 0.23 0.22
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.28) (0.29) (0.27) (0.28) (0.27)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.28) (0.29) (0.27) (0.28) (0.29)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.50 $10.17 $10.48 $10.53
Total return (%)3,4 7.70 6.24 (0.35) 2.24 2.13
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $520 $374 $335 $341 $380
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.87 0.90
Expenses including reductions 0.76 0.78 0.78 0.80 0.89
Net investment income 2.18 2.65 2.35 2.18 2.16
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 39

 

CLASS B SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.50 $10.18 $10.48 $10.53 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.15 0.19 0.16 0.15 0.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.57 0.35 (0.26) 2 (0.01)
Total from investment operations 0.72 0.54 (0.10) 0.15 0.14
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.20) (0.22) (0.20) (0.20) (0.19)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.20) (0.22) (0.20) (0.20) (0.21)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.50 $10.18 $10.48 $10.53
Total return (%)3,4 6.90 5.35 (1.00) 1.48 1.37
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $1 $2 $3 $5 $7
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.59 1.60 1.60 1.62 1.65
Expenses including reductions 1.51 1.53 1.53 1.55 1.65
Net investment income 1.44 1.90 1.58 1.44 1.43
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
40 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS C SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.50 $10.18 $10.49 $10.53 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.15 0.19 0.17 0.15 0.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.57 0.35 (0.28) 0.01 (0.01)
Total from investment operations 0.72 0.54 (0.11) 0.16 0.14
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.20) (0.22) (0.20) (0.20) (0.19)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.20) (0.22) (0.20) (0.20) (0.21)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.50 $10.18 $10.49 $10.53
Total return (%)2,3 6.90 5.35 (1.09) 1.57 1.37
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $26 $19 $22 $31 $37
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.59 1.60 1.60 1.62 1.65
Expenses including reductions 1.51 1.53 1.53 1.55 1.64
Net investment income 1.42 1.90 1.59 1.43 1.41
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 41

 

CLASS I SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.50 $10.18 $10.49 $10.53 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.26 0.29 0.26 0.26 0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.57 0.35 (0.27) 0.01
Total from investment operations 0.83 0.64 (0.01) 0.27 0.25
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.31) (0.32) (0.30) (0.31) (0.30)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.31) (0.32) (0.30) (0.31) (0.32)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.50 $10.18 $10.49 $10.53
Total return (%)2 7.97 6.38 (0.10) 2.60 2.40
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $930 $130 $115 $360 $51
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.59 0.61 0.60 0.60 0.64
Expenses including reductions 0.51 0.55 0.53 0.53 0.63
Net investment income 2.39 2.87 2.52 2.50 2.42
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
42 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS R2 SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.50 $10.17 $10.49 $10.53 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.22 0.25 0.23 0.22 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.57 0.36 (0.29) 0.01
Total from investment operations 0.79 0.61 (0.06) 0.23 0.23
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.27) (0.28) (0.26) (0.27) (0.28)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.27) (0.28) (0.26) (0.27) (0.30)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.50 $10.17 $10.49 $10.53
Total return (%)2 7.57 6.08 (0.60) 2.24 2.22
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $6 $— 3 $— 3 $1 $— 3
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.98 1.00 1.00 0.97 0.85
Expenses including reductions 0.90 0.93 0.93 0.90 0.84
Net investment income 2.01 2.50 2.17 2.13 2.22
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Less than $500,000.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 43

 

CLASS R4 SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.50 $10.18 $10.49 $10.54 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.25 0.28 0.26 0.24 0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.56 0.34 (0.28) 0.01 0.01
Total from investment operations 0.81 0.62 (0.02) 0.25 0.26
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.29) (0.30) (0.29) (0.30) (0.30)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.29) (0.30) (0.29) (0.30) (0.32)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.50 $10.18 $10.49 $10.54
Total return (%)2 7.82 6.24 (0.22) 2.46 2.37
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $1 $— 3 $— 3 $— 3 $— 3
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.83 0.85 0.82 0.85 0.80
Expenses including reductions 0.64 0.68 0.65 0.68 0.70
Net investment income 2.29 2.76 2.46 2.29 2.40
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Less than $500,000.
44 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.51 $10.18 $10.49 $10.54 $10.60
Net investment income1 0.27 0.30 0.29 0.27 0.27
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.56 0.36 (0.29) 2
Total from investment operations 0.83 0.66 0.27 0.27
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.32) (0.33) (0.31) (0.32) (0.31)
From net realized gain (0.02)
Total distributions (0.32) (0.33) (0.31) (0.32) (0.33)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.51 $10.18 $10.49 $10.54
Total return (%)3 7.99 6.60 0.00 2.62 2.64
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $591 $379 $358 $3 $2
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.48 0.50 0.50 0.51 0.56
Expenses including reductions 0.40 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.53
Net investment income 2.53 3.00 2.76 2.57 2.60
Portfolio turnover (%) 151 111 80 83 63
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 45

 

Notes to financial statements
Note 1Organization
John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Bond Trust (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.
The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class B shares are closed to new investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R2 and Class R4 shares are available only to certain retirement and 529 plans. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase (certain exclusions may apply). Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ.
Note 2Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Equity securities, including exchange-traded or closed-end funds, are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day.
In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.
Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.
46 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of May 31, 2020, by major security category or type:
  Total
value at
5-31-20
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
U.S. Government and Agency obligations $831,334,528 $831,334,528
Foreign government obligations 9,113,230 9,113,230
Corporate bonds 867,984,387 867,984,387
Municipal bonds 20,950,242 20,950,242
Collateralized mortgage obligations 170,847,230 170,847,230
Asset backed securities 147,725,128 147,725,128
Preferred securities 1,849,016 $1,849,016
Short-term investments 14,259,177 1,244,177 13,015,000
Total investments in securities $2,064,062,938 $3,093,193 $2,060,969,745
Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian, or for tri-party repurchase agreements, collateral is held at a third-party custodian bank in a segregated account for the benefit of the fund. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.
Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, assets and liabilities resulting from repurchase agreements are not offset in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.
When-issued/delayed-delivery securities. The fund may purchase or sell debt securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, or in a “To Be Announced” (TBA) or “forward commitment” transaction, with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. TBA securities resulting from these
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 47

 

transactions are included in the portfolio or in a schedule to the portfolio (Sale Commitments Outstanding). At the time a fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in its NAV. The price of such security and the date that the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues until settlement takes place. At the time that the fund enters into this type of transaction, the fund is required to have sufficient cash and/or liquid securities to cover its commitments.
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed-delivery securities transactions, including the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts, and the issuer’s failure to issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to declines in the value of the securities purchased or increase in the value of securities sold prior to settlement date.
Mortgage and asset backed securities. The fund may invest in mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, which are debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund's income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund's cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. The timely payment of principal and interest of certain mortgage-related securities is guaranteed with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Pools created and guaranteed by non-governmental issuers, including government-sponsored corporations (e.g. FNMA), may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, but there can be no assurance that private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. The fund is also subject to risks associated with securities with contractual cash flows including asset-backed and mortgage related securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage pass-through securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The value, liquidity and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate value, pre-payments, delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of certain foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
Securities lending. The fund may lend its securities to earn additional income. The fund receives collateral from the borrower in an amount not less than the market value of the loaned securities. The fund will invest its cash collateral in JHCT, an affiliate of the fund, which has a floating NAV and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment company. JHCT invests in short-term money market investments. The fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by JHCT with respect to the cash collateral.
The fund has the right to recall loaned securities on demand. If a borrower fails to return loaned securities when
48 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

due, then the lending agent is responsible and indemnifies the fund for the lent securities. The lending agent uses the collateral received from the borrower to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement securities, the lending agent is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of JHCT.
Although the risk of loss on securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the borrower and through lending agent indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the borrower fails to return the securities on a timely basis. The fund receives compensation for lending its securities by retaining a portion of the return on the investment of the collateral and compensation from fees earned from borrowers of the securities. Securities lending income received by the fund is net of fees retained by the securities lending agent. Net income received from JHCT is a component of securities lending income as recorded on the Statement of operations.
Obligations to repay collateral received by the fund are shown on the Statement of assets and liabilities as Payable upon return of securities loaned and are secured by the loaned securities. As of May 31, 2020, the fund loaned securities valued at $1,211,557 and received $1,237,875 of cash collateral.
Foreign investing. Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the value of securities is reflected as a component of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Foreign investments are subject to a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.
Funds that invest internationally generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. securities. Risks can result from differences in economic and political conditions, regulations, market practices (including higher transaction costs), accounting standards and other factors.
Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income, capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries, a portion of which may be recoverable. Foreign taxes are accrued based upon the fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Taxes are accrued based on gains realized by the fund as a result of certain foreign security sales. In certain circumstances, estimated taxes are accrued based on unrealized appreciation of such securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign withholding taxes.
Overdraft. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Line of credit. The fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. For the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $5,887.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 49

 

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.
Change in accounting principle. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non contingently callable debt securities and is effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact to the fund.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
As of May 31, 2020, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
The tax character of distributions for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
  May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
Ordinary income $40,827,542 $25,032,771
Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $16,032,027 of undistributed ordinary income.
Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to amortization and accretion on debt securities.
Note 3Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
50 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Note 4Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation. Prior to June 28, 2019, the Advisor was known as John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Distributor was known as John Hancock Funds, LLC.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a) 0.400% of the first $1.5 billion of the fund’s average daily net assets and (b) 0.385% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended May 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which expenses of the fund exceed 0.38% of average daily net assets of the fund. For purposes of this agreement, “expenses of the fund” means all fund expenses, excluding taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, class-specific expenses, borrowing costs, prime brokerage fees, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and short dividend expense. This agreement expires on September 30, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Advisor and the fund based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Prior to July 1, 2019, this contractual waiver was set at 0.42% of average daily net asets of the fund.
For the year ended May 31, 2020, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
Class Expense reduction
Class A $361,501
Class B 1,099
Class C 18,427
Class I 420,063
Class Expense reduction
Class R2 $2,158
Class R4 456
Class R6 395,033
Total $1,198,737
 
Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.
The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.32% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 51

 

Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans for certain classes as detailed below pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. In addition, under a service plan for certain classes as detailed below, the fund pays for certain other services. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:
Class Rule 12b-1 Fee Service fee
Class A 0.25%
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
Class R2 0.25% 0.25%
Class R4 0.25% 0.10%
The fund's Distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $560 for Class R4 shares for the year ended May 31, 2020.
Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $964,428 for the year ended May 31, 2020. Of this amount, $140,277 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes and $824,151 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class B shares that are redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to CDSCs, at declining rates, beginning at 5.00%. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended May 31, 2020, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $13,332 and $6,144 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively. During the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no CDSCs received by the Distributor for Class B shares.
Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock group of funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.
Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $1,106,536 $554,028
Class B 13,461 1,669
52 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class C $225,630 $28,240
Class I 654,261
Class R2 13,379 358
Class R4 1,955 74
Class R6 63,957
Total $1,360,961 $1,302,587
Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.
Interfund lending program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the fund to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, no interfund loans were outstanding. The fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:
Borrower
or Lender
Weighted Average
Loan Balance
Days
Outstanding
Weighted Average
Interest Rate
Interest Income
(Expense)
Lender $8,089,097 3 0.834% $562
Note 5Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class A shares        
Sold 18,334,845 $197,450,506 8,616,352 $87,736,125
Distributions reinvested 1,037,380 11,202,264 943,341 9,612,985
Repurchased (7,766,269) (83,199,035) (6,880,232) (69,849,917)
Net increase 11,605,956 $125,453,735 2,679,461 $27,499,193
Class B shares        
Sold 8,432 $91,599 794 $8,160
Distributions reinvested 2,079 22,394 4,205 42,788
Repurchased (98,675) (1,060,747) (109,199) (1,109,838)
Net decrease (88,164) $(946,754) (104,200) $(1,058,890)
Class C shares        
Sold 1,105,732 $11,919,738 296,997 $3,020,706
Distributions reinvested 34,840 376,087 38,670 393,849
Repurchased (602,941) (6,490,009) (675,922) (6,869,559)
Net increase (decrease) 537,631 $5,805,816 (340,255) $(3,455,004)
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 53

 

  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class I shares        
Sold 95,598,656 $1,029,028,072 8,446,590 $86,374,585
Distributions reinvested 1,148,488 12,451,802 263,941 2,690,690
Repurchased (24,746,742) (265,303,139) (7,638,466) (77,553,832)
Net increase 72,000,402 $776,176,735 1,072,065 $11,511,443
Class R2 shares        
Sold 619,106 $6,698,509 7,109 $72,889
Distributions reinvested 1,583 17,111 1,062 10,820
Repurchased (106,921) (1,155,203) (1,955) (19,803)
Net increase 513,768 $5,560,417 6,216 $63,906
Class R4 shares        
Sold 30,178 $324,200 23,642 $239,887
Distributions reinvested 1,398 15,110 1,153 11,760
Repurchased (12,144) (129,418) (5,539) (55,919)
Net increase 19,432 $209,892 19,256 $195,728
Class R6 shares        
Sold 25,318,244 $272,539,584 9,038,067 $92,125,729
Distributions reinvested 1,315,674 14,219,338 1,123,168 11,447,099
Repurchased (9,168,629) (98,454,031) (9,206,672) (93,401,875)
Net increase 17,465,289 $188,304,891 954,563 $10,170,953
Total net increase 102,054,314 $1,100,564,732 4,287,106 $44,927,329
Note 6Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments and U.S. Treasury obligations, amounted to $1,756,615,577 and $746,440,063, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $1,538,713,130 and $1,452,817,053, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020.
Note 7Investment in affiliated underlying funds
The fund may invest in affiliated underlying funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. Information regarding the fund's fiscal year to date purchases and sales of the affiliated underlying funds as well as income and capital gains earned by the fund, if any, is as follows:
              Dividends and distributions
Affiliate Ending
share
amount
Beginning
value
Cost of
purchases
Proceeds
from shares
sold
Realized
gain
(loss)
Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
Income
distributions
received
Capital gain
distributions
received
Ending
value
John Hancock Collateral Trust* 124,272 $783,609 $669,289,514 $(668,838,064) $6,777 $2,341 $176,571 $1,244,177
    
54 JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

* Refer to the Securities lending note within Note 2 for details regarding this investment.
Note 8Interfund trading
The fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain other affiliated funds, as set forth in Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act, under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the fund from or to another fund that is or could be considered an affiliate complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. Pursuant to these procedures, for the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund engaged in securities purchases amounting to $176,756,172.
Note 9LIBOR discontinuation risk
LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This event will likely cause LIBOR to cease to be published. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have suggested alternative rates, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any replacement rate.
It is uncertain what impact the discontinuation of LIBOR will have on the use of LIBOR as a reference rate for securities in which the fund invests. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. In addition, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
Note 10Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Investment Grade Bond Fund 55

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Bond Trust and Shareholders of John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the Fund’s investments, of John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Bond Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended May 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended May 31, 2020 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended May 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 13, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.
56 JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Tax information (Unaudited)
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended May 31, 2020.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its Section 199A dividends as defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation §1.199A-3(d).
Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2020 Form 1099-DIV in early 2021. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2020.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND 57

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT


Operation of the Liquidity Risk Management Program

This section describes operation and effectiveness of the Liquidity Risk Management Program (LRMP) established in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Liquidity Rule). The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Fund in the John Hancock Group of Funds (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule has appointed John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (together, the Advisor) to serve as Administrator of the LRMP with respect to each of the Funds, including John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. In order to provide a mechanism and process to perform the functions necessary to administer the LRMP, the Advisor established the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). The Fund's subadvisor, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor) executes the day-to-day investment management and security-level activities of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the LRMP, subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board.

The Committee holds monthly meetings to: (1) review the day-to-day operations of the LRMP; (2) review and approve month end liquidity classifications; (3) review quarterly testing and determinations, as applicable; and (4) review other LRMP related material. The Committee also conducts daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual quantitative and qualitative assessments of each subadvisor to a Fund that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule and is a part of the LRMP to monitor investment performance issues, risks and trends. In addition, the Committee may conduct ad-hoc reviews and meetings with subadvisors as issues and trends are identified, including potential liquidity and valuation issues.

The Committee provided the Board at a meeting held on March 15-17, 2020 with a written report which addressed the Committee's assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation and operation of the LRMP and any material changes to the LRMP. The report, which covered the period December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, included an assessment of important aspects of the LRMP including, but not limited to:

Operation of the Fund's Redemption-In-Kind Procedures;
Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM) determination;
Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments;
Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size (RATS) determination;
Security-level liquidity classifications; and
Liquidity risk assessment.

The report also covered material liquidity matters which occurred or were reported during this period applicable to the Fund, if any, and the Committee's actions to address such matters.

Redemption-In-Kind Procedures

Rule 22e-4 requires any fund that engages in or reserves the right to engage in in-kind redemptions to adopt and implement written policies and procedures regarding in-kind redemptions as part of the management of its liquidity risk. These procedures address the process for redeeming in kind, as well as the circumstances under which the Fund would consider redeeming in kind. Anticipated large redemption activity will be evaluated to identify situations where redeeming in securities instead of cash may be appropriate.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       58


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the implementation and operation of the Redemption-In-Kind Procedures and determined they are operating in a manner that such procedures are adequate and effective to manage in-kind redemptions on behalf of the Fund as part of the LRMP.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum determination

The Committee uses an HLIM model to determine a Fund's HLIM. This process incorporates the Fund's investment strategy, historical redemptions, liquidity classification rollup percentages and cash balances, redemption policy, access to funding sources, distribution channels and client concentrations. If the Fund falls below its established HLIM for a period greater than 7 consecutive calendar days, the Committee prepares a report to the Board within one business day following the seventh consecutive calendar day with an explanation of how the Fund plans to restore its HLIM within a reasonable period of time.

Based on the HLIM model, the Committee has determined that the Fund qualifies as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (PHLF). It is therefore not required to establish a HLIM. The Fund is tested quarterly to confirm its PHLF status.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to HLIM and PHLF determinations, and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments

Rule 22e-4 sets an aggregate illiquid investment limit of 15% for a fund. Funds are prohibited from acquiring an illiquid investment if this results in greater than 15% of its net assets being classified as illiquid. When applying this limit, the Committee defines "illiquid investment" to mean any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If a 15% illiquid investment limit breach occurs for longer than 1 business day, the Fund is required to notify the Board and provide a plan on how to bring illiquid investments within the 15% threshold, and after 7 days confidentially notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

In February 2019, as a result of extended security markets closures in connection with the Chinese New Year in certain countries, the SEC released guidance, and the Committee approved and adopted an Extended Market Holiday Policy to plan for and monitor known Extended Market Holidays (defined as all expected market holiday closures spanning four or more calendar days).

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to the 15% illiquid investment limit and determined such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LMRP.

Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size determination

In order to assess the liquidity risk of a Fund, the Committee considers the impact on the Fund that redemptions of a RATS would have under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Modelling the Fund's RATS requires quantifying cash flow volatility and analyzing distribution channel concentration and redemption risk. The model is designed to estimate the amount of assets that the Fund could reasonably anticipate trading on a given day, during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, to satisfy redemption requests.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       59


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to RATS determinations and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at making RATS determinations as part of the LRMP.

Security-level liquidity classifications

When classifying the liquidity of portfolio securities, the Fund adheres to the liquidity classification procedures established by the Advisor. In assigning a liquidity classification to Fund portfolio holdings, the following key inputs, among others, are considered: the Fund's RATS, feedback from the applicable Subadvisor on market-, trading- and investment-specific considerations, an assessment of current market conditions and fund portfolio holdings, and a value impact standard. The Subadvisor also provides position-level data to the Committee for use in monthly classification reconciliation in order to identify any classifications that may need to be changed as a result of the above considerations.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to security-level liquidity classifications and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Liquidity risk assessment

The Committee periodically reviews and assesses, the Fund's liquidity risk, including its investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions (including whether the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund, the extent to which the strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, and the use of borrowings for investment purposes and derivatives), cash flow analysis during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The Committee also monitors global events, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus, that could impact the markets and liquidity of portfolio investments and their classifications.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed Fund-Level Liquidity Risk Assessment Reports for each of the Funds and determined that the investment strategy for each Fund continues to be appropriate for an open-ended structure.

Adequacy and Effectiveness

Based on the review and assessment conducted by the Committee, the Committee has determined that the LRMP has been implemented, and is operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at assessing and managing the liquidity risk of each Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       60


Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 195
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 195
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1988).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2005-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 195
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 1986 195
Trustee
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 (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986).

     
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       61


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 195
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women's Forum (since 2018); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); 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 Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

     
James M. Oates,2 Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 1994 195
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (2014-2020); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992), Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2009 195
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (2012-2020), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (2011-2020), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (2012-2018) and Finance Committee Chairman (2014-2018), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       62


Non-Independent Trustees3

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 195
President and Non-Independent Trustee
Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (since 2018); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017).

     
Marianne Harrison, Born: 1963 2018 195
Non-Independent Trustee
President and CEO, John Hancock (since 2017); President and CEO, Manulife Canadian Division (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, CAE Inc. (since 2019); Member, Board of Directors, MA Competitive Partnership Board (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, Communitech, an industry-led innovation center that fosters technology companies in Canada (2017-2019); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Assurance Canada (2015-2017); Board Member, St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation (2014-2017); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Bank of Canada (2013-2017); Member, Standing Committee of the Canadian Life & Health Assurance Association (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, John Hancock USA, John Hancock Life & Health, John Hancock New York (2012-2013). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018).

Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2005
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2005).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2007); Treasurer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       63


Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Christopher (Kit) Sechler, Born: 1973 2018
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Deputy Chief Counsel, John Hancock Investments (since 2015); Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel (2009-2015), John Hancock Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018); Assistant Secretary of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2009).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

The Statement of Additional Information of the fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       64


More information

   

Trustees

Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Marianne Harrison
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Gregory A. Russo

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

Subadvisor

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

Portfolio Managers

Jeffrey N. Given, CFA
Howard C. Greene, CFA

Principal distributor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund's Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.

       
  You can also contact us:
  800-225-5291
jhinvestments.com

Regular mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 219909
Kansas City, MO 64121-9909

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219909
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT GRADE BOND FUND       65


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Financial Industries

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

New Opportunities

Regional Bank

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Quality Growth

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Global Thematic Opportunities

International Dynamic Growth

International Growth

International Small Company

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Bond

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Alternative Risk Premia

Diversified Macro

Infrastructure

Multi-Asset Absolute Return

Seaport Long/Short

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Balanced

Multi-Asset High Income

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.


John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

JHDIGEST_BACKCOVER-LOGO.JPG

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com

This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

MIMLOGO_DIGEST.JPG

   
MF1210550 55A 5/20
7/2020


John Hancock

High Yield Fund

Annual report 5/31/2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291 (Class A, Class B and Class C shares) or 888-972-8696 (Class I, Class R6 and Class NAV shares) or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

JHDIGEST_INCOME-DIGCOVMASK.JPG


JHREPORT_LETTER-DIGEST.JPG

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

Global financial markets delivered strong returns during first half of the 12-month period ended May 31, 2020; however, heightened fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) sent markets tumbling during the latter half of February and early March. Investors reacted by exiting higher-risk assets and moving into cash, leading to a liquidity crunch in the fixed-income markets.

In response to the sell-off, the U.S. Federal Reserve acted quickly, lowering interest rates to near zero and reinstating quantitative easing, as well as announcing its plans to shore up short-term debt. These steps, along with the passage of a $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill, helped lift the markets during the last two months of the period, while credit spreads rebounded off their highs as liquidity concerns eased.

The continued spread of COVID-19, trade disputes, rising unemployment, and other geopolitical tensions may continue to create uncertainty among businesses and investors. Your financial professional can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to seek to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way. 

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

ANDREWARNOTT_SIG.JPG

Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
High Yield Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
5   Manager's discussion of fund performance
7   A look at performance
9   Your expenses
11   Fund's investments
26   Financial statements
29   Financial highlights
35   Notes to financial statements
48   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
49   Tax information
50   Statement regarding liquidity risk management
53   Trustees and Officers
57   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks high current income. Capital appreciation is a secondary goal.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH57A_AATRBAR.JPG

The ICE Bank of America U.S. High Yield Index is an unmanaged index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated public corporate issues with par amounts greater than $100 million that are rated below investment grade.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The fund's Morningstar category average is a group of funds with similar investment objectives and strategies and is the equal-weighted return of all funds per category. Morningstar places funds in certain categories based on their historical portfolio holdings. Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

The past performance shown here reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund's objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund's prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


High-yield bonds posted a narrow gain

Despite a substantial downturn late in February and March, the fund's benchmark, the ICE Bank of America U.S. High Yield Index, finished the period in positive territory.

The fund lagged its benchmark

The fund's duration (interest-rate sensitivity) was below that of the index for most of the period, which weighed on relative performance.

Security selection contributed

The fund's risk-management strategies also added value in the volatile market environment of February and March.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH2X05_PORTFOLIOCOMPPIE.JPG

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       3


QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH2X05_QUALITYCOMPPIE.JPG



A note about risks

The fund may be subject to various risks as described in the fund's prospectus. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment. For more information, please refer to the "Principal risks" section of the prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       4


Manager's discussion of fund performance

How would you describe the investment backdrop during the 12 months ended May 31, 2020?

Despite elevated volatility, the fund's benchmark, ICE Bank of America U.S. High Yield Index, posted a narrow, positive return for the period. After performing well through mid-February 2020, high-yield bonds suffered a dramatic sell-off due to the combination of plunging oil prices and concerns about the economic effect of COVID-19. The asset class reached a low in late March, but it then rebounded sharply through the end of May. During this time, the market was propelled by significant fiscal and monetary stimulus, the U.S. Federal Reserve's announcement that it would provide direct support to the credit markets, and investor hopes for a V-shaped economic recovery.

What elements of the fund's positioning helped and hurt results?

The fund's duration positioning was the primary reason for its underperformance. (Duration is a measure of interest-rate sensitivity.) The fund's duration was below that of the benchmark for the majority of the year, which prevented the fund from fully capitalizing on the decline in prevailing yields. Performance was also hurt by significant weakness in certain holdings in energy, although the fund was underweight in the sector overall.

On the positive side, overall security selection was a meaningful contributor. In addition, the fund benefited from our decision to maintain a long position in credit default swaps on several investment-grade securities. Credit default swaps typically

         
TOP 10 ISSUERS
AS OF 5/31/20 (%)
  COUNTRY COMPOSITION
AS OF 5/31/20 (%)
Sprint Corp. 2.1   United States 84.9
CCO Holdings LLC 2.0   Canada 3.4
Netflix, Inc. 1.8   Luxembourg 3.2
Bausch Health Companies, Inc. 1.7   France 1.7
CSC Holdings LLC 1.6   Ireland 1.5
Uber Technologies, Inc. 1.6   Netherlands 1.2
T-Mobile USA, Inc. 1.5   Japan 1.0
General Motors Company 1.3   Other countries 3.1
DaVita, Inc. 1.3   TOTAL 100.0
Match Group, Inc. 1.3      
TOTAL 16.2      
As a percentage of net assets.   As a percentage of net assets.
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.    

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       5


rise in value in times of market stress. As such, they can provide an element of protection against tail risk; or in other words, the chance that an unexpected event could lead to sizable weakness in the credit markets. This aspect of our strategy added value, as it helped offset the effect of the sell-off. We closed out these positions in March.

What was your broader view on the market at the close of the period?

We held a generally defensive positioning. The market stood well off its prior low at the end of May, yet a variety of economic risks remained in place. Viewing this as a potential disconnect between valuations and underlying fundamentals, we chose to reduce the fund's risk exposure by underweighting CCC rated issues. In addition, we sought to avoid excessive risk in industries with the highest vulnerability to slowing growth, such as energy and retail.

We also used the sell-off to add positions in lower-rated investment-grade corporates. A number of companies were forced to come to the market for funding at the worst possible time in March and April, causing many to offer yields well above what would ordinarily be the case. We viewed these unusual circumstances as an opportunity to capture attractive yields on bonds with higher credit quality than the typical high-yield issue.

We retained a modest allocation outside of high yield through positions in term loans, preferred stocks, and convertible bonds. This aspect of our approach reflected our ongoing effort to take advantage of what we see as the most compelling value opportunities along the capital structures of high-yield companies.

MANAGED BY


 
Dennis F. McCafferty, CFA, Manulife IM (US)
John F. Addeo, CFA, Manulife IM (US)
Caryn E. Rothman, CFA, Manulife IM (US)

MANULIFE-INVESTMENT_LOGO.JPG

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of John F. Addeo, CFA, Dennis F. McCafferty, CFA, and Caryn E. Rothman, CFA, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       6


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MAY 31, 2020 


                       
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
subsidized
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
unsubsidized1
  1-year 5-year 10-year     5-year 10-year   as of
5-31-20
  as of
5-31-20
Class A -5.07 2.23 4.59     11.65 56.68   5.22   5.21
Class B -6.26 1.97 4.44     10.22 54.35   4.70   4.70
Class C -2.80 2.29 4.24     12.01 51.41   4.70   4.69
Class I3 -0.58 3.32 5.32     17.75 67.88   5.67   5.67
Class R62,3 -0.47 3.33 5.15     17.82 65.29   5.79   5.78
Class NAV2,3 -0.46 3.45 5.31     18.49 67.78   5.79   5.79
Index 0.33 4.06 6.51     22.00 87.90    

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 4.0% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class B and Class C shares. The returns for Class A shares have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, effective 2-3-14. The Class B shares' CDSC declines annually between years 1 to 6 according to the following schedule: 5%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2%, 1%. No sales charge will be assessed after the sixth year. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class R6, and Class NAV shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until July 31, 2022 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

             
  Class A Class B Class C Class I Class R6 Class NAV
Gross (%) 0.95 1.70 1.70 0.70 0.59 0.58
Net (%) 0.94 1.69 1.69 0.69 0.58 0.57

Please refer to the most recent prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.

The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility and other factors, the fund's current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call 800-225-5291 or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund's performance results reflect any applicable fee waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.

Index is the ICE Bank of America U.S. High Yield Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       7


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock High Yield Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the ICE Bank of America U.S. High Yield Index.

JH57A_GROWTHOF10K.JPG

         
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index ($)
Class B4 5-31-10 15,435 15,435 18,790
Class C4 5-31-10 15,141 15,141 18,790
Class I3 5-31-10 16,788 16,788 18,790
Class R62,3 5-31-10 16,529 16,529 18,790
Class NAV2,3 5-31-10 16,778 16,778 18,790

The values shown in the chart for Class A shares with maximum sales charge have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the Class A shares' maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, which became effective on 2-3-14.

The ICE Bank of America U.S. High Yield Index is an unmanaged index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated public corporate issues with par amounts greater than $100 million that are rated below investment grade.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effects of reimbursements and waivers.
2 Class R6 shares were first offered on 10-31-16; Class NAV shares were first offered on 10-21-13. Returns prior to these dates are those of Class A shares that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
3 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
4 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       8


Your expenses
These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Understanding fund expenses
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:
Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.
We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.
Actual expenses/actual returns
The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund’s actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund’s actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020.
Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at May 31, 2020, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the “expenses paid” for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund’s ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund’s hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the class’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 9

 

Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectuses for details regarding transaction costs.
SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART

    Account
value on
12-1-2019
Ending
value on
5-31-2020
Expenses
paid during
period ended
5-31-20201
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $ 951.80 $4.59 0.94%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,020.30 4.75 0.94%
Class B Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 951.20 8.24 1.69%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,016.60 8.52 1.69%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 948.20 8.23 1.69%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,016.60 8.52 1.69%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 955.80 3.37 0.69%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.60 3.49 0.69%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 956.30 2.79 0.57%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.20 2.88 0.57%
Class NAV Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 956.40 2.74 0.56%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.20 2.83 0.56%
    
1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
10 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fund’ s investments
AS OF 5-31-20
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Corporate bonds 83.7%     $913,416,124
(Cost $947,514,973)          
Communication services 22.0%     240,348,677
Diversified telecommunication services 2.6%      
CenturyLink, Inc. (A) 5.125 12-15-26   4,530,000 4,575,300
GCI LLC (A) 6.625 06-15-24   3,085,000 3,235,394
GCI LLC 6.875 04-15-25   6,130,000 6,367,538
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (B) 5.500 08-01-23   2,185,000 1,152,588
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (A)(B) 8.500 10-15-24   4,115,000 2,345,550
Level 3 Financing, Inc. (A) 4.625 09-15-27   4,965,000 5,088,132
Radiate Holdco LLC (A) 6.625 02-15-25   2,372,000 2,430,090
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (A) 4.000 03-01-27   2,900,000 2,856,500
Entertainment 3.0%      
Cinemark USA, Inc. (A) 8.750 05-01-25   2,750,000 2,866,875
Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC (A) 6.375 02-01-24   7,600,000 7,666,652
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (A) 4.750 10-15-27   3,500,000 3,251,185
Netflix, Inc. (A) 4.875 06-15-30   4,305,000 4,647,678
Netflix, Inc. (A) 5.375 11-15-29   2,350,000 2,608,735
Netflix, Inc. 5.875 11-15-28   8,210,000 9,341,913
Netflix, Inc. 6.375 05-15-29   2,500,000 2,931,250
Interactive media and services 1.8%      
Match Group, Inc. (A) 4.125 08-01-30   3,925,000 3,846,500
Match Group, Inc. (A) 4.625 06-01-28   4,000,000 4,110,000
Match Group, Inc. (A) 5.625 02-15-29   2,000,000 2,110,760
Match Group, Inc. 6.375 06-01-24   3,877,000 4,003,041
National CineMedia LLC (A) 5.875 04-15-28   5,400,000 4,320,000
Twitter, Inc. (A) 3.875 12-15-27   752,000 749,180
Media 9.4%      
Altice Financing SA (A) 5.000 01-15-28   3,000,000 3,025,313
Altice Financing SA (A) 7.500 05-15-26   3,045,000 3,205,989
Altice France Holding SA (A) 6.000 02-15-28   2,890,000 2,810,525
Altice France Holding SA (A) 10.500 05-15-27   4,070,000 4,507,525
CCO Holdings LLC (A) 5.000 02-01-28   9,705,000 10,164,726
CCO Holdings LLC (A) 5.125 05-01-27   6,715,000 7,050,884
CCO Holdings LLC (A) 5.875 05-01-27   4,000,000 4,190,000
CSC Holdings LLC (A) 5.375 02-01-28   6,425,000 6,830,578
CSC Holdings LLC (A) 5.500 04-15-27   5,430,000 5,742,225
CSC Holdings LLC (A) 5.750 01-15-30   4,500,000 4,747,500
CSC Holdings LLC 5.875 09-15-22   2,415,000 2,546,135
Diamond Sports Group LLC (A) 5.375 08-15-26   4,512,000 3,587,040
Diamond Sports Group LLC (A) 6.625 08-15-27   4,956,000 2,982,025
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 11

 

Fund’ s investments
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Communication services (continued)      
Media (continued)      
DISH DBS Corp. 5.875 07-15-22   5,850,000 $6,012,162
iHeartCommunications, Inc. (A) 4.750 01-15-28   2,575,000 2,470,661
iHeartCommunications, Inc. 8.375 05-01-27   5,195,000 4,857,325
LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC (A) 6.750 10-15-27   4,400,000 4,577,628
MDC Partners, Inc. (A) 6.500 05-01-24   11,030,000 8,603,400
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (A) 5.375 04-15-25   5,250,000 5,387,183
Univision Communications, Inc. (A) 9.500 05-01-25   2,550,000 2,728,500
WMG Acquisition Corp. (A) 5.500 04-15-26   6,735,000 6,937,050
Wireless telecommunication services 5.2%      
SoftBank Group Corp. 5.125 09-19-27   4,000,000 3,949,806
SoftBank Group Corp. (6.875% to 7-19-27, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 4.854%) (C) 6.875 07-19-27   6,917,000 6,551,644
Sprint Communications, Inc. 6.000 11-15-22   4,980,000 5,291,250
Sprint Communications, Inc. 7.000 08-15-20   3,265,000 3,289,488
Sprint Communications, Inc. 11.500 11-15-21   1,600,000 1,787,200
Sprint Corp. 7.125 06-15-24   4,675,000 5,300,515
Sprint Corp. 7.250 09-15-21   4,800,000 5,036,160
Sprint Corp. 7.875 09-15-23   2,250,000 2,553,750
T-Mobile USA, Inc. 4.750 02-01-28   4,225,000 4,489,105
T-Mobile USA, Inc. 6.500 01-15-26   11,020,000 11,629,406
United States Cellular Corp. 6.700 12-15-33   6,500,000 7,001,118
Consumer discretionary 10.3%     112,837,779
Auto components 0.4%      
Dealer Tire LLC (A) 8.000 02-01-28   1,900,000 1,642,740
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company 9.500 05-31-25   2,700,000 2,836,890
Automobiles 1.9%      
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 3.219 01-09-22   425,000 409,063
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 3.350 11-01-22   855,000 808,155
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 4.134 08-04-25   2,275,000 2,127,603
General Motors Company 5.400 10-02-23   4,850,000 5,123,003
General Motors Company 6.750 04-01-46   5,000,000 5,470,800
General Motors Company 6.800 10-01-27   3,266,000 3,711,643
Mclaren Finance PLC (A) 5.750 08-01-22   5,075,000 2,943,500
Diversified consumer services 1.2%      
Garda World Security Corp. (A) 4.625 02-15-27   3,095,000 3,122,081
Sotheby's (A) 7.375 10-15-27   7,080,000 6,442,800
Stena International SA (A) 6.125 02-01-25   3,400,000 3,043,000
Hotels, restaurants and leisure 5.1%      
Carnival Corp. 3.950 10-15-20   1,900,000 1,861,706
12 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Consumer discretionary (continued)      
Hotels, restaurants and leisure (continued)      
Carnival Corp. (A) 11.500 04-01-23   2,615,000 $2,784,565
Connect Finco SARL (A) 6.750 10-01-26   7,940,000 7,701,800
Eldorado Resorts, Inc. 6.000 09-15-26   2,010,000 2,100,450
Eldorado Resorts, Inc. 7.000 08-01-23   9,595,000 9,668,977
Hilton Domestic Operating Company, Inc. (A) 5.750 05-01-28   1,495,000 1,543,588
International Game Technology PLC (A) 6.500 02-15-25   4,660,000 4,801,571
Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. (A) 6.125 09-15-25   1,780,000 1,844,525
MGM Resorts International 6.000 03-15-23   4,110,000 4,119,412
New Red Finance, Inc. (A) 4.375 01-15-28   2,395,000 2,353,088
Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (A) 6.750 06-01-27   5,635,000 5,254,638
Waterford Gaming LLC (A)(B)(D) 8.625 09-15-14   1,585,205 0
Wyndham Destinations, Inc. (A) 4.625 03-01-30   2,557,000 2,211,805
Wyndham Destinations, Inc. 6.350 10-01-25   8,825,000 8,339,625
Yum! Brands, Inc. (A) 4.750 01-15-30   1,625,000 1,684,508
Household durables 0.2%      
Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc. (A) 6.000 09-01-23   2,600,000 2,601,612
Internet and direct marketing retail 0.2%      
Expedia Group, Inc. (A) 6.250 05-01-25   2,250,000 2,400,141
Multiline retail 0.9%      
Kohl's Corp. 9.500 05-15-25   3,000,000 3,187,797
Macy's, Inc. (A) 8.375 06-15-25   3,260,000 3,304,825
Nordstrom, Inc. (A) 8.750 05-15-25   3,000,000 3,221,593
Specialty retail 0.1%      
F-Brasile SpA (A) 7.375 08-15-26   1,400,000 1,025,500
Textiles, apparel and luxury goods 0.3%      
Hanesbrands, Inc. (A) 5.375 05-15-25   1,405,000 1,440,125
The William Carter Company (A) 5.500 05-15-25   1,655,000 1,704,650
Consumer staples 3.3%     36,134,321
Food products 3.1%      
Darling Ingredients, Inc. (A) 5.250 04-15-27   2,400,000 2,496,000
JBS Investments II GmbH (A) 5.750 01-15-28   2,430,000 2,436,075
Kraft Heinz Foods Company (A) 3.875 05-15-27   2,878,000 3,006,796
Kraft Heinz Foods Company (A) 4.250 03-01-31   3,825,000 4,070,079
Kraft Heinz Foods Company 6.750 03-15-32   4,599,000 5,691,076
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (A) 4.875 05-15-28   1,395,000 1,460,844
Post Holdings, Inc. (A) 5.625 01-15-28   3,400,000 3,561,500
Post Holdings, Inc. (A) 5.750 03-01-27   2,795,000 2,913,788
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 13

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Consumer staples (continued)      
Food products (continued)      
Simmons Foods, Inc. (A) 5.750 11-01-24   4,900,000 $4,581,500
Simmons Foods, Inc. (A) 7.750 01-15-24   3,575,000 3,771,625
Household products 0.2%      
Edgewell Personal Care Company (A) 5.500 06-01-28   2,070,000 2,145,038
Energy 8.6%     94,002,999
Energy equipment and services 0.9%      
CSI Compressco LP 7.250 08-15-22   9,655,000 3,656,831
CSI Compressco LP (A) 7.500 04-01-25   2,500,000 1,800,000
Tervita Corp. (A) 7.625 12-01-21   4,385,000 3,387,413
Transocean, Inc. (A) 8.000 02-01-27   2,725,000 1,471,500
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 7.7%      
Aker BP ASA (A) 4.750 06-15-24   4,560,000 4,562,145
Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP 7.750 04-15-23   2,650,000 2,351,875
Cheniere Energy Partners LP (A) 4.500 10-01-29   6,570,000 6,422,175
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 7.500 10-01-26   5,500,000 82,500
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 8.000 06-15-27   3,065,000 45,975
DCP Midstream LP (7.375% to 12-15-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 5.148%) (C) 7.375 12-15-22   5,960,000 3,622,738
DCP Midstream Operating LP 5.375 07-15-25   7,300,000 7,059,611
Enbridge, Inc. (6.250% to 3-1-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.641%) 6.250 03-01-78   4,135,000 3,969,600
Endeavor Energy Resources LP (A) 5.750 01-30-28   3,500,000 3,416,875
Energy Transfer Operating LP 5.500 06-01-27   5,230,000 5,658,398
Energy Transfer Operating LP (7.125% to 5-15-30, then 5 Year CMT + 5.306%) (C) 7.125 05-15-30   5,345,000 4,409,625
MPLX LP 5.250 01-15-25   5,385,000 5,583,003
MPLX LP (6.875% to 2-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.652%) (C) 6.875 02-15-23   4,400,000 3,757,688
Parkland Fuel Corp. (A) 5.875 07-15-27   4,700,000 4,700,000
Parsley Energy LLC (A) 4.125 02-15-28   4,530,000 4,218,563
Parsley Energy LLC (A) 5.375 01-15-25   2,690,000 2,642,925
Parsley Energy LLC (A) 5.625 10-15-27   5,295,000 5,189,100
PBF Holding Company LLC (A) 6.000 02-15-28   4,265,000 3,582,557
PBF Holding Company LLC 7.250 06-15-25   5,105,000 4,687,258
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC (A) 4.500 05-15-30   2,265,000 2,479,281
WPX Energy, Inc. 5.250 09-15-24   5,285,000 5,245,363
14 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials 10.3%     $112,407,455
Banks 5.7%      
Bank of America Corp. (6.100% to 3-17-25, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.898%) (C) 6.100 03-17-25   9,700,000 10,209,250
BNP Paribas SA (7.000% to 8-16-28, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 3.980%) (A)(C) 7.000 08-16-28   4,970,000 5,330,325
Citizens Financial Group (5.650% to 10-6-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.313%) (C) 5.650 10-06-25   4,000,000 3,935,000
Credit Agricole SA (8.125% to 12-23-25, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 6.185%) (A)(C) 8.125 12-23-25   4,215,000 4,826,175
Freedom Mortgage Corp. (A) 8.125 11-15-24   7,040,000 6,512,000
Freedom Mortgage Corp. (A) 8.250 04-15-25   3,940,000 3,644,500
HSBC Holdings PLC (6.500% to 3-23-28, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 3.606%) (C) 6.500 03-23-28   5,825,000 5,803,156
ING Groep NV (6.500% to 4-16-25, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 4.446%) (C) 6.500 04-16-25   9,505,000 9,660,882
Societe Generale SA (7.375% to 9-13-21, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 6.238%) (A)(C) 7.375 09-13-21   8,165,000 8,220,604
Wells Fargo & Company (5.875% to 6-15-25, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.990%) (C) 5.875 06-15-25   3,600,000 3,830,076
Capital markets 0.7%      
Atotech Alpha 2 BV (8.750% Cash or 9.500% PIK) (A) 8.750 06-01-23   4,400,000 4,400,000
Credit Suisse Group AG (7.500% to 7-17-23, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 4.600%) (A)(C) 7.500 07-17-23   3,685,000 3,788,917
Stearns Holdings LLC (A) 5.000 11-05-24   109,094 65,456
Consumer finance 1.5%      
Avation Capital SA (A) 6.500 05-15-21   2,040,000 1,713,600
Enova International, Inc. (A) 8.500 09-01-24   1,635,000 1,385,663
Enova International, Inc. (A) 8.500 09-15-25   4,425,000 3,772,313
Springleaf Finance Corp. 6.625 01-15-28   4,195,000 4,006,225
Springleaf Finance Corp. 7.125 03-15-26   3,200,000 3,152,000
Springleaf Finance Corp. 8.875 06-01-25   1,880,000 1,955,200
Diversified financial services 1.2%      
Allied Universal Holdco LLC (A) 6.625 07-15-26   5,880,000 6,174,000
Gogo Intermediate Holdings LLC (A) 9.875 05-01-24   5,000,000 4,636,450
Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc. (A) 8.250 11-15-26   2,125,000 2,321,563
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 15

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials (continued)      
Mortgage real estate investment trusts 0.6%      
Starwood Property Trust, Inc. 5.000 12-15-21   6,315,000 $6,188,700
Thrifts and mortgage finance 0.6%      
Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP (A) 5.875 08-01-21   4,360,000 4,152,900
Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc. (A) 6.000 01-15-27   3,025,000 2,722,500
Health care 8.7%     95,175,320
Health care providers and services 6.5%      
Centene Corp. 3.375 02-15-30   2,090,000 2,104,630
Centene Corp. 4.625 12-15-29   1,665,000 1,792,373
Centene Corp. (A) 5.375 06-01-26   7,350,000 7,772,625
DaVita, Inc. (A) 4.625 06-01-30   4,915,000 4,902,713
DaVita, Inc. 5.000 05-01-25   1,525,000 1,565,031
DaVita, Inc. 5.125 07-15-24   7,575,000 7,729,454
Encompass Health Corp. 4.500 02-01-28   1,565,000 1,588,475
Encompass Health Corp. 4.750 02-01-30   2,395,000 2,429,895
Encompass Health Corp. 5.750 11-01-24   2,354,000 2,368,053
HCA, Inc. 5.250 06-15-26   2,080,000 2,367,700
HCA, Inc. 5.375 02-01-25   9,840,000 10,801,270
MEDNAX, Inc. (A) 5.250 12-01-23   8,070,000 7,908,600
MEDNAX, Inc. (A) 6.250 01-15-27   5,535,000 5,175,225
Select Medical Corp. (A) 6.250 08-15-26   5,390,000 5,666,238
Team Health Holdings, Inc. (A) 6.375 02-01-25   3,730,000 2,069,777
US Renal Care, Inc. (A) 10.625 07-15-27   4,290,000 4,461,600
Life sciences tools and services 0.1%      
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (A) 4.250 05-01-28   1,760,000 1,774,854
Pharmaceuticals 2.1%      
Bausch Health Americas, Inc. (A) 9.250 04-01-26   4,905,000 5,446,365
Bausch Health Companies, Inc. (A) 5.250 01-30-30   2,400,000 2,358,000
Bausch Health Companies, Inc. (A) 5.500 03-01-23   1,322,000 1,325,926
Bausch Health Companies, Inc. (A) 5.500 11-01-25   4,990,000 5,154,770
Bausch Health Companies, Inc. (A) 7.000 01-15-28   3,700,000 3,887,331
Mallinckrodt International Finance SA (A) 5.500 04-15-25   4,795,000 959,000
Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. (A) 7.500 04-01-27   3,500,000 3,565,415
Industrials 8.0%     86,726,933
Aerospace and defense 0.7%      
Howmet Aerospace, Inc. 6.875 05-01-25   2,195,000 2,332,699
TransDigm, Inc. (A) 6.250 03-15-26   5,550,000 5,674,875
Air freight and logistics 0.3%      
XPO Logistics, Inc. (A) 6.250 05-01-25   2,633,000 2,747,799
16 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Industrials (continued)      
Airlines 0.4%      
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (A) 7.000 05-01-25   3,000,000 $3,100,645
Virgin Australia Holdings, Ltd. (A) 8.125 11-15-24   4,625,000 1,110,000
Building products 1.0%      
Builders FirstSource, Inc. (A) 5.000 03-01-30   1,500,000 1,406,250
Standard Industries, Inc. (A) 5.375 11-15-24   4,165,000 4,237,888
Standard Industries, Inc. (A) 6.000 10-15-25   5,460,000 5,664,750
Commercial services and supplies 2.1%      
Cimpress PLC (A) 7.000 06-15-26   8,800,000 8,492,000
Clean Harbors, Inc. (A) 4.875 07-15-27   1,575,000 1,630,125
Clean Harbors, Inc. (A) 5.125 07-15-29   1,015,000 1,066,136
Harsco Corp. (A) 5.750 07-31-27   1,920,000 1,879,085
IAA, Inc. (A) 5.500 06-15-27   1,790,000 1,816,850
LSC Communications, Inc. (A)(B) 8.750 10-15-23   5,845,000 409,150
Williams Scotsman International, Inc. (A) 7.875 12-15-22   6,790,000 6,959,750
Construction and engineering 0.4%      
AECOM 5.125 03-15-27   2,750,000 2,917,915
The Azek Company LLC (A) 9.500 05-15-25   1,500,000 1,605,000
Electrical equipment 0.2%      
WESCO Distribution, Inc. (A) 7.250 06-15-28   2,600,000 2,580,344
Road and rail 1.4%      
Uber Technologies, Inc. (A) 7.500 11-01-23   4,215,000 4,283,494
Uber Technologies, Inc. (A) 7.500 09-15-27   3,600,000 3,654,000
Uber Technologies, Inc. (A) 8.000 11-01-26   6,880,000 6,994,827
Trading companies and distributors 1.5%      
Ashland LLC 6.875 05-15-43   2,710,000 3,035,200
Herc Holdings, Inc. (A) 5.500 07-15-27   5,610,000 5,462,738
United Rentals North America, Inc. 3.875 11-15-27   3,465,000 3,473,663
United Rentals North America, Inc. 5.500 07-15-25   4,050,000 4,191,750
Information technology 2.6%     28,769,577
Communications equipment 0.5%      
CommScope, Inc. (A) 8.250 03-01-27   5,500,000 5,733,750
Electronic equipment, instruments and components 0.4%      
APX Group, Inc. (A) 6.750 02-15-27   5,000,000 4,700,000
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 0.2%      
Microchip Technology, Inc. (A) 4.250 09-01-25   1,560,000 1,570,622
Software 0.1%      
Camelot Finance SA (A) 4.500 11-01-26   1,550,000 1,557,285
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 1.4%      
Dell International LLC (A) 6.200 07-15-30   3,370,000 3,837,187
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.750 06-01-23   3,855,000 4,070,487
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 17

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Information technology (continued)      
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals (continued)      
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.875 06-01-27   3,295,000 $3,511,246
Western Digital Corp. 4.750 02-15-26   3,600,000 3,789,000
Materials 5.5%     59,596,547
Chemicals 0.3%      
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company 4.500 10-15-29   2,910,000 2,982,750
Containers and packaging 2.2%      
ARD Finance SA (6.500% Cash or 7.250% PIK) (A) 6.500 06-30-27   2,195,000 2,168,375
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC (A) 5.250 08-15-27   3,810,000 3,752,850
Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc. (A) 6.625 05-13-27   3,250,000 3,420,625
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc. (A) 7.000 07-15-24   5,350,000 5,378,409
Sealed Air Corp. (A) 4.000 12-01-27   3,650,000 3,668,250
Sealed Air Corp. (A) 5.250 04-01-23   2,000,000 2,105,000
Trivium Packaging Finance BV (A) 5.500 08-15-26   3,525,000 3,697,972
Metals and mining 2.4%      
Arconic Corp. (A) 6.000 05-15-25   2,740,000 2,838,777
First Quantum Minerals, Ltd. (A) 7.250 05-15-22   7,600,000 7,129,180
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 4.250 03-01-30   2,950,000 2,861,500
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 5.000 09-01-27   2,850,000 2,892,750
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 5.250 09-01-29   2,850,000 2,928,375
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 5.450 03-15-43   4,050,000 4,002,575
Novelis Corp. (A) 4.750 01-30-30   3,455,000 3,282,630
Paper and forest products 0.6%      
Norbord, Inc. (A) 5.750 07-15-27   2,880,000 2,840,429
Norbord, Inc. (A) 6.250 04-15-23   3,610,000 3,646,100
Real estate 1.1%     11,752,265
Equity real estate investment trusts 1.1%      
Equinix, Inc. 5.875 01-15-26   3,400,000 3,561,500
GLP Capital LP 5.375 04-15-26   3,775,000 3,775,000
SBA Communications Corp. (A) 3.875 02-15-27   2,875,000 2,919,275
VICI Properties LP (A) 4.625 12-01-29   1,500,000 1,496,490
Utilities 3.3%     35,664,251
Electric utilities 1.2%      
NRG Energy, Inc. 6.625 01-15-27   6,640,000 7,071,600
Vistra Operations Company LLC (A) 5.625 02-15-27   5,630,000 5,983,057
Gas utilities 1.2%      
AmeriGas Partners LP 5.500 05-20-25   2,900,000 3,016,000
AmeriGas Partners LP 5.625 05-20-24   4,150,000 4,336,750
AmeriGas Partners LP 5.750 05-20-27   5,150,000 5,472,905
18 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Utilities (continued)      
Independent power and renewable electricity producers 0.3%      
Clearway Energy Operating LLC (A) 4.750 03-15-28   2,750,000 $2,839,375
Multi-utilities 0.6%      
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC 7.000 06-30-24   6,245,000 6,944,564
Convertible bonds 1.5%         $16,481,586
(Cost $18,724,465)          
Communication services 0.5%     5,655,086
Entertainment 0.1%      
WildBrain, Ltd. (A) 5.875 09-30-24 CAD 3,655,000 1,645,858
Media 0.4%      
DISH Network Corp. 3.375 08-15-26   4,550,000 4,009,228
Energy 0.0%     68,250
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 0.0%      
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 5.500 09-15-26   2,100,000 68,250
Industrials 0.4%     3,807,388
Airlines 0.4%      
Air Canada (A) 4.000 07-01-25   3,710,000 3,807,388
Information technology 0.6%     6,950,862
Software 0.4%      
Avaya Holdings Corp. 2.250 06-15-23   4,780,000 4,175,912
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 0.2%      
Western Digital Corp. 1.500 02-01-24   3,000,000 2,774,950
Term loans (E) 4.6%         $50,618,369
(Cost $57,869,117)          
Communication services 1.2% 13,076,612
Interactive media and services 0.6%
Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019 Extended Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%) 4.424 08-27-26   2,158,288 1,996,416
Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Non-Extended Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 3.750%) 4.750 10-19-23   4,281,850 4,110,576
Media 0.6%
LCPR Loan Financing LLC, Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 5.000%) 5.184 10-15-26   3,500,000 3,488,345
Pug LLC, USD Term Loan (1 month LIBOR + 3.500%) 3.674 02-12-27   3,990,000 3,481,275
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 19

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Consumer discretionary 1.0% $10,581,908
Auto components 0.4%
American Tire Distributors, Inc., 2015 Term Loan (1 and 3 month LIBOR + 7.500%) 8.550 09-02-24   6,044,603 3,667,080
American Tire Distributors, Inc., PIK, Exit FILO Term Loan (3 month LIBOR + 6.000%) 10.723 09-01-23   71,963 64,047
Diversified consumer services 0.6%
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers, Inc., 2019 Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 6.250%) 7.250 11-22-24   7,406,250 6,850,781
Hotels, restaurants and leisure 0.0%
Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC, Delayed Draw Term Loan (B)(D) 0.000 06-06-21   757,938 0
Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC, Term Loan B (B)(D) 0.000 06-06-21   1,618,638 0
Financials 0.4% 4,785,603
Capital markets 0.4%
Blackstone CQP Holdco LP, Term Loan B (3 month LIBOR + 3.500%) 4.616 09-30-24   2,382,000 2,276,001
Jane Street Group LLC, 2020 Term Loan (1 month LIBOR + 3.000%) 3.174 01-31-25   2,573,951 2,509,602
Industrials 0.7% 8,356,134
Aerospace and defense 0.5%
Alloy Finco, Ltd., USD Holdco PIK Term Loan (0.500% Cash or 13.500% PIK) 0.500 03-06-25   517,077 219,758
WP CPP Holdings LLC, 2018 Term Loan (1 and 3 month LIBOR + 3.750%) 4.750 04-30-25   6,851,659 5,892,427
Road and rail 0.2%
Uber Technologies, Inc., 2018 Term Loan (1 month LIBOR + 4.000%) 5.000 04-04-25   2,300,000 2,243,949
Information technology 1.0% 10,699,166
IT services 0.4%
NeuStar, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan (3 month LIBOR + 8.000%) 9.072 08-08-25   3,809,082 2,633,713
Travelport Finance Luxembourg Sarl, 2019 Term Loan (3 month LIBOR + 5.000%) 6.072 05-29-26   1,990,000 1,139,623
20 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Information technology (continued)  
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 0.3%
GlobalFoundries, Inc., USD Term Loan B (3 month LIBOR + 4.750%) 6.250 06-05-26   3,970,000 $3,711,950
Software 0.3%
Avaya, Inc., 2018 Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%) 4.434 12-15-24   3,459,505 3,213,880
Real estate 0.3% 3,118,946
Equity real estate investment trusts 0.3%
iStar, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%) 2.980 06-28-23   3,270,192 3,118,946
Collateralized mortgage obligations 0.8%       $8,772,755
(Cost $6,632,870)          
Commercial and residential 0.8%     8,772,755
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2015-200P, Class F (A)(F)
3.596 04-14-33   2,000,000 1,908,197
BBCMS Mortgage Trust
Series 2018-TALL, Class E (1 month LIBOR + 2.437%) (A)(G)
2.621 03-15-37   1,160,000 967,622
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2018-BIOA, Class E (1 month LIBOR + 1.951%) (A)(G)
2.135 03-15-37   835,000 761,860
GS Mortgage Securities Trust
Series 2016-RENT, Class E (A)(F)
4.067 02-10-29   1,780,000 1,739,626
HarborView Mortgage Loan Trust    
Series 2007-3, Class ES IO (A) 0.350 05-19-47   62,031,577 908,694
Series 2007-4, Class ES IO 0.350 07-19-47   65,862,853 831,393
Series 2007-6, Class ES IO (A) 0.343 08-19-37   58,661,720 732,837
MSCG Trust
Series 2016-SNR, Class D (A)
6.550 11-15-34   943,500 922,526
Asset backed securities 0.3%         $3,361,957
(Cost $3,370,682)          
Asset backed securities 0.3%         3,361,957
Driven Brands Funding LLC
Series 2015-1A, Class A2 (A)
5.216 07-20-45   3,337,725 3,361,957
    
        Shares Value
Common stocks 0.1%         $1,026,282
(Cost $7,861,908)          
Communication services 0.0%     0
Media 0.0%      
Vertis Holdings, Inc. (D)(H)     560,094 0
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 21

 

        Shares Value
Energy 0.0%     $0
Energy equipment and services 0.0%      
TPT Acquisition, Inc. (D)(H)     2,560 0
Industrials 0.0%     281
Aerospace and defense 0.0%      
Alloy Topco, Ltd. (D)(H)     494,817 281
Information technology 0.1%     1,026,001
Software 0.1%      
Avaya Holdings Corp. (H)     70,274 1,026,001
Preferred securities 3.9%         $42,659,563
(Cost $48,104,939)          
Energy 0.3%         3,624,343
Energy equipment and services 0.0%      
Nabors Industries, Ltd., 6.000%   33,000 211,860
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 0.3%      
Energy Transfer Operating LP (7.600% to 5-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 5.161%)   154,411 3,412,483
Financials 0.6%         6,344,853
Banks 0.6%      
GMAC Capital Trust I (3 month LIBOR + 5.785%), 6.177% (G)   280,870 6,344,853
Health care 0.9%         9,419,291
Health care equipment and supplies 0.9%      
Becton, Dickinson and Company, 6.000%   97,000 5,019,750
Boston Scientific Corp., 5.500%   40,294 4,399,541
Industrials 0.2%         1,761,978
Construction and engineering 0.1%      
Glasstech, Inc., Series A (D)(H)(I)   143 85,800
Glasstech, Inc., Series B (D)(H)(I)   4,475 1,118,034
Machinery 0.1%      
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., 5.250%   6,800 558,144
Information technology 0.6%         7,085,824
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 0.6%      
Broadcom, Inc., 8.000%   6,525 7,085,824
Utilities 1.3%         14,423,274
Electric utilities 0.6%      
NextEra Energy, Inc., 5.279%   105,750 4,701,645
The Southern Company, 6.750%   34,132 1,635,947
22 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Utilities (continued)          
Multi-utilities 0.7%      
Dominion Energy, Inc., 7.250%   47,383 $4,964,791
DTE Energy Company, 6.250%   73,450 3,120,891
Warrants 0.0%         $96,927
(Cost $0)          
Avaya Holdings Corp. (Expiration Date: 12-15-22; Strike Price: $25.55) (H)     64,618 96,927
    
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Escrow certificates 0.1%         $478,034
(Cost $290,749)          
Seventy Seven Energy, Inc. (D)(H) 6.500 07-15-22   3,130,000 0
Stearns Holdings LLC (A)(D)(H) 9.375 08-15-20   4,146,000 478,034
    
  Yield* (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Short-term investments 5.9%         $64,749,000
(Cost $64,749,000)          
U.S. Government Agency 0.2%         2,873,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. Discount Note 0.010 06-01-20   2,873,000 2,873,000
    
        Par value^ Value
Repurchase agreement 5.7%         61,876,000
Barclays Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement dated 5-29-20 at 0.050% to be repurchased at $59,127,246 on 6-1-20, collateralized by $51,475,900 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.750% due 2-15-28 (valued at $60,309,892)       59,127,000 59,127,000
Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 5-29-20 at 0.000% to be repurchased at $2,749,000 on 6-1-20, collateralized by $2,660,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.000% due 11-30-22 (valued at $2,805,204)       2,749,000 2,749,000
    
Total investments (Cost $1,155,118,703) 100.9%     $1,101,660,597
Other assets and liabilities, net (0.9%)       (10,019,258)
Total net assets 100.0%         $1,091,641,339
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Currency Abbreviations
CAD Canadian Dollar
    
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 23

 

Security Abbreviations and Legend
CMT Constant Maturity Treasury
ICE Intercontinental Exchange
IO Interest-Only Security - (Interest Tranche of Stripped Mortgage Pool). Rate shown is the annualized yield at the end of the period.
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
PIK Pay-in-Kind Security - Represents a payment-in-kind which may pay interest in additional par and/or cash. Rates shown are the current rate and most recent payment rate.
(A) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration. Rule 144A securities amounted to $572,317,065 or 52.4% of the fund's net assets as of 5-31-20.
(B) Non-income producing - Issuer is in default.
(C) Perpetual bonds have no stated maturity date. Date shown as maturity date is next call date.
(D) Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements.
(E) Term loans are variable rate obligations. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
(F) Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on a weighted average of interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown is the current rate as of period end.
(G) Variable rate obligation. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
(H) Non-income producing security.
(I) Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. For more information on this security refer to the Notes to financial statements.
* Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.
24 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DERIVATIVES
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS
Contract to buy Contract to sell Counterparty (OTC) Contractual
settlement
date
Unrealized
appreciation
Unrealized
depreciation
CAD 131,417 USD 93,445 CITI 6/17/2020 $2,003
CAD 170,000 USD 120,498 JPM 6/17/2020 2,973
CAD 420,000 USD 302,715 MSCS 6/17/2020 2,332
CAD 340,000 USD 242,701 RBC 6/17/2020 4,241
CAD 58,583 USD 41,657 TD 6/17/2020 892
USD 108,114 CAD 150,000 JPM 6/17/2020 $(832)
USD 350,733 CAD 490,000 MSCS 6/17/2020 (5,155)
USD 2,286,432 CAD 3,037,396 TD 6/17/2020 80,367
            $92,808 $(5,987)
    
Derivatives Currency Abbreviations
CAD Canadian Dollar
USD U.S. Dollar
    
Derivatives Abbreviations
CITI Citibank, N.A.
JPM JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
MSCS Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC
OTC Over-the-counter
RBC Royal Bank of Canada
TD The Toronto-Dominion Bank
At 5-31-20, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,158,218,739. Net unrealized depreciation aggregated to $56,471,321, of which $27,376,171 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $83,847,492 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
See Notes to financial statements regarding investment transactions and other derivatives information.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 25

 

Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 5-31-20

Assets  
Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $1,155,118,703) $1,101,660,597
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts 92,808
Cash 820,170
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $881) 905
Dividends and interest receivable 16,167,705
Receivable for fund shares sold 1,577,458
Receivable for investments sold 6,721,931
Other assets 54,609
Total assets 1,127,096,183
Liabilities  
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts 5,987
Distributions payable 98,007
Payable for investments purchased 32,998,209
Payable for fund shares repurchased 2,130,470
Payable to affiliates  
Accounting and legal services fees 67,581
Transfer agent fees 42,847
Distribution and service fees 920
Trustees' fees 659
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 110,164
Total liabilities 35,454,844
Net assets $1,091,641,339
Net assets consist of  
Paid-in capital $1,647,696,373
Total distributable earnings (loss) (556,055,034)
Net assets $1,091,641,339
 
Net asset value per share  
Based on net asset value and shares outstanding - the fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value  
Class A ($262,310,515 ÷ 82,896,344 shares)1 $3.16
Class B ($1,044,414 ÷ 329,630 shares)1 $3.17
Class C ($38,757,535 ÷ 12,250,788 shares)1 $3.16
Class I ($90,750,414 ÷ 28,711,717 shares) $3.16
Class R6 ($22,325,118 ÷ 7,070,262 shares) $3.16
Class NAV ($676,453,343 ÷ 214,139,803 shares) $3.16
Maximum offering price per share  
Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 96%)2 $3.29
    
1 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2 On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.
26 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended  5-31-20

Investment income  
Interest $61,485,087
Dividends 1,895,497
Less foreign taxes withheld (12,882)
Total investment income 63,367,702
Expenses  
Investment management fees 5,139,076
Distribution and service fees 1,242,907
Accounting and legal services fees 186,960
Transfer agent fees 564,354
Trustees' fees 17,425
Custodian fees 152,746
State registration fees 94,508
Printing and postage 71,268
Professional fees 99,067
Other 49,332
Total expenses 7,617,643
Less expense reductions (73,740)
Net expenses 7,543,903
Net investment income 55,823,799
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
Net realized gain (loss) on  
Unaffiliated investments and foreign currency transactions (22,900,487)
Futures contracts (4,113,647)
Forward foreign currency contracts 7,656
Swap contracts 872,974
  (26,133,504)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of  
Unaffiliated investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (36,642,852)
Futures contracts 138,710
Forward foreign currency contracts 53,862
Swap contracts 175,226
  (36,275,054)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (62,408,558)
Decrease in net assets from operations $(6,584,759)
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 27

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

  Year ended
5-31-20
Year ended
5-31-19
Increase (decrease) in net assets    
From operations    
Net investment income $55,823,799 $48,209,958
Net realized loss (26,133,504) (7,377,629)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (36,275,054) (5,824,059)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (6,584,759) 35,008,270
Distributions to shareholders    
From earnings    
Class A (15,947,889) (17,507,678)
Class B (93,249) (220,013)
Class C (2,134,394) (3,004,324)
Class I (5,571,952) (6,781,388)
Class R6 (1,233,538) (1,184,685)
Class NAV (31,447,831) (18,661,554)
Total distributions (56,428,853) (47,359,642)
From fund share transactions 130,528,266 175,293,449
Total increase 67,514,654 162,942,077
Net assets    
Beginning of year 1,024,126,685 861,184,608
End of year $1,091,641,339 $1,024,126,685
28 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial highlights
CLASS A SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $3.37 $3.41 $3.54 $3.32 $3.62
Net investment income1 0.17 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.20) (0.04) (0.13) 0.23 (0.28)
Total from investment operations (0.03) 0.15 0.06 0.42 (0.08)
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.18) (0.19) (0.19) (0.20) (0.22)
Net asset value, end of period $3.16 $3.37 $3.41 $3.54 $3.32
Total return (%)2,3 (1.12) 4.46 1.60 13.10 (2.03)
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $262 $309 $336 $367 $258
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.96 0.97
Expenses including reductions 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.96 0.96
Net investment income 5.23 5.66 5.50 5.58 6.01
Portfolio turnover (%) 59 59 52 65 4 89
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
4 Excludes merger activity.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 29

 

CLASS B SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $3.37 $3.42 $3.54 $3.32 $3.63
Net investment income1 0.15 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.20) (0.06) (0.13) 0.23 (0.29)
Total from investment operations (0.05) 0.11 0.04 0.40 (0.12)
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.15) (0.16) (0.16) (0.18) (0.19)
Net asset value, end of period $3.17 $3.37 $3.42 $3.54 $3.32
Total return (%)2,3 (1.55) 3.38 1.14 12.23 (3.07)
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $1 $3 $7 $14 $19
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.72 1.74
Expenses including reductions 1.68 1.69 1.68 1.71 1.73
Net investment income 4.45 4.90 4.74 4.85 5.22
Portfolio turnover (%) 59 59 52 65 4 89
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
4 Excludes merger activity.
30 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS C SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $3.37 $3.41 $3.54 $3.31 $3.62
Net investment income1 0.15 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.18
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.21) (0.05) (0.14) 0.24 (0.30)
Total from investment operations (0.06) 0.12 0.03 0.41 (0.12)
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.15) (0.16) (0.16) (0.18) (0.19)
Net asset value, end of period $3.16 $3.37 $3.41 $3.54 $3.31
Total return (%)2,3 (1.86) 3.69 0.84 12.26 (2.77)
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $39 $55 $72 $121 $79
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.71 1.73
Expenses including reductions 1.68 1.69 1.68 1.71 1.72
Net investment income 4.48 4.91 4.75 4.83 5.26
Portfolio turnover (%) 59 59 52 65 4 89
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
4 Excludes merger activity.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 31

 

CLASS I SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $3.36 $3.41 $3.53 $3.31 $3.62
Net investment income1 0.18 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.21
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.20) (0.05) (0.12) 0.23 (0.29)
Total from investment operations (0.02) 0.15 0.08 0.43 (0.08)
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.18) (0.20) (0.20) (0.21) (0.23)
Net asset value, end of period $3.16 $3.36 $3.41 $3.53 $3.31
Total return (%)2 (0.58) 4.40 2.14 13.42 (2.07)
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $91 $99 $147 $212 $34
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.69 0.71 0.69 0.70 0.72
Expenses including reductions 0.68 0.70 0.68 0.69 0.71
Net investment income 5.48 5.89 5.72 5.81 6.24
Portfolio turnover (%) 59 59 52 65 3 89
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Excludes merger activity.
32 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 1
Per share operating performance        
Net asset value, beginning of period $3.36 $3.40 $3.53 $3.46
Net investment income2 0.19 0.20 0.21 0.11
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.20) (0.04) (0.14) 0.08
Total from investment operations (0.01) 0.16 0.07 0.19
Less distributions        
From net investment income (0.19) (0.20) (0.20) (0.12)
Net asset value, end of period $3.16 $3.36 $3.40 $3.53
Total return (%)3 (0.47) 4.82 1.95 5.73 4
Ratios and supplemental data        
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $22 $20 $21 $2
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions 0.58 0.59 0.59 0.61 5
Expenses including reductions 0.57 0.59 0.58 0.58 5
Net investment income 5.60 6.00 5.90 5.68 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 59 59 52 65 6,7
    
1 The inception date for Class R6 shares is 10-31-16.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
6 Excludes merger activity.
7 Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-16 to 5-31-17.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 33

 

CLASS NAV SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 5-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $3.36 $3.41 $3.53 $3.31 $3.62
Net investment income1 0.19 0.20 0.20 0.21 0.21
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.20) (0.05) (0.12) 0.23 (0.29)
Total from investment operations (0.01) 0.15 0.08 0.44 (0.08)
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.19) (0.20) (0.20) (0.22) (0.23)
Net asset value, end of period $3.16 $3.36 $3.41 $3.53 $3.31
Total return (%)2 (0.46) 4.53 2.25 13.56 (1.93)
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $676 $538 $279 $302 $290
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.57 0.58 0.58 0.59 0.59
Expenses including reductions 0.56 0.57 0.57 0.58 0.58
Net investment income 5.62 5.99 5.86 5.97 6.39
Portfolio turnover (%) 59 59 52 65 3 89
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
3 Excludes merger activity.
34 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Notes to financial statements
Note 1Organization
John Hancock High Yield Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Bond Trust (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek high current income. Capital appreciation is a secondary goal. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in U.S. and foreign fixed-income securities rated below investment grade. Investments in high yield securities involve greater degrees of credit and market risk than investments in higher rated securities and tend to be more sensitive to market conditions.
The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class B shares are closed to new investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class NAV shares are offered to John Hancock affiliated funds of funds, retirement plans for employees of John Hancock and/or Manulife Financial Corporation, and certain 529 plans. Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase (certain exclusions may apply). Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ.
Note 2Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Equity securities, including exchange-traded or closed-end funds, are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward rates which are based on foreign currency exchange spot rates and forward points supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing vendor.
In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 35

 

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed. Trading in foreign securities may be completed before the scheduled daily close of trading on the NYSE. Significant events at the issuer or market level may affect the values of securities between the time when the valuation of the securities is generally determined and the close of the NYSE. If a significant event occurs, these securities may be fair valued, as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee, following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The fund uses fair value adjustment factors provided by an independent pricing vendor to value certain foreign securities in order to adjust for events that may occur between the close of foreign exchanges or markets and the close of the NYSE.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of May 31, 2020, by major security category or type:
  Total
value at
5-31-20
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
Corporate bonds $913,416,124 $913,416,124
Convertible bonds 16,481,586 16,481,586
Term loans 50,618,369 50,618,369
Collateralized mortgage obligations 8,772,755 8,772,755
Asset backed securities 3,361,957 3,361,957
Common stocks 1,026,282 $1,026,001 $281
Preferred securities 42,659,563 41,455,729 1,203,834
Warrants 96,927 96,927
Escrow certificates 478,034 478,034
Short-term investments 64,749,000 64,749,000
Total investments in securities $1,101,660,597 $42,578,657 $1,057,399,791 $1,682,149
Derivatives:        
Assets        
Forward foreign currency contracts $92,808 $92,808
Liabilities        
36 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

  Total
value at
5-31-20
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Forward foreign currency contracts $(5,987) $(5,987)
Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian, or for tri-party repurchase agreements, collateral is held at a third-party custodian bank in a segregated account for the benefit of the fund. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.
Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, assets and liabilities resulting from repurchase agreements are not offset in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.
Term loans (Floating rate loans). The fund may invest in term loans, which are debt securities and are often rated below investment grade at the time of purchase. Term loans are generally subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and generally have longer settlement periods than conventional debt securities. Term loans involve special types of risk, including credit risk, interest-rate risk, counterparty risk, and risk associated with extended settlement. The liquidity of term loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, varies significantly over time and among individual loans. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a term loan can be more difficult and buying and selling a term loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed, which could result in a loss.
The fund's ability to receive payments of principal, interest and other amounts in connection with term loans will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. The fund's failure to receive scheduled payments on a term loan due to a default, bankruptcy or other reason would adversely affect the fund's income and would likely reduce the value of its assets. Transactions in loan investments typically take a significant amount of time (i.e., seven days or longer) to settle. This could pose a liquidity risk to the fund and, if the fund's exposure to such investments is substantial, it could impair the fund's ability to meet redemptions. Because term loans may not be rated by independent credit rating agencies, a decision to invest in a particular loan could depend exclusively on the subadvisor’s credit analysis of the borrower and/or term loan agents. There is greater risk that the fund may have limited rights to enforce the terms of an underlying loan than for other types of debt instruments.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of certain foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 37

 

Foreign investing. Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the value of securities is reflected as a component of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Foreign investments are subject to a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.
Funds that invest internationally generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. securities. Risks can result from differences in economic and political conditions, regulations, market practices (including higher transaction costs), accounting standards and other factors.
Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income, capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries, a portion of which may be recoverable. Foreign taxes are accrued based upon the fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Taxes are accrued based on gains realized by the fund as a result of certain foreign security sales. In certain circumstances, estimated taxes are accrued based on unrealized appreciation of such securities. Investment income is recorded net of foreign withholding taxes.
Overdraft. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Line of credit. The fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. For the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $5,071.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.
Change in accounting principle. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non contingently callable debt securities and is effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact to the fund.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
38 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

For federal income tax purposes, as of May 31, 2020, the fund has a short-term capital loss carryforward of $27,592,354 and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $478,757,721 available to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards do not expire. Due to certain Internal Revenue Code rules, utilization of the capital loss carryforwards may be limited in future years.
As of May 31, 2020, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
The tax character of distributions for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
  May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
Ordinary income $56,428,853 $47,359,642
Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $6,863,877 of undistributed ordinary income.
Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to amortization and accretion on debt securities.
Note 3Derivative instruments
The fund may invest in derivatives in order to meet its investment objective. Derivatives include a variety of different instruments that may be traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market, on a regulated exchange or through a clearing facility. The risks in using derivatives vary depending upon the structure of the instruments, including the use of leverage, optionality, the liquidity or lack of liquidity of the contract, the creditworthiness of the counterparty or clearing organization and the volatility of the position. Some derivatives involve risks that are potentially greater than the risks associated with investing directly in the referenced securities or other referenced underlying instrument. Specifically, the fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty to an OTC derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction.
Derivatives which are typically traded through the OTC market are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC). Derivative counterparty risk is managed through an ongoing evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties and, if applicable, designated clearing organizations. The fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty risk for derivatives traded in the OTC market, whenever possible, by entering into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement with each of its OTC counterparties. The ISDA gives each party to the agreement the right to terminate all transactions traded under the agreement if there is certain deterioration in the credit quality or contractual default of the other party, as defined in the ISDA. Upon an event of default or a termination of the ISDA, the non-defaulting party has the right to close out all transactions and to net amounts owed.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 39

 

As defined by the ISDA, the fund may have collateral agreements with certain counterparties to mitigate counterparty risk on OTC derivatives. Subject to established minimum levels, collateral for OTC transactions is generally determined based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on contracts with a particular counterparty. Collateral pledged to the fund, if any, is held in a segregated account by a third-party agent or held by the custodian bank for the benefit of the fund and can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies; collateral posted by the fund, if any, for OTC transactions is held in a segregated account at the fund's custodian and is noted in the accompanying Fund's investments, or if cash is posted, on the Statement of assets and liabilities. The fund's risk of loss due to counterparty risk is equal to the asset value of outstanding contracts offset by collateral received.
Certain derivatives are traded or cleared on an exchange or central clearinghouse. Exchange-traded or centrally-cleared transactions generally present less counterparty risk to a fund than OTC transactions. The exchange or clearinghouse stands between the fund and the broker to the contract and therefore, credit risk is generally limited to the failure of the exchange or clearinghouse and the clearing member.
Futures. A futures contract is a contractual agreement to buy or sell a particular currency or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future. Futures are traded on an exchange and cleared through a central clearinghouse. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets and contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in the underlying financial instrument and potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the fund to the risk of loss up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the fund to unlimited risk of loss.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities. The amount of required margin is set by the broker and is generally based on a percentage of the contract value. The margin deposit must then be maintained at the established level over the life of the contract. Cash that has been pledged by the fund is detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities as Collateral held at broker for futures contracts. Securities pledged by the fund, if any, are identified in the Fund's investments. Subsequent payments, referred to as variation margin, are made or received by the fund periodically and are based on changes in the market value of open futures contracts. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and unrealized gain or loss is recorded by the fund. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
During the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund used futures contracts to manage duration of the fund and to maintain diversity of the fund. The fund held futures contracts with USD notional values ranging from $11.4 million to $55.2 million, as measured at each quarter end. There were no open futures contracts as of May 31, 2020.
Forward foreign currency contracts. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell specific currencies at a price that is set on the date of the contract. The forward contract calls for delivery of the currencies on a future date that is specified in the contract. Forwards are typically traded OTC. Risks related to the use of forwards include the possible failure of counterparties to meet the terms of the forward agreement, the failure of the counterparties to timely post collateral if applicable, and the risk that currency movements will not favor the fund thereby reducing the fund's total return, and the potential for losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities.
The market value of a forward foreign currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward foreign currency contracts are marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the fund as an unrealized gain or loss. Realized gains or losses, equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed, are recorded upon delivery or receipt of the currency or settlement with the counterparty.
40 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

During the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund used forward foreign currency contracts to manage against anticipated changes in currency exchanges rates. The fund held forward foreign currency contracts with USD notional values ranging from $2.3 million to $6.3 million, as measured at each quarter end.
Swaps. Swap agreements are agreements between the fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows, assets, foreign currencies or market-linked returns at specified intervals. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market (OTC swaps) or may be executed on a registered commodities exchange (centrally cleared swaps). Swaps are marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded as a component of unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts. The value of the swap will typically impose collateral posting obligations on the party that is considered out-of-the-money on the swap.
Upfront payments made/received by the fund, if any, are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes, with the unamortized/unaccreted portion included in the Statement of assets and liabilities. A termination payment by the counterparty or the fund is recorded as realized gain or loss, as well as the net periodic payments received or paid by the fund.
Entering into swap agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk that may provide outcomes that are in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for the swap, or that a counterparty may default on its obligation or delay payment under the swap terms. The counterparty may disagree or contest the terms of the swap. In addition to interest rate risk, market risks may also impact the swap. The fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate or assign outstanding swaps or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.
Credit default swaps. Credit default swaps (CDS) involve the exchange of a fixed rate premium (paid by the Buyer), for protection against the loss in value of an underlying debt instrument, referenced entity or index, in the event of a defined credit event (such as payment default or bankruptcy). Under the terms of the swap, one party acts as a “guarantor” (the Seller), receiving the premium and agreeing to contingent payments that are specified within the credit default agreement. The fund may enter into CDS in which it may act as either Buyer or Seller. By acting as the Seller, the fund may incur economic leverage since it would be obligated to pay the Buyer the notional amount of the contract in the event of a default. The amount of loss in such case could be significant, but would typically be reduced by any recovery value on the underlying credit.
Credit default swaps — Buyer
During the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund used credit default swap contracts as a buyer to manage against potential credit events and to gain exposure to security or credit index. The fund held credit default swaps with total USD notional amounts ranging up to $40.0 million, as measured at each quarter end. There were no open CDS contracts where the fund acted as buyer as of May 31, 2020.
Fair value of derivative instruments by risk category
The table below summarizes the fair value of derivatives held by the fund at May 31, 2020 by risk category:
Risk Statement of assets
and liabilities
location
Financial
instruments
location
Assets
derivatives
fair value
Liabilities
derivatives
fair value
Currency Unrealized appreciation / depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts Forward foreign currency contracts $92,808 $(5,987)
For financial reporting purposes, the fund does not offset OTC derivative assets or liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements, as defined by the ISDAs, in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the ISDA allows an offset of amounts across the various transactions between the fund and the applicable counterparty.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 41

 

Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations
The table below summarizes the net realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the year ended May 31, 2020:
  Statement of operations location - Net realized gain (loss) on:
Risk Futures contracts Forward foreign
currency contracts
Swap contracts Total
Interest rate $(4,113,647) $(4,113,647)
Currency $7,656 7,656
Credit $872,974 872,974
Total $(4,113,647) $7,656 $872,974 $(3,233,017)
The table below summarizes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the year ended May 31, 2020:
  Statement of operations location - Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
Risk Futures contracts Forward foreign
currency contracts
Swap contracts Total
Interest rate $138,710 $138,710
Currency $53,862 53,862
Credit $175,226 175,226
Total $138,710 $53,862 $175,226 $367,798
Note 4Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 5Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation. Prior to June 28, 2019, the Advisor was known as John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Distributor was known as John Hancock Funds, LLC.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor on an annual basis, equal to the sum of: (a) 0.6250% of the first $75 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, (b) 0.5625% of the next $75 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, (c) 0.5000% of the next $350 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, (d) 0.4750% of the next $2 billion of the fund’s average daily net assets and (e) 0.4500% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is
42 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended May 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total operating expenses at 0.72% for Class I shares, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, prime brokerage fees, borrowing costs and short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement for Class I will expire on September 30, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
For the year ended May 31, 2020, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
Class Expense reduction
Class A $21,663
Class B 150
Class C 3,385
Class I 7,242
Class Expense reduction
Class R6 $1,562
Class NAV 39,738
Total $73,740
 
Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.
The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.49% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans for certain classes as detailed below pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:
Class Rule 12b-1 Fee
Class A 0.25%
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $494,706 for the year ended May 31, 2020. Of this amount, $65,918 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes and $428,788 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.
Class A, Class B and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class B shares that are redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 43

 

CDSCs, at declining rates, beginning at 5.00%. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended May 31, 2020, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $3,858 and $1,738 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively. During the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no CDSCs received by the Distributor for Class B shares.
Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock group of funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.
Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $752,720 $375,149
Class B 20,638 2,553
Class C 469,549 58,378
Class I 125,404
Class R6 2,870
Total $1,242,907 $564,354
Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.
Note 6Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class A shares        
Sold 13,105,799 $43,996,415 10,713,681 $36,251,627
Distributions reinvested 4,221,346 14,006,662 4,523,116 15,261,379
Repurchased (26,176,469) (84,792,428) (21,864,537) (73,763,246)
Net decrease (8,849,324) $(26,789,351) (6,627,740) $(22,250,240)
44 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class B shares        
Sold 16,852 $57,502 18,657 $63,845
Distributions reinvested 25,486 85,525 59,745 202,072
Repurchased (591,194) (1,961,774) (1,119,432) (3,798,299)
Net decrease (548,856) $(1,818,747) (1,041,030) $(3,532,382)
Class C shares        
Sold 674,719 $2,243,300 1,024,429 $3,457,077
Distributions reinvested 618,995 2,057,767 859,296 2,898,688
Repurchased (5,322,470) (17,606,302) (6,585,508) (22,236,706)
Net decrease (4,028,756) $(13,305,235) (4,701,783) $(15,880,941)
Class I shares        
Sold 10,771,370 $35,954,900 7,442,808 $25,070,778
Distributions reinvested 1,669,462 5,535,701 1,991,442 6,714,838
Repurchased (13,153,072) (42,757,389) (23,104,912) (77,859,233)
Net decrease (712,240) $(1,266,788) (13,670,662) $(46,073,617)
Class R6 shares        
Sold 2,494,720 $8,322,014 1,732,555 $5,861,629
Distributions reinvested 362,237 1,196,624 344,385 1,159,967
Repurchased (1,808,882) (5,922,858) (2,250,255) (7,581,101)
Net increase (decrease) 1,048,075 $3,595,780 (173,315) $(559,505)
Class NAV shares        
Sold 67,641,176 $214,554,404 92,215,779 $311,294,915
Distributions reinvested 9,510,970 31,447,831 5,532,084 18,661,555
Repurchased (23,063,052) (75,889,628) (19,688,075) (66,366,336)
Net increase 54,089,094 $170,112,607 78,059,788 $263,590,134
Total net increase 40,997,993 $130,528,266 51,845,258 $175,293,449
Affiliates of the fund owned 2%, 5% and 100% of shares of Class I, Class R6 and Class NAV, respectively, on May 31, 2020. Such concentration of shareholders’ capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.
Note 7Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments, amounted to $693,216,459 and $576,912,112, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 45

 

Note 8Investment by affiliated funds
Certain investors in the fund are affiliated funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. The affiliated funds do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, this investment may represent a significant portion of the fund's net assets. At May 31, 2020, funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex held 60.6% of the fund's net assets. The following fund(s) had an affiliate ownership of 5% or more of the fund's net assets:
Portfolio Affiliated Concentration
JHF II Multimanager Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio 22.4%
JHF II Multimanager Lifestyle Growth Portfolio 11.3%
JHF II Multimanager Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio 8.6%
JHF II Multimanager Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio 8.1%
Note 9Restricted securities
The fund may hold restricted securities which are restricted as to resale and the fund has limited rights to registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Disposal may involve time-consuming negotiations and expenses, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult to achieve. The following table summarizes the restricted securities held at May 31, 2020:
Issuer,
Description
Original
acquisition date
Acquisition
cost
Beginning
share
amount
Shares
purchased
Shares
sold
Ending
share
amount
Value as a
percentage of
net assets
Ending
value
Glasstech, Inc., Series A 10-31-08 $ 449,145 144 (1) 143 0.0%* $ 85,800
Glasstech, Inc., Series B 10-31-08 3,563,982 4,475 4,475 0.1% 1,118,034
                $1,203,834
    
* Less than 0.05%.
Note 10LIBOR discontinuation risk
LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This event will likely cause LIBOR to cease to be published. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have suggested alternative rates, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any replacement rate.
It is uncertain what impact the discontinuation of LIBOR will have on the use of LIBOR as a reference rate for securities in which the fund invests. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. In addition, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
46 JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Note 11Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Fund 47

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Bond Trust and Shareholders of John Hancock High Yield Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the Fund’s investments, of John Hancock High Yield Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Bond Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended May 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received from agent banks or brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 13, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.
48 JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Tax information (Unaudited)
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended May 31, 2020.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its Section 199A dividends as defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation §1.199A-3(d).
Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2020 Form 1099-DIV in early 2021. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2020.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND 49

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT


Operation of the Liquidity Risk Management Program

This section describes operation and effectiveness of the Liquidity Risk Management Program (LRMP) established in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Liquidity Rule). The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Fund in the John Hancock Group of Funds (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule has appointed John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (together, the Advisor) to serve as Administrator of the LRMP with respect to each of the Funds, including John Hancock High Yield Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. In order to provide a mechanism and process to perform the functions necessary to administer the LRMP, the Advisor established the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). The Fund's subadvisor, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor) executes the day-to-day investment management and security-level activities of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the LRMP, subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board.

The Committee holds monthly meetings to: (1) review the day-to-day operations of the LRMP; (2) review and approve month end liquidity classifications; (3) review quarterly testing and determinations, as applicable; and (4) review other LRMP related material. The Committee also conducts daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual quantitative and qualitative assessments of each subadvisor to a Fund that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule and is a part of the LRMP to monitor investment performance issues, risks and trends. In addition, the Committee may conduct ad-hoc reviews and meetings with subadvisors as issues and trends are identified, including potential liquidity and valuation issues.

The Committee provided the Board at a meeting held on March 15-17, 2020 with a written report which addressed the Committee's assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation and operation of the LRMP and any material changes to the LRMP. The report, which covered the period December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, included an assessment of important aspects of the LRMP including, but not limited to:

Operation of the Fund's Redemption-In-Kind Procedures;
Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM) determination;
Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments;
Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size (RATS) determination;
Security-level liquidity classifications; and
Liquidity risk assessment.

The report also covered material liquidity matters which occurred or were reported during this period applicable to the Fund, if any, and the Committee's actions to address such matters.

Redemption-In-Kind Procedures

Rule 22e-4 requires any fund that engages in or reserves the right to engage in in-kind redemptions to adopt and implement written policies and procedures regarding in-kind redemptions as part of the management of its liquidity risk. These procedures address the process for redeeming in kind, as well as the circumstances under which the Fund would consider redeeming in kind. Anticipated large redemption activity will be evaluated to identify situations where redeeming in securities instead of cash may be appropriate.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       50


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the implementation and operation of the Redemption-In-Kind Procedures and determined they are operating in a manner that such procedures are adequate and effective to manage in-kind redemptions on behalf of the Fund as part of the LRMP.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum determination

The Committee uses an HLIM model to determine a Fund's HLIM. This process incorporates the Fund's investment strategy, historical redemptions, liquidity classification rollup percentages and cash balances, redemption policy, access to funding sources, distribution channels and client concentrations. If the Fund falls below its established HLIM for a period greater than 7 consecutive calendar days, the Committee prepares a report to the Board within one business day following the seventh consecutive calendar day with an explanation of how the Fund plans to restore its HLIM within a reasonable period of time.

Based on the HLIM model, the Committee has determined that the Fund qualifies as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (PHLF). It is therefore not required to establish a HLIM. The Fund is tested quarterly to confirm its PHLF status.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to HLIM and PHLF determinations, and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments

Rule 22e-4 sets an aggregate illiquid investment limit of 15% for a fund. Funds are prohibited from acquiring an illiquid investment if this results in greater than 15% of its net assets being classified as illiquid. When applying this limit, the Committee defines "illiquid investment" to mean any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If a 15% illiquid investment limit breach occurs for longer than 1 business day, the Fund is required to notify the Board and provide a plan on how to bring illiquid investments within the 15% threshold, and after 7 days confidentially notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

In February 2019, as a result of extended security markets closures in connection with the Chinese New Year in certain countries, the SEC released guidance, and the Committee approved and adopted an Extended Market Holiday Policy to plan for and monitor known Extended Market Holidays (defined as all expected market holiday closures spanning four or more calendar days).

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to the 15% illiquid investment limit and determined such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LMRP.

Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size determination

In order to assess the liquidity risk of a Fund, the Committee considers the impact on the Fund that redemptions of a RATS would have under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Modelling the Fund's RATS requires quantifying cash flow volatility and analyzing distribution channel concentration and redemption risk. The model is designed to estimate the amount of assets that the Fund could reasonably anticipate trading on a given day, during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, to satisfy redemption requests.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       51


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to RATS determinations and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at making RATS determinations as part of the LRMP.

Security-level liquidity classifications

When classifying the liquidity of portfolio securities, the Fund adheres to the liquidity classification procedures established by the Advisor. In assigning a liquidity classification to Fund portfolio holdings, the following key inputs, among others, are considered: the Fund's RATS, feedback from the applicable Subadvisor on market-, trading- and investment-specific considerations, an assessment of current market conditions and fund portfolio holdings, and a value impact standard. The Subadvisor also provides position-level data to the Committee for use in monthly classification reconciliation in order to identify any classifications that may need to be changed as a result of the above considerations.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to security-level liquidity classifications and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Liquidity risk assessment

The Committee periodically reviews and assesses, the Fund's liquidity risk, including its investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions (including whether the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund, the extent to which the strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, and the use of borrowings for investment purposes and derivatives), cash flow analysis during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The Committee also monitors global events, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus, that could impact the markets and liquidity of portfolio investments and their classifications.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed Fund-Level Liquidity Risk Assessment Reports for each of the Funds and determined that the investment strategy for each Fund continues to be appropriate for an open-ended structure.

Adequacy and Effectiveness

Based on the review and assessment conducted by the Committee, the Committee has determined that the LRMP has been implemented, and is operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at assessing and managing the liquidity risk of each Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       52


Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 195
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 195
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1988).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2005-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 195
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 1986 195
Trustee
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 (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986).

     
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       53


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 195
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women's Forum (since 2018); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); 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 Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

     
James M. Oates,2 Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 1994 195
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (2014-2020); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992), Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2009 195
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (2012-2020), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (2011-2020), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (2012-2018) and Finance Committee Chairman (2014-2018), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       54


Non-Independent Trustees3

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 195
President and Non-Independent Trustee
Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (since 2018); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017).

     
Marianne Harrison, Born: 1963 2018 195
Non-Independent Trustee
President and CEO, John Hancock (since 2017); President and CEO, Manulife Canadian Division (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, CAE Inc. (since 2019); Member, Board of Directors, MA Competitive Partnership Board (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, Communitech, an industry-led innovation center that fosters technology companies in Canada (2017-2019); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Assurance Canada (2015-2017); Board Member, St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation (2014-2017); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Bank of Canada (2013-2017); Member, Standing Committee of the Canadian Life & Health Assurance Association (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, John Hancock USA, John Hancock Life & Health, John Hancock New York (2012-2013). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018).

Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2005
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2005).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2007); Treasurer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       55


Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Christopher (Kit) Sechler, Born: 1973 2018
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Deputy Chief Counsel, John Hancock Investments (since 2015); Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel (2009-2015), John Hancock Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018); Assistant Secretary of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2009).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

The Statement of Additional Information of the fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       56


More information

   

Trustees

Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Marianne Harrison
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Gregory A. Russo

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

Subadvisor

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

Portfolio Managers

John F. Addeo, CFA
Dennis F. McCafferty, CFA
Caryn E. Rothman, CFA

Principal distributor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund's Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.

       
  You can also contact us:
  800-225-5291
jhinvestments.com

Regular mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 219909
Kansas City, MO 64121-9909

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219909
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD FUND       57


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Financial Industries

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

New Opportunities

Regional Bank

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Quality Growth

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Global Thematic Opportunities

International Dynamic Growth

International Growth

International Small Company

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Bond

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Alternative Risk Premia

Diversified Macro

Infrastructure

Multi-Asset Absolute Return

Seaport Long/Short

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Balanced

Multi-Asset High Income

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.


John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

JHDIGEST_BACKCOVER-LOGO.JPG

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com

This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock High Yield Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

MIMLOGO_DIGEST.JPG

   
MF1210535 57A 5/20
7/2020


John Hancock

ESG Core Bond Fund

Annual report 5/31/2020
ESG

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291 (Class A shares) or 888-972-8696 (Class I and Class R6 shares) or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

JHDIGEST_INCOME-DIGCOVMASK.JPG


JHREPORT_LETTER-DIGEST.JPG

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

Global financial markets delivered strong returns during first half of the 12-month period ended May 31, 2020; however, heightened fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) sent markets tumbling during the latter half of February and early March. Investors reacted by exiting higher-risk assets and moving into cash, leading to a liquidity crunch in the fixed-income markets.

In response to the sell-off, the U.S. Federal Reserve acted quickly, lowering interest rates to near zero and reinstating quantitative easing, as well as announcing its plans to shore up short-term debt. These steps, along with the passage of a $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill, helped lift the markets during the last two months of the period, while credit spreads rebounded off their highs as liquidity concerns eased.

The continued spread of COVID-19, trade disputes, rising unemployment, and other geopolitical tensions may continue to create uncertainty among businesses and investors. Your financial professional can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to seek to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way. 

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

ANDREWARNOTT_SIG.JPG

Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
ESG Core Bond Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
5   Manager's discussion of fund performance
7   A look at performance
9   Your expenses
11   Fund's investments
18   Financial statements
21   Financial highlights
24   Notes to financial statements
31   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
32   Tax information
33   Statement regarding liquidity risk management
36   Trustees and Officers
40   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks total return consisting of income and capital appreciation consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH468A_AATRBAR.JPG

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Government/Credit Index is an unmanaged index of the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate government related bond markets.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The fund's Morningstar category average is a group of funds with similar investment objectives and strategies and is the equal-weighted return of all funds per category. Morningstar places funds in certain categories based on their historical portfolio holdings. Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower. Since inception returns for the Morningstar fund category average are not available.

The past performance shown here reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund's objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund's prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Investment-grade bonds posted a strong gain during the period

The spread of COVID-19 led to a weaker economic outlook and prompted the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut interest rates dramatically, fueling an impressive rally for U.S. Treasuries and other high-rated debt.

The fund underperformed

Although the fund produced a robust absolute return, it finished behind its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index.

Duration positioning detracted from relative performance

Duration positioning and an underweight in U.S. Treasuries hurt results, while an overweight in corporates and positive overall security selection contributed.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH3375_PORTFOLIOCOMPPIE.JPG

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       3


QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH3375_QUALITYCOMPPIE.JPG



A note about risks

The fund may be subject to various risks as described in the fund's prospectus. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment. For more information, please refer to the "Principal risks" section of the prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       4


Manager's discussion of fund performance

How would you describe the investment backdrop during the 12 months ended May 31, 2020?

Investment-grade bonds delivered strong total returns in the annual period. U.S. Treasuries and other government issues generally performed well in 2019 due to the U.S. Federal Reserve's shift to a more accommodative monetary policy. However, subsequent uncertainty about the economic impact COVID-19 led to a sharp sell-off in risk assets and a corresponding flight to quality into U.S. Treasuries throughout late February and most of March. These circumstances contributed to robust gains for government debt. Corporate bonds, while experiencing significant weakness in the February-March downturn, also delivered a sizable gain for the full period. The category exhibited notable strength from late March onward thanks to stimulus programs enacted by Congress and the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), the Fed's announcement that it would provide direct support to the credit markets, and the prospect of a V-shaped economic recovery.

What elements of the fund's positioning helped and hurt results?

The fund's positioning with respect to duration (interest-rate sensitivity) was a slight detractor from relative performance. The portfolio's duration was modestly below that of the index for most of the period, which prevented it from gaining the full benefit of falling yields. The fund finished May with a neutral duration relative to the index.

Asset allocation had a mixed effect on results. An underweight in U.S. Treasuries detracted, as did an out-of-benchmark allocation to taxable municipal bonds. Conversely, the fund benefited from its average overweight position in corporates, particularly in the final two months of the period. We increased the fund's allocation to corporates in an effort to capitalize on the sharply higher yield spreads that resulted from the February-March sell-off. This decision paid off given the ensuing rally in the category. Within the corporate portfolio, an overweight in banks and an underweight in lower-quality energy issues aided performance. An underweight to BBB rated bonds added value, as well.

Security selection was a meaningful contributor. Much of the performance advantage occurred in the corporate bond area, with the largest contribution coming from the industrials sector.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       5


How would you characterize your portfolio activity?

While the Fed is keeping an eye on inflation, we expect it will remain accommodative—with a zero lower bound fed funds rate—for the balance of 2020. Yield spreads have retraced their widening from the February-March sell-off despite the uncertain growth outlook, indicating that investors are willing to look through short-term economic weakness. In terms of portfolio positioning, we retained a defensive posture at the close of the period through a high-quality bias and a discerning, cautious approach to security selection. We also continued to take steps designed to strengthen the ESG component of our strategy, particularly with regard to securitized assets.

MANAGED BY


 
Jeffrey Glenn, CFA, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
Matthew C. Buscone, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
Sara Chanda, Breckinridge Capital Advisors
Khurram Gillani, Breckinridge Capital Advisors

BRECKINRIDGECAPITAL.JPG

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of the portfolio management team at Breckinridge Capital Advisors, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       6


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MAY 31, 2020 


                       
Average annual
total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total
returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
subsidized
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
unsubsidized1
    1-year Since
inception2
      Since
inception2
  as of
5-31-20
  as of
5-31-20
Class A   2.89 2.55       9.12   0.46   0.19
Class I3   7.32 4.01       14.57   0.73   0.44
Class R63   7.54 4.14       15.09   0.84   0.56
Index 1   7.60 4.22       15.39    

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 4%. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I and Class R6 shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectus for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until September 30, 2021 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

       
  Class A Class I Class R6
Gross (%) 1.13 0.88 0.77
Net (%) 0.87 0.62 0.51

Please refer to the most recent prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.

The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility and other factors, the fund's current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call 800-225-5291 or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund's performance results reflect any applicable fee waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.

Index is the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Government/Credit Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       7


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Government/Credit Index.

JH468A_GROWTHOF10K.JPG

         
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index 1 ($)
Class I3 12-14-16 11,457 11,457 11,539
Class R63 12-14-16 11,509 11,509 11,539

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Government/Credit Index is an unmanaged index of the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate government related bond markets.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effect of reimbursements and waivers.
2 From 12-14-16.
3 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectus.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       8


Your expenses
These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Understanding fund expenses
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:
Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.
We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.
Actual expenses/actual returns
The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund’s actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund’s actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020.
Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at May 31, 2020, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the “expenses paid” for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund’s ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund’s hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the class’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND 9

 

Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectus for details regarding transaction costs.
SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART

    Account
value on
12-1-2019
Ending
value on
5-31-2020
Expenses
paid during
period ended
5-31-20201
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,047.30 $4.50 0.88%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,020.60 4.45 0.88%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,047.60 3.22 0.63%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.90 3.18 0.63%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,049.20 2.61 0.51%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.50 2.58 0.51%
    
1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
10 JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fund’ s investments
AS OF 5-31-20
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government and Agency obligations 31.3%       $20,247,488
(Cost $18,813,996)          
U.S. Government 22.3%       14,419,438
U.S. Treasury          
Note 1.625 02-15-26   1,150,000 1,229,557
Note 1.750 11-15-29   425,000 469,127
Note 1.875 04-30-22   500,000 516,211
Note 1.875 07-31-22   300,000 310,980
Note 2.000 02-15-23   500,000 524,512
Note 2.000 02-15-25   650,000 701,645
Note 2.125 03-31-24   600,000 643,148
Note 2.250 11-15-24   1,100,000 1,195,906
Note 2.250 11-15-27   525,000 591,589
Note 2.375 08-15-24   1,250,000 1,360,303
Note 2.375 04-30-26   1,000,000 1,114,570
Note 2.375 05-15-29   300,000 346,348
Note 2.500 05-15-24   950,000 1,034,127
Note 2.750 02-15-24   200,000 218,539
Note 2.750 06-30-25   400,000 448,703
Note 2.750 02-15-28   250,000 291,895
Note 2.875 11-15-21   400,000 415,609
Note 2.875 05-15-28   450,000 531,650
Note 2.875 08-15-28   700,000 829,910
Note 3.000 09-30-25   700,000 797,836
Note 3.125 11-15-28   700,000 847,273
U.S. Government Agency 9.0%       5,828,050
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.          
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 02-01-32   263,584 278,747
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 03-01-32   656,454 698,524
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-30   287,043 305,603
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-32   581,164 624,554
15 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 05-01-33   312,631 332,202
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 03-01-48   551,051 588,348
Federal National Mortgage Association          
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 01-01-32   299,110 321,909
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 11-01-34   215,248 230,511
15 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 05-01-33   409,428 446,830
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.000 05-01-48   283,135 305,105
30 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 07-01-47   468,542 497,326
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.000 10-01-47   363,028 399,605
30 Yr Pass Thru 4.500 01-01-46   400,076 440,376
30 Yr Pass Thru 5.000 11-01-39   313,120 358,410
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND 11

 

Fund’ s investments
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Corporate bonds 46.0%     $29,720,615
(Cost $27,908,434)          
Communication services 2.8%     1,840,040
Diversified telecommunication services 1.6%      
AT&T, Inc. 4.125 02-17-26   490,000 546,132
Verizon Communications, Inc. 5.150 09-15-23   445,000 508,495
Entertainment 0.5%      
The Walt Disney Company 2.000 09-01-29   315,000 319,163
Media 0.7%      
Comcast Corp. 3.150 03-01-26   420,000 466,250
Consumer discretionary 2.4%     1,574,527
Hotels, restaurants and leisure 0.5%      
Starbucks Corp. 3.500 03-01-28   275,000 299,880
Multiline retail 0.4%      
Target Corp. 2.650 09-15-30   275,000 299,051
Specialty retail 1.1%      
Lowe's Companies, Inc. 3.100 05-03-27   265,000 288,651
The Home Depot, Inc. 2.950 06-15-29   200,000 222,097
The Home Depot, Inc. 3.350 09-15-25   200,000 224,300
Textiles, apparel and luxury goods 0.4%      
NIKE, Inc. 2.750 03-27-27   220,000 240,548
Consumer staples 4.3%     2,780,784
Beverages 1.9%      
Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC 3.650 02-01-26   325,000 360,100
Diageo Capital PLC 4.828 07-15-20   235,000 236,229
PepsiCo, Inc. 2.750 03-05-22   255,000 266,449
PepsiCo, Inc. 2.750 03-19-30   305,000 337,007
Food products 0.6%      
General Mills, Inc. 3.150 12-15-21   375,000 385,921
Household products 0.7%      
Kimberly-Clark Corp. 3.200 04-25-29   200,000 227,777
The Clorox Company 3.900 05-15-28   200,000 226,754
Personal products 1.1%      
The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. 3.150 03-15-27   350,000 381,209
Unilever Capital Corp. 4.250 02-10-21   350,000 359,338
Energy 2.7%     1,740,502
Energy equipment and services 0.4%      
Schlumberger Investment SA 3.650 12-01-23   250,000 264,689
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 2.3%      
Enbridge, Inc. 4.000 10-01-23   270,000 290,886
12 JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Energy (continued)      
Oil, gas and consumable fuels (continued)      
Equinor ASA 2.650 01-15-24   350,000 $369,050
Shell International Finance BV 3.250 05-11-25   300,000 332,514
Total Capital International SA 3.455 02-19-29   200,000 222,729
Total Capital SA 4.450 06-24-20   260,000 260,634
Financials 15.2%     9,825,293
Banks 9.2%      
African Development Bank 0.750 04-03-23   300,000 303,169
Bank of America Corp. 3.248 10-21-27   175,000 191,309
Bank of America Corp. (3.419% to 12-20-27, then 3 month LIBOR + 1.040%) 3.419 12-20-28   200,000 217,606
Bank of America Corp. 4.000 04-01-24   145,000 160,452
Bank of Montreal 2.050 11-01-22   150,000 154,543
BNP Paribas SA 3.250 03-03-23   430,000 461,589
Citigroup, Inc. 3.200 10-21-26   500,000 535,007
HSBC Holdings PLC 2.650 01-05-22   375,000 384,110
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development 0.625 04-22-25   320,000 320,176
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 3.300 04-01-26   695,000 761,497
KeyBank NA 3.300 02-01-22   250,000 259,701
KeyCorp 2.550 10-01-29   201,000 198,574
Royal Bank of Canada 1.950 01-17-23   255,000 262,882
Royal Bank of Canada 3.200 04-30-21   150,000 153,722
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. 3.500 01-23-24   495,000 538,703
The Toronto-Dominion Bank 1.800 07-13-21   405,000 410,853
US Bancorp 2.375 07-22-26   300,000 320,486
Westpac Banking Corp. 2.000 08-19-21   300,000 305,625
Capital markets 4.0%      
John Deere Capital Corp. 2.250 09-14-26   285,000 301,400
Morgan Stanley 3.700 10-23-24   275,000 301,750
Morgan Stanley 4.000 07-23-25   200,000 223,594
State Street Corp. (2.354% to 11-1-24, then SOFR + 0.940%) 2.354 11-01-25   250,000 263,451
State Street Corp. 2.550 08-18-20   250,000 251,136
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. 2.950 01-29-23   125,000 132,289
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. 3.550 09-23-21   265,000 275,619
The Bank of Nova Scotia 1.950 02-01-23   245,000 251,013
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 3.500 11-16-26   565,000 609,156
Consumer finance 0.5%      
American Express Company 2.750 05-20-22   305,000 316,646
Insurance 1.5%      
Chubb INA Holdings, Inc. 2.875 11-03-22   250,000 262,433
Lincoln National Corp. 3.050 01-15-30   105,000 104,975
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND 13

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials (continued)      
Insurance (continued)      
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. 2.750 01-30-22   280,000 $289,428
Prudential Financial, Inc. 1.500 03-10-26   110,000 110,914
Prudential Financial, Inc. 3.500 05-15-24   175,000 191,485
Health care 6.7%     4,313,710
Biotechnology 2.1%      
AbbVie, Inc. 3.600 05-14-25   295,000 325,469
Amgen, Inc. 2.200 02-21-27   310,000 323,132
Amgen, Inc. 2.650 05-11-22   100,000 103,744
GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC 2.875 06-01-22   250,000 261,282
Novartis Capital Corp. 3.000 11-20-25   275,000 305,133
Health care equipment and supplies 0.7%      
Abbott Laboratories 2.950 03-15-25   291,000 320,601
Medtronic, Inc. 3.150 03-15-22   148,000 155,199
Health care providers and services 2.3%      
Anthem, Inc. 3.650 12-01-27   330,000 373,383
CVS Health Corp. 3.875 07-20-25   365,000 405,810
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 3.350 07-15-22   250,000 264,370
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 3.750 07-15-25   200,000 228,624
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 3.875 12-15-28   200,000 238,724
Life sciences tools and services 0.3%      
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. 4.497 03-25-30   130,000 158,841
Pharmaceuticals 1.3%      
Merck & Company, Inc. 3.400 03-07-29   435,000 500,387
Sanofi 4.000 03-29-21   200,000 205,987
Zoetis, Inc. 3.250 02-01-23   137,000 143,024
Industrials 3.0%     1,916,689
Aerospace and defense 0.8%      
Lockheed Martin Corp. 3.550 01-15-26   250,000 285,482
Northrop Grumman Corp. 2.930 01-15-25   200,000 216,749
Air freight and logistics 0.2%      
United Parcel Service, Inc. 3.050 11-15-27   115,000 128,886
Commercial services and supplies 0.4%      
Waste Management, Inc. 2.400 05-15-23   225,000 237,125
Industrial conglomerates 0.3%      
3M Company 3.250 02-14-24   180,000 195,630
Machinery 0.7%      
Caterpillar, Inc. 3.400 05-15-24   300,000 329,396
Deere & Company 2.600 06-08-22   130,000 134,849
Road and rail 0.6%      
CSX Corp. 3.700 11-01-23   150,000 162,071
14 JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Industrials (continued)      
Road and rail (continued)      
Union Pacific Corp. 2.750 03-01-26   210,000 $226,501
Information technology 3.5%     2,262,960
Communications equipment 0.4%      
Cisco Systems, Inc. 1.850 09-20-21   280,000 285,141
IT services 0.3%      
Mastercard, Inc. 3.350 03-26-30   165,000 190,990
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 1.0%      
Intel Corp. 2.450 11-15-29   240,000 257,187
Intel Corp. 3.300 10-01-21   205,000 213,348
Texas Instruments, Inc. 2.250 09-04-29   145,000 153,954
Software 1.0%      
Microsoft Corp. 2.700 02-12-25   300,000 328,193
Oracle Corp. 2.400 09-15-23   210,000 221,682
Oracle Corp. 2.500 05-15-22   120,000 124,196
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 0.8%      
Apple, Inc. 2.850 02-23-23   460,000 488,269
Materials 1.3%     833,004
Chemicals 1.1%      
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. 1.850 05-15-27   185,000 190,934
Eastman Chemical Company 3.600 08-15-22   240,000 249,063
Ecolab, Inc. 3.250 01-14-23   255,000 268,783
Containers and packaging 0.2%      
WRKCo, Inc. 3.750 03-15-25   115,000 124,224
Real estate 1.5%     946,379
Equity real estate investment trusts 1.5%      
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. 4.900 12-15-30   120,000 145,638
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. 2.950 09-15-22   350,000 357,840
Boston Properties LP 3.800 02-01-24   200,000 213,227
Simon Property Group LP 3.375 10-01-24   225,000 229,674
Utilities 2.6%     1,686,727
Electric utilities 2.2%      
DTE Electric Company 2.250 03-01-30   150,000 155,075
Florida Power & Light Company 2.850 04-01-25   120,000 130,542
MidAmerican Energy Company 3.100 05-01-27   275,000 300,573
NSTAR Electric Company 2.375 10-15-22   380,000 393,085
NSTAR Electric Company 3.200 05-15-27   125,000 138,952
Xcel Energy, Inc. 4.000 06-15-28   250,000 287,819
Independent power and renewable electricity producers 0.4%      
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. 3.550 05-01-27   250,000 280,681
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND 15

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Municipal bonds 11.4%         $7,406,351
(Cost $7,117,507)          
City of Avondale (Arizona) 2.240 07-01-20   250,000 250,250
City of New York 2.260 03-01-22   385,000 393,532
City of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Water Revenue (California) 2.806 11-01-23   450,000 478,674
City of Winston-Salem Water & Sewer System Revenue (North Carolina) 1.570 06-01-28   115,000 108,599
Gateway School District Alleghany County (Pennsylvania) 1.887 07-15-22   325,000 327,854
Jackson State University Educational Building Corp. (Mississippi) 2.720 03-01-23   295,000 306,107
Kent City School District (Ohio) 5.000 12-01-20   200,000 203,574
Kent Hospital Finance Authority (Michigan) 2.821 07-15-29   310,000 321,402
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority 2.193 12-15-20   400,000 400,612
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority 2.223 08-01-27   500,000 521,245
Montgomery County Economic Development Authority (Maryland) 2.202 06-01-24   195,000 200,932
Montgomery County Economic Development Authority (Maryland) 2.342 06-01-25   95,000 98,547
New Mexico Finance Authority 2.135 06-15-20   300,000 300,114
New Mexico Finance Authority 2.287 06-15-21   195,000 197,065
New York City Housing Development Corp. 2.416 05-01-24   325,000 334,246
New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured Revenue 2.150 05-01-25   350,000 359,639
Passaic Valley Water Commission (New Jersey) 2.739 12-15-25   475,000 496,584
Santa Rosa Regional Resources Authority (California) 2.900 08-01-25   200,000 210,532
Tennessee State School Bond Authority 2.054 11-01-21   460,000 465,939
Texas A&M University 3.231 05-15-27   350,000 390,933
Texas Public Finance Authority 4.000 02-01-23   215,000 228,659
Texas State University System 3.277 03-15-27   370,000 401,013
University of North Texas System 3.357 04-15-27   375,000 410,299
Collateralized mortgage obligations 3.4%       $2,161,845
(Cost $2,090,736)          
U.S. Government Agency 3.4%     2,161,845
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.    
Series K028, Class A2 3.111 02-25-23   340,000 359,463
Series K036, Class A2 (A) 3.527 10-25-23   237,000 257,607
Series K724, Class A2 (A) 3.062 11-25-23   302,000 321,579
Series K725, Class A2 3.002 01-25-24   617,000 659,420
Federal National Mortgage Association    
Series 2015-M4, Class AV2 (A) 2.509 07-25-22   249,790 254,769
Series 2017-M10, Class AV2 (A) 2.561 07-25-24   294,000 309,007
16 JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities 6.0%         $3,903,835
(Cost $3,805,626)          
Asset backed securities 6.0%         3,903,835
American Express Credit Account Master Trust
Series 2019-1, Class A
2.870 10-15-24   1,000,000 1,043,534
BA Credit Card Trust
Series 2018-A3, Class A3
3.100 12-15-23   715,000 736,441
Chase Issuance Trust
Series 2020-A1, Class A1
1.530 01-15-25   367,000 376,579
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust
Series 2018-A1, Class A1
2.490 01-20-23   755,000 764,957
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust          
Series 2018-B, Class A3 3.240 04-15-23   546,000 559,493
Series 2019-C, Class A3 1.870 03-15-24   174,000 177,357
Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust
Series 2019-4, Class A3
1.830 01-18-24   240,000 245,474
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Short-term investments 1.4%         $881,215
(Cost $881,215)          
Short-term funds 1.4%         881,215
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Institutional Class 0.1500(B)   881,215 881,215
    
Total investments (Cost $60,617,514) 99.5%     $64,321,349
Other assets and liabilities, net 0.5%       316,999
Total net assets 100.0%         $64,638,348
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
(A) Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on a weighted average of interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown is the current rate as of period end.
(B) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 5-31-20.
At 5-31-20, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $60,809,065. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $3,512,284, of which $3,522,173 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $9,889 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND 17

 

Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 5-31-20

Assets  
Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $60,617,514) $64,321,349
Cash 19,479
Interest receivable 343,592
Receivable for fund shares sold 97,124
Receivable from affiliates 1,571
Other assets 23,164
Total assets 64,806,279
Liabilities  
Distributions payable 114,605
Payable for fund shares repurchased 8,041
Payable to affiliates  
Accounting and legal services fees 4,207
Transfer agent fees 6,952
Trustees' fees 98
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 34,028
Total liabilities 167,931
Net assets $64,638,348
Net assets consist of  
Paid-in capital $61,300,750
Total distributable earnings (loss) 3,337,598
Net assets $64,638,348
 
Net asset value per share  
Based on net asset value and shares outstanding - the fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value  
Class A ($5,642,775 ÷ 530,041 shares)1 $10.65
Class I ($58,064,898 ÷ 5,454,980 shares) $10.64
Class R6 ($930,675 ÷ 87,415 shares) $10.65
Maximum offering price per share  
Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 96%)2 $11.09
    
1 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2 On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.
18 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended  5-31-20

Investment income  
Interest $1,654,691
Expenses  
Investment management fees 282,087
Distribution and service fees 13,259
Accounting and legal services fees 10,649
Transfer agent fees 76,424
Trustees' fees 1,213
Custodian fees 37,974
State registration fees 57,078
Printing and postage 31,257
Professional fees 56,631
Other 11,930
Total expenses 578,502
Less expense reductions (175,387)
Net expenses 403,115
Net investment income 1,251,576
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
Net realized gain (loss) on  
Unaffiliated investments 560,259
  560,259
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of  
Unaffiliated investments 2,664,528
  2,664,528
Net realized and unrealized gain 3,224,787
Increase in net assets from operations $4,476,363
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund 19

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

  Year ended
5-31-20
Year ended
5-31-19
Increase (decrease) in net assets    
From operations    
Net investment income $1,251,576 $1,145,707
Net realized gain (loss) 560,259 (339,119)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 2,664,528 2,178,299
Increase in net assets resulting from operations 4,476,363 2,984,887
Distributions to shareholders    
From earnings    
Class A (106,744) (99,708)
Class I (1,261,117) (1,129,856)
Class R6 (38,814) (35,790)
Total distributions (1,406,675) (1,265,354)
From fund share transactions (8,100) 5,249,313
Total increase 3,061,588 6,968,846
Net assets    
Beginning of year 61,576,760 54,607,914
End of year $64,638,348 $61,576,760
20 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial highlights
CLASS A SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 1
Per share operating performance        
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.14 $9.85 $10.16 $10.00
Net investment income2 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.06
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.54 0.31 (0.27) 0.17
Total from investment operations 0.72 0.49 (0.13) 0.23
Less distributions        
From net investment income (0.21) (0.20) (0.17) (0.07)
From net realized gain (0.01)
Total distributions (0.21) (0.20) (0.18) (0.07)
Net asset value, end of period $10.65 $10.14 $9.85 $10.16
Total return (%)3,4 7.16 5.04 (1.31) 2.35 5
Ratios and supplemental data        
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $6 $5 $5 $5
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions 1.15 1.12 1.39 2.02 6
Expenses including reductions 0.87 0.86 0.86 0.87 6
Net investment income 1.76 1.81 1.40 1.31 6
Portfolio turnover (%) 34 37 83 61
    
1 Period from 12-14-16 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-17.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
5 Not annualized.
6 Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund 21

 

CLASS I SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 1
Per share operating performance        
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.14 $9.85 $10.16 $10.00
Net investment income2 0.21 0.20 0.16 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.52 0.31 (0.27) 0.18
Total from investment operations 0.73 0.51 (0.11) 0.25
Less distributions        
From net investment income (0.23) (0.22) (0.19) (0.09)
From net realized gain (0.01)
Total distributions (0.23) (0.22) (0.20) (0.09)
Net asset value, end of period $10.64 $10.14 $9.85 $10.16
Total return (%)3 7.32 5.29 (1.06) 2.47 4
Ratios and supplemental data        
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $58 $55 $48 $9
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions 0.90 0.89 1.14 1.76 5
Expenses including reductions 0.62 0.63 0.61 0.61 5
Net investment income 2.01 2.05 1.65 1.58 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 34 37 83 61
    
1 Period from 12-14-16 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-17.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
22 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended 5-31-20 5-31-19 5-31-18 5-31-17 1
Per share operating performance        
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.14 $9.85 $10.16 $10.00
Net investment income2 0.22 0.21 0.18 0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 0.54 0.31 (0.28) 0.17
Total from investment operations 0.76 0.52 (0.10) 0.25
Less distributions        
From net investment income (0.25) (0.23) (0.20) (0.09)
From net realized gain (0.01)
Total distributions (0.25) (0.23) (0.21) (0.09)
Net asset value, end of period $10.65 $10.14 $9.85 $10.16
Total return (%)3 7.54 5.41 (0.96) 2.52 4
Ratios and supplemental data        
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $1 $2 $1 $2
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions 0.79 0.77 1.05 1.67 5
Expenses including reductions 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.52 5
Net investment income 2.13 2.16 1.75 1.67 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 34 37 83 61
    
1 Period from 12-14-16 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-17.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund 23

 

Notes to financial statements
Note 1Organization
John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Bond Trust (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek total return consisting of income and capital appreciation consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.
The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ.
Note 2Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds are valued at their respective NAVs each business day.
Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or
24 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of May 31, 2020, by major security category or type:
  Total
value at
5-31-20
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
U.S. Government and Agency obligations $20,247,488 $20,247,488
Corporate bonds 29,720,615 29,720,615
Municipal bonds 7,406,351 7,406,351
Collateralized mortgage obligations 2,161,845 2,161,845
Asset backed securities 3,903,835 3,903,835
Short-term investments 881,215 $881,215
Total investments in securities $64,321,349 $881,215 $63,440,134
Mortgage and asset backed securities. The fund may invest in mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, which are debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund's income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund's cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. The timely payment of principal and interest of certain mortgage-related securities is guaranteed with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Pools created and guaranteed by non-governmental issuers, including government-sponsored corporations (e.g. FNMA), may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, but there can be no assurance that private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. The fund is also subject to risks associated with securities with contractual cash flows including asset-backed and mortgage related securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage pass-through securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The value, liquidity and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate value, pre-payments, delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund 25

 

Overdraft. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Line of credit. The fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. For the year ended May 31, 2020, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended May 31, 2020 were $2,518.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.
Change in accounting principle. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non contingently callable debt securities and is effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact to the fund.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
For federal income tax purposes, as of May 31, 2020, the fund has a short-term capital loss carryforward of $175,958 and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $15,727 available to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards do not expire.
As of May 31, 2020, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
The tax character of distributions for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
  May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
Ordinary income $1,406,675 $1,265,354
26 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $131,603 of undistributed ordinary income.
Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to distributions payable and amortization and accretion on debt securities.
Note 3Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 4Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation. Prior to June 28, 2019, the Advisor was known as John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Distributor was known as John Hancock Funds, LLC.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor, equivalent on an annual basis, to the sum of: (a) 0.450% of the first $250 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, and (b) 0.400% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $250 million. If net assets exceed $250 million, then the advisory fee to be paid is 0.400% on all asset levels of average daily net assets. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended May 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which expenses of the fund exceed 0.50% of average daily net assets of the fund. For purposes of this agreement, “expenses of the fund” means all fund expenses, excluding taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, class-specific expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, borrowing costs, prime brokerage fees, and short dividend expense. This agreement expires on September 30, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Advisor and the fund based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund 27

 

For the year ended May 31, 2020, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
Class Expense reduction
Class A $14,871
Class I 155,923
Class Expense reduction
Class R6 $4,593
Total $175,387
 
Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.
The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.17% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended May 31, 2020 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans for certain classes as detailed below pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:
Class Rule 12b-1 Fee
Class A 0.25%
Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $7,774 for the year ended May 31, 2020. Of this amount, $1,081 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes and $6,693 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.
Class A shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended May 31, 2020, there were no CDSCs received by the Distributor for Class A shares.
Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock group of funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.
28 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $13,259 $6,626
Class I 69,582
Class R6 216
Total $13,259 $76,424
Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.
Note 5Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
  Year Ended 5-31-20 Year Ended 5-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class A shares        
Sold 49,821 $517,107 44,916 $444,701
Distributions reinvested 1,255 13,024 970 9,613
Repurchased (28,755) (299,247) (28,656) (284,502)
Net increase 22,321 $230,884 17,230 $169,812
Class I shares        
Sold 507,996 $5,277,580 534,091 $5,311,365
Distributions reinvested 21,155 219,133 13,759 136,554
Repurchased (487,988) (5,030,251) (38,028) (375,606)
Net increase 41,163 $466,462 509,822 $5,072,313
Class R6 shares        
Sold 95,587 $996,177 911 $8,998
Distributions reinvested 502 5,279 62 609
Repurchased (161,589) (1,706,902) (242) (2,419)
Net increase (decrease) (65,500) $(705,446) 731 $7,188
Total net increase (decrease) (2,016) $(8,100) 527,783 $5,249,313
Affiliates of the fund owned 85% and 81% of shares of Class A and Class I, respectively, on May 31, 2020. Such concentration of shareholders’ capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.
Note 6Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments and U.S. Treasury obligations, amounted to $14,485,707 and $8,504,485, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $6,408,613 and $12,669,129, respectively, for the year ended May 31, 2020.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund 29

 

Note 7Industry or sector risk
The fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund’s assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund’s NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors.
Note 8LIBOR discontinuation risk
LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This event will likely cause LIBOR to cease to be published. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have suggested alternative rates, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any replacement rate.
It is uncertain what impact the discontinuation of LIBOR will have on the use of LIBOR as a reference rate for securities in which the fund invests. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. In addition, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
Note 9Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance.
30 JOHN HANCOCK ESG Core Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Bond Trust and Shareholders of John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the Fund’s investments, of John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Bond Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended May 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2020 and for the period December 14, 2016 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2017 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2020 and for the period December 14, 2016 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 13, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND 31

 

Tax information (Unaudited)
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended May 31, 2020.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its Section 199A dividends as defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation §1.199A-3(d).
Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2020 Form 1099-DIV in early 2021. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2020.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.
32 JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT


Operation of the Liquidity Risk Management Program

This section describes operation and effectiveness of the Liquidity Risk Management Program (LRMP) established in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Liquidity Rule). The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Fund in the John Hancock Group of Funds (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule has appointed John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (together, the Advisor) to serve as Administrator of the LRMP with respect to each of the Funds, including John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. In order to provide a mechanism and process to perform the functions necessary to administer the LRMP, the Advisor established the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). The Fund's subadvisor, Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc. (the Subadvisor) executes the day-to-day investment management and security-level activities of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the LRMP, subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board.

The Committee holds monthly meetings to: (1) review the day-to-day operations of the LRMP; (2) review and approve month end liquidity classifications; (3) review quarterly testing and determinations, as applicable; and (4) review other LRMP related material. The Committee also conducts daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual quantitative and qualitative assessments of each subadvisor to a Fund that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule and is a part of the LRMP to monitor investment performance issues, risks and trends. In addition, the Committee may conduct ad-hoc reviews and meetings with subadvisors as issues and trends are identified, including potential liquidity and valuation issues.

The Committee provided the Board at a meeting held on March 15-17, 2020 with a written report which addressed the Committee's assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation and operation of the LRMP and any material changes to the LRMP. The report, which covered the period December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, included an assessment of important aspects of the LRMP including, but not limited to:

Operation of the Fund's Redemption-In-Kind Procedures;
Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM) determination;
Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments;
Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size (RATS) determination;
Security-level liquidity classifications; and
Liquidity risk assessment.

The report also covered material liquidity matters which occurred or were reported during this period applicable to the Fund, if any, and the Committee's actions to address such matters.

Redemption-In-Kind Procedures

Rule 22e-4 requires any fund that engages in or reserves the right to engage in in-kind redemptions to adopt and implement written policies and procedures regarding in-kind redemptions as part of the management of its liquidity risk. These procedures address the process for redeeming in kind, as well as the circumstances under which the Fund would consider redeeming in kind. Anticipated large redemption activity will be evaluated to identify situations where redeeming in securities instead of cash may be appropriate.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       33


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the implementation and operation of the Redemption-In-Kind Procedures and determined they are operating in a manner that such procedures are adequate and effective to manage in-kind redemptions on behalf of the Fund as part of the LRMP.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum determination

The Committee uses an HLIM model to determine a Fund's HLIM. This process incorporates the Fund's investment strategy, historical redemptions, liquidity classification rollup percentages and cash balances, redemption policy, access to funding sources, distribution channels and client concentrations. If the Fund falls below its established HLIM for a period greater than 7 consecutive calendar days, the Committee prepares a report to the Board within one business day following the seventh consecutive calendar day with an explanation of how the Fund plans to restore its HLIM within a reasonable period of time.

Based on the HLIM model, the Committee has determined that the Fund qualifies as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (PHLF). It is therefore not required to establish a HLIM. The Fund is tested quarterly to confirm its PHLF status.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to HLIM and PHLF determinations, and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments

Rule 22e-4 sets an aggregate illiquid investment limit of 15% for a fund. Funds are prohibited from acquiring an illiquid investment if this results in greater than 15% of its net assets being classified as illiquid. When applying this limit, the Committee defines "illiquid investment" to mean any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If a 15% illiquid investment limit breach occurs for longer than 1 business day, the Fund is required to notify the Board and provide a plan on how to bring illiquid investments within the 15% threshold, and after 7 days confidentially notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

In February 2019, as a result of extended security markets closures in connection with the Chinese New Year in certain countries, the SEC released guidance, and the Committee approved and adopted an Extended Market Holiday Policy to plan for and monitor known Extended Market Holidays (defined as all expected market holiday closures spanning four or more calendar days).

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to the 15% illiquid investment limit and determined such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LMRP.

Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size determination

In order to assess the liquidity risk of a Fund, the Committee considers the impact on the Fund that redemptions of a RATS would have under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Modelling the Fund's RATS requires quantifying cash flow volatility and analyzing distribution channel concentration and redemption risk. The model is designed to estimate the amount of assets that the Fund could reasonably anticipate trading on a given day, during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, to satisfy redemption requests.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       34


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to RATS determinations and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at making RATS determinations as part of the LRMP.

Security-level liquidity classifications

When classifying the liquidity of portfolio securities, the Fund adheres to the liquidity classification procedures established by the Advisor. In assigning a liquidity classification to Fund portfolio holdings, the following key inputs, among others, are considered: the Fund's RATS, feedback from the applicable Subadvisor on market-, trading- and investment-specific considerations, an assessment of current market conditions and fund portfolio holdings, and a value impact standard. The Subadvisor also provides position-level data to the Committee for use in monthly classification reconciliation in order to identify any classifications that may need to be changed as a result of the above considerations.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to security-level liquidity classifications and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Liquidity risk assessment

The Committee periodically reviews and assesses, the Fund's liquidity risk, including its investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions (including whether the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund, the extent to which the strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, and the use of borrowings for investment purposes and derivatives), cash flow analysis during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The Committee also monitors global events, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus, that could impact the markets and liquidity of portfolio investments and their classifications.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed Fund-Level Liquidity Risk Assessment Reports for each of the Funds and determined that the investment strategy for each Fund continues to be appropriate for an open-ended structure.

Adequacy and Effectiveness

Based on the review and assessment conducted by the Committee, the Committee has determined that the LRMP has been implemented, and is operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at assessing and managing the liquidity risk of each Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       35


Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 195
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 195
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1988).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2005-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 195
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 1986 195
Trustee
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 (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986).

     
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       36


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 195
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women's Forum (since 2018); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); 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 Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

     
James M. Oates,2 Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 1994 195
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (2014-2020); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992), Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2009 195
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (2012-2020), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (2011-2020), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (2012-2018) and Finance Committee Chairman (2014-2018), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       37


Non-Independent Trustees3

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 195
President and Non-Independent Trustee
Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (since 2018); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017).

     
Marianne Harrison, Born: 1963 2018 195
Non-Independent Trustee
President and CEO, John Hancock (since 2017); President and CEO, Manulife Canadian Division (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, CAE Inc. (since 2019); Member, Board of Directors, MA Competitive Partnership Board (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, Communitech, an industry-led innovation center that fosters technology companies in Canada (2017-2019); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Assurance Canada (2015-2017); Board Member, St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation (2014-2017); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Bank of Canada (2013-2017); Member, Standing Committee of the Canadian Life & Health Assurance Association (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, John Hancock USA, John Hancock Life & Health, John Hancock New York (2012-2013). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018).

Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2005
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2005).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2007); Treasurer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       38


Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Christopher (Kit) Sechler, Born: 1973 2018
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Deputy Chief Counsel, John Hancock Investments (since 2015); Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel (2009-2015), John Hancock Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018); Assistant Secretary of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2009).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

The Statement of Additional Information of the fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       39


More information

   

Trustees

Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Marianne Harrison
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Gregory A. Russo

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

Subadvisor

Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc.

Portfolio Managers

Matthew C. Buscone
Sara Chanda
Khurram Gillani
Jeffrey M. Glenn, CFA

Principal distributor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

Custodian

Citibank, N.A.

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund's Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.

       
  You can also contact us:
  800-225-5291
jhinvestments.com

Regular mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 219909
Kansas City, MO 64121-9909

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219909
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK ESG CORE BOND FUND       40


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Financial Industries

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

New Opportunities

Regional Bank

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Quality Growth

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Global Thematic Opportunities

International Dynamic Growth

International Growth

International Small Company

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Bond

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Alternative Risk Premia

Diversified Macro

Infrastructure

Multi-Asset Absolute Return

Seaport Long/Short

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Balanced

Multi-Asset High Income

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.


John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

JHDIGEST_BACKCOVER-LOGO.JPG

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com

This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

MIMLOGO_DIGEST.JPG

   
MF1210530 468A 5/20
7/2020


John Hancock

Short Duration Bond Fund

Annual report 5/31/2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291 (Class A and Class C shares) or 888-972-8696 (Class I and Class R6 shares) or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

JHDIGEST_INCOME-DIGCOVMASK.JPG


JHREPORT_LETTER-DIGEST.JPG

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

Global financial markets delivered strong returns during first half of the 12-month period ended May 31, 2020; however, heightened fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) sent markets tumbling during the latter half of February and early March. Investors reacted by exiting higher-risk assets and moving into cash, leading to a liquidity crunch in the fixed-income markets.

In response to the sell-off, the U.S. Federal Reserve acted quickly, lowering interest rates to near zero and reinstating quantitative easing, as well as announcing its plans to shore up short-term debt. These steps, along with the passage of a $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill, helped lift the markets during the last two months of the period, while credit spreads rebounded off their highs as liquidity concerns eased.

The continued spread of COVID-19, trade disputes, rising unemployment, and other geopolitical tensions may continue to create uncertainty among businesses and investors. Your financial professional can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to seek to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way. 

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

ANDREWARNOTT_SIG.JPG

Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Short Duration Bond Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
5   Manager's discussion of fund performance
7   A look at performance
9   Your expenses
11   Fund's investments
24   Financial statements
27   Financial highlights
32   Notes to financial statements
40   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
41   Tax information
42   Statement regarding liquidity risk management
45   Trustees and Officers
49   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks a high level of current income consistent with prudent investment risk.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH472A_AATRBAR.JPG

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate 1-3 Year Index is an unmanaged index that tracks publicly issued medium and larger issues of U.S. government, investment-grade corporate, and investment-grade international U.S. dollar-denominated bonds that have maturities of between one and three years.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The past performance shown here reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund's objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund's prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE PERIOD


Positive returns for the fixed-income markets

A backdrop of slowing growth, accommodative U.S. Federal Reserve policy, and strong demand for higher-quality assets fueled a rally in bonds.

The fund posted a gain, but it underperformed its benchmark

In the time from its inception through May 31, 2020, the fund didn't keep pace with the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate 1-3 Year Index.

Security selection was the primary cause of the shortfall

The fund's holdings in asset-backed securities and corporate bonds underperformed the corresponding benchmark components.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH3379_PORTFOLIOCOMPPIE.JPG

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       3


QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


JH3379_QUALITYCOMPPIE.JPG



A note about risks

The fund may be subject to various risks as described in the fund's prospectus. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment. For more information, please refer to the "Principal risks" section of the prospectus.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       4


Manager's discussion of fund performance

How would you describe the investment backdrop during the fund's abbreviated reporting period ended May 31, 2020?

The bond market performed very well in this interval, with the majority of the gain occurring in the latter part of the period. From July 2019 through mid-February 2020, bonds delivered steady but modest returns thanks largely to the U.S. Federal Reserve's (Fed's) shift to a more accommodative monetary policy. This backdrop changed considerably in mid-February, when the emergence of COVID-19 sparked a sell-off in higher-risk assets—and a corresponding rally in those seen as having a greater degree of safety—that lasted from mid-February until late March. Short-term bonds, which tend to be highly sensitive to Fed policy, performed particularly well in this time due to the Fed's decision to cut interest rates to near zero. Higher-risk market segments subsequently recovered much of the lost ground in April and May, while short duration issues retained their prior gains on expectations that the Fed would maintain its zero-rate policy indefinitely.

What elements of the fund's positioning helped and hurt results?

The fund seeks to provide income by investing in U.S. government issues, agency notes, and corporate bonds, while striving to minimize interest-rate risk through a focus on short duration securities. This approach helped the fund produce a positive total return for the period. Nevertheless, the fund finished behind its benchmark. Asset allocation, especially an overweight in high-yield bonds, played a negative role in relative performance. While we believe an allocation to high yield can help augment the fund's income over time, lower-quality issues underperformed the investment-grade market by a wide margin in the sell-off. Security selection,

COUNTRY COMPOSITION AS OF 5/31/2020 (%)


   
United States 87.0
United Kingdom 4.3
Cayman Islands 3.7
Switzerland 1.4
Other countries 3.6
TOTAL 100.0
As a percentage of net assets.  

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       5


particularly in asset-backed securities and corporates, further detracted. On the positive side, an overweight in investment-grade corporates was a large contributor.

What were some key aspects of your portfolio activity?

Believing valuations in the credit sectors had become rich, we steadily reduced risk in the portfolio in the second half of 2019 and early 2020. We decreased the fund's allocations to investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds in this time, and we increased its weighting in agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). We refrained from making any major changes during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, but we later raised the fund's weighting in higher-rated corporates as valuations became compelling. We funded this move by reducing the portfolio's position in agency MBS.

At the close of the period, we saw corporates as the most attractive area of the market based on our cautiously optimistic view on the economic outlook. With that said, we also viewed a cautious approach as appropriate given the unprecedented nature of recent events. We therefore remained focused on using bottom-up security selection and robust fundamental analysis to identify stable, high-quality issuers in the best position to withstand a challenging environment. At the same time, we sought to avoid those where yields didn't provide adequate compensation for the underlying risks.

MANAGED BY


 
Howard C. Greene, CFA, Manulife IM (US)
Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife IM (US)

MANULIFE-INVESTMENT_LOGO.JPG

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Howard C. Greene, CFA, and Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       6


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MAY 31, 2020 


                     
  Cumulative total
returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
subsidized
  SEC 30-day
yield (%)
unsubsidized1
            Since
inception2
  as of
5-31-20
  as of
5-31-20
Class A           -0.72   2.21   1.98
Class C           -0.09   1.53   1.30
Class I3           1.75   2.51   2.29
Class R63           1.88   2.62   2.41
Class NAV3           1.88   2.62   2.42
Index           3.92    

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 2.25% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class C shares. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class R6 and Class NAV shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectus for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report.Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until September 30, 2021 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

           
  Class A Class C Class I Class R6 Class NAV
Gross (%) 0.77 1.52 0.52 0.41 0.40
Net (%) 0.65 1.40 0.40 0.29 0.29

Please refer to the most recent prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.

The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility and other factors, the fund's current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call 800-225-5291 or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund's performance results reflect any applicable fee waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.

Index is the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate 1-3 Year Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       7


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate 1-3 Year Index.

JH472A_GROWTHOF10K.JPG

         
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index ($)
Class C 7-16-19 9,991 10,090 10,392
Class I3 7-16-19 10,175 10,175 10,392
Class R63 7-16-19 10,188 10,188 10,392
Class NAV3 7-16-19 10,188 10,188 10,392

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate 1-3 Year Index is an unmanaged index that tracks publicly issued medium and larger issues of U.S. government, investment-grade corporate, and investment-grade international U.S. dollar-denominated bonds that have maturities of between one and three years.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effect of reimbursements and waivers.
2 From 7-16-19.
3 For certain type of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       8


Your expenses
These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Understanding fund expenses
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:
Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.
We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.
Actual expenses/actual returns
The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund’s actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund’s actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020.
Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at May 31, 2020, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the “expenses paid” for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund’s ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund’s hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the class’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on December 1, 2019, with the same investment held until May 31, 2020. Look in any other fund shareholder report to
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 9

 

find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectus for details regarding transaction costs.
    Account
value on
12-1-2019
Ending
value on
5-31-2020
Expenses
paid during
period ended
5-31-20201
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,007.10 $3.26 0.65%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,021.80 3.29 0.65%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,002.30 7.01 1.40%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,018.00 7.06 1.40%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,007.30 2.01 0.40%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,023.00 2.02 0.40%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,007.90 1.46 0.29%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,023.60 1.47 0.29%
Class NAV Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,007.80 1.46 0.29%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,023.60 1.47 0.29%
    
1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
10 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fund’ s investments
AS OF 5-31-20
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government and Agency obligations 15.2%       $24,759,802
(Cost $24,016,417)          
U.S. Government 9.1%       14,792,235
U.S. Treasury          
Note 1.500 01-15-23   12,800,000 13,241,500
Note 1.500 11-30-24   1,470,000 1,550,735
U.S. Government Agency 6.1%       9,967,567
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
30 Yr Pass Thru (12 month LIBOR + 1.613%) (A)
3.920 11-01-44   395,801 407,178
Federal National Mortgage Association          
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-31   798,693 853,582
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-31   912,517 978,649
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 04-01-33   1,475,033 1,563,033
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 06-01-34   939,638 1,004,799
15 Yr Pass Thru 3.500 08-01-34   824,046 869,861
30 Yr Pass Thru (12 month LIBOR + 1.569%) (A) 2.758 04-01-47   160,025 165,032
30 Yr Pass Thru (12 month LIBOR + 1.613%) (A) 3.633 03-01-43   490,750 506,583
Government National Mortgage Association          
30 Yr Pass Thru (1 Year CMT + 1.500%) (A) 2.000 12-20-47   780,206 795,419
30 Yr Pass Thru (1 Year CMT + 1.500%) (A) 2.500 03-20-48   445,242 455,950
30 Yr Pass Thru (1 Year CMT + 1.500%) (A) 3.000 08-20-46   1,028,412 1,052,703
30 Yr Pass Thru (1 Year CMT + 1.500%) (A) 3.000 09-20-46   1,284,427 1,314,778
Corporate bonds 43.1%     $70,371,741
(Cost $71,544,051)          
Communication services 4.0%     6,466,953
Diversified telecommunication services 1.5%      
Cincinnati Bell, Inc. (B) 7.000 07-15-24   162,000 166,860
Cogent Communications Group, Inc. (B) 5.375 03-01-22   400,000 410,880
Liquid Telecommunications Financing PLC (B) 8.500 07-13-22   400,000 360,610
Radiate Holdco LLC (B) 6.875 02-15-23   400,000 406,916
Telecom Argentina SA (B) 6.500 06-15-21   400,000 349,600
Verizon Communications, Inc. 2.946 03-15-22   750,000 783,099
Entertainment 0.3%      
Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC (B) 6.375 02-01-24   400,000 403,508
Media 1.9%      
CCO Holdings LLC (B) 4.000 03-01-23   400,000 403,008
CSC Holdings LLC 6.750 11-15-21   400,000 421,412
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 11

 

Fund’ s investments
  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Communication services (continued)      
Media (continued)      
DISH DBS Corp. 6.750 06-01-21   400,000 $408,000
MDC Partners, Inc. (B) 6.500 05-01-24   400,000 312,000
Nielsen Finance LLC (B) 5.000 04-15-22   400,000 399,380
Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (B) 3.875 08-01-22   400,000 401,000
Townsquare Media, Inc. (B) 6.500 04-01-23   400,000 316,000
WMG Acquisition Corp. (B) 5.000 08-01-23   500,000 505,000
Wireless telecommunication services 0.3%      
Sprint Corp. 7.250 09-15-21   400,000 419,680
Consumer discretionary 4.8%     7,904,148
Auto components 0.8%      
Toyota Industries Corp. (B) 3.110 03-12-22   750,000 771,449
ZF North America Capital, Inc. (B) 4.500 04-29-22   500,000 493,600
Automobiles 2.4%      
BMW US Capital LLC (B) 2.950 04-14-22   69,000 70,297
BMW US Capital LLC (B) 3.800 04-06-23   1,000,000 1,049,294
Daimler Finance North America LLC (B) 2.200 10-30-21   500,000 501,180
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 3.219 01-09-22   500,000 481,250
Ford Motor Credit Company LLC 3.810 01-09-24   500,000 468,750
Hyundai Capital America (B) 2.375 02-10-23   1,000,000 987,203
Mclaren Finance PLC (B) 5.750 08-01-22   400,000 232,000
Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC (B) 2.900 05-13-22   245,000 249,302
Hotels, restaurants and leisure 1.6%      
International Game Technology PLC (B) 6.250 02-15-22   400,000 408,220
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. (B) 7.875 02-01-24   400,000 304,000
KFC Holding Company/Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC (B) 5.000 06-01-24   400,000 409,436
Starbucks Corp. 1.300 05-07-22   1,000,000 1,013,167
Wyndham Destinations, Inc. 3.900 03-01-23   500,000 465,000
Consumer staples 1.6%     2,617,483
Beverages 0.7%      
Constellation Brands, Inc. 3.200 02-15-23   600,000 637,506
Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc. 3.551 05-25-21   500,000 514,080
Food products 0.9%      
Conagra Brands, Inc. 3.800 10-22-21   500,000 519,598
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV (B) 3.875 06-27-24   500,000 524,299
Simmons Foods, Inc. (B) 7.750 01-15-24   400,000 422,000
Energy 3.6%     5,886,056
Energy equipment and services 0.5%      
CSI Compressco LP 7.250 08-15-22   400,000 151,500
12 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Energy (continued)      
Energy equipment and services (continued)      
Nabors Industries, Inc. 5.000 09-15-20   400,000 $390,112
Tervita Corp. (B) 7.625 12-01-21   400,000 309,000
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 3.1%      
Aker BP ASA (B) 5.875 03-31-25   500,000 500,206
Buckeye Partners LP 4.150 07-01-23   400,000 394,688
Energen Corp. 4.625 09-01-21   400,000 402,381
MPLX LP (3 month LIBOR + 1.100%) (A) 2.099 09-09-22   500,000 472,103
MPLX LP (B) 3.500 12-01-22   500,000 504,003
Occidental Petroleum Corp. 2.600 08-13-21   500,000 481,500
Phillips 66 3.700 04-06-23   51,000 54,494
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC 5.625 02-01-21   500,000 509,945
Targa Resources Partners LP 4.250 11-15-23   400,000 391,076
The Williams Companies, Inc. 3.600 03-15-22   1,000,000 1,029,048
YPF SA (B) 8.500 03-23-21   400,000 296,000
Financials 13.1%     21,361,707
Banks 7.3%      
Bank of America Corp. (2.369% to 7-21-20, then 3 month LIBOR + 0.660%) 2.369 07-21-21   750,000 750,940
Bank of America Corp. 2.503 10-21-22   500,000 511,590
Barclays PLC 3.684 01-10-23   1,000,000 1,034,942
Citigroup, Inc. 2.700 03-30-21   500,000 508,304
Citigroup, Inc. 2.750 04-25-22   500,000 515,774
Danske Bank A/S (B) 2.000 09-08-21   800,000 804,900
Discover Bank 3.200 08-09-21   500,000 505,080
Fifth Third Bancorp 1.625 05-05-23   67,000 68,221
HSBC Holdings PLC 2.650 01-05-22   500,000 512,146
HSBC Holdings PLC 2.950 05-25-21   500,000 511,102
Lloyds Banking Group PLC 3.000 01-11-22   500,000 514,849
PNC Bank NA 2.700 11-01-22   1,200,000 1,255,659
Regions Financial Corp. 2.750 08-14-22   500,000 511,743
Santander Holdings USA, Inc. 3.244 10-05-26   750,000 755,279
Synovus Bank GA (2.289% to 2-10-22, then SOFR + 0.945%) 2.289 02-10-23   1,000,000 987,913
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 3.875 09-12-23   600,000 635,337
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC 6.125 12-15-22   500,000 539,751
Wells Fargo & Company 2.550 12-07-20   500,000 505,062
Wells Fargo & Company 4.125 08-15-23   500,000 538,947
Capital markets 2.7%      
Atotech Alpha 2 BV (8.750% Cash or 9.500% PIK) (B) 8.750 06-01-23   400,000 400,000
Credit Suisse Group AG (B) 3.574 01-09-23   1,000,000 1,031,007
Morgan Stanley 3.125 01-23-23   600,000 633,410
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 13

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Financials (continued)      
Capital markets (continued)      
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 2.625 04-25-21   570,000 $579,302
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (2.876% to 10-31-21, then 3 month LIBOR + 0.821%) 2.876 10-31-22   400,000 408,689
UBS AG (B) 1.750 04-21-22   1,250,000 1,270,450
Consumer finance 1.0%      
Capital One Financial Corp. 2.600 05-11-23   113,000 116,034
Capital One Financial Corp. 3.450 04-30-21   500,000 510,729
General Motors Financial Company, Inc. 3.200 07-06-21   500,000 500,158
Synchrony Financial 2.850 07-25-22   500,000 490,748
Diversified financial services 0.2%      
Gogo Intermediate Holdings LLC (B) 9.875 05-01-24   400,000 370,916
Insurance 1.6%      
AIG Global Funding (B) 2.300 07-01-22   500,000 515,246
Aon PLC 2.800 03-15-21   500,000 506,013
Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. (B) 4.250 06-15-23   500,000 534,932
New York Life Global Funding (B) 1.100 05-05-23   1,000,000 1,011,765
Thrifts and mortgage finance 0.3%      
Nationwide Building Society (3.622% to 4-26-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 1.181%) (B) 3.622 04-26-23   500,000 514,769
Health care 2.7%     4,389,271
Biotechnology 0.3%      
AbbVie, Inc. (B) 2.300 11-21-22   500,000 516,117
Health care providers and services 2.1%      
Centene Corp. 4.750 05-15-22   500,000 506,275
CVS Health Corp. 4.100 03-25-25   1,015,000 1,134,359
DaVita, Inc. 5.000 05-01-25   500,000 513,125
Encompass Health Corp. 5.125 03-15-23   400,000 402,000
MEDNAX, Inc. (B) 5.250 12-01-23   400,000 392,000
Tenet Healthcare Corp. 8.125 04-01-22   400,000 418,000
Pharmaceuticals 0.3%      
Bausch Health Companies, Inc. (B) 6.125 04-15-25   500,000 507,395
Industrials 4.4%     7,187,312
Aerospace and defense 0.3%      
The Boeing Company 2.300 08-01-21   500,000 500,844
Airlines 0.7%      
American Airlines 2013-2 Class A Pass Through Trust 4.950 01-15-23   420,388 327,902
British Airways 2013-1 Class A Pass Through Trust (B) 4.625 06-20-24   224,490 204,286
14 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Industrials (continued)      
Airlines (continued)      
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 3.625 03-15-22   500,000 $455,124
US Airways 2010-1 Class A Pass Through Trust 6.250 04-22-23   209,484 170,729
Building products 0.6%      
Carrier Global Corp. (B) 1.923 02-15-23   1,000,000 1,010,441
Commercial services and supplies 0.5%      
APX Group, Inc. 7.625 09-01-23   500,000 455,000
LSC Communications, Inc. (B)(C) 8.750 10-15-23   400,000 28,000
Williams Scotsman International, Inc. (B) 7.875 12-15-22   360,000 369,000
Electrical equipment 0.3%      
Eaton Corp. 2.750 11-02-22   500,000 523,045
Industrial conglomerates 0.6%      
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 2.169 05-01-23   1,000,000 1,020,147
Professional services 0.4%      
IHS Markit, Ltd. (B) 5.000 11-01-22   500,000 536,821
Road and rail 0.3%      
Uber Technologies, Inc. (B) 7.500 11-01-23   500,000 508,125
Trading companies and distributors 0.7%      
Air Lease Corp. 2.250 01-15-23   66,000 61,558
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (B) 4.125 08-15-25   1,000,000 1,016,290
Information technology 3.8%     6,147,364
Communications equipment 0.3%      
CommScope, Inc. (B) 5.500 03-01-24   400,000 411,380
Electronic equipment, instruments and components 0.9%      
Dell International LLC (B) 5.450 06-15-23   1,000,000 1,073,702
Ingram Micro, Inc. 5.000 08-10-22   400,000 384,477
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 2.1%      
Broadcom Corp. 3.625 01-15-24   1,000,000 1,051,296
Microchip Technology, Inc. 3.922 06-01-21   500,000 508,261
Micron Technology, Inc. 2.497 04-24-23   750,000 767,871
NXP BV (B) 4.125 06-01-21   1,000,000 1,028,975
Software 0.2%      
NortonLifeLock, Inc. 3.950 06-15-22   400,000 406,000
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 0.3%      
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.250 03-01-22   500,000 515,402
Materials 2.2%     3,619,266
Chemicals 0.8%      
Ashland LLC 4.750 08-15-22   45,000 46,913
CVR Partners LP (B) 9.250 06-15-23   400,000 376,000
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. 3.200 05-01-23   500,000 512,933
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 15

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Materials (continued)      
Chemicals (continued)      
W.R. Grace & Company (B) 5.125 10-01-21   400,000 $410,548
Containers and packaging 0.8%      
Sealed Air Corp. (B) 5.250 04-01-23   750,000 789,375
Trident TPI Holdings, Inc. (B) 9.250 08-01-24   500,000 487,500
Metals and mining 0.6%      
Anglo American Capital PLC (B) 3.750 04-10-22   976,000 995,997
Real estate 0.2%     378,375
Equity real estate investment trusts 0.2%      
The GEO Group, Inc. 5.875 01-15-22   400,000 378,375
Utilities 2.7%     4,413,806
Electric utilities 2.2%      
Emera US Finance LP 2.700 06-15-21   1,000,000 1,013,183
Eversource Energy 2.800 05-01-23   500,000 522,184
FirstEnergy Corp. 2.850 07-15-22   500,000 515,880
FirstEnergy Corp. 4.250 03-15-23   825,000 890,883
Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (B) 6.950 11-10-21   400,000 381,200
Vistra Operations Company LLC (B) 3.550 07-15-24   300,000 306,726
Gas utilities 0.5%      
AmeriGas Partners LP 5.625 05-20-24   750,000 783,750
Municipal bonds 2.4%         $3,999,301
(Cost $3,959,973)          
Central Plains Energy Project (Nebraska) 5.000 03-01-50   1,000,000 1,110,430
Sales Tax Securitization Corp. (Illinois) 2.128 01-01-23   1,615,000 1,612,448
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Sales Tax Revenue (California) 2.621 07-01-23   1,000,000 1,026,350
State Public School Building Authority (Pennsylvania) 2.616 04-01-23   250,000 250,073
Term loans (D) 2.8%         $4,523,390
(Cost $4,757,236)          
Communication services 0.7% 1,154,529
Diversified telecommunication services 0.3%
CenturyLink, Inc., Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 2.250%) 2.424 03-15-27   598,500 573,531
Media 0.4%
Virgin Media Bristol LLC, Term Loan N (1 month LIBOR + 2.500%) 2.684 01-31-28   600,000 580,998
Consumer discretionary 0.5% 741,524
Auto components 0.3%
Dealer Tire LLC, Term Loan B1 (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%) 4.424 12-12-25   498,750 461,344
16 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Consumer discretionary (continued)  
Diversified consumer services 0.2%
Gems Menasa Cayman, Ltd., Term Loan B (3 month LIBOR + 5.000%) 5.363 07-31-26   297,011 $280,180
Consumer staples 0.3% 480,128
Household products 0.3%
Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Incremental U.S. Term Loan (1 month LIBOR + 2.750%) 2.924 02-05-23   496,149 480,128
Financials 0.3% 574,078
Insurance 0.3%
USI, Inc., 2017 New Term Loan (1 month LIBOR + 3.000%) 3.174 05-16-24   598,465 574,078
Information technology 0.7% 1,121,921
Software 0.7%
Avaya, Inc., Term Loan B (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%) 4.434 12-15-24   600,000 557,400
Boxer Parent Company, Inc., USD Initial Term Loan (1 month LIBOR + 4.250%) 4.424 10-02-25   598,485 564,521
Materials 0.3% 451,210
Containers and packaging 0.3%
Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Company, Initial Term Loan (3 month LIBOR + 3.250%) 4.561 04-03-24   496,173 451,210
Collateralized mortgage obligations 4.8%       $7,807,995
(Cost $7,891,856)          
Commercial and residential 2.6%     4,163,920
Americold LLC
Series 2010-ARTA, Class C (B)
6.811 01-14-29   141,000 141,932
Angel Oak Mortgage Trust I LLC
Series 2018-3, Class A2 (B)(E)
3.751 09-25-48   161,375 163,447
AOA Mortgage Trust
Series 2015-1177, Class C (B)(E)
3.010 12-13-29   250,000 249,961
Arroyo Mortgage Trust
Series 2019-1, Class A1 (B)(E)
3.805 01-25-49   350,730 358,063
BBCMS Mortgage Trust    
Series 2018-TALL, Class B (1 month LIBOR + 0.971%) (A)(B) 1.155 03-15-37   250,000 232,989
Series 2018-TALL, Class E (1 month LIBOR + 2.437%) (A)(B) 2.621 03-15-37   195,000 162,661
BBCMS Trust
Series 2015-MSQ, Class D (B)(E)
3.990 09-15-32   175,000 171,303
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2018-BIOA, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.321%) (A)(B)
1.505 03-15-37   222,000 209,260
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 17

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Commercial and residential (continued)      
CAMB Commercial Mortgage Trust
Series 2019-LIFE, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.750%) (A)(B)
1.934 12-15-37   99,000 $94,860
COLT Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2020-1, Class A1 (B)(E)
2.488 02-25-50   464,694 467,454
CSMC Trust    
Series 2019-AFC1, Class A1 (B) 2.573 07-25-49   421,557 425,228
Series 2020-AFC1, Class A1 (B)(E) 2.240 02-25-50   130,985 131,181
KNDL Mortgage Trust    
Series 2019-KNSQ, Class C (1 month LIBOR + 1.050%) (A)(B) 1.234 05-15-36   250,000 237,961
Series 2019-KNSQ, Class D (1 month LIBOR + 1.350%) (A)(B) 1.534 05-15-36   250,000 236,283
Motel 6 Trust
Series 2017-MTL6, Class C (1 month LIBOR + 1.400%) (A)(B)
1.584 08-15-34   200,612 180,504
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust
Series 2020-1A, Class A1B (B)(E)
3.500 10-25-59   456,661 467,791
Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust
Series 2020-1, Class A1 (B)(E)
2.275 02-25-50   107,287 107,156
Verus Securitization Trust
Series 2018-3, Class A2 (B)(E)
4.180 10-25-58   123,955 125,886
U.S. Government Agency 2.2%     3,644,075
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.    
Series 237, Class F23 (1 month LIBOR + 0.400%) (A) 0.584 05-15-36   131,362 131,917
Series 2412, Class OF (1 month LIBOR + 0.950%) (A) 1.134 12-15-31   112,639 113,730
Series 2526, Class FV (1 month LIBOR + 0.400%) (A) 0.584 04-15-27   67,432 67,257
Series 3540, Class KF (1 month LIBOR + 1.050%) (A) 1.234 11-15-36   157,164 161,483
Series 4508, Class CF (1 month LIBOR + 0.400%) (A) 0.584 09-15-45   151,786 151,503
Series 4606, Class FB (1 month LIBOR + 0.500%) (A) 0.684 08-15-46   150,082 150,254
Series 4620, Class LF (1 month LIBOR + 0.400%) (A) 0.584 10-15-46   119,717 119,493
Federal National Mortgage Association    
Series 2003-135, Class FL (1 month LIBOR + 0.600%) (A) 0.768 01-25-34   280,882 283,948
Series 2003-7, Class FA (1 month LIBOR + 0.750%) (A) 0.918 02-25-33   164,719 166,441
Series 2006-104, Class FG (1 month LIBOR + 0.400%) (A) 0.568 11-25-36   136,166 136,038
Series 2006-126, Class CF (1 month LIBOR + 0.300%) (A) 0.468 01-25-37   186,932 186,688
Series 2006-62, Class FP (1 month LIBOR + 0.250%) (A) 0.418 07-25-36   138,183 137,037
18 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency (continued)      
Series 2009-33, Class FB (1 month LIBOR + 0.820%) (A) 0.988 03-25-37   158,105 $160,601
Series 2010-107, Class KF (1 month LIBOR + 0.400%) (A) 0.887 03-25-36   121,596 121,412
Series 2010-123, Class FK (1 month LIBOR + 0.450%) (A) 0.618 11-25-40   133,907 133,699
Series 2010-141, Class FB (1 month LIBOR + 0.470%) (A) 0.638 12-25-40   237,066 237,648
Series 2012-2, Class FA (1 month LIBOR + 0.500%) (A) 0.668 02-25-42   67,775 67,986
Series 2014-73, Class FA (1 month LIBOR + 0.350%) (A) 0.518 11-25-44   358,821 357,270
Series 2016-100, Class AF (1 month LIBOR + 0.500%) (A) 0.870 01-25-47   463,332 466,518
Series 2016-40, Class AF (1 month LIBOR + 0.450%) (A) 1.434 07-25-46   292,949 293,152
Asset backed securities 28.4%         $46,319,881
(Cost $47,095,098)          
Asset backed securities 28.4%         46,319,881
American Express Credit Account Master Trust
Series 2019-2, Class A
2.670 11-15-24   2,000,000 2,080,725
American Tower Trust
Series 2013, Class 2A (B)
3.070 03-15-48   500,000 511,622
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2017-2, Class D
3.420 04-18-23   500,000 512,010
AMMC CLO, Ltd.
Series 2017-21A, Class A (3 month LIBOR + 1.250%) (A)(B)
1.806 11-02-30   500,000 492,235
Amur Equipment Finance Receivables VII LLC
Series 2019-1A, Class A2 (B)
2.630 06-20-24   496,049 501,007
BCC Funding Corp. XVI LLC
Series 2019-1A, Class A2 (B)
2.477 08-20-24   500,000 502,674
BCC Funding XIV LLC
Series 2018-1A, Class B (B)
3.390 08-21-23   750,000 760,589
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust
Series 2016-A5, Class A5
1.660 06-17-24   725,000 735,063
Carlyle U.S. CLO, Ltd.
Series 2017-2A, Class A1B (3 month LIBOR + 1.220%) (A)(B)
2.355 07-20-31   500,000 488,301
CarMax Auto Owner Trust
Series 2020-2, Class A4
2.050 05-15-25   495,000 512,965
CCG Receivables Trust
Series 2019-1, Class B (B)
3.220 09-14-26   610,000 593,726
CIFC Funding, Ltd.          
Series 2013-2A, Class A1LR (3 month LIBOR + 1.210%) (A)(B) 2.345 10-18-30   390,000 385,317
Series 2018-2A, Class A1 (3 month LIBOR + 1.040%) (A)(B) 2.175 04-20-31   555,000 540,917
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 19

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities (continued)          
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust
Series 2016-A2, Class A2
2.190 11-20-23   1,000,000 $1,025,816
Commonbond Student Loan Trust
Series 2015-A, Class A (B)
3.200 06-25-32   390,772 391,094
Crown Point CLO III, Ltd.
Series 2015-3A, Class A2R (3 month LIBOR + 1.450%) (A)(B)
2.669 12-31-27   895,000 884,891
Cutwater, Ltd.
Series 2014-1A, Class A2R (3 month LIBOR + 1.700%) (A)(B)
2.919 07-15-26   400,000 392,273
Dell Equipment Finance Trust
Series 2020-1, Class A3 (B)
2.240 02-22-23   1,000,000 1,008,283
Dewolf Park CLO, Ltd.
Series 2017-1A, Class A (3 month LIBOR + 1.210%) (A)(B)
2.429 10-15-30   750,000 737,226
Discover Card Execution Note Trust
Series 2017-A2, Class A2
2.390 07-15-24   1,548,000 1,594,613
Domino's Pizza Master Issuer LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A2I (3 month LIBOR + 1.250%) (A)(B)
2.241 07-25-47   487,500 475,941
DRB Prime Student Loan Trust
Series 2016-A, Class A1 (1 month LIBOR + 2.000%) (A)(B)
2.168 04-25-40   270,250 271,881
ECMC Group Student Loan Trust
Series 2019-1A, Class A1B (1 month LIBOR + 1.000%) (A)(B)
1.168 07-25-69   467,679 451,175
EdLinc Student Loan Funding Trust
Series 2012-A, Class AT (3 month CMT + 3.150%) (A)(B)
3.270 10-01-25   196,406 196,733
Elara HGV Timeshare Issuer LLC
Series 2019-A, Class A (B)
2.610 01-25-34   123,743 117,583
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust          
Series 2018-3A, Class D (B) 4.350 06-17-24   500,000 500,988
Series 2020-1A, Class C (B) 2.490 01-15-25   750,000 742,299
First Investors Auto Owner Trust
Series 2016-2A, Class D (B)
3.350 11-15-22   500,000 496,460
Five Guys Funding LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A2 (B)
4.600 07-25-47   496,250 491,334
Flagship Credit Auto Trust          
Series 2016-4, Class D (B) 3.890 11-15-22   500,000 504,929
Series 2018-2, Class D (B) 4.230 09-16-24   610,000 624,586
Series 2018-4, Class B (B) 3.880 10-16-23   155,000 157,659
Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust
Series 2019-B, Class A3
2.220 10-15-22   2,000,000 2,026,401
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust
Series 2020-A, Class A2
1.030 10-15-22   1,000,000 1,004,298
Galaxy XXVI CLO, Ltd.
Series 2018-26A, Class A (3 month LIBOR + 1.200%) (A)(B)
1.558 11-22-31   685,921 665,736
20 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities (continued)          
GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust
Series 2020-2, Class A4
1.740 08-18-25   125,000 $126,971
Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust
Series 2018-4, Class A3
3.160 01-17-23   2,000,000 2,052,650
HPEFS Equipment Trust          
Series 2019-1A, Class D (B) 2.720 09-20-29   500,000 485,354
Series 2020-1A, Class C (B) 2.030 02-20-30   1,000,000 969,963
Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2020-A, Class A4
1.720 06-15-26   260,000 266,357
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp.
Series 2011-1, Class A (3 month LIBOR + 1.250%) (A)
2.456 06-25-42   193,820 184,453
MMAF Equipment Finance LLC
Series 2019-B, Class A2 (B)
2.070 10-12-22   500,000 503,123
Navient Private Education Loan Trust          
Series 2014-AA, Class A3 (1 month LIBOR + 1.600%) (A)(B) 1.784 10-15-31   249,000 243,823
Series 2020-BA, Class A1 (B) 1.800 01-15-69   901,511 903,386
Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust
Series 2019-A, Class A3
2.900 10-16-23   1,700,000 1,753,315
NMEF Funding LLC
Series 2019-A, Class A (B)
2.730 08-17-26   761,442 762,786
Oasis LLC          
Series 2020-1A, Class A (B) 3.820 01-15-32   611,420 610,597
Series 2020-2A, Class A (B) 4.262 05-15-32   500,000 500,000
OnDeck Asset Securitization Trust II LLC
Series 2019-1A, Class C (B)
3.330 11-18-24   400,000 357,635
PFS Financing Corp.          
Series 2018-B, Class A (B) 2.890 02-15-23   500,000 500,700
Series 2018-D, Class A (B) 3.190 04-17-23   925,000 928,093
Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2020-AA, Class A (B)
1.370 10-15-24   765,000 764,904
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2018-3, Class D
4.070 08-15-24   675,000 688,018
Silvermore CLO, Ltd.
Series 2014-1A, Class A1R (3 month LIBOR + 1.170%) (A)(B)
1.562 05-15-26   533,216 530,414
Small Business Lending Trust
Series 2020-A, Class A (B)
2.620 12-15-26   844,390 828,749
SMB Private Education Loan Trust
Series 2017-B, Class A2B (1 month LIBOR + 0.750%) (A)(B)
0.934 10-15-35   770,427 746,684
STORE Master Funding LLC
Series 2013-1A, Class A2 (B)
4.650 03-20-43   182,996 181,373
Taco Bell Funding LLC
Series 2016-1A, Class A2II (B)
4.377 05-25-46   533,500 539,747
Tidewater Auto Receivables Trust
Series 2020-AA, Class C (B)
1.910 09-15-26   1,000,000 966,917
Towd Point Mortgage Trust          
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 21

 

  Rate (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Asset backed securities (continued)          
Series 2015-2, Class 1A13 (B)(E) 2.500 11-25-60   417,673 $419,585
Series 2015-5, Class A1B (B)(E) 2.750 05-25-55   28,941 29,137
Series 2017-1, Class A1 (B)(E) 2.750 10-25-56   459,831 466,458
Series 2018-3, Class A1 (B)(E) 3.750 05-25-58   88,933 93,482
Series 2018-4, Class A1 (B)(E) 3.000 06-25-58   210,369 218,271
Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust          
Series 2018-C, Class A3 3.020 12-15-22   500,000 510,904
Series 2020-B, Class A4 1.660 09-15-25   880,000 902,111
TRIP Rail Master Funding LLC
Series 2017-1A, Class A1 (B)
2.709 08-15-47   578,170 577,388
Vantage Data Centers Issuer LLC
Series 2018-1A, Class A2 (B)
4.072 02-16-43   723,350 731,425
Wellfleet CLO, Ltd.
Series 2016-2A, Class A2R (3 month LIBOR + 1.580%) (A)(B)
2.715 10-20-28   500,000 481,669
Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust          
Series 2018-2A, Class D (B) 4.000 01-16-24   500,000 506,249
Series 2018-3A, Class C (B) 3.610 10-16-23   500,000 507,865
Series 2019-2A, Class C (B) 2.840 07-15-24   750,000 752,427
Willis Engine Structured Trust V
Series 2020-A, Class C (B)
6.657 03-15-45   979,167 347,548
    
  Yield* (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Short-term investments 3.2%         $5,196,573
(Cost $5,196,573)          
U.S. Government Agency 2.0%         3,208,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. Discount Note 0.010 06-01-20   3,208,000 3,208,000
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Short-term funds 1.2%         1,988,573
Federated Government Obligations Fund, Institutional Class 0.1200(F)   1,988,573 1,988,573
    
Total investments (Cost $164,461,204) 99.9%     $162,978,683
Other assets and liabilities, net 0.1%       243,937
Total net assets 100.0%         $163,222,620
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
CMT Constant Maturity Treasury
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
PIK Pay-in-Kind Security - Represents a payment-in-kind which may pay interest in additional par and/or cash. Rates shown are the current rate and most recent payment rate.
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
(A) Variable rate obligation. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
22 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(B) These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration. Rule 144A securities amounted to $64,777,245 or 39.7% of the fund's net assets as of 5-31-20.
(C) Non-income producing - Issuer is in default.
(D) Term loans are variable rate obligations. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
(E) Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on a weighted average of interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown is the current rate as of period end.
(F) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 5-31-20.
* Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.
At 5-31-20, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $164,835,440. Net unrealized depreciation aggregated to $1,856,757, of which $1,688,837 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $3,545,594 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 23

 

Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 5-31-20

Assets  
Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $164,461,204) $162,978,683
Cash 18,214
Interest receivable 1,007,141
Receivable for fund shares sold 975,994
Receivable from affiliates 1,993
Other assets 28,011
Total assets 165,010,036
Liabilities  
Distributions payable 392,768
Payable for investments purchased 1,340,353
Payable for fund shares repurchased 16,670
Payable to affiliates  
Accounting and legal services fees 9,658
Transfer agent fees 523
Trustees' fees 93
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 27,351
Total liabilities 1,787,416
Net assets $163,222,620
Net assets consist of  
Paid-in capital $164,903,471
Total distributable earnings (loss) (1,680,851)
Net assets $163,222,620
 
Net asset value per share  
Based on net asset value and shares outstanding - the fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value  
Class A ($744,138 ÷ 75,157 shares)1 $9.90
Class C ($129,988 ÷ 13,126 shares)1 $9.90
Class I ($4,145,837 ÷ 418,740 shares) $9.90
Class R6 ($248,078 ÷ 25,053 shares) $9.90
Class NAV ($157,954,579 ÷ 15,953,915 shares) $9.90
Maximum offering price per share  
Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 97.75%)2 $10.13
    
1 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2 On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.
24 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the period ended 5-31-201

Investment income  
Interest $3,319,373
Expenses  
Investment management fees 245,211
Distribution and service fees 1,386
Accounting and legal services fees 21,781
Transfer agent fees 2,318
Trustees' fees 1,261
Custodian fees 58,298
State registration fees 63,840
Printing and postage 12,976
Professional fees 107,543
Other 9,425
Total expenses 524,039
Less expense reductions (197,216)
Net expenses 326,823
Net investment income 2,992,550
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
Net realized gain (loss) on  
Unaffiliated investments 409,076
  409,076
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of  
Unaffiliated investments (1,482,521)
  (1,482,521)
Net realized and unrealized loss (1,073,445)
Increase in net assets from operations $1,919,105
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.  
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 25

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

  Period ended
5-31-201
Increase (decrease) in net assets  
From operations  
Net investment income $2,992,550
Net realized gain 409,076
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (1,482,521)
Increase in net assets resulting from operations 1,919,105
Distributions to shareholders  
From earnings  
Class A (7,879)
Class C (1,495)
Class I (43,951)
Class R6 (2,903)
Class NAV (3,555,912)
Total distributions (3,612,140)
From fund share transactions 164,915,655
Total increase 163,222,620
Net assets  
Beginning of period
End of period $163,222,620
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
26 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial highlights
CLASS A SHARES Period ended
5-31-201
Per share operating performance  
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
Net investment income2 0.18
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.03)
Total from investment operations 0.15
Less distributions  
From net investment income (0.25)
Net asset value, end of period $9.90
Total return (%)3,4 1.56 5
Ratios and supplemental data  
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $1
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):  
Expenses before reductions 0.84 6
Expenses including reductions 0.65 6
Net investment income 2.03 6
Portfolio turnover (%) 58
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.
4 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
5 Not annualized.
6 Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 27

 

CLASS C SHARES Period ended
5-31-201
Per share operating performance  
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
Net investment income2 0.13
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.04)
Total from investment operations 0.09
Less distributions  
From net investment income (0.19)
Net asset value, end of period $9.90
Total return (%)3,4 0.90 5
Ratios and supplemental data  
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $— 6
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):  
Expenses before reductions 1.59 7
Expenses including reductions 1.40 7
Net investment income 1.47 7
Portfolio turnover (%) 58
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.
4 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
5 Not annualized.
6 Less than $500,000.
7 Annualized.
28 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS I SHARES Period ended
5-31-201
Per share operating performance  
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
Net investment income2 0.18
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.01)
Total from investment operations 0.17
Less distributions  
From net investment income (0.27)
Net asset value, end of period $9.90
Total return (%)3 1.75 4
Ratios and supplemental data  
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $4
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):  
Expenses before reductions 0.60 5
Expenses including reductions 0.40 5
Net investment income 2.04 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 58
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 29

 

CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended
5-31-201
Per share operating performance  
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
Net investment income2 0.20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.01)
Total from investment operations 0.19
Less distributions  
From net investment income (0.29)
Net asset value, end of period $9.90
Total return (%)3 1.88 4
Ratios and supplemental data  
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $— 5
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):  
Expenses before reductions 0.48 6
Expenses including reductions 0.29 6
Net investment income 2.32 6
Portfolio turnover (%) 58
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.
4 Not annualized.
5 Less than $500,000.
6 Annualized.
30 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS NAV SHARES Period ended
5-31-201
Per share operating performance  
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
Net investment income2 0.23
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.04)
Total from investment operations 0.19
Less distributions  
From net investment income (0.29)
Net asset value, end of period $9.90
Total return (%)3 1.88 4
Ratios and supplemental data  
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $158
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):  
Expenses before reductions 0.47 5
Expenses including reductions 0.29 5
Net investment income 2.69 5
Portfolio turnover (%) 58
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
2 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.
4 Not annualized.
5 Annualized.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 31

 

Notes to financial statements
Note 1Organization
John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Bond Trust (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek a high level of current income consistent with prudent investment risk.
The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class NAV shares are offered to John Hancock affiliated funds of funds, retirement plans for employees of John Hancock and/or Manulife Financial Corporation, and certain 529 plans. Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase (certain exclusions may apply). Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ.
The fund commenced operations on July 16, 2019.
Note 2Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds are valued at their respective NAVs each business day.
Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities
32 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of May 31, 2020, by major security category or type:
  Total
value at
5-31-20
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
U.S. Government and Agency obligations $24,759,802 $24,759,802
Corporate bonds 70,371,741 70,371,741
Municipal bonds 3,999,301 3,999,301
Term loans 4,523,390 4,523,390
Collateralized mortgage obligations 7,807,995 7,807,995
Asset backed securities 46,319,881 46,319,881
Short-term investments 5,196,573 $1,988,573 3,208,000
Total investments in securities $162,978,683 $1,988,573 $160,990,110
Term loans (Floating rate loans). The fund may invest in term loans, which are debt securities and are often rated below investment grade at the time of purchase. Term loans are generally subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and generally have longer settlement periods than conventional debt securities. Term loans involve special types of risk, including credit risk, interest-rate risk, counterparty risk, and risk associated with extended settlement. The liquidity of term loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, varies significantly over time and among individual loans. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a term loan can be more difficult and buying and selling a term loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed, which could result in a loss.
The fund's ability to receive payments of principal, interest and other amounts in connection with term loans will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. The fund's failure to receive scheduled payments on a term loan due to a default, bankruptcy or other reason would adversely affect the fund's income and would likely reduce the value of its assets. Transactions in loan investments typically take a significant amount of time (i.e., seven days or longer) to settle. This could pose a liquidity risk to the fund and, if the fund's exposure to such investments is substantial, it could impair the fund's ability to meet redemptions. Because term loans may not be rated by independent credit rating agencies, a decision to invest in a particular loan could depend exclusively on the subadvisor’s credit analysis of the borrower and/or term loan agents. There is greater risk that the fund may have limited rights to enforce the terms of an underlying loan than for other types of debt instruments.
Mortgage and asset backed securities. The fund may invest in mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities, which are debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities,
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 33

 

effectively reducing the fund's income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund's cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities. The timely payment of principal and interest of certain mortgage-related securities is guaranteed with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Pools created and guaranteed by non-governmental issuers, including government-sponsored corporations (e.g. FNMA), may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, but there can be no assurance that private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. The fund is also subject to risks associated with securities with contractual cash flows including asset-backed and mortgage related securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage pass-through securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The value, liquidity and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate value, pre-payments, delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
Overdraft. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Line of credit. The fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. For the period ended May 31, 2020, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the period ended May 31, 2020 were $1,187.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
34 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

The fund’s federal tax returns will be subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
The tax character of distributions for the period ended May 31, 2020 was as follows:
  May 31, 2020
Ordinary income $3,612,140
Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $581,603 of undistributed ordinary income.
Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to distributions payable and amortization and accretion on debt securities.
Note 3Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 4Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: 0.220% of the first $250 million of the fund’s average daily net assets; and 0.200% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $250 million. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 35

 

fund. During the period ended May 31, 2020, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets, on an annualized basis. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which expenses of the fund exceed 0.29% of average daily net assets of the fund and expenses of Class A, Class C, Class I, and Class R6 shares exceed 0.65%, 1.40%, 0.40%, and 0.29%, respectively, of average daily net assets attributable to the class. Expenses of the fund means all expenses of the fund, excluding taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, class-specific expenses, borrowing costs, prime brokerage fees, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and short dividend expense. Expenses of Class A, Class C, Class I, and Class R6 shares means all expenses of the fund attributable to the applicable class plus class-specific expenses. Each agreement expires on September 30, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
For the period ended May 31, 2020, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
Class Expense reduction
Class A $544
Class C 146
Class I 2,829
Class Expense reduction
Class R6 $186
Class NAV 193,511
Total $197,216
 
Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.
The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the period ended May 31, 2020, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.04% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the period ended May 31, 2020 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans for certain classes as detailed below pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:
Class Rule 12b-1 Fee
Class A 0.25%
Class C 1.00%
Sales charges. Class A shares may be subject to up-front sales charges. For the period ended May 31, 2020, no sales charges were assessed.
Class A and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $250,000 or more and are redeemed within 18 months of purchase are subject to a 0.50% sales charge.Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original
36 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the period ended May 31, 2020, there were no CDSCs received by the Distributor for Class A and Class C shares.
Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock group of funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.
Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the period ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $680 $344
Class C 706 87
Class I 1,877
Class R6 10
Total $1,386 $2,318
Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.
Note 5Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the period ended May 31, 2020 were as follows:
  Period ended 5-31-201
  Shares Amount
Class A shares    
Sold 181,255 $1,788,890
Distributions reinvested 633 6,268
Repurchased (106,731) (1,043,479)
Net increase 75,157 $751,679
Class C shares    
Sold 23,066 $231,380
Distributions reinvested 56 551
Repurchased (9,996) (96,857)
Net increase 13,126 $135,074
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 37

 

  Period ended 5-31-201
  Shares Amount
Class I shares    
Sold 446,770 $4,399,094
Distributions reinvested 4,331 42,858
Repurchased (32,361) (319,871)
Net increase 418,740 $4,122,081
Class R6 shares    
Sold 24,902 $249,821
Distributions reinvested 151 1,477
Net increase 25,053 $251,298
Class NAV shares    
Sold 18,275,944 $182,431,935
Distributions reinvested 358,018 3,555,912
Repurchased (2,680,047) (26,332,324)
Net increase 15,953,915 $159,655,523
Total net increase 16,485,991 $164,915,655
    
1 Period from 7-16-19 (commencement of operations) to 5-31-20.
Affiliates of the fund owned 7%, 38%, 100% and 100% of shares of Class A, Class C, Class R6 and Class NAV, respectively, on May 31, 2020. Such concentration of shareholders’ capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.
Note 6Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments and U.S. Treasury obligations, amounted to $186,415,002 and $33,983,982, respectively, for the period ended May 31, 2020. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $45,897,701 and $39,324,865, respectively, for the period ended May 31, 2020.
Note 7Investment by affiliated funds
Certain investors in the fund are affiliated funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. The affiliated funds do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, this investment may represent a significant portion of the fund's net assets. At May 31, 2020, funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex held 96.8% of the fund's net assets. The following fund(s) had an affiliate ownership of 5% or more of the fund's net assets:
Portfolio Affiliated Concentration
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio 31.9%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio 27.2%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager 2020 Lifetime Portfolio 13.5%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager 2025 Lifetime Portfolio 10.0%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager 2015 Lifetime Portfolio 7.5%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager 2010 Lifetime Portfolio 6.7%
38 JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Note 8LIBOR discontinuation risk
LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This event will likely cause LIBOR to cease to be published. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have suggested alternative rates, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any replacement rate.
It is uncertain what impact the discontinuation of LIBOR will have on the use of LIBOR as a reference rate for securities in which the fund invests. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. In addition, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
Note 9Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Short Duration Bond Fund 39

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Bond Trust and Shareholders of John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the Fund’s investments, of John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Bond Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2020, the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the period July 16, 2019 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2020, (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31, 2020, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the period July 16, 2019 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received from agent banks or brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 13, 2020
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.
40 JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Tax information (Unaudited)
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended May 31, 2020.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its Section 199A dividends as defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation §1.199A-3(d).
Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2020 Form 1099-DIV in early 2021. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2020.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND 41

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT


Operation of the Liquidity Risk Management Program

This section describes operation and effectiveness of the Liquidity Risk Management Program (LRMP) established in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Liquidity Rule). The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Fund in the John Hancock Group of Funds (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule has appointed John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (together, the Advisor) to serve as Administrator of the LRMP with respect to each of the Funds, including Short Duration Bond Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. In order to provide a mechanism and process to perform the functions necessary to administer the LRMP, the Advisor established the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). The Fund's subadvisor, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor) executes the day-to-day investment management and security-level activities of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the LRMP, subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board.

The Committee holds monthly meetings to: (1) review the day-to-day operations of the LRMP; (2) review and approve month end liquidity classifications; (3) review quarterly testing and determinations, as applicable; and (4) review other LRMP related material. The Committee also conducts daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual quantitative and qualitative assessments of each subadvisor to a Fund that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule and is a part of the LRMP to monitor investment performance issues, risks and trends. In addition, the Committee may conduct ad-hoc reviews and meetings with subadvisors as issues and trends are identified, including potential liquidity and valuation issues.

The Committee provided the Board at a meeting held on March 15-17, 2020 with a written report which addressed the Committee's assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation and operation of the LRMP and any material changes to the LRMP. The report, which covered the period December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, included an assessment of important aspects of the LRMP including, but not limited to:

Operation of the Fund's Redemption-In-Kind Procedures;
Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM) determination;
Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments;
Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size (RATS) determination;
Security-level liquidity classifications; and
Liquidity risk assessment.

The report also covered material liquidity matters which occurred or were reported during this period applicable to the Fund, if any, and the Committee's actions to address such matters.

Redemption-In-Kind Procedures

Rule 22e-4 requires any fund that engages in or reserves the right to engage in in-kind redemptions to adopt and implement written policies and procedures regarding in-kind redemptions as part of the management of its liquidity risk. These procedures address the process for redeeming in kind, as well as the circumstances under which the Fund would consider redeeming in kind. Anticipated large redemption activity will be evaluated to identify situations where redeeming in securities instead of cash may be appropriate.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       42


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the implementation and operation of the Redemption-In-Kind Procedures and determined they are operating in a manner that such procedures are adequate and effective to manage in-kind redemptions on behalf of the Fund as part of the LRMP.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum determination

The Committee uses an HLIM model to determine a Fund's HLIM. This process incorporates the Fund's investment strategy, historical redemptions, liquidity classification rollup percentages and cash balances, redemption policy, access to funding sources, distribution channels and client concentrations. If the Fund falls below its established HLIM for a period greater than 7 consecutive calendar days, the Committee prepares a report to the Board within one business day following the seventh consecutive calendar day with an explanation of how the Fund plans to restore its HLIM within a reasonable period of time.

Based on the HLIM model, the Committee has determined that the Fund qualifies as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (PHLF). It is therefore not required to establish a HLIM. The Fund is tested quarterly to confirm its PHLF status.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to HLIM and PHLF determinations, and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments

Rule 22e-4 sets an aggregate illiquid investment limit of 15% for a fund. Funds are prohibited from acquiring an illiquid investment if this results in greater than 15% of its net assets being classified as illiquid. When applying this limit, the Committee defines "illiquid investment" to mean any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If a 15% illiquid investment limit breach occurs for longer than 1 business day, the Fund is required to notify the Board and provide a plan on how to bring illiquid investments within the 15% threshold, and after 7 days confidentially notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

In February 2019, as a result of extended security markets closures in connection with the Chinese New Year in certain countries, the SEC released guidance, and the Committee approved and adopted an Extended Market Holiday Policy to plan for and monitor known Extended Market Holidays (defined as all expected market holiday closures spanning four or more calendar days).

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to the 15% illiquid investment limit and determined such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LMRP.

Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size determination

In order to assess the liquidity risk of a Fund, the Committee considers the impact on the Fund that redemptions of a RATS would have under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Modelling the Fund's RATS requires quantifying cash flow volatility and analyzing distribution channel concentration and redemption risk. The model is designed to estimate the amount of assets that the Fund could reasonably anticipate trading on a given day, during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, to satisfy redemption requests.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       43


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to RATS determinations and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at making RATS determinations as part of the LRMP.

Security-level liquidity classifications

When classifying the liquidity of portfolio securities, the Fund adheres to the liquidity classification procedures established by the Advisor. In assigning a liquidity classification to Fund portfolio holdings, the following key inputs, among others, are considered: the Fund's RATS, feedback from the applicable Subadvisor on market-, trading- and investment-specific considerations, an assessment of current market conditions and fund portfolio holdings, and a value impact standard. The Subadvisor also provides position-level data to the Committee for use in monthly classification reconciliation in order to identify any classifications that may need to be changed as a result of the above considerations.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to security-level liquidity classifications and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Liquidity risk assessment

The Committee periodically reviews and assesses, the Fund's liquidity risk, including its investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions (including whether the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund, the extent to which the strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, and the use of borrowings for investment purposes and derivatives), cash flow analysis during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The Committee also monitors global events, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus, that could impact the markets and liquidity of portfolio investments and their classifications.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed Fund-Level Liquidity Risk Assessment Reports for each of the Funds and determined that the investment strategy for each Fund continues to be appropriate for an open-ended structure.

Adequacy and Effectiveness

Based on the review and assessment conducted by the Committee, the Committee has determined that the LRMP has been implemented, and is operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at assessing and managing the liquidity risk of each Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       44


Trustees and Officers

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 195
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 195
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1988).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2005-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 195
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 1986 195
Trustee
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 (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986).

     
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       45


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 195
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women's Forum (since 2018); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (2014-2017); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); 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 Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

     
James M. Oates,2 Born: 1946 2012 195
Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 1994 195
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (2014-2020); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992), Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2009 195
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (2012-2020), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (2011-2020), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (2012-2018) and Finance Committee Chairman (2014-2018), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       46


Non-Independent Trustees3

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 195
President and Non-Independent Trustee
Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (since 2018); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017).

     
Marianne Harrison, Born: 1963 2018 195
Non-Independent Trustee
President and CEO, John Hancock (since 2017); President and CEO, Manulife Canadian Division (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, CAE Inc. (since 2019); Member, Board of Directors, MA Competitive Partnership Board (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, Communitech, an industry-led innovation center that fosters technology companies in Canada (2017-2019); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Assurance Canada (2015-2017); Board Member, St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation (2014-2017); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Bank of Canada (2013-2017); Member, Standing Committee of the Canadian Life & Health Assurance Association (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, John Hancock USA, John Hancock Life & Health, John Hancock New York (2012-2013). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018).

Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2005
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2005).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2007); Treasurer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       47


Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Christopher (Kit) Sechler, Born: 1973 2018
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Deputy Chief Counsel, John Hancock Investments (since 2015); Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel (2009-2015), John Hancock Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018); Assistant Secretary of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2009).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

The Statement of Additional Information of the fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       48


More information

   

Trustees

Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle
Peter S. Burgess*
William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Marianne Harrison
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Gregory A. Russo

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

Subadvisor

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

Portfolio Managers

Jeffrey N. Given, CFA
Howard C. Greene, CFA

Principal distributor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC

Custodian

Citibank, N.A.

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund's Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.

       
  You can also contact us:
  800-225-5291
jhinvestments.com

Regular mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 219909
Kansas City, MO 64121-9909

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219909
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK SHORT DURATION BOND FUND       49


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Financial Industries

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

New Opportunities

Regional Bank

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Quality Growth

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Global Thematic Opportunities

International Dynamic Growth

International Growth

International Small Company

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Bond

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Alternative Risk Premia

Diversified Macro

Infrastructure

Multi-Asset Absolute Return

Seaport Long/Short

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Balanced

Multi-Asset High Income

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.


John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

JHDIGEST_BACKCOVER-LOGO.JPG

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com

This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

MIMLOGO_DIGEST.JPG

   
MF1210559 472A 5/20
7/2020


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

As of the end of the year, May 31, 2020, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (respectively, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer, the “Covered Officers”). A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Peter S. Burgess is the audit committee financial expert and is “independent”, pursuant to general instructions on Form N-CSR Item 3.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audits of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements amounted to the following for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

Fund May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
John Hancock Government Income Fund $      54,305 $      48,419
John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund 55,322 49,389
John Hancock High Yield Fund 79,874 72,812
John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund 50,816 38,621
John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund 61,593 -
Total $ 301,910 $ 209,241

(b) Audit-Related Services
Audit-related fees for assurance and related services by the principal accountant are billed to the registrant or to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser ("control affiliates") that provides ongoing services to the registrant. The nature of the services provided was affiliated service provider internal controls reviews. In addition, amounts billed to control affiliates were $116,467 and $113,000 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Fund May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
John Hancock Government Income Fund $      591 $      571
John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund 591 571
John Hancock High Yield Fund 591 571
John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund 591 571
John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund 591 -
Total $ 2,955 $ 2,284


(c) Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“tax fees”) amounted to the following for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019. The nature of the services comprising the tax fees was the review of the registrant’s tax returns and tax distribution requirements. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

Fund May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
John Hancock Government Income Fund $      3,837 $      3,725
John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund 3,837 3,725
John Hancock High Yield Fund 3,837 3,725
John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund 3,837 3,725
John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund 3,837 -
Total $ 19,185 $ 14,900

(d) All Other Fees
Other fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant or to the control affiliates for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to the following:

Fund May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
John Hancock Government Income Fund $      89 $      89
John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund 89 89
John Hancock High Yield Fund 89 89
John Hancock ESG Core Bond Fund 89 89
John Hancock Short Duration Bond Fund 89 -
Total $ 445 $ 356

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

The trust’s Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (the “Auditor”) relating to the operations or financial reporting of the funds. Prior to the commencement of any audit or non-audit services to a fund, the Audit Committee reviews the services to determine whether they are appropriate and permissible under applicable law.

The trust’s Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures to, among other purposes, provide a framework for the Committee’s consideration of audit-related and non-audit services by the Auditor. The policies and procedures require that any audit-related and non-audit service provided by the Auditor and any non-audit service provided by the Auditor to a fund service provider that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a fund are subject to approval by the Audit Committee before such service is provided. Audit-related services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $25,000 per year/per fund are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Tax services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $30,000 per year/per fund are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

All audit services, as well as the audit-related and non-audit services that are expected to exceed the amounts stated above, must be approved in advance of provision of the service by formal resolution of the Audit Committee. At the regularly scheduled Audit Committee meetings, the Committee reviews a report summarizing the services, including fees, provided by the Auditor.

(e)(2) Services approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X:

Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees:
There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.


(f) According to the registrant’s principal accountant for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, the percentage of hours spent on the audit of the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons who were not full-time, permanent employees of principal accountant was less than 50%.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant and rendered to the registrant's control affiliates for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to the following:

Trust May 31, 2020 May 31, 2019
John Hancock Bond Trust $      1,032,628 $      919,444

(h) The audit committee of the registrant has considered the non-audit services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant to the control affiliates and has determined that the services that were not pre-approved are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee comprised of independent trustees. The members of the audit committee are as follows:

Peter S. Burgess - Chairman
Charles L. Bardelis
Theron S. Hoffman

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

The registrant has adopted procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant's Board of Trustees. A copy of the procedures is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee Charter”.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.


(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.: Not applicable.

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics for Covered Officers is attached.

(a)(2) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.

(b)(1) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached. The certifications furnished pursuant to this paragraph are not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.

(c)(1) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders is attached. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee Charter”.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

John Hancock Bond Trust

By: /s/ Andrew Arnott  
Andrew Arnott  
President  
   
 
Date: July 14, 2020
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
 
By: /s/ Andrew Arnott                                                                      
Andrew Arnott  
President  
 
 
Date: July 14, 2020
 
 
By: /s/ Charles A. Rizzo  
Charles A. Rizzo  
Chief Financial Officer  
 
 
Date:    July 14, 2020


John Hancock Code of Ethics

January 1, 2008

(Revised November 7, 2019)

This is the Code of Ethics for the following:

John Hancock Investment Management, LLC and
John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers, LLC, LLC
(each, a “John Hancock Adviser”)

and

John Hancock Investment Management
Distributors, LLC
John Hancock Distributors, LLC,
each open-end fund, closed-end fund, and exchange traded
fund advised by a John Hancock Adviser
(the “John Hancock Affiliated Funds”),

(together, called “John Hancock”)


Table of Contents      
Introduction 4
Standards of Business Conduct 5
Applicability and Scope 5
Access Levels 6
              Access Level 1 6
              Access Level 2 7
              Access Level 3 7
Overview of Rules for All Access Persons 7
       Brokerage Account Disclosure 7
              Brokerage Account Examples (non-exclusive list) 8
              Employee Compensation Instruments (non-exclusive list) 8
              College Savings Plans - 529s 8
              401(k) and John Hancock Variable Products: John Hancock Affiliated Funds Reporting 9
              Managed Accounts 9
              Preferred Brokerage Account Requirements 9
              Opening/Closing Accounts 10
              Statements and Duplicate Confirmations of Trades 10
Personal Trading 10
       Personal Trading Restrictions for all Access Persons 11
              Reporting and Pre-clearance 11
              Level 1 Access Persons: Additional Personal Trading Restrictions and Disclosures 12
              Level 2 Access Persons: Additional Personal Trading Restrictions and Disclosures 14
              Level 3 Access Persons: Additional Personal Trading Restrictions and Disclosures 16
              Pre-clearance Process 17
Reporting and Certification Requirements 17
       Reporting 17
              Reporting Upon Designation 17
              Quarterly Reporting 18
              Annual Reporting 18
              Ad Hoc Reporting 19

2


Administration and Enforcement       19
       Administration of the Code 19
       Subadviser Compliance 19
              Adoption and Approval 19
              Subadviser Reporting & Recordkeeping Requirements 20
              Reporting to the Board 20
       Reporting Violations 20
       Exemptions & Appeals 21
              Exemptions: 21
              Appeals 21
       Interpretation and Enforcement 21
       Education of Employees 23
       Recordkeeping 23
       Other Important Policies 23
              MFC Code of Business Conduct & Ethics (All Covered Employees) 23
              John Hancock Conflicts of Interest Policy (All Covered Employees) 24
              John Hancock Gift & Entertainment Policy (All Covered Employees) 24
              John Hancock Insider Trading Policy (All Covered Employees) 24
              John Hancock Pay to Play Rule on Political Contributions (All Covered Associates) 25
              John Hancock Whistleblower Policy (All Covered Employees) 25
              Policy and Procedures Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings (All Covered Employees) 26
              Additional Policies Outside the Code (All Covered Employees) 26
Appendix 27
       Definitions 27
       Preferred Brokers List 31
       Compliance Contacts 32

3


Introduction

John Hancock is required by law to adopt a Code of Ethics. The purpose of a Code of Ethics is to ensure that companies and their Covered Persons comply with all applicable laws and to prevent abuses in the investment advisory business that can arise when conflicts of interest exist between the employees of an investment advisor and its clients. By adopting and enforcing a Code of Ethics, we strengthen the trust and confidence entrusted in us by demonstrating that at John Hancock, client interests come first.

The Code of Ethics (the Code) that follows represents a balancing of important interests. On the one hand, as registered investment advisers, the John Hancock Advisers owe a duty of undivided loyalty to their clients and must avoid even the appearance of a conflict that might be perceived as abusing the trust they have placed in John Hancock. On the other hand, the John Hancock Advisers do not want to prevent conscientious professionals from investing for their own accounts where conflicts do not exist or that are immaterial to investment decisions affecting the John Hancock Advisers’ clients.

When conflicting interests cannot be reconciled, the Code makes clear that, first and foremost, Covered Persons owe a fiduciary duty to John Hancock clients. In most cases, this means that the affected employee will be required to forego conflicting personal securities transactions. In some cases, personal investments will be permitted, but only in a manner, which, because of the circumstances and applicable controls, cannot reasonably be perceived as adversely affecting John Hancock client portfolios or taking unfair advantage of the relationship John Hancock employees have to John Hancock clients.

The Code contains specific rules prohibiting defined types of conflicts. Since every potential conflict cannot be anticipated by the Code, it also contains general provisions prohibiting conflict situations. In view of these general provisions, it is critical that any Covered Person who is in doubt about the applicability of the Code in a given situation seek a determination from Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), designee, or the Code of Ethics Administration Group about the propriety of the conduct in advance.

It is critical that the Code be strictly observed. Not only will adherence to the Code ensure that John Hancock renders the best possible service to its clients, it will help to ensure that no individual is liable for violations of law.

It should be emphasized that adherence to this policy is a fundamental condition of employment at John Hancock. Every Covered Person is expected to adhere to the requirements of the Code despite any inconvenience that may be involved. Any Covered Person failing to do so may be subject to disciplinary action, including financial penalties and termination of employment as determined by the CCO, designee, or Ethics Oversight Committee.

4


Standards of Business Conduct
Each Covered Person within the John Hancock organization is responsible for maintaining the very highest ethical standards when conducting our business.

This means that you must at all times:

Place the interests of clients first. You have a fiduciary duty at all times to place the interests of our clients and fund investors first.

Conduct all personal trading in full compliance with this Code. All of your personal securities transactions must be conducted consistent with the provisions of the Code that apply to you and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or other abuse of your position of trust and responsibility.

Avoid taking inappropriate advantage of your position at John Hancock. You should not take inappropriate advantage of your position or engage in any fraudulent or manipulative practice (such as front-running or manipulative market timing) with respect to our clients’ accounts or fund investors.

Maintain confidentiality of our clients and John Hancock. You must treat as confidential any information concerning the identity of security holdings and financial circumstances of clients or fund investors.

Comply with applicable Federal Securities Laws. You must comply with all applicable federal Securities Laws.

Report any violation of the Code. You must promptly report any violation of the Code that comes to your attention to the CCO (or designee) of your company.

It is essential that you understand and comply with the general principles, noted above, in letter and in spirit as no set of rules can anticipate every possible problem or conflict situation. Failure to comply with the general principles and the provisions of the Code may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

Applicability and Scope
Individuals subject to this policy will be notified by the CCO, designee, or the Code of Ethics Administration Group. Generally, if you meet the requirements listed below, you are deemed an Access Person1 and this Code applies to you2:

a director, officer or other Supervised Person of a John Hancock Adviser;

an interested director, officer or Access Person of John Hancock Investment Management Distributors, LLC, John Hancock Distributors, LLC, or a John Hancock open-end or closed-end fund registered under the 1940 Act and are advised by a John Hancock Adviser;3

an employee of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) or its subsidiaries who participates in making recommendations for, or receives information about, portfolio trades or holdings of the John Hancock Affiliated Funds.4

____________________

1 See the Definitions section and contact a member of the Office of the CCO with any questions.
2 Access Persons of John Hancock GA Mortgage Trust that are personnel of John Hancock Investment Management, LLC are covered by this Code.
3 Disinterested Trustees of John Hancock open-end and closed-end funds registered under the 1940 Act and advised by a John Hancock Adviser are subject to a separate Code of Ethics adopted by the Board of Trustees.

5


Access Levels
The requirements of this policy will differ depending on your Access Level category. There are three categories for persons covered by the Code, taking into account position, duties and access to information regarding fund portfolio trades.5 You will receive notification as to your particular category, based on the Code of Ethics Administration Group’s understanding of your current role in coordination with the Office of the CCO. If you have a level of investment access beyond your assigned category, or if you are promoted or change duties and as a result should more appropriately be included in a different category, it is your responsibility to notify the CCO, designee, or the Code of Ethics Administration Group.

Please note: If a specific Code provision (examples: personal investing restriction or limitations, pre-clearance obligation, or reporting obligation, etc.) applies to the Access Person, it also applies to all Securities and Brokerage Accounts over which the Access Person has Beneficial Ownership.

Access Level 1

A person who, in connection with his/her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund or account.

Examples (may include but are not limited to):

Portfolio Managers

Analysts

Traders

____________________

4 The preceding excludes John Hancock Asset Management (U.S.) and John Hancock Asset Management (N.A.) each of whom have adopted their own Code of Ethics in accordance with Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act.
5 The Code of Ethics Administration Group, CCO (or designee) may modify the requirements of this Code for those John Hancock Associates whose covered status is expected not to exceed 90 days (for instance contractors, co-ops and interns) or in instances where a person is subject to another Code of Ethics or fiduciary duty and where the modification is not otherwise specifically prohibited by law. In reliance on an SEC no-action letter, the Code of Ethics Administration Group or CCO (or designee) may include in the definition of “John Hancock Associate” any person of a John Hancock Affiliate who is engaged, directly or indirectly in John Hancock’s investment advisory activities.

6


Access Level 2

A person who, in connection with his/her regular functions or duties, has regular access to nonpublic information regarding any clients' purchase or sale of securities, nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any John Hancock Affiliated Fund(s), is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or has regular access to such recommendations that are nonpublic.

Examples (may include but are not limited to):

Office of the CCO

Fund Administration

Investment Management Services

Technology Resources Personnel (as designated)

Legal Staff

Marketing (as designated)

Access Level 3

A person who, in connection with his/her regular functions or duties, has periodic access to nonpublic information regarding any clients' purchase or sale of securities or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any John Hancock Affiliated Funds.

Examples (may include but are not limited to):

Marketing (as designated)

Product Development

E-Commerce

Corporate Publishing

Technology Resources Personnel (as designated)

Overview of Rules for All Access Persons
This policy contains rules regarding your obligations to comply with federal Securities Laws and John Hancock’s standards of conduct. Access Persons are responsible for complying with the personal trading restrictions and obligations of their access designation level including: Brokerage Account disclosure, personal trading restrictions, pre-clearance requirements, disclosure requirements, and various reporting and certification requirements.

Brokerage Account Disclosure
You must use the Personal Trading Control Center (PTCC), the automated compliance system, to disclose all Brokerage Accounts that have the capability to hold Reportable Securities including all Brokerage Accounts:

of your own; regardless of what is currently held in the account,

of your spouse, Significant Other, minor children or family members sharing the same household (Household Family Member),

over which you have discretion or give advice or information, and/or

in which your Household Family Member have Beneficial Ownership, or the opportunity to directly or indirectly profit or share in any profit derived from a Reportable Securities transaction.

7


Brokerage Account Examples (non-exclusive list)
You need to report:

Brokerage Accounts

John Hancock 401(k) accounts

MFC Global Share Ownership Plan (GSOP)

Solium accounts (some if they hold reportable securities including options on MFC securities)

Self-directed IRA accounts

Custodial accounts

Mutual fund accounts*

College investment plans 529s*

401(k)/403(b) accounts*

Dividend reinvestment program or dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP/RESP/TFSA)

Stock Purchase accounts

*if they have the capability to hold John Hancock Affiliated Funds

Employee Compensation Instruments (non-exclusive list)
You need to report:

John Hancock 401(k)

MFC Global Share Ownership Plan (GSOP)

Options acquired from MFC (only MFC Solium account options that are granted)

Public company employer as part of employee compensation

Sole discretion accounts

Accounts holding John Hancock Affiliated Funds

Certain Manulife Pension Plans (RPS, RRSP)

You are not responsible for reporting:

MFC Restricted Share Units (RSU)

Deferred Share Units (DSU)

Performance Share Units (PSU)

US John Hancock Pension Plans

Employer phantom stock/phantom option interest (granted as compensation to employee, only employer can redeem interest and interest is non-transferrable)

To prevent any potential violations of the Code, you are strongly encouraged to request clarification for accounts that are in question from the Code of Ethics Administration Group INVDIVCodeofEthics@manulife.com.

College Savings Plans - 529s
You must report John Hancock affiliated 529 plans including both the Freedom 529 plan and any other 529 plans that can hold John Hancock Affiliated Funds. You are not required to report transactions or holdings in 529 Plans for which the Adviser or a control affiliate does not manage, distribute, market or underwrite the 529 Plan or the investments and strategies underlying the 529 Plan. If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact the Code of Ethics Administration Group or a member of the Office of the CCO.

8


401(k) and John Hancock Variable Products: John Hancock Affiliated Funds Reporting
You must report your holdings and trades in a John Hancock Affiliated Funds. This includes voluntary trades in your John Hancock affiliated accounts such as your 401(k) and any external Brokerage Account.

To comply with this requirement, if you purchase a John Hancock variable product you must provide your contract or policy number to the Code of Ethics Administration Group and if you have a John Hancock 401(k), you must you must enter the Brokerage Account on PTCC.

Managed Accounts
Managed Accounts are considered fully managed if neither Access Person nor Household Family Member has no direct influence or control. Prior to the execution of Reportable Securities transactions in the Managed Account, you must obtain approval from the CCO (or designee). Once the Brokerage Account is approved as a Managed Account, in writing from the CCO (or designee) of the Adviser/Trust, the transactions do not need to be pre-cleared. Exemption requests which pose a conflict of interest for the CCO (or designee) will be escalated to the Ethics Oversight Committee for review and consideration.

You may request approval by disclosing the Brokerage Account in the automated compliance system, marking it as a Managed Account and by providing the appropriate evidence as described below. You are required to provide evidence that you or your Household Family Member has no direct or indirect influence or control including not being able to:

1) Suggest that the trustee or third-party discretionary manager make any particular purchases or sales of Reportable Securities;
2) Direct the trustee or third-party discretionary manager to make any particular purchases or sales of Reportable Securities; and
3) Consult with the trustee or third-party discretionary manager as to the particular allocation of investments to be made in your account.

You may also be asked to periodically attest to the status of the Managed Account(s) and provide electronic feeds or duplicate statements.

Preferred Brokerage Account Requirements
You must maintain your Brokerage Accounts at one of the preferred brokers approved by John Hancock. Upon designation as an Access Person, you have 45 calendar days to (i) qualify any non-compliant Brokerage Account as an exempt account or (ii) transfer all assets to a preferred broker and close the non-compliant account. Please note that you are not required to move 401(k) accounts. Exceptions may be granted with the approval from the CCO, its designee, or the Code of Ethics Administration Group. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be submitted in writing to the Code of Ethics Administration Group. A list of the Preferred Brokers can be found in the Appendix.

9


Opening/Closing Accounts
You are required to report each transaction in any Reportable Security to the Code of Ethics Administration Group. To comply with this requirement, you:

Are required to notify the Code of Ethics Administration team within 10 days of opening or closing a Brokerage Account. In the case of a new Brokerage Account in which you have a beneficial interest, you must notify the Code of Ethics Administration Group before any trades are placed.

Are required by this Code and by the Insider Trading Policy to inform your broker-dealer that you are employed by a financial institution. Your broker-dealer is subject to certain rules designed to prevent favoritism toward your Brokerage Accounts. You may not accept negotiated commission rates that you believe may be more favorable than the broker grants to accounts with similar characteristics.

Must notify the broker-dealer if you are registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or are employed by John Hancock Investment Management Distributors, LLC or John Hancock Distributors, LLC.

Statements and Duplicate Confirmations of Trades
The Code of Ethics Administration Group may rely on information submitted by your broker as part of your reporting requirements under the Code. Upon notification of your Brokerage Account, the Code of Ethics Administration Group will notify the broker-dealer to have duplicate confirmations of any trade, as well as statements or other information concerning the Brokerage Account, sent to:

John Hancock Financial Services
Attention: General Funds Compliance
197 Clarendon Street, C-03-13
Boston, MA 02116

Personal Trading
Personal Trading is a privilege and must always come second to the fiduciary duty you owe to our clients. Below is a list of personal trading restrictions for all Access Persons.

All Access Persons must:

Disclose holdings in Reportable Securities (including John Hancock Affiliated Funds and John Hancock Variable Products)

Disclose Brokerage Accounts

Pre-clear applicable Reportable Securities transactions

10


Personal Trading Restrictions for all Access Persons
All Access Persons are prohibited from:

Profiting from the purchase and sale of a John Hancock Affiliated Fund within 30 calendar days.

Engaging in speculative transactions involving MFC securities including: options, hedging or short sales involving securities issues by Manulife.

Transacting in securities that appear on the confidential John Hancock Restricted list (pre-clearance requests will be denied).

Transacting in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Private Placements, and Limited Offerings without obtaining proper pre-clearance approval.6

Transacting in securities while in possession of material nonpublic information including but not limited to: fund events, due diligence visits etc.

An Access Person who either directs 45 or more trades in a quarter or redeems shares of a John Hancock Affiliated Fund within 30 days of purchase, should expect additional scrutiny of his or her trades and he or she may be subject to limitations on the number of trades allowed during a given period.

Reporting and Pre-clearance
As an Access Person, you are required to report to the Code of Ethics Administration Group each transaction in any Reportable Security. You must ensure that all transactions (unless it is an Involuntary Issuer Transaction) and holdings in Reportable Securities are properly reflected in the requisite initial, quarterly and annual reporting certifications. To facilitate the reporting process, please ensure that you have properly disclosed your correct Brokerage Account information to the Code of Ethics Administration Group in the automated compliance system, including the disclosure of participation in the John Hancock 401(k) and Manulife GSOP.

The transaction and holding reporting requirement does not include John Hancock money market funds or any dividend reinvestment, payroll deduction, systematic investment/withdrawal and/or other program trades. Please note that different requirements apply to shares of John Hancock Affiliated Funds, including a 30-day holding period requirement.

As an Access Person, in addition to your reporting obligations, you have pre-clearance obligations for certain securities, depending on your Access Level group. Please see the appropriate access level below, for more detailed information.

____________________

6 Please note, Level 1 Access Persons and Registered Representatives are prohibited from purchasing IPOs.

11


Level 1 Access Persons: Additional Personal Trading Restrictions and Disclosures
Please note, there are additional restrictions that apply to all Access Persons listed in the section entitled, “
Personal Trading Restrictions for All Access Persons”.

Level 1 Access Persons

Pre-clear MFC Securities: You must pre-clear all transactions in MFC securities including stock, company issued options, securities such as debt, and sell transactions in the MFC Global Share Ownership Plan.

Pre-clear all of the following securities: You must pre-clear and receive approval prior to transactions in the following securities:

Stocks; including sell transactions of MFC Shares held in your Global Share Ownership Plan

Bonds;

Government securities that are not direct obligations of the U.S. government, such as Fannie Mae, or municipal securities, in each case that mature in more than one year;

John Hancock Affiliated Funds;7

Closed-end funds (including John Hancock affiliated closed-end funds)

Options on securities, on indexes, and on currencies;

Swaps on securities, on indexes, and on currencies;

Limited partnerships;

Exchange traded funds and notes;

Domestic unit investment trusts;

Non-US unit investment trusts and Non-US mutual funds;

Private investment funds and hedge funds; and

Futures, investment contracts or any other instrument that is considered a “security” under the Securities Act of 1933;

Private Placements, limited offerings8.

Ban on IPOs: You may not acquire securities in an IPO. You may not purchase any newly-issued Reportable Security until it is listed on a public exchange.

Seven Day Blackout: You are prohibited from buying or selling a Reportable Security within 7 calendar days before or after that Reportable Security is traded for a fund that the Person manages or for a John Hancock Affiliated Fund unless no conflict of interest exists in relation to that Reportable Security as determined by the Code of Ethics Administration Group.

Gifting Reportable Securities: If you gift or donate shares of a Reportable Security it is considered a sale and you must receive pre-clearance approval.

Inheriting Reportable Securities: If you inherit shares of a Reportable Security you must notify the Code of Ethics Administration Group within 10 days.

____________________

7 John Hancock Affiliated open ended mutual funds do not require pre-clearance, only reporting. However, there are certain holding period requirements. A list of John Hancock Affiliated Funds can be found on PTCC.

8 Level 1 Access Persons are banned from participation in IPOs.

12


30 Day Hold John Hancock Affiliated Funds: You cannot profit from the purchase and sale of a John Hancock Affiliated Funds within 30 calendar days.

60 Day Hold: You may not profit from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) of the same (or equivalent) Reportable Security (see note on John Hancock Affiliated Funds) within 60 calendar days, also known as a “Ban on Short Term Profits”.

Exclusion: pre-clearance requests in a Reportable Security with a market capitalization of $5 billion or more would, in most cases, not be subject to the 60 day hold and would be approved if they are appropriately pre-cleared.

Ownership Ban: Securities of Sub-advisers: you are prohibited from owning securities of any sub-adviser of a John Hancock Affiliated Fund.9

Must promptly disclose:

Ownership of Securities Under Consideration for John Hancock Affiliated Fund: Any direct or indirect beneficial interest in a Reportable Security that is under consideration for purchase or sale in a John Hancock Affiliated Fund.

Private Placement Conflicts: You must disclose holdings of any Reportable Securities purchased in a private placement when you participate in a decision to purchase or sell that same issuer’s securities for a John Hancock Affiliated Fund.

Restriction on Securities Under Active Consideration: You are prohibited from buying or selling a Reportable Security if the Reportable Security is being actively traded by a John Hancock Affiliated Fund.

Exceptions:

De Minimis Trading: pre-clearance requests for 500 shares or less of a particular Reportable Security within a market value of $25K or less, aggregated daily, would, in most cases, not be subject to the 7- day blackout period restrictions and the restriction on actively traded securities.

Market Cap Securities: pre-clearance requests in a Reportable Security with a market capitalization of $5B or more would not be subject to the blackout period restrictions and the restriction on actively traded securities.

Pre-clearance of Exchange Traded Funds/Exchange Traded Notes (ETF/ETN) and Options on Reportable Securities: you are required to pre-clear ETFs, ETNs and Options on Reportable Securities.

Exceptions to the pre-clearance requirement for ETF/ETN or options on Reportable Securities (provided it is not a John Hancock Affiliated Fund):

has an average market capitalization of $5 billion or more;

is based on a non-covered security;

or is based on a Broad-Based Index.

____________________

9 MFC securities are excluded from Level 1 & Level 2 sub-adviser ownership prohibition. The list of securities of sub-advisers can be found on the automated compliance system or upon request from the CCO.

13


Prohibition on Investment Clubs, Good Until Canceled Orders, or Limit Orders: You may not participate in:

investment clubs,

“good until cancelled orders”, or

“limit orders” unless the limit orders are day orders that automatically expire at the end of the trading day and cancel any orders that have not been executed.

Investment Professionals Only
Level 1 Access Persons who are “Investment Professionals” (Analysts and Portfolio Managers) must disclose the following:

Ownership of 5% or Greater: 5% or greater interest in a company, John Hancock Affiliated Funds and its affiliates may not make any investment in that company;

Ownership of 1% or greater 1% or greater interest in a company, you cannot participate in any decision by John Hancock Funds and its affiliates to buy or sell that company’s securities;

ANY other interest in a company, you cannot recommend or participate in a decision by John Hancock Affiliated Funds, and its affiliates to buy or sell that company’s securities unless your personal interest is fully disclosed at all stages of the investment decision.

In such instances, you must initially disclose that beneficial interest orally to the primary portfolio manager (or other appropriate analyst) of the Affiliated Fund(s) or account or the appropriate Chief Investment Officer. Following the oral disclosure, you must send a written acknowledgement to the primary portfolio manager with a copy to the Code of Ethics Administration Group.

Level 2 Access Persons: Additional Personal Trading Restrictions and Disclosures
Please note, there are additional restrictions that apply to all Access Persons listed in the section entitled, “Personal Trading Restrictions for All Access Persons”.

Level 2 Access Persons:

Pre-clear MFC Securities: You must pre-clear all transactions in MFC securities including stock, company issued options, sell transactions in the MFC Global Share Ownership Plan, and any other securities such as debt.

Pre-clear the following securities: You must pre-clear and receive approval prior to transactions in the following securities:

Stocks; including sell transactions of MFC Shares held in your Global Share Ownership Plan

Bonds;

Government securities that are not direct obligations of the U.S. government, such as Fannie Mae, or municipal securities, in each case that mature in more than one year;

14


John Hancock Affiliated Funds;10

Closed-end funds (including John Hancock affiliated closed-end funds)

Options on securities, on indexes, and on currencies;

Swaps on securities, on indexes, and on currencies;

Limited partnerships;

Exchange traded funds and notes;

Domestic unit investment trusts;

Non-US unit investment trusts and Non-US mutual funds;

Private investment funds and hedge funds; and

Futures, investment contracts or any other instrument that is considered a “security” under the Securities Act of 1933;

IPOs11, Private Placements, limited offerings.

Three Day Blackout Period: You are prohibited from knowingly buying or selling a Reportable Security within three calendar days before and after that Reportable Security is traded for a John Hancock Affiliated Fund unless no conflict of interest exists in relation to that Reportable Security as determined by the Code of Ethics Administration Group.

Gifting Reportable Securities: If you gift or donate shares of a Reportable Security the transaction is considered a sale and you must receive pre-clearance approval.

Inheriting Reportable Securities: If you inherit shares of a Reportable Security you must notify the Code of Ethics Administration Group within 10 days.

30 Day Hold John Hancock Affiliated Funds: You cannot profit from the purchase and sale of a John Hancock Affiliated Funds within 30 calendar days.

60 Day Hold: You may not profit from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) of the same (or equivalent) Reportable Security within 60 calendar days, also known as a “Ban on Short Term Profits”.

Exclusion: pre-clearance requests in a Reportable Security with a market capitalization of $5 billion or more would, in most cases, not be subject to the Ban on Short Term Profits, and would be approved if they are appropriately pre-cleared.

Ownership Ban: Securities of Sub-advisers: you are prohibited from owning securities of any sub-adviser of a John Hancock Affiliated Fund.12

Restriction on Securities Under Active Consideration: You are prohibited from buying or selling a Reportable Security if the security is being actively traded by a John Hancock Affiliated Fund.

Exceptions:

De Minimis Trading: pre-clearance requests for 500 shares or less of a particular Reportable Security within a market value of $25K or less, aggregated daily, would, in most cases, not be subject to the 7- day blackout period restrictions and the restriction on actively traded securities.

____________________

10 John Hancock Affiliated open ended mutual funds do not require pre-clearance, only reporting. However, there are certain holding period requirements.

11 Level 1 Access Persons are banned from participation in IPOs.

12 MFC securities are excluded from Level 1 &Level 2 sub-adviser ownership prohibition. The list of securities of sub-advisers can be found on the automated compliance system or upon request from the CCO.

15


Market Cap Securities: pre-clearance requests in a Reportable Security with a market capitalization of $5B or more would not be subject to the blackout period restrictions and the restriction on actively traded securities.

Pre-clearance of Exchange Traded Funds/Exchange Traded Notes (ETF/ETN) and Options on Reportable Securities: you are required to pre-clear ETFs, ETNs and Options on Reportable Securities.

Exceptions to the pre-clearance requirement for ETF/ETN or options on Reportable Securities (provided it is not a John Hancock Affiliated Fund):

has an average market capitalization of $5 billion or more;

is based on a non-covered security;

or is based on a Broad-Based Index.

Prohibition on Investment Clubs, Good Until Canceled Orders, or Limit Orders: You may not participate in:

investment clubs,

“good until cancelled orders”, or

“limit orders” unless the limit orders are day orders that automatically expire at the end of the trading day and cancel any orders that have not been executed.

Level 3 Access Persons: Additional Personal Trading Restrictions and Disclosures
Please note, there are additional restrictions that apply to all Access Persons listed in the section entitled, “Personal Trading Restrictions for All Access Persons”.

Level 3 Access Persons:

Pre-clear transactions in:

closed-end funds and exchange traded funds advised by a John Hancock Adviser

transactions in IPOs

private placements and limited offerings.

Gift or Donation of Reportable Securities: You must obtain pre-clearance approval prior to gifting or donating any Reportable Securities transactions that would require pre-clearance.

Inheritance of Reportable Securities: If you inherit shares of a Reportable Security you must notify the Code of Ethics Administration Group within 10 days.

30 Day Hold John Hancock Affiliated Funds: You cannot profit from the purchase and sale of a John Hancock Affiliated Funds within 30 calendar days.

16


An Access level 3 Person is not required to pre-clear other trades. However, please keep in mind that an Access level 3 Person is required to report Reportable Securities transactions after every trade (even those that are not required to be pre-cleared) by requiring your broker to submit duplicate confirmation statements or electronic feeds to the Code of Ethics Administration Group. You must also ensure that all transactions in Reportable Securities are properly reported on your quarterly transaction/annual holdings certification.

Pre-clearance Process
You may request a trade pre-clearance through the automated compliance system, PTCC.

Please note that:

You may not trade until clearance approval is received.
Clearance approval is valid only for the date granted (i.e. the pre-clearance requested date and the trade date should be the same).
A separate procedure should be followed for requesting pre-clearance of an IPO, a private placement, or a limited offering in PTCC.

Certain transactions in securities that would normally require pre-clearance are exempt from the pre-clearance requirement in the following situations: (1) shares are being purchased as part of an Automatic Investment Plan; (2) shares are being purchased as part of a dividend reinvestment plan; or (3) transactions are being made in a Managed/discretionary account, an account over which you have designated a third party as having sole discretion to trade (you must have approval from the CCO (or designee) to establish a discretionary account).

Reporting and Certification Requirements

Reporting
All Access Persons, regardless of their level, must complete and submit reports and certifications to compliance using PTCC, the automated compliance system, in an accurate and timely manner as described below.

Reporting Upon Designation
Within 10 calendar days after designation as an Access Person, you must complete and submit to compliance using PTCC:

Initial Holdings Report: A report of all Brokerage Accounts (please see the definition section) that hold or have the ability to hold any Reportable Securities and all Reportable Securities holdings current as of the date you became an Access Person.
Initial Certification of Compliance: Certify to your understanding of the Code of Ethics.
Initial Training: Certify that you have attended a training on the Code of Ethics Policy.

17


Quarterly Reporting
Within 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, you must complete and submit to compliance using PTCC:

Quarterly Certification: a report of all Brokerage Accounts and all transactions in Reportable Securities (including transactions in John Hancock Affiliated Funds, including sell transactions in your Global Share Ownership Plan (GSOP) and voluntary transactions, such as fund exchanges, in your John Hancock 401(k)).
Managed Account Certification: A certification of related to your Managed Accounts (only if applicable).

Additional transaction notes:

All transactions in John Hancock Affiliated Funds and Variable Products must be reported.
Only sell transactions of MFC stock in your Global Share Ownership Plan (GSOP) need to be reported.
Only voluntary transactions, such as fund exchanges, need to be reported for transactions in your John Hancock 401(k) Savings account.

For each Brokerage Account you must certify that the following information is captured accurately:

Account number
Brokerage Firm

For each transaction required to be reported you must certify the following information was captured accurately:

the date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;
the nature of the transaction (i.e. purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
the price at which the transaction was effected;
the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected.

Annual Reporting
At a date designated by the Code of Ethics Administration Group, at least annually (or additionally when the Code has been materially changed), you must complete and submit to compliance:

Annual Holdings Report: disclosing all of your Brokerage Accounts that hold or can hold any Reportable Securities and all holdings in Reportable Securities, current as of a date not more than 45 days before the report is submitted.

18


John Hancock Affiliated Funds & Variable Products holdings must be reported, regardless of where they are held.
Global Share Ownership holdings of Manulife Financial Corporation, Inc. (MFC) stock must be reported.
Annual (or additionally when the Code has been materially changed) Certification of Code of Ethics: acknowledging that you have received, read, and complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics.

Ad Hoc Reporting
Throughout the year you must complete and submit to compliance:

Brokerage Account Changes: You are required to promptly notify (within 10 days) Compliance of any applicable account changes.
Changes to the Code of Ethics: You are required to complete an additional certification of compliance stating that you read, received and understood material changes to the Code of Ethics.

Administration and Enforcement

Administration of the Code

Sub-adviser Compliance
A sub-adviser to a John Hancock Affiliated Fund has a number of Code of Ethics responsibilities:

The sub-adviser must have adopted their own code of ethics in accordance with Rule 204A-1(b) under the Advisers Act which has been approved by the Board of Trustees;
On a quarterly basis, each sub-adviser certifies compliance with their Code of Ethics or reports material violations if such have occurred; and
Each sub-advisor must report quarterly to the CCO (or designee), any material changes to its Code of Ethics.

Adoption and Approval
The Board of a John Hancock Affiliated Fund, including a majority of the Fund’s Independent Board Members, must approve the Code of Ethics of the Fund’s adviser, sub-adviser or principal underwriter (if an affiliate of the underwriter serves as a Board member or officer of the Fund or the adviser) before initially retaining its services.

Each material change to a Code of Ethics of a sub-adviser to a fund must be approved by the Board of the John Hancock Affiliated Fund, including a majority of the Fund’s Independent Board Members, no later than six months after adoption of the material change.

19


The Board may only approve the Code if they determine that the Code:

Contains provisions reasonably necessary to prevent the subadviser’s Access Persons (as defined in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act) from engaging in any conduct prohibited by Rule 17j-1 and 204A-1;
Requires the sub-adviser’s Access Persons to make reports to at least the extent required in Rule 17j-1(d) and Rule 204A-1(b);
Requires the sub-adviser to institute appropriate procedures for review of these reports by management or compliance personnel (as contemplated by Rule 17j-1(d)(3) and Rule 204 A-1(a)(3));
Provides for notification of the sub-adviser’s Access Persons in accordance with Rule 17j-1(d)(4) and Rule 204A-1(a)(5);
Requires the sub-adviser’s Access Persons who are Investment Personnel to obtain the pre- clearances required by Rule 17j-1(e); and
Requires the sub-adviser’s Access Persons to obtain the pre-clearances required by Rule 204A- 1(c).

The CCO of the John Hancock Affiliated Funds oversees each of the fund’s sub-adviser to ensure compliance with each of the provisions included in this section.

Sub-adviser Reporting & Recordkeeping Requirements
Each sub-adviser must complete an annual Code of Ethics questionnaire and certification as to their compliance under Rule 17j-1 and summary of any violation to the relevant John Hancock Adviser, whom present summaries to the Board of Trustees annually during their 2nd quarter meeting (which is typically held in June).

Reporting to the Board
No less frequently than annually, the Office of the CCO will furnish to the Board of Trustees a written report that:

describes issues that arose during the previous year under the Code of Ethics or the related procedures, including, but not limited to, information about material Code or procedure violations, as well as any sanctions imposed in response to the material violations, and
certifies that each entity, including the sub-advisers have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent its Access Persons from violating its Code of Ethics,
Any material changes to the Code are presented to the Trustees within six months for their approval.

The CCO of the John Hancock Affiliated Funds oversees each of the fund’s sub-adviser to ensure compliance with each of the provisions included in this section.

Reporting Violations
If you know of any violation of the Code, you have a responsibility to promptly report it to the CCO of your company. You should also report any deviations from the controls and procedures that safeguard John Hancock and the assets of our clients.

20


Since we cannot anticipate every situation that will arise, it is important that we have a way to approach questions and concerns. Always ask first, act later. If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act.

Speak to your manager, a member of the Human Resources Department or Legal Department or your divisional compliance officer if you have:

a doubt about a particular situation;
a question or concern about a business practice; or
a question about potential conflicts of interest

You may report suspected or potential illegal or unethical behavior without fear of retaliation. John Hancock does not permit retaliation of any kind for good faith reports of illegal or unethical behavior. Concerns about potential or suspected illegal or unethical behavior should be referred to a member of the Human Resources or Legal Department. John Hancock relies on the Manulife Code of Business Conduct which advises that unethical, unprofessional, illegal, fraudulent or other questionable behavior may also be reported by calling a confidential toll-free Ethics Hotline at 1-866-294-9534 or at www.ManulifeEthics.com.

Exemptions & Appeals
Exemptions: to the Code may be granted by the CCO (or designee) where supported by applicable facts and circumstances. If you believe that you have a situation that warrants an exemption to any of the rules and restrictions of this Code you need to submit a written request to the CCO (or designee). All requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis. The CCO (or designee) will provide a written response detailing its decision once the review has been completed.

Exemption requests which pose a conflict of interest for the CCO will be escalated to the Ethics Oversight Committee for review and consideration.

Appeals: If you believe that your request has been incorrectly denied or that an action is not warranted, you may appeal the decision. To make an appeal, you need to give the CCO (or designee) of the Adviser/Trust a written explanation of your reasons for appeal within 30 days of the date that you were informed of the decision. Be sure to include any extenuating circumstances or other factors not previously considered. During the review process, you may, at your own expense, engage an attorney to represent you. The Code of Ethics Administration Group may arrange for Ethics Oversight Committee or other parties to be part of the review process.

Interpretation and Enforcement
The Code cannot anticipate every situation in which personal interests may be in conflict with the interests of our clients and fund investors. You should be responsive to the spirit and intent of the Code as well as its specific provisions.

21


When any doubt exists regarding any Code provision or whether a conflict of interest with clients or fund investors might exist, you should discuss the situation in advance with the CCO (or designee) of your company. The Code is designed to detect and prevent fraud against clients and fund investors, and to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

The CCO has general administrative responsibility for the Code as it applies to the covered employees; an appropriate member of the Code of Ethics Administration Group will administer procedures to review personal trading activity. The Code of Ethics Administration Group also regularly reviews the forms and reports it receives. If these reviews uncover information that is incomplete, questionable, or potentially in violation of the rules in this document, the Code of Ethics Administration Group will investigate the matter and may contact you.

The Board of the John Hancock Affiliated Funds approve material amendments to the Code and authorize sanctions imposed on Access Persons of the Funds. Accordingly, the Code of Ethics Administration Group will refer violations to the CCO of the Trust/Adviser (or designee) for further review and action, including determination if the matter should be presented to the Ethics Oversight Committee and/or the Board of Trustees for recommended action.

The following factors will be considered when determining a fine or other disciplinary action:

the person's position and function (senior personnel may be held to a higher standard);
the amount of the trade;
whether the John Hancock Affiliated Funds hold the security and were trading the same day;
whether the violation was by a family member;
whether the person has had a prior violation and which policy was involved; and
whether the employee self-reported the violation.

John Hancock takes all rule violations seriously and, at least once a year, provides the Board of the John Hancock Affiliated Funds with a summary of all material violations and sanctions, significant conflicts of interest and other related issues for their review. Sanctions for violations could include (but are not limited to) fines, disgorgement, limitations on personal trading activity, suspension or termination of the Covered Person's position with John Hancock and/or a report to the appropriate regulatory authority.

You should be aware that other Securities Laws and regulations not addressed by the Code may also apply to you, depending on your role at John Hancock.

22


The CCO of the Adviser/Trust (or designee) and the Ethics Oversight Committee retain the discretion to interpret the Code’s provisions and to decide how they apply to any given situation.

Education of Employees
This Code constitutes the Code of Ethics required by Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and by Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Code of Ethics Administration Group will provide a copy of the Code (and any amendments) to each person subject to the Code. The Code of Ethics Administration Group in coordination with the CCO or designee will also administer initial and annual training to employees on the principles and procedures of the Code and other related policies.

Recordkeeping
The Code of Ethics Administration Group will maintain a:

Copy of the current Code for John Hancock and a copy of each Code of Ethics in effect at any time within the past five years.
Record of any violation of the Code, and of any action taken as a result of the violation, for six years.
Copy of each report made by an Access Person under the Code, for six years (the first two years in a readily accessible place).
Record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were, required to make reports under the Code. This record will also indicate who was responsible for reviewing these reports.
Record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition by an Access Level I Persons of IPOs or private placement securities, for six years.
Record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition by an Access Person of the John Hancock Advisers IPOs or private placement securities, for six years.

Other Important Policies
The John Hancock Affiliated Funds have additional policies or may rely on certain MFC policies. Summary excerpts of such policies are listed below please review each full policy for additional details.

MFC Code of Business Conduct & Ethics (All Covered Employees)
The MFC Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the MFC Code) provides standards for ethical behavior when representing the Company and when dealing with employees, field representatives, customers, investors, external suppliers, competitors, government authorities and the public.

The MFC Code applies to directors, officers and employees of MFC, its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates. Sales representatives and third-party business associates are also expected to abide by all applicable provisions of the MFC Code and adhere to the principles and values set out in the MFC Code when representing Manulife to the public or performing services for, or on behalf of, Manulife.

23


Other important issues in the MFC Code include:

MFC values;
Ethics in workplace;
Ethics in business relationships;
Conflicts of Interest;
Handling information;
Receiving or giving of gifts, entertainment or favors;
Misuse or misrepresentation of your corporate position;
Disclosure of confidential or proprietary information;
Disclosure of outside business activities;
Antitrust activities; and
Political campaign contributions and expenditures relating to public officials.

John Hancock Conflicts of Interest Policy (All Covered Employees)
Conflicts of Interest are both inherent to the investment advisory business and also exist as a result of our unique organizational structure. The Conflicts of Interest Policy governs organizational/Adviser conflicts, rather than personal conflicts (such as outside business activities or gifts and entertainment). Our fiduciary obligation as an adviser to the Funds requires us to effectively disclose and/or manage these conflicts, which we do today through various documents and controls, and ultimately to act in the best interest of our clients and the Fund shareholders.

John Hancock Gift & Entertainment Policy (All Covered Employees)
You are subject to the Gift and Entertainment Policy for the John Hancock Advisers which is designed to prevent the appearance of an impropriety, potential conflict of interest or improper payment.

The Gift & Entertainment Policy covers many issues relating to giving and accepting of gifts and entertainment when dealing with business partners, such as:

Gift & Business Entertainment Limits
Restrictions on Gifts & Entertainment
Reporting of Gifts & Entertainment

John Hancock Insider Trading Policy (All Covered Employees)
The antifraud provisions of the federal Securities Laws generally prohibit persons with material nonpublic information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Sanctions for violations can include civil injunctions, permanent bars from the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made or losses avoided, criminal fines and jail sentences. While Access Level I Persons are most likely to come in contact with material nonpublic information, the rules (and sanctions) in this area apply to all persons covered under this code and extend to activities both related and unrelated to your job duties.

The John Hancock Insider Trading Policy (the Insider Trading Policy) covers a number of important issues, such as:

Possession, misuse and access to material nonpublic information

24


John Hancock Pay to Play Rule on Political Contributions (All Covered Associates)
The Pay to Play rule restricts Investment Advisers and certain employees who fall within the definition of Covered Associates from making contributions to elected officials (including incumbents, candidates, or successful candidates for an elective office of a government entity) who may be able to influence the selection of the investment adviser to manage the assets of government entities (any state or political subdivision of a state). The rule has three primary elements:

A two-year prohibition on an adviser’s providing compensated investment advisory services to a government entity after a contribution has been made by the adviser or one of its covered associates;

A prohibition on the use of third-party solicitors who are not themselves regulated persons subject to pay-to-play restrictions on political contributions; and

A prohibition on bundling and other efforts by advisers to solicit political contributions to certain officials of a government entity to which the adviser is seeking to provide services.

Sanctions for violating the rule include a prohibition from receiving compensation for providing advisory services to a fund in which such government entity’s participant-directed plan or program invests for two years thereafter, otherwise known as a “time-out” period.

John Hancock Whistleblower Policy (All Covered Employees)
The Committees of the mutual funds’ Board of Trustees investigate improprieties or suspected improprieties in the operations of the Funds and has established procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of John Hancock Investment Management, LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers, LLC. (collectively the “Advisers”) or any other provider of services to the Funds or Advisers of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or violations of the Securities Laws. The objective of this policy is to provide a mechanism by which complaints and concerns regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing matters or violations of Securities Laws may be raised and addressed without the fear or threat of retaliation. The funds desire and expect that the employees and officers of the Advisers, or any other service provider to the funds will report any complaints or concerns they may have regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.

Persons may submit complaints or concerns to the attention of funds’ CCO (or designee) by sending a letter or other writing to the funds’ principal executive offices, by telephone call to or an email to the Ethics Hotline, Ethics Hotline can be reached at 1-866-294-9534, or through the Ethicspoint website at www.manulifeethics.com. The Ethics Hotline and Ethicspoint website are operated by an independent third party, which maintains the anonymity of all complaints.

25


Complaints and concerns may be made anonymously to the funds’ CCO (or designee) or the respective Committee’s Chairperson. Furthermore, nothing in this policy prohibits reporting possible violations of applicable law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of applicable law or regulation.

Policy and Procedures Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings (All Covered Employees)
It is our policy not to disclose nonpublic information regarding Fund portfolio holdings except in the limited circumstances noted in this Policy. You can only provide nonpublic information regarding portfolio holdings to any person, including affiliated persons, on a “need to know” basis (i.e., the person receiving the information must have a legitimate business purpose for obtaining the information prior to it being publicly available and you must have a legitimate business purpose for disclosing the information in this manner). We consider nonpublic information regarding Fund portfolio holdings to be confidential and the intent of the policy and procedures is to guard against selective disclosure of such information in a manner that would not be in the best interest of Fund shareholders.

Additional Policies Outside the Code (All Covered Employees)

Policy Regarding Dissemination of Mutual Fund Portfolio Information

Manulife Financial Corporation Anti-Fraud Policy

John Hancock Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Anti-Terrorist Financing (ATF) Program

Conflict of Interest Rules for Directors and Officers

John Hancock Non-Cash Compensation Policy

26


Appendix

Definitions

Access Person:
You are an “Access Person” if you are a “Supervised Person” who has access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any John Hancock Affiliated Fund, or who is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic.

Automatic Investment Plan:
Means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

Beneficial Ownership:
Means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit (for loss) derived from a Reportable Securities transaction. This includes Reportable Securities held by an Access Person’s Household Family Member and Covered Securities held through certain family trusts, family custodial accounts, entities controlled by the Access Person, portfolios from which the Supervised Person may receive a performance fee, and other circumstances in which the Access Person may profit, directly or indirectly through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, from transactions in the respective Reportable Securities, as defined further in Rule 16a-1 (a) (2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Broad-Based Index:
For the purposed of this Code a Broad-Based Index will include the following:

the S&P 100, S&P Midcap 400, S&P 500, FTSE 100, and Nikkei 225;

Direct obligations of the U. S. Government (e.g., treasury securities)

Indirect obligations of the U.S. Government with a maturity of less than 1 year (GNMA)

Commodities;

Foreign currency

Brokerage Account:
Any of your accounts:

Which have the capability to hold Reportable Securities;

Accounts of your spouse, Significant Other, minor children or family members sharing your household (together, “Household Members”);

27


Accounts in which you or your Household Members have a Beneficial Ownership;

Accounts over which you have discretion, give advice or information or have Power of Attorney (POA).

Covered Person:
Includes all “Access Persons” as defined under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and “Supervised Persons” as defined under SEC Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).

Household Family Member:
An Access Person’s spouse, Significant Other, minor children, or other family member who also shares the same household as the Access Person.

Investment Professionals:
Means a Supervised Person who are either Portfolio Managers, Analysts, and Traders.

Involuntary Issuer Transaction:
Transaction where the account owner has not determined the timing as to when the purchase or sale transaction will occur or the amount of shares purchased or sold, i.e. making changes to existing positions or asset allocations within the John Hancock retirement plans, buying or selling shares of a Reportable Security, etc.

Involuntary Issuer Transactions include:

transactions which result from a corporate action applicable to all similar security holders (such as splits, tender offers, mergers, stock dividends, etc.); or

automatic dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan acquisitions.

Please note: any transaction that overrides the pre-set schedule or allocations must be included in a quarterly transaction report.

John Hancock Affiliated Fund:
For the purposes of this Code, a John Hancock Affiliated Fund shall include both:

a “John Hancock Mutual Fund” (i.e., a 1940 Act mutual fund that is advised or subadvised by a John Hancock Adviser or by another Manulife entity); or

“John Hancock Variable Product” (i.e., contracts funded by insurance company separate accounts that use one or more portfolios of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust).

Any other financial product or security advised or sub-advised by a John Hancock Adviser or John Hancock Insurance or another Manulife entity.

The definition for John Hancock Affiliated Fund does not include John Hancock money market funds. A list of John Hancock Affiliated Funds can be found on PTCC.

28


John Hancock Variable Products:
Contracts funded by insurance company separate accounts that use one or more portfolios of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust.

Managed Account:
Any account over which neither you nor a Household Family Member has direct or indirect influence or control and cannot a) suggest purchases or sales of investments to the trustee or third-party discretionary manager; b) direct purchases or sales of investments; or c) consult with the trustee or third-party discretionary manager as to the particular allocation of investments to be made in the account.

Private Placements:
Securities exempt from SEC registration under section 4(2), section 4(6) and/or rules 504–506 under the Securities Act.

Reportable Securities:
Means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security”, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing, except it should not include:

(i) Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;

(ii) Bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;

(iii) Shares issued by money market funds;

(iv) Shares issued by open-end funds other than reportable funds; and

(v) Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are reportable funds.

29


Please note: Reportable Securities includes both John Hancock Affiliated Funds and John Hancock Variable Products.

Securities Laws:
Means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the SEC under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted there under by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

Significant Others:
Two people who (1) share the same primary residence; (2) share living expenses; and (3) are in a committed relationship and intend to remain in the relationship indefinitely.

Supervised Person:
Is defined by the Advisers Act to mean a partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions) or employee, as well as any other person who provides advice on behalf of the adviser and is subject to the adviser’s supervision and control. However, in reliance on the Prudential no-action letter, John Hancock does not treat as a “Supervised Employee” any of its “non-advisory personnel”, as defined below.

In reliance on the Prudential no-action letter, John Hancock treats as an “Advisory Person” any “Supervised Employee” who is involved, directly, or indirectly, in John Hancock Financial Services investment advisory activities, as well as any “Supervised Employee” who is an Access Person. John Hancock treats as “non-advisory personnel”, and does not treat as a Supervised Person, those individuals who have no involvement, directly or indirectly, in John Hancock investment advisory activities, and who are not Access Persons.

30


Preferred Brokers List
Preferred Brokers List While employed by John Hancock, you must maintain your Brokerage Accounts at one of the preferred brokers approved by John Hancock. The following are the preferred brokers:

Ameriprise       Sanders Morris Harris
Bank of Oklahoma Scottrade
Bank of Texas Stifel
Barclays Wealth Management TD Ameritrade
Brave Warrior Advisors T. Rowe Price
Charles Schwab Thompson Davis & Co.
Chase Investment Services UBS
Citigroup US Trust
Constellation Wealth Management Vanguard
Credit Suisse Robert W. Baird & Co.
DB Alex Brown
Edward Jones
E*Trade
Fidelity
First Republic
Goldman Sachs Wealth Management
HSBC Private Bank
Interactive Brokers
JB Were
JP Morgan Private Bank
JP Morgan Securities
Lincoln Financial
Merrill Lynch & Bank of America
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Northern Trust
Northern Trust Institutional
Oppenheimer & Co.
OptionsXpress
Pershing Advisor Solutions
Piper Jaffray
Raymond James
Revolution Capital

31


Compliance Contacts

Entity Chief Compliance Officer
John Hancock Investment Management, LLC Frank Knox – 617-663-2430
John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers, LLC Frank Knox
Each open-end and closed-end fund advised by a John Hancock Adviser Frank Knox
John Hancock Investment Management Distributors, LLC Michael Mahoney - 617-663-3021
John Hancock Distributors, LLC Michael Mahoney
 
Code of Ethics Contacts E-mail
Code of Ethics Administration Group INVDIVCodeofEthics@manulife. com

32


John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust
John Hancock Funds
John Hancock Funds Ii
john Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics
for
Principal Executive, Principal Financial Officer & Treasurer

I. Covered Officers/Purpose of the Code
This code of ethics (this “Code”) for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds1, and John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and, each a registered management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), which may issue shares in separate and distinct series (each investment company and series thereunder to be hereinafter referred to as a “Fund”), applies to each Fund’s Principal Executive Officer (“President”), Principal Financial Officer (“Chief Financial Officer”) and Treasurer (“Treasurer”) (the “Covered Officers” as set forth in Exhibit A) for the purpose of promoting:

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
 
full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Fund;
 
compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;
 
the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and
 
accountability for adherence to the Code.

____________________
1 John Hancock Funds includes the following trusts: John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund; John Hancock Bond Trust; John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund; John Hancock Capital Series; John Hancock Funds III; John Hancock Income Securities Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust II; John Hancock Investors Trust; John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust; John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund ; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III; John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund; John Hancock Strategic Series; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund; John Hancock Hedged Equity and Income Fund; and John Hancock Collateral Trust.

1 of 6


Each of the Covered Officers should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.

II. Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest Overview
A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interest interferes with the interests of, or his service to, the Fund. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his position with the Fund. Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between the Covered Officers and the Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Fund. Each of the Covered Officers is an officer or employee of the investment adviser or a service provider (“Service Provider”) to the Fund. The Fund’s, the investment adviser’s and the Service Provider’s compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.

Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Fund, for the investment adviser or for the Service Provider), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on the investment adviser, the Service Provider and the Fund. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Thus, if such participation is performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, it will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors (the “Board”) that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more other investment companies covered by other Codes.

Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but the Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of the Fund.

*          *          *

2 of 6


Each Covered Officer must:

not use his/her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund;
 
not cause the Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than for the benefit of the Fund; and
 
not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Fund to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions.

Additionally, conflicts of interest may arise in other situations, the propriety of which may be discussed, if material, with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Examples of these include:

serve as a director/trustee on the board of any public or private company;
 
the receipt of any non-nominal gifts;
 
the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety (or other formulation as the Fund already uses in another code of conduct);
 
any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Fund’s service providers, other than its investment adviser, any sub-adviser, principal underwriter, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; and
 
a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.

III. Disclosure & Compliance

Each Covered Officer should familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Fund;
 
Each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Fund to others, whether within or outside the Fund, including to the Fund’s directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations;

3 of 6



Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his/her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Fund and the Fund’s adviser or any sub-adviser with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; and
 
It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

IV. Reporting & Accountability
Each Covered Officer must:

upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming an Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Fund’s CCO that he/she has received, read, and understands the Code;
 
annually thereafter affirm to the Fund’s CCO that he/she has complied with the requirements of the Code;
 
not retaliate against any employee or Covered Officer or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith;
 
notify the Fund’s CCO promptly if he/she knows of any violation of this Code (Note: failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code); and
 
report at least annually any change in his/her affiliations from the prior year.

The Fund’s CCO is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by the Principal Executive Officer will be considered by the Fund’s Board or the Compliance Committee thereof (the “Committee”).

The Fund will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:

the Fund’s CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him/her;
 
if, after such investigation, the CCO believes that no violation has occurred, the CCO is not required to take any further action;
 
any matter that the CCO believes is a violation will be reported to the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee;
 
if the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, the Board, either upon its determination of a violation or upon recommendation of the Compliance Committee, if applicable, will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the Service Provider or the investment adviser or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Registrant’s Executive Officer;

4 of 6



the Board, or if applicable the Compliance Committee, will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and
 
any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.

V. Other Policies & Procedures
This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Fund for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, any sub-adviser, principal underwriter or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Fund’s and its investment adviser’s codes of ethics under Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, respectively, are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others and are not part of this Code.

VI. Amendments
Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Fund’s Board, including a majority of independent directors.

VII. Confidentiality
All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Fund’s Board and its counsel, the investment adviser and the relevant Service Providers.

VIII. Internal Use
The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Fund and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Fund, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.

5 of 6


Exhibit A
Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics
(As of December 31, 2019)

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Funds

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Funds II

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Exchange-Traded Trust

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott
Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo
Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

6 of 6


CERTIFICATION

I, Andrew Arnott, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of the John Hancock Bond Trust (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: July 14, 2020 /s/ Andrew Arnott  
Andrew Arnott
President


CERTIFICATION

I, Charles A. Rizzo, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of the John Hancock Bond Trust (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: July 14, 2020 /s/ Charles A. Rizzo  
Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer


Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the attached Report of John Hancock Bond Trust (the “registrant”) on Form N-CSR to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), each of the undersigned officers of the registrant does hereby certify that, to the best of such officer's knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

           /s/ Andrew Arnott
Andrew Arnott
President
 
Dated: July 14, 2020
 
/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
 
Dated: July 14, 2020

A signed original of this written statement, required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.


JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS1
NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

Overall Role and Responsibility

The Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of each of the Trusts shall (1) make determinations and recommendations to the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) regarding issues related to (a) the composition of the Board and (b) corporate governance matters applicable to the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), of any of the Trusts, or of any Fund’s investment adviser, subadviser or principal underwriter and who are “independent” as defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (the “Independent Trustees”) and (2) discharge such additional duties, responsibilities and functions as are delegated to it from time to time.

Membership

The Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”) shall be composed of all of the Independent Trustees of the Board. One member of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board as Chair of the Committee. The chair shall be responsible for leadership of the Committee, including scheduling meetings or reviewing and approving the schedule for them, preparing agendas or reviewing and approving them before meetings, presiding over meetings of the Committee and making reports to the full Board, as appropriate.

Structure, Operations and Governance

Meetings and Actions by Written Consent. The Committee shall meet as often as required or as the Committee deems appropriate, with or without management present. Meetings may be called and notice given by the Committee chair or a majority of the members of the Committee. Members may attend meetings in person or by telephone. The Committee may act by written consent to the extent permitted by law and the Funds’ governing documents. The Committee shall report to the Board on any significant action it takes not later than the next following Board meeting.

Required Vote and Quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee participating in any meeting of the Committee at which a quorum is present is necessary for the adoption of any resolution. At least a majority of the Committee members present at the meeting in person or by telephone shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

____________________

1 “John Hancock Funds” includes each trust and series as may be amended from time to time (each individually, a “Trust,” and collectively, the “Trusts,” and each series thereof, a “Portfolio” or “Fund,” and collectively, the “Portfolios” or “Funds”).

1


Delegation to Subcommittees. The Committee may delegate any portion of its authority to a subcommittee of one or more members.

Appropriate Resources and Authority. The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to retain special counsel and other advisers, experts or consultants, at the Funds’ expense, as it determines necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties and responsibilities. In addition, the Committee shall have direct access to such officers of and service providers to the Funds as it deems desirable.

Review of Charter. The Committee Charter shall be approved by at least a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter periodically and, where necessary or as it deems desirable, will recommend changes to the Board for its approval. The Board may amend this Charter at any time in response to recommendations from the Committee or on its own motion.

Executive Sessions. The Committee may meet privately and may invite non-members to attend such meetings. The Committee may meet with representatives of the Investment Management Services department of the Funds’ advisers, internal legal counsel of the Funds’ advisers, members of the John Hancock Funds Risk & Investment Operations Committee (the “RIO Committee”) and with representatives of the Funds’ service providers, including the subadvisers, to discuss matters that relate to the areas for which the Committee has responsibility.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Committee shall have the following duties and powers, to be exercised at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall determine:

1. Except where a Trust is legally required to nominate individuals recommended by another, to identify individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trusts, and to consider and recommend to the full Board nominations of individuals to serve as Trustees.
             
2. To consider, as it deems necessary or appropriate, the criteria for persons to fill existing or newly created Trustee vacancies. The Committee shall use the criteria and principles set forth in Annex A to guide its Trustee selection process.
 
3. To consider and recommend changes to the Board regarding the size, structure, and composition of the Board.
 
4. To evaluate, from time to time, and determine changes to the retirement policies for the Independent Trustees, as appropriate.
 
5. To periodically review the Board’s committee structure and, in collaboration with the Chairs of the various Committees, the charters of the Board’s committees, and recommend to the Board of Trustees changes to the committee structure and charters as it deems appropriate.

2



6. To retain and terminate any firm(s) to be used to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential Independent Board nominees, subject to the Board’s sole authority to approve the firm’s fees and other retention terms.
             
7. To consider and determine the amount of compensation to be paid by the Trusts to the Independent Trustees, including the compensation of the Chair of the Board or any Vice-Chair of the Board and of Committee Chairs, and to address compensation-related matters. The Chair of the Board has been granted the authority to approve special compensation to Independent Trustees in recognition of any significant amount of additional time and service to the Trusts provided by them, subject to ratification of any such special compensation by the Committee at the next regular meeting of the Committee.
 
8. To coordinate and administer an annual self-evaluation of the Board, which will include, at a minimum, a review of its effectiveness in overseeing the number of Funds in the Fund complex and the effectiveness of its committee structure.
 
9. To review the Board Governance Procedures and recommend to the Board of Trustees changes to the Procedures as the Committee deems appropriate.
 
10. To report its activities to the full Board and to make such recommendations with respect to the matters described above and other matters as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate.

Additional Responsibilities

The Committee will also perform other tasks assigned to it from time to time by the Chair of the Board or by the Board, and will report findings and recommendations to the Board, as appropriate.






Last revised:

3


ANNEX A

The Committee may take into account a wide variety of factors in considering Trustee candidates, including (but not limited to) the criteria set forth below. The Committee may determine that a candidate who does not satisfy these criteria in one or more respects should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the Committee finds that the criteria satisfied by the candidate and the candidate’s other qualifications demonstrate the appropriate level of fitness to serve.

General Criteria

1. Nominees should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards, and such other personal characteristics as a capacity for leadership and the ability to work well with others.
       
2. Nominees should have business, professional, academic, financial, accounting or other experience and qualifications which demonstrate that they will make a valuable contribution as Trustees.
 
3. Nominees should have a commitment to understand the Funds, and the responsibilities of a trustee/director of an investment company and to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees.
 
4. Nominees should have the ability to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of the various constituencies of the Funds, including shareholders and the investment adviser, and to act in the interests of all shareholders.
 
5. Nominees should not have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair their ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a trustee.
 
6. Nominees should have experience on corporate or other institutional bodies having oversight responsibilities.

It is the intent of the Committee that at least one Independent Trustee be an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.


Application of Criteria to Current Trustees

The re-nomination of current Trustees should not be viewed as automatic, but should be based on continuing qualification under the criteria set forth above based on, among other things, the current Trustee’s contribution to the Board and any committee on which he or she serves.

Review of Nominations

1. The Committee believes that it is in the best interests of each Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified candidates to serve as members of the Board.
       
2. In nominating candidates who would be Independent Trustees, the Committee believes that no particular qualities or skills nor any specific minimum qualifications or disqualifications are controlling or paramount. The Committee shall take into consideration any such factors as it deems appropriate; however, the appropriate mix of skills, expertise and attributes needed to maintain an effective board are sought in the applicant pool as part of every search the Board undertakes for new trustees, including but not limited to the diversity of thought, as well as of gender, race, ethnic background and geographic origin. These factors may also include (but are not limited to) the person’s character, integrity, judgment, skill and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members; and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any Committees thereof. Other factors that the Committee may take into consideration include a person’s availability and commitment to attend meetings and perform his or her responsibilities; whether or not the person has or had any relationships that might impair or appear to impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management, the investment adviser and/or any subadviser of the Funds, as applicable, Fund service providers, or their affiliates or with Fund shareholders. The Committee will strive to achieve a group that reflects a diversity of experiences in respect of industries, professions and other experiences, and that is diversified as to thought, gender, race, ethnic background and geographic origin.
 
3. While the Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of Independent Trustee candidates, the Committee may consider nominees recommended by any source, including shareholders, management, legal counsel and Board members, as it deems appropriate. The Committee may retain a professional search firm or a consultant to assist the Committee in a search for a qualified candidate. Any recommendations from shareholders shall be directed to the Secretary of the relevant Trust at such address as is set forth in the Trust’s disclosure documents. Recommendations from management may be submitted to the Committee Chair. All recommendations shall include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Board members and as specified in the relevant Trust’s By-Laws, and must be accompanied by a written consent of the proposed candidate to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders.



4. Any shareholder nomination must be submitted in compliance with all of the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in order to be considered by the Committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a shareholder, the 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 shareholder’s candidate among the slate of its designated nominees, the candidate’s name will be placed on the Trust’s proxy card. If the Board determines not to include such candidate among its designated nominees, and the shareholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-8, the shareholder’s 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 Trust’s proxy statement.
         
5. As long as a current Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of the Committee, to satisfy the criteria listed above, the Committee generally would favor the re-nomination of a current Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while the Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as trustees, the Committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board, or the Committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Trustee is in the best interests of the relevant Trust. In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership is determined to be advisable, the Committee will, in addition to any shareholder recommendations, consider candidates identified by other means as discussed in this Annex A.
 
6. With respect to candidates for Independent Trustee, a biography of each candidate shall be acquired and shall be reviewed by counsel to the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Trust to determine the candidate’s eligibility to serve as an Independent Trustee.
 
7. The Committee may from time to time establish specific requirements and/or additional factors to be considered for Independent Trustee candidates as it deems necessary or appropriate.
 
8. After its consideration of relevant factors, the Committee shall present its recommendation(s) to the full Board for its consideration.