As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 4, 2014

1933 Act File No. 002-10156
1940 Act File No. 811-00560

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 130

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 82
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)

REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE
(617) 663-2999

JOHN J. DANELLO, ESQ.
601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:

MARK P. GOSHKO, ESQ.

K&L GATES LLP
ONE LINCOLN STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02111-2950


APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: As soon as practicable after the

effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
[√] on June 26, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.

 
 

 

This filing relates solely to the Class A, Class C, Class I, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 and Class R6 shares of John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund. No information contained herein is intended to amend or supersede any prior filing relating to any other series or classes of the Registrant.

 

 

 

 

 
 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund

Prospectus
6-26-14

 

► Class A:

The information in this prospectus is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Fund summary

Fund details

Your account

The summary section is a concise look at the investment objective, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, principal risks, past performance, and investment management.

More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the investment strategies and various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.

How to place an order to buy, sell, or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.

For more information  S ee back cover

 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund


Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Disciplined Value International Fund

Fund Details

Principal investment strategies

Principal risks of investing

Who's who

Financial highlights

Your Account

Investing in Class A shares

How sales charges are calculated

Sales charge reductions and waivers

Opening an account

Buying shares

Selling shares

Transaction policies

Dividends and account policies

Additional investor services

Appendix

Back Cover

Back Cover


Fund summary

John Hancock

Disciplined Value International Fund 

Investment objective

To seek long-term capital growth.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the John Hancock family of funds. More information about these and other discounts is available on 16 to 18 of the prospectus under "Sales charge reductions and waivers" or  [EMPTY] of the fund's Statement of Additional Information under "Initial sales charge on Class A shares."

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases, as a % of purchase price

5.00%

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

1.00%
(on certain purchases, including those of $1 million or more)

Small account fee (for fund account balances under $1,000)

$20

 

Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class A

Management fee

[  ]

  

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees

[0.30]

Other expenses 1

[   ]

   

Total annual fund operating expenses

[ ]

1

"Other expenses" have been adjusted to reflect the estimated fees and expenses of the fund after its reorganization with the predecessor fund (as defined below).

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Expenses ($)

Class A

1 year

[     ]

     

3 years

[     ]

     

5 years

[     ]

     

10 years

[     ]

     

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year of the predecessor to the fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund), the predecessor fund's portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and

equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities (IPOs). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the U.S. government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, political events within the United States and abroad, including the U.S. government's ongoing difficulty agreeing on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan and uncertainty surrounding sovereign debt of European Union members, could negatively impact financial markets and the fund's performance. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund's main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 7 of the prospectus .

Active management risk. The subadvisor's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Convertible securities risk. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk. The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

Currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

Emerging-market risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Exchange-traded funds risk. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk. As compared with U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings risk. IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time, causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk. An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Large company risk. Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Liquidity risk. Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Medium and smaller company risk. The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Non-diversified risk. Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Participatory notes risk. The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Investing in REITs subjects the fund to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decline in the value of real estate and general and local economic conditions.

Warrants risk. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to their expiration dates.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly, and may be obtained at our website, jhinvestments.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 800-225-5291, Monday–Thursday between 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., and on Friday, between 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Eastern time.

Calendar year total returns. These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did.

Average annual total returns. Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns.  These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

The fund is expected to be the successor to Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund). The performance information shown below is the historical performance of the predecessor fund's Institutional class shares, which commenced operations on December 30, 2011. Shares of the fund are expected to be offered on or about [_______], 2014. For periods shown below, performance is the actual performance of the sole share class of the predecessor fund and has not been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of any class of shares of the fund. As a result, the performance shown below may be higher than if adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of the particular class of shares of the fund.

Calendar year total returns—Class A (%)

Year-to-date total return.  The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was 0.68%.

Best quarter:  Q3 '13, 11.58%

Worst quarter:  Q2 '12, –6.39%

 

Average annual total returns (%)

1 year

Since inception

As of 12-31-13

12-30-11

Class A before tax

29.85

23.15

After tax on distribution

24.49

20.21

After tax on distribution, with sale

17.64

16.87

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, and taxes)

23.39

21.34

Investment management

Investment advisor John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio management

 

Jay Feeney
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Chrisopher K. Hart
Equity Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joshua Jones
Associate Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The minimum initial investment requirement for Class A shares of the fund is $1,000, except for group investments, which is $250. There are no subsequent investment requirements. You may redeem shares of the fund on any business day through our website: jhinvestments.com; by mail: Investment Operations, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913; or by telephone: 800-225-5291.

Taxes

The fund's distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank, registered investment advisor, financial planner, or retirement plan administrator), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

 

Fund details

Principal investment strategies

The Board of Trustees can change the fund's investment objective and strategies without shareholder approval. The fund will provide 60 days' written notice to shareholders prior to changing its 80% investment strategy.

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including ETFs), REITs, and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in IPOs. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

The fund may invest in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of meeting redemption requests or making other anticipated cash payments.

Temporary defensive investing

A fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, or other investment-grade short-term securities, for the purpose of protecting the fund in the event the subadvisor determines that market, economic, political, or other conditions warrant a defensive posture.

To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, its ability to achieve its investment objective will be limited.

Principal risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund's overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager's ability to pursue the fund's investment objective is subject to active management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions from its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the manager to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Convertible securities risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security's market value also tends to reflect the market price of common stock of the issuing company, particularly when that stock price is greater than the convertible security's conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the

convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see "Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk"), or a borrower of a fund's securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund's share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic, or foreign governments, or their subdivisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, or corporation; or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadvisor may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below-investment-grade securities, also called junk bonds (e.g., fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)), at the time of investment, or determined by a subadvisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their subdivisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below-investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: Their issuers' continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and they may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent that it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Economic and market events risk

Events in the financials sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government's placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship; the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, and General Motors; the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America; the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup; the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo; reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds; emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; debt crises in the eurozone; and S&P's downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods, and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging-market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the fund.

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the

U.S. or other securities markets. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Equity securities risk

Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality, or blue chip, equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.

The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.

Value investing risk. Certain equity securities (generally referred to as value securities) are purchased primarily because they are selling at prices below what the subadviser believes to be their fundamental value and not necessarily because the issuing companies are expected to experience significant earnings growth. The fund bears the risk that the companies that issued these securities may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be perceived by the subadviser to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. A value stock may not increase in price, as anticipated by the subadviser investing in such securities, if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price or invest in markets favoring faster growing companies. The fund's strategy of investing in value stocks also carries the risk that in certain markets value stocks will underperform growth stocks.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) risk

ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. A fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk

Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs, and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities, some or all of which may not be reclaimable. Also, for lesser-developed countries, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency or assets from a country); political changes; or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund's investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States.

Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund's currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards, and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund's portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices, or currency rates are changing.

Emerging-market risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with emerging-market economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more-developed foreign markets, since emerging-market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, and other risks greater than, or in addition to, the risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange-rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging-market countries; the fact that companies in emerging-market countries may be newly organized, smaller, and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging-market issuers.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadvisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest-rate risk, and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund's securities. Even if the subadvisor only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund's initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to efficiently adjust the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets, and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other, more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an 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, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party's consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund's risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments, or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadvisor may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure.

A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) risk

Certain funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on a fund's performance will likely decrease as the fund's asset size increases, which could reduce the fund's returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to a fund for investing, particularly as the fund's asset base grows. IPO shares are frequently volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading, and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, a fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund and may lead to increased expenses for a fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

Issuer risk

An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, or other factors.

Large company risk

Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Liquidity risk

A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund's ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds that invest in securities of emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.

Medium and smaller company risk

Market risk and liquidity risk may be pronounced for securities of companies with medium-sized market capitalizations and are particularly pronounced for securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. These companies may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or they may depend on a few key employees. The securities of companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities, and their value may fluctuate more sharply than those securities. They may also trade in the OTC market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. Investments in less-seasoned companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may not only present greater opportunities for growth and capital appreciation, but also involve greater risks than are customarily associated with more established companies with larger market capitalizations. These risks apply to all funds that invest in the securities of companies with smaller- or medium-sized market capitalizations. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Non-diversified risk

Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers, while overall risk is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Certain funds are not diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of a relatively small number of issuers, which may result in greater susceptibility to associated risks. As a result, credit, market, and other risks associated with a non-diversified fund's investment strategies or techniques may be more pronounced than for funds that are diversified.

Participatory notes risk 

The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk

The fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) risk

REITs are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs' ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Warrants risk

Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Who's who

The following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund's investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund's business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund's operations.

Investment advisor

Manages the fund's business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The advisor administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadvisor to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The advisor's parent company has been helping individuals and institutions work toward their financial goals since 1862. The advisor offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research and leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of March 31, 2014, the advisor had total assets under management of approximately $120.2 billion.

The advisor does not itself manage any of the fund's portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisor and recommend its hiring, termination, and replacement. In this connection, the advisor: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadvisor, and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the advisor, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadvisor or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisors or the fees paid to a subadvisor from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the advisor to appoint a subadvisor that is an affiliate of the advisor or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadvisor to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadvisor, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the advisor a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily net assets of the fund.

Average daily net assets

Annual rate (%)

[   ]

[   ]

Out of these fees, the investment advisor in turn pays the fees of the subadvisor.

The basis for the Trustees' approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, will be discussed in the fund's first shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund's annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund's expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund's "Annual fund operating expenses" table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

The advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). The waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; and 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion. 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. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the advisor upon notice to the funds and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Subadvisor

Handles the fund's day-to-day portfolio management.

Robeco Investment Management, Inc.
One Beacon Street
30 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Robeco is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company. Founded in 1929, Robeco Groep is one of the world's oldest asset management organizations. As of March 31, 2014, Robeco had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Below are brief biographical profiles of the fund's portfolio managers, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

Jay Feeney

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities

Managed predecessor fund since inception 

Joined subadvisor in 1995

Began business career in [1987]

Christopher K. Hart

Equity Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joined subadvisor in 2002

Began business career in [1993]

Joshua Jones

Associate Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Joined subadvisor in 2006

Began business career in [2005]

Custodian

Holds the fund's assets, settles all portfolio trades, and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund's net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners, and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends, and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Financial highlights

The financial highlights information in the following table represents the financial highlights of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (the predecessor fund) Institutional Class shares for the fiscal periods indicated. It is currently contemplated that the predecessor fund will be reorganized into the fund on or about [_______], 2014. "Total return" shows how much an investment in the fund's and the predecessor fund's shares would have increased (or decreased) during the period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Class A shares of the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. Because Class A shares of the fund have different expenses than the predecessor fund's Institutional Class shares, financial highlights for Class A shares of the fund would have differed.

The financial highlights for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012, August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, were derived from the predecessor fund's financial statements. The predecessor fund's financial statements in such fund's annual and semiannual reports for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, respectively, have been incorporated by reference into the SAI. Copies of the predecessor fund's annual and semiannual report can be obtained by calling [                ].

[To Be Updated By Amendment]

Institutional Share class

Per share operating performance

For the Period Ending February 28, 2014 (unaudited)

For the Period Ending August 31, 2013

For the Period December 30, 2011** through August 31, 2012

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

$10.79

$10.00

Net investment income*

0.20

0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

2.10

0.64

Total from investment operations

2.30

0.79

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

(0.13

)

Dividends to shareholders from net realized gains

(0.08

)

Total distributions

(0.21

)

Redemption fees

Net asset value, end of period

$

$12.88

$10.79

Total investment return 1,2

[ ]%

21.52

%

7.90

% 4

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (000)

$

$11,104

$10,895

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.30

%

1.30

% 3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

3.18

%

3.77

% 3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.63

%

2.16

% 3

Portfolio turnover rate

[ ]%

87

%

81

% 4

 

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

**

Inception date.

1

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3

Annualized.

4

Not annualized.

 

Your account

Investing in Class A shares

Class A shares are subject to a Rule 12b-1 plan that allows the fund to pay fees for the sale, distribution, and service of its shares. Class A shares are not available to group retirement plans that do not currently hold Class A shares of the fund and that are eligible to invest in Class I shares or any of the R share classes, except as provided below. Such plans generally include, but are not limited to, defined benefit plans, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, 403(b)(7) plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Investment in Class A shares by such group retirement plans will be permitted in the following circumstances:

The plan held Class A shares of any John Hancock fund prior to January 1, 2013;

Class A shares of any other John Hancock fund were established as an investment option under the plan prior to January 1, 2013, and the fund's representatives have agreed that the plan may invest in Class A shares after that date; and

Class A shares of any other John Hancock fund were established as a part of an investment model prior to January 1, 2013, and the fund's representatives have agreed that plans utilizing such model may invest in Class A shares after that date.

Class A shares

A front-end sales charge, as described in the section "How sales charges are calculated."

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.30%.

Rule 12b-1 fees

Rule 12b-1 fees will be paid to the fund's distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class, and for the payment of service fees that come within Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries

Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment advisors, financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in two principal ways:

directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and

indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.

Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments in addition to sales commissions and Rule 12b-1 fees out of the distributor's own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. These payments assist in the distributor's efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation, and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.

The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund's net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the advisor and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor's marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars, or other programs attended by the intermediary's sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.

The SAI discusses the distributor's revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

The distributor, advisor, and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the advisor or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the advisor or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.

Rollover program compensation

The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing, or other plan qualified under Section 401(a), or described in Section 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), that is funded by certain group annuity contracts issued by John Hancock insurance companies, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (Rollover Compensation) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock-sponsored custodial IRA or a John Hancock custodial Roth IRA invested in shares of John Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid from a fund's Rule 12b-1 fees to the plan's broker-dealer of record at an annual rate not expected to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. A John Hancock insurance company may also pay the third-party administrator for the plan a one-time nominal fee not expected to exceed $25 per participant rollover into a John Hancock fund for facilitating the transaction.

How sales charges are calculated

Class A sales charges are as follows:

Your investment ($)

As a % of offering price*

As a % of your investment

Up to 49,999

5.00

5.26

50,000–99,999

4.50

4.71

100,000–249,999

3.50

3.63

250,000–499,999

2.50

2.56

500,000–999,999

2.00

2.04

1,000,000 and over

See below

* Offering price is the net asset value per share plus any initial sales charges.

You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing Class A, Class B, Class C, Class T, Class ADV, Class I, Class I2, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5, or Class R6 shares of a John Hancock open-end mutual fund. To receive the reduced sales charge, you must tell your broker or financial representative at the time you purchase the fund's Class A shares about any other John Hancock mutual funds held by you, your spouse, or your children under the age of 21 living in the same household. This includes investments held in an individual retirement account, in an employee benefit plan, or with a broker or financial representative other than the one handling your current purchase. John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase. You may need to provide documentation for these accounts, such as an account statement. For more information about these reduced sales charges, you may visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com. You may also consult your broker or financial advisor, or refer to the section entitled "Initial sales charge on Class A shares" in the fund's SAI. You may request an SAI from your broker or financial advisor by accessing the fund's website at jhinvestments.com or by calling Signature Services at 800-225-5291.

Investments of $1 million or more

Class A shares are available with no front-end sales charge on investments of $1 million or more. There is a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any Class A shares upon which a commission or finder's fee was paid that are sold within one year of purchase, as follows:

Class A deferred charges on investments of
$1 million or more

 

Years after purchase

CDSC (%)

1 st year

1.00

After 1 st year

None

For purposes of this CDSC, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.

The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, we will first sell any shares in your account that are not subject to a CDSC.

Sales charge reductions and waivers

Reducing your Class A sales charges

There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of shares of John Hancock funds to take advantage of the breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. The first three ways can be combined in any manner.

Accumulation privilege—lets you add the value of any class of shares of any John Hancock open-end fund you already own to the amount of your next Class A share investment for purposes of calculating the sales charge. However, Class A shares of money market funds will not qualify unless you have already paid a sales charge on those shares.

Letter of intention—lets you purchase Class A shares of a fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once. You can use a letter of intention to qualify for reduced sales charges if you plan to invest at least $50,000 in a John Hancock fund's Class A and Class T shares during the next 13 months. The calculation of this amount would include accumulations and combinations as well as your current holdings of all classes of John Hancock funds, which include any reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. However, Class A shares of money market funds will be excluded unless you have already paid a sales charge. When you sign this letter, the fund agrees to charge you the reduced sales charges. Completing a letter of intention does not obligate you to purchase additional shares. However, if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the lower sales charges by the earlier of the end of the 13-month period or when you sell your shares, your sales charges will be recalculated to reflect your actual purchase level. Also available for individual retirement plan investors is a 48-month letter of intention, described in the SAI.

Combination privilege—lets you combine shares of all funds for purposes of calculating the Class A sales charge.

To utilize any reduction, you must complete the appropriate section of your application, or contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Group investment program

A group may be treated as a single purchaser under the accumulation and combination privileges. Each investor has an individual account, but the group's investments are lumped together for sales charge purposes, making the investors potentially eligible for reduced sales charges. There is no charge or obligation to invest (although initial investments per account opened must satisfy minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section entitled "Opening an account"), and individual investors may close their accounts at any time.

To utilize this program, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services to find out how to qualify. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

CDSC waivers

As long as Signature Services is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for Class A shares will be waived in the following cases:

to make payments through certain systematic withdrawal plans

certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc., or PruSolutions SM programs

redemptions pursuant to the fund's right to liquidate an account that is below the minimum account value stated below in "Dividends and account policies" under the subsection "Small accounts"

redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception of a retirement plan at John Hancock

to make certain distributions from a retirement plan

because of shareholder death or disability

rollovers, contract exchanges, or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by John Hancock as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b)(7) accounts

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Reinstatement privilege

If you sell shares of a John Hancock fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds back into the same share class of the same fund and account from which it was removed, within 120 days without a sales charge, subject to fund minimums, as long as Signature Services or your financial representative is notified before you reinvest. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC. Consult the SAI for additional details.

To utilize this privilege, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Waivers for certain investors

Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales charges or CDSCs to the following individuals and institutions:

selling brokers and their employees and sales representatives (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)

financial representatives utilizing fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based, or wrap investment products under a signed agreement with the distributor

financial intermediaries who have entered into agreements with the distributor to offer shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to their customers

fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with these or other John Hancock funds, including employees of John Hancock companies or Manulife Financial Corporation (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)

individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to an IRA

individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to a Roth IRA

individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SARSEP, or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock funds back to the original account type from which they were converted

participants in certain 529 plans that have a signed agreement with the distributor (one-year CDSC may apply)

participants in certain retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees (one-year CDSC applies)

certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc., or PruSolutions SM programs

terminating participants in a pension, profit-sharing, or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts or for which John Hancock Trust Company serves as trustee, rolling over assets (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from such a plan to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, or the subsequent establishment of or any rollover into a new John Hancock fund account through John Hancock's Personal Financial Services (PFS) Group by such terminating participants and/or their Immediate Family (as defined in the SAI), including subsequent investments into such accounts, and that are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center

participants in a terminating pension, profit-sharing, or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to such plan's termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts or in trust by John Hancock Trust Company, but have been transferred from such contracts or trust funds and are held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third-party trust company and made available through John Hancock), rolling over assets (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from such a plan to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, or the subsequent establishment of or any rollover into a new John Hancock fund account through John Hancock's PFS Group by such participants and/or their Immediate Family (as defined in the SAI), including subsequent investments into such accounts, and that are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center

participants actively enrolled in a John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (RPS) plan account rolling over or transferring assets into a new John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds through the John Hancock PFS Group (to the extent such assets are otherwise prohibited from rolling over or transferring into such participant's John Hancock RPS plan account), including subsequent investments into such accounts, and that are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center

individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial
403(b)(7) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account

former employees/associates of John Hancock, its affiliates, or agencies rolling over (directly or indirectly within 60 days after distribution) to a new John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA from the John Hancock Employee Investment-Incentive Plan (TIP), John Hancock Savings Investment Plan (SIP), or the John Hancock Pension Plan, and such participants and their Immediate Family (as defined in the SAI) subsequently establishing or rolling over assets into a new John Hancock account through the John Hancock PFS Group, including subsequent investments into such accounts, and that are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Other waivers

Front-end sales charges and CDSCs are not imposed in connection with the following transactions:

exchanges from one John Hancock fund to the same class of any other John Hancock fund (see "Transaction policies" in this prospectus for additional details)

dividend reinvestments (see "Dividends and account policies" in this prospectus for additional details)

Opening an account

1

Read this prospectus carefully.

2

Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment for Class A shares of the fund is $1,000 except as follows:

there is no minimum initial investment for certain group retirement plans using salary deduction or similar group methods of payment

group investments: $250

there is no minimum initial investment for fee-based or wrap accounts of selling firms that have executed a fee-based or wrap agreement with the distributor

3

All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, contact your financial representative or call Signature Services at 800-225-5291.

4

Complete the appropriate parts of the account privileges application. By applying for privileges now, you can avoid the delay and inconvenience of having to file an additional application if you want to add privileges later.

5

Make your initial investment using the instructions under "Buying shares." You and your financial representative can initiate any purchase, exchange, or sale of shares.

Important information about opening a new account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.

For individual investors opening an account. When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number.

For investors other than individuals. When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business, and taxpayer identification number (TIN), and you may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments, or partnership agreements, and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.

Buying shares

Opening an account

Adding to an account

By check

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

Fill out the detachable investment slip from an account statement. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered.

Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

By exchange

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

Log on to the website below to process exchanges between funds.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

By wire

Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.

Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to
wire funds.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to
wire funds.

By Internet

See "By exchange" and "By wire."

Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.

Complete the "Bank information" section on your account application.

Log on to the website below to initiate purchases using your authorized bank account.

By phone

See "By exchange" and "By wire."

Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system.

Complete the "To purchase, exchange, or redeem shares via telephone" and "Bank information" sections on your account application.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between
8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Monday–Thursday, and on Friday, between
8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Eastern time.

To add to an account using the Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program, see "Additional investor services."

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-338-8080

Signature Services, Inc.
800-225-5291

Selling shares

To sell some or all of your shares

By letter

Accounts of any type.

Sales of any amount.

Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered, and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.

Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).

Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).

A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.

By Internet

Most accounts.

Sales of up to $100,000.

Log on to the website below to initiate redemptions from your fund.

By phone

Most accounts.

Sales of up to $100,000.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between
8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Monday–Thursday, and on Friday, between
8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Eastern time.

By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Requests by letter to sell any amount.

Requests by Internet or phone to sell up to $100,000.

To verify that the Internet or telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.

Funds requested by wire will generally be wired the next business day. A $4 fee will be deducted from your account. Your bank may also charge a fee for this service.

Funds requested by EFT are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge a fee for this service.

By exchange

Accounts of any type.

Sales of any amount.

Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund's website or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Log on to the website below to process exchanges between your funds.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

To sell shares through a systematic withdrawal plan, see "Additional investor services."

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-338-8080

Signature Services, Inc.
800-225-5291

Selling shares in writing

In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:

your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;

you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock); or

you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).

You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.

 

Seller

Requirements for written requests

Owners of individual, joint, or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner, or association accounts

Letter of instruction.

Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock business/organization certification form.

On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners or trustees of trust accounts

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).

Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock trust certification form.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with deceased co-tenant(s)

Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant(s).

Copy of death certificate.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Executors of shareholder estates

Letter of instruction signed by executor.

Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Administrators, conservators, guardians, and other sellers, or account types not listed above

Call Signature Services for instructions.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-338-8080

Signature Services, Inc.
800-225-5291

Transaction policies

Valuation of shares

The net asset value (NAV) for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 P.M., Eastern time, on each business day that the NYSE is open). On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the fund's NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the fund's portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the fund's shares may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the fund.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Portfolio securities also may be fair valued by the fund's Pricing Committee in certain instances. Equity securities are generally valued at the last sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price as of the close of the relevant exchange. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued using last available bid prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the price on the exchange where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs (underlying funds) are valued based on the NAVs of such underlying funds.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are otherwise deemed unreliable because of market or issuer specific securities, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund's Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security's fair value may be made by the Pricing Committee acting pursuant to the procedures established by the Trustees. In certain instances, therefore, the Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund's NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund's portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material.

Regarding the fund's investment in an underlying fund that is not an ETF, which (as noted above) is valued at such underlying fund's NAV, the prospectus for such underlying fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that underlying fund.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV, plus any applicable sales charges, as described earlier. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing jhinvestments.com, or sending your request in writing.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Telephone transactions

For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

Exchanges

You may exchange shares of a class of the fund for shares of the same class of any other John Hancock fund that is then offering that class, generally without paying any sales charges. The registration for both accounts must be identical.

Shares acquired in an exchange will be subject to the CDSC rate and holding schedule of the fund in which such shares were originally purchased if and when such shares are redeemed. For purposes of determining the holding period for calculating the CDSC, shares will continue to age from their original purchase date.

Provided the fund's eligibility requirements are met, an investor in the fund pursuant to a fee-based, wrap, or other investment platform program of certain firms, as determined by the fund, may be afforded an

opportunity to make a conversion of Class A shares also owned by the investor in the same fund to Class I shares of that fund. Conversion of Class A to Class I shares of the same fund in these particular circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss. For further details, see "Additional information concerning taxes" in the SAI for information regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of the fund (see the back cover of this prospectus).

The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days' written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see "Additional services and programs" in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject, or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder's financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject, or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific limitation on exchange activity, as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund's best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund's judgment, such delay would be in the fund's best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund's NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations, or U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or preestablished exchange, asset allocation, and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund's ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under "Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices" below. Depending upon the composition of the fund's shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund's shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial advisor, broker, retirement plan administrator, or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund's underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisors, brokers, retirement plan administrators, or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients' transactions and ownership positions and do not

identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund's request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund's policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund's ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit, and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund's operating costs and decrease the fund's investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below-investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund's portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers, or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Account information

The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an accountholder's identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV minus any applicable sales charges, and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.

Certificated shares

The fund does not issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.

Sales in advance of purchase payments

When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements as follows:

after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment, automatic investment, or systematic withdrawal) that affects your account balance

after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)

in all other circumstances, every quarter

Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by February 15.

Dividends

The fund typically declares and pays income dividends at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are typically distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund's fiscal year.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested. No front-end sales charge or CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

Taxability of dividends

For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund's short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund's long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund's holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every February, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Small accounts

If the value of your account is less than $1,000, you may be asked to purchase more shares within 30 days. If you do not take action, the fund may close out your account and mail you the proceeds. Alternatively, the fund may charge you $20 a year to maintain your account. You will not be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this reason.

Additional investor services

Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program (MAAP)

MAAP lets you set up regular investments from paychecks or bank accounts to the John Hancock fund(s). Investors determine the frequency and amount of investments ($25 minimum per month), and they can terminate the program at any time. To establish, you must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section "Opening an account" and complete the appropriate parts of the account application.

Systematic withdrawal plan

This plan may be used for routine bill payments or periodic withdrawals from your account. To establish:

Make sure you have at least $5,000 worth of shares in your account.

Make sure you are not planning to invest more money in this account (buying shares during a period when you are also selling shares of the same fund is not advantageous to you because of sales charges).

Specify the payee(s). The payee may be yourself or any other party, and there is no limit to the number of payees you may have, as long as they are all on the same payment schedule.

Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually, or in certain selected months.

Fill out the relevant part of the account application. To add a systematic withdrawal plan to an existing account, contact your financial representative or Signature Services.

Retirement plans

John Hancock funds offer a range of retirement plans, including Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE plans, and SEPs. Using these plans, you can invest in any John Hancock fund (except tax-free income funds). To find out more, call Signature Services at 800-225-5291.

John Hancock does not accept requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; does not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your existing John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; and requires additional disclosure documentation if you direct John Hancock to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b)(7) contract or account. In addition, the fund no longer accepts salary deferrals into
403(b)(7) accounts. Please refer to the SAI for more information regarding these restrictions.

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the website, jhinvestments.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top 10 holdings; top 10 sector analysis; total return/yield; top 10 countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top 10 portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the website no earlier than 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund's fiscal year and on Form
N-CSR as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the fund's fiscal year. A description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

Appendix

Historical Performance of the RIM International Equity Composite

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund (the fund) is expected to commence operations on or about [_______], 2014. The fund is subadvised by Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (Robeco). Robeco manages an account with an investment style, objective, policies, and strategies substantially similar to those that are used to manage the fund. The account is included in a composite the performance of which is presented in this Appendix (the Composite). The account has been managed by the same portfolio manager disclosed in the fund's prospectus for all periods shown in the Appendix. Performance presented in the Composite has been generated on an asset-weighted basis and includes the reinvestment of dividends.

Because of the similarities between the fund and the Composite, this information may help provide an indication of the fund's risks by showing how a similar Composite has performed historically. The performance of the Composite, however, is not the performance of the fund, and you should not assume that the fund will have the same performance as the Composite. The performance of the fund may be greater or less than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, the number of the holdings in and composition of the fund's portfolio, as well as the asset size and cash flow differences between the fund and the Composite. The account in the Composite is not subject to the investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if they had applied, might have affected the account's performance results. The inception date of the Composite is July 1, 2008.

This Appendix includes an index for purposes of comparing performance of the Composite. The MSCI EAFE Index, the Composite's benchmark (the Benchmark), is a broad-based securities index that reflects the investment strategies and performance target of the account underlying the Composite.

Performance information — bar chart and table — is presented on the following page for the Composite. The bar chart shows how the Composite's total return has varied over the last five (5) calendar years, and the table shows the Composite's performance over the last year, three (3) years, five (5) years and since inception as of December 31, 2013 (as compared with the Benchmark for reference). The past performance of the Composite is no guarantee of future results in managing the fund. The information in this Appendix does not represent the performance of the fund and is no indication of how it would have performed in the past or will perform in the future.

The past performance of the Composite has been calculated net of actual fees and expenses. The Composite's returns would be lower if it reflected the fees and expenses of the fund. Class A shares of the fund have front-end or deferred sales charges. The account in the Composite does not have such charges or expenses. The other expenses of Class A shares of the fund, including Rule 12b-1 fees, are higher than those of the Class NAV shares applied to the Composite. The performance of the Composite would be lower if adjusted to reflect the sales charges and expenses of Class A shares of the fund.

An index is unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. As such, year-by-year index figures do not account for any sales charges, fees or fund expenses. As indicated above, past performance does not indicate future results.

Calendar year total returns—Composite (%)

Year-to-date total return  The Composite's net total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was [   ]%.

Best quarter : Q2 '09, 23.14%  Worst quarter : Q4 '08, –23.76%

 

Composite average annual total returns (%)

1 year

3 years

5 years

Since
inception

for periods ended 12-31-13

7-1-08

Composite

30.51

12.70

14.79

4.28

MSCI EAFE Index (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)

23.29

8.66

12.96

2.91

MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding tax on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada.

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions, and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditor's report (in the annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund's policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents or request other information

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus, or SAI from John Hancock, request other information, or make inquiries:

Online: jhinvestments.com

By mail:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

By EASI-Line: 800-338-8080

By phone: 800-225-5291

By TDD: 800-231-5469

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: sec.gov  

By email (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov  

By mail (duplicating fee required):
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-1520

In person: at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

For access to the Reference Room call 202-551-8090.

© 2014 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC DVI0PN 6-26-14 SEC file number: 811-00560

 
 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund

Prospectus
6-26-14

 

► Class C:

The information in this prospectus is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Fund summary

Fund details

Your account

The summary section is a concise look at the investment objective, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, principal risks, past performance, and investment management.

More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the investment strategies and various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.

How to place an order to buy, sell, or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.

For more information  S ee back cover


Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Disciplined Value International Fund

Fund Details

Principal investment strategies

Principal risks of investing

Who's who

Financial highlights

Your Account

Investing in Class C shares

How sales charges are calculated

Sales charge reductions and waivers

Opening an account

Buying shares

Selling shares

Transaction policies

Dividends and account policies

Additional investor services

Appendix

Back Cover

Back Cover


Fund summary

John Hancock

Disciplined Value International Fund 

Investment objective

To seek long-term capital growth.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class C

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

1.00%

Small account fee (for fund account balances under $1,000)

$20

 

Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class C

Management fee

[ ]

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees

[1.00]

Other expenses 1

[ ]

Total annual fund operating expenses

[ ]

1

"Other expenses" have been adjusted to reflect the estimated fees and expenses of the fund after its reorganization with the predecessor fund (as defined below).

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment in the fund for the time periods indicated assuming you redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. For Class C shares, the expense examples may differ if shares are sold or kept at the end of the period. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Expenses ($)

Class C

Sold

Kept

1 year

[     ]

     

[     ]

     

3 years

[     ]

     

[     ]

     

5 years

[     ]

     

[     ]

     

10 years

[     ]

     

[     ]

     

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year of the predecessor to the fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund), the predecessor fund's portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and

equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities (IPOs). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the U.S. government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, political events within the United States and abroad, including the U.S. government's ongoing difficulty agreeing on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan and uncertainty surrounding sovereign debt of European Union members, could negatively impact financial markets and the fund's performance. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund's main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 7 of the prospectus .

Active management risk. The subadvisor's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Convertible securities risk. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk. The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

Currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

Emerging-market risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Exchange-traded funds risk. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk. As compared with U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings risk. IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time, causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk. An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Large company risk. Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Liquidity risk. Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Medium and smaller company risk. The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Non-diversified risk. Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Participatory notes risk. The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Investing in REITs subjects the fund to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decline in the value of real estate and general and local economic conditions.

Warrants risk. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to their expiration dates.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly, and may be obtained at our website, jhinvestments.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 800-225-5291, Monday–Thursday between 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., and on Friday, between 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Eastern time.

Calendar year total returns. These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did.

Average annual total returns. Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns.  These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

The fund is expected to be the successor to Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund). The performance information shown below is the historical performance of the predecessor fund's Institutional class shares, which commenced operations on December 30, 2011. Shares of the fund are expected to be offered on or about [_______], 2014. For periods shown below, performance is the actual performance of the sole share class of the predecessor fund and has not been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of any class of shares of the fund. As a result, the performance shown below may be higher than if adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of the particular class of shares of the fund.

Calendar year total returns—Class C (%)

Year-to-date total return.  The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was 0.68%.

Best quarter:  Q3 '13, 11.58%

Worst quarter:  Q2 '12, –6.39%

 

Average annual total returns (%)

1 year

Since inception

As of 12-31-13

12-30-11

Class C before tax

29.85

23.15

After tax on distribution

24.49

20.21

After tax on distribution, with sale

17.64

16.87

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, and taxes)

23.39

21.34

Investment management

Investment advisor John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio management

 

Jay Feeney
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Chrisopher K. Hart
Equity Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joshua Jones
Associate Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The minimum initial investment requirement for Class C shares of the fund is $1,000, except for group investments, which is $250. There are no subsequent investment requirements. You may redeem shares of the fund on any business day through our website: jhinvestments.com; by mail: Investment Operations, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913; or by telephone: 800-225-5291.

Taxes

The fund's distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank, registered investment advisor, financial planner, or retirement plan administrator), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

 

Fund details

Principal investment strategies

The Board of Trustees can change the fund's investment objective and strategies without shareholder approval. The fund will provide 60 days' written notice to shareholders prior to changing its 80% investment strategy.

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including ETFs), REITs, and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in IPOs. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

The fund may invest in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of meeting redemption requests or making other anticipated cash payments.

Temporary defensive investing

The fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, or other investment-grade short-term securities for the purpose of protecting the fund in the event the subadvisor determines that market, economic, political, or other conditions warrant a defensive posture.

To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, its ability to achieve its investment objective will be limited.

Principal risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund's overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager's ability to pursue the fund's investment objective is subject to active management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions from its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the manager to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Convertible securities risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security's market value also tends to reflect the market price of common stock of the issuing company, particularly when that stock price is greater than the convertible security's conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the

convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see "Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk"), or a borrower of a fund's securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund's share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic, or foreign governments, or their subdivisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, or corporation; or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadvisor may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below-investment-grade securities, also called junk bonds (e.g., fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)), at the time of investment, or determined by a subadvisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their subdivisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below-investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: Their issuers' continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and they may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent that it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Economic and market events risk

Events in the financials sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government's placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship; the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, and General Motors; the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America; the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup; the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo; reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds; emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; debt crises in the eurozone; and S&P's downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods, and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging-market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the fund.

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the

U.S. or other securities markets. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Equity securities risk

Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality, or blue chip, equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.

The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.

Value investing risk. Certain equity securities (generally referred to as value securities) are purchased primarily because they are selling at prices below what the subadviser believes to be their fundamental value and not necessarily because the issuing companies are expected to experience significant earnings growth. The fund bears the risk that the companies that issued these securities may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be perceived by the subadviser to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. A value stock may not increase in price, as anticipated by the subadviser investing in such securities, if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price or invest in markets favoring faster growing companies. The fund's strategy of investing in value stocks also carries the risk that in certain markets value stocks will underperform growth stocks.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) risk

ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. A fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk

Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs, and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities, some or all of which may not be reclaimable. Also, for lesser-developed countries, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency or assets from a country); political changes; or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund's investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States.

Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund's currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards, and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund's portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices, or currency rates are changing.

Emerging-market risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with emerging-market economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more-developed foreign markets, since emerging-market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, and other risks greater than, or in addition to, the risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange-rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging-market countries; the fact that companies in emerging-market countries may be newly organized, smaller, and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging-market issuers.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadvisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest-rate risk, and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund's securities. Even if the subadvisor only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund's initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to efficiently adjust the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets, and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other, more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an 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, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party's consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund's risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments, or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadvisor may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure.

A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) risk

Certain funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on a fund's performance will likely decrease as the fund's asset size increases, which could reduce the fund's returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to a fund for investing, particularly as the fund's asset base grows. IPO shares are frequently volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading, and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, a fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund and may lead to increased expenses for a fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

Issuer risk

An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, or other factors.

Large company risk

Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Liquidity risk

A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund's ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds that invest in securities of emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.

Medium and smaller company risk

Market risk and liquidity risk may be pronounced for securities of companies with medium-sized market capitalizations and are particularly pronounced for securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. These companies may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or they may depend on a few key employees. The securities of companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities, and their value may fluctuate more sharply than those securities. They may also trade in the OTC market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. Investments in less-seasoned companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may not only present greater opportunities for growth and capital appreciation, but also involve greater risks than are customarily associated with more established companies with larger market capitalizations. These risks apply to all funds that invest in the securities of companies with smaller- or medium-sized market capitalizations. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Non-diversified risk

Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers, while overall risk is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Certain funds are not diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of a relatively small number of issuers, which may result in greater susceptibility to associated risks. As a result, credit, market, and other risks associated with a non-diversified fund's investment strategies or techniques may be more pronounced than for funds that are diversified.

Participatory notes risk 

The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk

The fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) risk

REITs are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs' ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Warrants risk

Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Who's who

The following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund's investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund's business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund's operations.

Investment advisor

Manages the fund's business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The advisor administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadvisor to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The advisor's parent company has been helping individuals and institutions work toward their financial goals since 1862. The advisor offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research and leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of March 31, 2014, the advisor had total assets under management of approximately $120.2 billion.

The advisor does not itself manage any of the fund's portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisor and recommend its hiring, termination, and replacement. In this connection, the advisor: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadvisor, and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the advisor, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadvisor or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisors or the fees paid to a subadvisor from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the advisor to appoint a subadvisor that is an affiliate of the advisor or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadvisor to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadvisor, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the advisor a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily net assets of the fund.

Average daily net assets

Annual rate (%)

[   ]

[   ]

Out of these fees, the investment advisor in turn pays the fees of the subadvisor.

The basis for the Trustees' approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, will be discussed in the fund's first shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund's annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund's expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund's "Annual fund operating expenses" table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

The advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). The waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; and 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion. 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. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the advisor upon notice to the funds and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Subadvisor

Handles the fund's day-to-day portfolio management.

Robeco Investment Management, Inc.
One Beacon Street
30 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Robeco is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company. Founded in 1929, Robeco Groep is one of the world's oldest asset management organizations. As of March 31, 2014, Robeco had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Below are brief biographical profiles of the fund's portfolio managers, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

The following are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the fund's investment management team, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more details about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the funds, see the SAI.

Jay Feeney

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities

Managed predecessor fund since inception 

Joined subadvisor in 1995

Began business career in [1987]

Christopher K. Hart

Equity Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joined subadvisor in 2002

Began business career in [1993]

Joshua Jones

Associate Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Joined subadvisor in 2006

Began business career in [2005]

Custodian

Holds the fund's assets, settles all portfolio trades, and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund's net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners, and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends, and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Financial highlights

The financial highlights information in the following table represents the financial highlights of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (the predecessor fund) Institutional Class shares for the fiscal periods indicated. It is currently contemplated that the predecessor fund will be reorganized into the fund on or about [_______], 2014. "Total return" shows how much an investment in the fund's and the predecessor fund's shares would have increased (or decreased) during the period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Class C shares of the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. Because Class C shares of the fund have different expenses than the predecessor fund's Institutional Class shares, financial highlights for Class C shares of the fund would have differed.

The financial highlights for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012, August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, were derived from the predecessor fund's financial statements. The predecessor fund's financial statements in such fund's annual and semiannual reports for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, respectively, have been incorporated by reference into the SAI. Copies of the predecessor fund's annual and semiannual report can be obtained by calling [                ].

[To Be Updated By Amendment]

Institutional Share class

Per share operating performance

For the Period Ending February 28, 2014 (unaudited)

For the Period Ending August 31, 2013

For the Period December 30, 2011** through August 31, 2012

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

$10.79

$10.00

Net investment income*

0.20

0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

2.10

0.64

Total from investment operations

2.30

0.79

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

(0.13

)

Dividends to shareholders from net realized gains

(0.08

)

Total distributions

(0.21

)

Redemption fees

Net asset value, end of period

$

$12.88

$10.79

Total investment return 1,2

[ ]%

21.52

%

7.90

% 4

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (000)

$

$11,104

$10,895

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.30

%

1.30

% 3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

3.18

%

3.77

% 3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.63

%

2.16

% 3

Portfolio turnover rate

[ ]%

87

%

81

% 4

 

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

**

Inception date.

1

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3

Annualized.

4

Not annualized.

 

Your account

Investing in Class C shares

Class C shares' cost structure includes a Rule 12b-1 plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution, and service of its shares.

Class C shares

No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work for you right away

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%

A 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on shares sold within one year of purchase

No automatic conversion to Class A shares,* so annual expenses continue at the Class C level throughout the life of your investment

      * Class A shares of the fund are described in a separate prospectus, which is available by calling 800-225-5291, or through the fund's website at jhinvestments.com.

The maximum amount you may invest in Class C shares with any single purchase is $999,999.99. John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), the transfer agent for the fund, may accept a purchase request for Class C shares for $1,000,000 or more when the purchase is pursuant to the reinstatement privilege (see "Sales charge reductions and waivers").

Rule 12b-1 fees

Rule 12b-1 fees will be paid to the fund's distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class, and for the payment of service fees that come within Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries

Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment advisors, financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in two principal ways:

directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and

indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.

Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments in addition to sales commissions and Rule 12b-1 fees out of the distributor's own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. These payments assist in the distributor's efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation, and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.

The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund's net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the advisor and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor's marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars, or other programs attended by the intermediary's sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.

The SAI discusses the distributor's revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

The distributor, advisor, and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the advisor or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the advisor or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.

Rollover program compensation

The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing, or other plan qualified under Section 401(a), or described in Section 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), that is funded by certain group annuity contracts issued by John Hancock insurance companies, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (Rollover Compensation) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock-sponsored custodial IRA or a John Hancock custodial Roth IRA invested in shares of John Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid from a fund's Rule 12b-1 fees to the plan's broker-dealer of record at an annual rate not expected to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. A John Hancock insurance company may also pay the third-party administrator for the plan a one-time nominal fee not expected to exceed $25 per participant rollover into a John Hancock fund for facilitating the transaction.

How sales charges are calculated

Class C shares

Shares are offered at their net asset value per share, without any initial sales charge.

A CDSC may be charged if a commission has been paid and you sell Class C shares within a certain time after you bought them, as described in the table below. There is no CDSC on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. The CDSC is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. The CDSC is as follows:

Class C deferred charges

Years after purchase

CDSC (%)

1 st year

1.00

After 1 st year

None

For purposes of this CDSC, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.

To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, we will first sell any shares in your account that carry no CDSC. If there are not enough of these shares to meet your request, we will sell those shares that have the lowest CDSC.

Sales charge reductions and waivers

CDSC waivers

As long as Signature Services is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for Class C shares will be waived in the following cases:

to make payments through certain systematic withdrawal plans

certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc., or PruSolutions SM programs

redemptions pursuant to the fund's right to liquidate an account that is below the minimum account value stated below in "Dividends and account policies" under the subsection "Small accounts"

to make certain distributions from a retirement plan

because of shareholder death or disability

rollovers, contract exchanges, or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by John Hancock as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b)(7) accounts

exchanges from one John Hancock fund to the same class of any other John Hancock fund (see "Transaction policies" in this prospectus for additional details)

dividend reinvestments (see "Dividends and account policies" in this prospectus for additional details)

To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Reinstatement privilege

If you sell shares of a John Hancock fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds back into the same share class of the same fund and account from which it was removed, within 120 days without a sales charge, subject to fund minimums, as long as Signature Services or your financial representative is notified before you reinvest. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC. Consult the SAI for additional details.

To utilize this privilege, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Opening an account

1

Read this prospectus carefully.

2

Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment for Class C shares of the fund is $1,000, except as follows:

there is no minimum initial investment for certain group retirement plans using salary deduction or similar group methods of payment

group investments: $250

there is no minimum initial investment for fee-based or wrap accounts of selling firms that have executed a fee-based or wrap agreement with the distributor

3

All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, contact your financial representative or call Signature Services at 800-225-5291.

4

Complete the appropriate parts of the account privileges application. By applying for privileges now, you can avoid the delay and inconvenience of having to file an additional application if you want to add privileges later.

5

Make your initial investment using the instructions under "Buying shares." You and your financial representative can initiate any purchase, exchange, or sale of shares.

Important information about opening a new account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.

For individual investors opening an account. When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number.

For investors other than individuals. When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business, and taxpayer identification number (TIN), and you may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments, or partnership agreements, and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.

Buying shares

Opening an account

Adding to an account

By check

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

Fill out the detachable investment slip from an account statement. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered.

Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

By exchange

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

Log on to the website below to process exchanges between funds.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

By wire

Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.

Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to
wire funds.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to
wire funds.

By Internet

See "By exchange" and "By wire."

Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.

Complete the "Bank information" section on your account application.

Log on to the website below to initiate purchases using your authorized bank account.

By phone

See "By exchange" and "By wire."

Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system.

Complete the "To purchase, exchange, or redeem shares via telephone" and "Bank information" sections on your account application.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between
8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Monday–Thursday, and on Friday, between
8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Eastern time.

To add to an account using the Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program, see "Additional investor services."

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-338-8080

Signature Services, Inc.
800-225-5291

Selling shares

To sell some or all of your shares

By letter

Accounts of any type.

Sales of any amount.

Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered, and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.

Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).

Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).

A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.

By Internet

Most accounts.

Sales of up to $100,000.

Log on to the website below to initiate redemptions from your fund.

By phone

Most accounts.

Sales of up to $100,000.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between
8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Monday–Thursday, and on Friday, between
8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M., Eastern time.

By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Requests by letter to sell any amount.

Requests by Internet or phone to sell up to $100,000.

To verify that the Internet or telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.

Funds requested by wire will generally be wired the next business day. A $4 fee will be deducted from your account. Your bank may also charge a fee for this service.

Funds requested by EFT are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge a fee for this service.

By exchange

Accounts of any type.

Sales of any amount.

Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund's website or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Log on to the website below to process exchanges between your funds.

Call EASI-Line for automated service.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

To sell shares through a systematic withdrawal plan, see "Additional investor services."

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-338-8080

Signature Services, Inc.
800-225-5291

Selling shares in writing

In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:

your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;

you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock); or

you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).

You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.

 

Seller

Requirements for written requests

Owners of individual, joint, or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner, or association accounts

Letter of instruction.

Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock business/organization certification form.

On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners or trustees of trust accounts

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).

Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock trust certification form.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with deceased co-tenant(s)

Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant(s).

Copy of death certificate.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Executors of shareholder estates

Letter of instruction signed by executor.

Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Administrators, conservators, guardians, and other sellers, or account types not listed above

Call Signature Services for instructions.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-338-8080

Signature Services, Inc.
800-225-5291

Transaction policies

Valuation of shares

The net asset value (NAV) for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 P.M., Eastern time, on each business day that the NYSE is open). On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the fund's NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the fund's portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the fund's shares may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the fund.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Portfolio securities also may be fair valued by the fund's Pricing Committee in certain instances. Equity securities are generally valued at the last sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price as of the close of the relevant exchange. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued using last available bid prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the price on the exchange where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs (underlying funds) are valued based on the NAVs of such underlying funds.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are otherwise deemed unreliable because of market or issuer specific securities, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund's Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security's fair value may be made by the Pricing Committee acting pursuant to the procedures established by the Trustees. In certain instances, therefore, the Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund's NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund's portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material.

Regarding the fund's investment in an underlying fund that is not an ETF, which (as noted above) is valued at such underlying fund's NAV, the prospectus for such underlying fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that underlying fund.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing jhinvestments.com, or sending your request in writing.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Telephone transactions

For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

Exchanges

You may exchange shares of a class of the fund for shares of the same class of any other John Hancock fund that is then offering that class, generally without paying any sales charges. The registration for both accounts must be identical.

Shares acquired in an exchange will be subject to the CDSC rate and holding schedule of the fund in which such shares were originally purchased if and when such shares are redeemed. For purposes of determining the holding period for calculating the CDSC, shares will continue to age from their original purchase date.

Provided the fund's eligibility requirements are met, an investor in the fund pursuant to a fee-based, wrap, or other investment platform program of certain firms, as determined by the fund, may be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion of Class C shares (not subject to a

CDSC) also owned by the investor in the same fund to Class I shares of that fund. Conversion of Class C shares to Class I shares of the same fund in these particular circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss. For further details, see "Additional information concerning taxes" in the SAI for information regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of the fund (see the back cover of this prospectus).

The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days' written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see "Additional services and programs" in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject, or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder's financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject, or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific limitation on exchange activity, as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund's best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund's judgment, such delay would be in the fund's best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund's NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations, or U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or preestablished exchange, asset allocation, and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund's ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under "Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices" below. Depending upon the composition of the fund's shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund's shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial advisor, broker, retirement plan administrator, or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund's underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisors, brokers, retirement plan administrators, or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients' transactions and ownership positions and do not

identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund's request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund's policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund's ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit, and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund's operating costs and decrease the fund's investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below-investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund's portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers, or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Account information

The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an accountholder's identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV minus any applicable sales charges, and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.

Certificated shares

The fund does not issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.

Sales in advance of purchase payments

When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements as follows:

after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment, automatic investment, or systematic withdrawal) that affects your account balance

after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)

in all other circumstances, every quarter

Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by February 15.

Dividends

The fund typically declares and pays income dividends at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are typically distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund's fiscal year.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested. No front-end sales charge or CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

Taxability of dividends

For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund's short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund's long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund's holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every February, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Small accounts

If the value of your account is less than $1,000, you may be asked to purchase more shares within 30 days. If you do not take action, the fund may close out your account and mail you the proceeds. Alternatively, the fund may charge you $20 a year to maintain your account. You will not be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this reason.

Additional investor services

Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program (MAAP)

MAAP lets you set up regular investments from paychecks or bank accounts to the John Hancock fund(s). Investors determine the frequency and amount of investments ($25 minimum per month), and they can terminate the program at any time. To establish, you must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section "Opening an account" and complete the appropriate parts of the account application.

Systematic withdrawal plan

This plan may be used for routine bill payments or periodic withdrawals from your account. To establish:

Make sure you have at least $5,000 worth of shares in your account.

Make sure you are not planning to invest more money in this account (buying shares during a period when you are also selling shares of the same fund is not advantageous to you because of sales charges).

Specify the payee(s). The payee may be yourself or any other party, and there is no limit to the number of payees you may have, as long as they are all on the same payment schedule.

Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually, or in certain selected months.

Fill out the relevant part of the account application. To add a systematic withdrawal plan to an existing account, contact your financial representative or Signature Services.

Retirement plans

John Hancock funds offer a range of retirement plans, including Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE plans, and SEPs. Using these plans, you can invest in any John Hancock fund (except tax-free income funds). To find out more, call Signature Services at 800-225-5291.

John Hancock does not accept requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; does not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your existing John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; and requires additional disclosure documentation if you direct John Hancock to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b)(7) contract or account. In addition, the fund no longer accepts salary deferrals into
403(b)(7) accounts. Please refer to the SAI for more information regarding these restrictions.

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the website, jhinvestments.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top 10 holdings; top 10 sector analysis; total return/yield; top 10 countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top 10 portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the website no earlier than 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund's fiscal year and on Form
N-CSR as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the fund's fiscal year. A description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

Appendix

Historical Performance of the RIM International Equity Composite

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund (the fund) is expected to commence operations on or about [_______], 2014. The fund is subadvised by Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (Robeco). Robeco manages an account with an investment style, objective, policies, and strategies substantially similar to those that are used to manage the fund. The account is included in a composite the performance of which is presented in this Appendix (the Composite). The account has been managed by the same portfolio manager disclosed in the fund's prospectus for all periods shown in the Appendix. Performance presented in the Composite has been generated on an asset-weighted basis and includes the reinvestment of dividends.

Because of the similarities between the fund and the Composite, this information may help provide an indication of the fund's risks by showing how a similar Composite has performed historically. The performance of the Composite, however, is not the performance of the fund, and you should not assume that the fund will have the same performance as the Composite. The performance of the fund may be greater or less than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, the number of the holdings in and composition of the fund's portfolio, as well as the asset size and cash flow differences between the fund and the Composite. The account in the Composite is not subject to the investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if they had applied, might have affected the account's performance results. The inception date of the Composite is July 1, 2008.

This Appendix includes an index for purposes of comparing performance of the Composite. The MSCI EAFE Index, the Composite's benchmark (the Benchmark), is a broad-based securities index that reflects the investment strategies and performance target of the account underlying the Composite.

Performance information — bar chart and table — is presented on the following page for the Composite. The bar chart shows how the Composite's total return has varied over the last five (5) calendar years, and the table shows the Composite's performance over the last year, three (3) years, five (5) years and since inception as of December 31, 2013 (as compared with the Benchmark for reference). The past performance of the Composite is no guarantee of future results in managing the fund. The information in this Appendix does not represent the performance of the fund and is no indication of how it would have performed in the past or will perform in the future.

The past performance of the Composite has been calculated net of actual fees and expenses. The Composite's returns would be lower if it reflected the fees and expenses of the fund. Class C shares of the fund have front-end or deferred sales charges. The account in the Composite does not have such charges or expenses. The other expenses of Class C shares of the fund, including Rule 12b-1 fees, are higher than those of the Composite. The performance of the Composite would be lower if adjusted to reflect the sales charges and expenses of Class C shares of the fund.

An index is unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. As such, year-by-year index figures do not account for any sales charges, fees or fund expenses. As indicated above, past performance does not indicate future results.

RIM International Equity Composite

Net assets of Composite as of December 31, 2013:  $19.6 million

Calendar year total returns—Composite (%)

Year-to-date total return  The Composite's net total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was [   ]%.

Best quarter : Q2 '09, 23.14%  Worst quarter : Q4 '08, –23.76%

 

Composite average annual total returns (%)

1 year

3 years

5 years

Since
inception

for periods ended 12-31-13

7-1-08

Composite

30.51

12.70

14.79

4.28

MSCI EAFE Index (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)

23.29

8.66

12.96

2.91

MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding tax on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada.

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions, and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditor's report (in the annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund's policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents or request other information

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus, or SAI from John Hancock, request other information, or make inquiries:

Online: jhinvestments.com

By mail:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

By EASI-Line: 800-338-8080

By phone: 800-225-5291

By TDD: 800-231-5469

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: sec.gov  

By email (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov  

By mail (duplicating fee required):
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-1520

In person: at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

For access to the Reference Room call 202-551-8090.

© 2014 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC DVICPN 6-26-14 SEC file number: 811-00560

 
 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund

Prospectus
6-26-14

 

► Class I:

The information in this prospectus is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Fund summary

Fund details

Your account

The summary section is a concise look at the investment objective, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, principal risks, past performance, and investment management.

More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the investment strategies and various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.

How to place an order to buy, sell, or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.

For more information  S ee back cover


Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Disciplined Value International Fund

Fund Details

Principal investment strategies

Principal risks of investing

Who's who

Financial highlights

Your Account

Who can buy shares

Opening an account

Buying shares

Selling shares

Transaction policies

Dividends and account policies

Additional Investor Services

Appendix

Back Cover

Back Cover


Fund summary

John Hancock

Disciplined Value International Fund 

Investment objective

To seek long-term capital growth.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class I

Maximum front-end sales charge (load)

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load)

None

 

Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class I

Management fee

[  ]

  

Other expenses 1

[ ]

Total annual fund operating expenses

[ ]

1

"Other expenses" have been adjusted to reflect the estimated fees and expenses of the fund after its reorganization with the predecessor fund (as defined below).

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Expenses ($)

Class I

1 year

[     ]

     

3 years

[     ]

     

5 years

[     ]

     

10 years

[     ]

     

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year of the predecessor to the fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund), the predecessor fund's portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments

or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities (IPOs). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the U.S. government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, political events within the United States and abroad, including the U.S. government's ongoing difficulty agreeing on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan and uncertainty surrounding sovereign debt of European Union members, could negatively impact financial markets and the fund's performance. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund's main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus .

Active management risk. The subadvisor's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Convertible securities risk. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk. The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

Currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

Emerging-market risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Foreign securities risk. As compared with U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Equity securities risk. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Exchange-traded funds risk. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings risk. IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time, causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk. An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Large company risk. Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Liquidity risk. Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Medium and smaller company risk. The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Non-diversified risk. Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Participatory notes risk. The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Investing in REITs subjects the fund to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decline in the value of real estate and general and local economic conditions.

Warrants risk. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to their expiration dates.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly and may be obtained at our website: jhinvestments.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns. Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns.  These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

The fund is expected to be the successor to Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund). The performance information shown below is the historical performance of the predecessor fund's Institutional class shares, which commenced operations on December 30, 2011. Shares of the fund are expected to be offered on or about [_______], 2014. For periods shown below, performance is the actual performance of the sole share class of the predecessor fund and has not been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of any class of shares of the fund. As a result, the performance shown below may be higher than if adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of the particular class of shares of the fund.

Calendar year total returns—Class I (%)

Year-to-date total return.  The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was 0.68%.

Best quarter:  Q3 '13, 11.58%

Worst quarter:  Q2 '12, –6.39%

 

Average annual total returns (%)

1 year

Since inception

As of 12-31-13

12-30-11

Class I before tax

29.85

23.15

After tax on distribution

24.49

20.21

After tax on distribution, with sale

17.64

16.87

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, and taxes)

23.39

21.34

Investment management

Investment advisor John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio management

 

Jay Feeney
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Chrisopher K. Hart
Equity Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joshua Jones
Associate Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The minimum initial investment requirement for Class I shares of the fund is $250,000. There are no subsequent investment requirements. You may redeem shares of the fund on any business day by mail: Investment Operations, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913; or for most account types through our website: jhinvestments.com; or by telephone: 888-972-8696.

Taxes

The fund's distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank, registered investment advisor, financial planner, or retirement plan administrator), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

 

Fund details

Principal investment strategies

The Board of Trustees can change the fund's investment objective and strategies without shareholder approval. The fund will provide 60 days' written notice to shareholders prior to changing its 80% investment strategy.

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including ETFs), REITs, and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in IPOs. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

The fund may invest in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of meeting redemption requests or making other anticipated cash payments.

Temporary defensive investing

A fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, or other investment-grade short-term securities, for the purpose of protecting the fund in the event the subadvisor determines that market, economic, political, or other conditions warrant a defensive posture.

To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, its ability to achieve its investment objective will be limited.

Principal risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund's overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager's ability to pursue the fund's investment objective is subject to active management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions from its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the manager to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Convertible securities risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security's market value also tends to reflect the market price of common stock of the issuing company, particularly when that stock price is greater than the convertible security's conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the

convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see "Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk"), or a borrower of a fund's securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund's share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic, or foreign governments, or their subdivisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, or corporation; or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadvisor may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below-investment-grade securities, also called junk bonds (e.g., fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)), at the time of investment, or determined by a subadvisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their subdivisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below-investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: Their issuers' continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and they may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent that it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Economic and market events risk

Events in the financials sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government's placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship; the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, and General Motors; the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America; the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup; the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo; reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds; emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; debt crises in the eurozone; and S&P's downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods, and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging-market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the fund.

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the

U.S. or other securities markets. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Equity securities risk

Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality, or blue chip, equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.

The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.

Value investing risk. Certain equity securities (generally referred to as value securities) are purchased primarily because they are selling at prices below what the subadviser believes to be their fundamental value and not necessarily because the issuing companies are expected to experience significant earnings growth. The fund bears the risk that the companies that issued these securities may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be perceived by the subadviser to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. A value stock may not increase in price, as anticipated by the subadviser investing in such securities, if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price or invest in markets favoring faster growing companies. The fund's strategy of investing in value stocks also carries the risk that in certain markets value stocks will underperform growth stocks.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) risk

ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. A fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk

Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs, and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities, some or all of which may not be reclaimable. Also, for lesser-developed countries, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency or assets from a country); political changes; or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund's investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States.

Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund's currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards, and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund's portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices, or currency rates are changing.

Emerging-market risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with emerging-market economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more-developed foreign markets, since emerging-market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, and other risks greater than, or in addition to, the risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange-rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging-market countries; the fact that companies in emerging-market countries may be newly organized, smaller, and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging-market issuers.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadvisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest-rate risk, and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund's securities. Even if the subadvisor only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund's initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to efficiently adjust the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets, and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other, more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an 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, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party's consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund's risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments, or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadvisor may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure.

A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) risk

Certain funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on a fund's performance will likely decrease as the fund's asset size increases, which could reduce the fund's returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to a fund for investing, particularly as the fund's asset base grows. IPO shares are frequently volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading, and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, a fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund and may lead to increased expenses for a fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

Issuer risk

An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, or other factors.

Large company risk

Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Liquidity risk

A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund's ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds that invest in securities of emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.

Medium and smaller company risk

Market risk and liquidity risk may be pronounced for securities of companies with medium-sized market capitalizations and are particularly pronounced for securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. These companies may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or they may depend on a few key employees. The securities of companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities, and their value may fluctuate more sharply than those securities. They may also trade in the OTC market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. Investments in less-seasoned companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may not only present greater opportunities for growth and capital appreciation, but also involve greater risks than are customarily associated with more established companies with larger market capitalizations. These risks apply to all funds that invest in the securities of companies with smaller- or medium-sized market capitalizations. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Non-diversified risk

Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers, while overall risk is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Certain funds are not diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of a relatively small number of issuers, which may result in greater susceptibility to associated risks. As a result, credit, market, and other risks associated with a non-diversified fund's investment strategies or techniques may be more pronounced than for funds that are diversified.

Participatory notes risk 

The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk

The fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) risk

REITs are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs' ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Warrants risk

Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Who's who

The following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund's investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund's business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund's operations.

Investment advisor

Manages the fund's business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The advisor administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadvisor to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The advisor's parent company has been helping individuals and institutions work toward their financial goals since 1862. The advisor offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research and leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of March 31, 2014, the advisor had total assets under management of approximately $120.2 billion.

The advisor does not itself manage any of the fund's portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisor and recommend its hiring, termination, and replacement. In this connection, the advisor: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadvisor, and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the advisor, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadvisor or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisors or the fees paid to a subadvisor from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the advisor to appoint a subadvisor that is an affiliate of the advisor or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadvisor to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadvisor, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the advisor a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily net assets of the fund.

Average daily net assets

Annual rate (%)

[   ]

[   ]

Out of these fees, the investment advisor in turn pays the fees of the subadvisor.

The basis for the Trustees' approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, will be discussed in the fund's first shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund's annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund's expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund's "Annual fund operating expenses" table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

The advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). The waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; and 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion. 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. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the advisor upon notice to the funds and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Subadvisor

Handles the fund's day-to-day portfolio management.

Robeco Investment Management, Inc.
One Beacon Street
30 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Robeco is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company. Founded in 1929, Robeco Groep is one of the world's oldest asset management organizations. As of March 31, 2014, Robeco had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Below are brief biographical profiles of the fund's portfolio managers, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

Jay Feeney

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities

Managed predecessor fund since inception 

Joined subadvisor in 1995

Began business career in [1987]

Christopher K. Hart

Equity Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joined subadvisor in 2002

Began business career in [1993]

Joshua Jones

Associate Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Joined subadvisor in 2006

Began business career in [2005]

Custodian

Holds the fund's assets, settles all portfolio trades, and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund's net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners, and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends, and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Financial highlights

The financial highlights information in the following table represents the financial highlights of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (the predecessor fund) Institutional Class shares for the fiscal periods indicated. It is currently contemplated that the predecessor fund will be reorganized into the fund on or about [_______], 2014. "Total return" shows how much an investment in the fund's and the predecessor fund's shares would have increased (or decreased) during the period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Class I shares of the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. Because Class I shares of the fund have different expenses than the predecessor fund's Institutional Class shares, financial highlights for Class I shares of the fund would have differed.

The financial highlights for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012, August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, were derived from the predecessor fund's financial statements. The predecessor fund's financial statements in such fund's annual and semiannual reports for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, respectively, have been incorporated by reference into the SAI. Copies of the predecessor fund's annual and semiannual report can be obtained by calling [                ].

[To Be Updated By Amendment]

Institutional Share class

Per share operating performance

For the Period Ending February 28, 2014 (unaudited)

For the Period Ending August 31, 2013

For the Period December 30, 2011** through August 31, 2012

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

$10.79

$10.00

Net investment income*

0.20

0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

2.10

0.64

Total from investment operations

2.30

0.79

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

(0.13

)

Dividends to shareholders from net realized gains

(0.08

)

Total distributions

(0.21

)

Redemption fees

Net asset value, end of period

$

$12.88

$10.79

Total investment return 1,2

[ ]%

21.52

%

7.90

% 4

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (000)

$

$11,104

$10,895

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.30

%

1.30

% 3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

3.18

%

3.77

% 3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.63

%

2.16

% 3

Portfolio turnover rate

[ ]%

87

%

81

% 4

 

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

**

Inception date.

1

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3

Annualized.

4

Not annualized.

 

Your account

Who can buy shares

Class I shares are offered without any sales charge to the following types of investors if they also meet the minimum initial investment requirement for purchases of Class I shares (see "Opening an account"):

Class I shares are only available to clients of financial intermediaries who: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment, consulting, or similar services; or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the distributor to offer Class I shares through a no-load program or investment platform

Retirement and other benefit plans

Endowment funds and foundations

Any state, county, or city, or its instrumentality, department, authority, or agency

Accounts registered to insurance companies, trust companies, and bank trust departments

Any entity that is considered a corporation for tax purposes

Investment companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with the advisor

Fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with the fund and other John Hancock funds

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries

Class I shares do not carry sales commissions or pay Rule 12b-1 fees. However, certain financial intermediaries may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments out of the distributor's own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. These payments assist in the distributor's efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation, and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.

The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund's net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the advisor and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor's marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars, or other programs attended by the intermediary's sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.

The SAI discusses the distributor's revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

The distributor, advisor, and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the advisor or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the advisor or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.

Opening an account

1

Read this prospectus carefully.

2

Determine if you are eligible by referring to "Who can buy shares."

3

Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment is $250,000. The minimum initial investment requirement may be waived, at the fund's sole discretion, for investors in certain fee-based, wrap, or other investment platform programs that do not require the fund to pay any type of administrative payments per shareholder account to any third party. The fund may waive the minimum initial investment for other categories of investors at its discretion. There are no minimum investment requirements for subsequent purchases to existing accounts.

4

All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or call John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services) at 888-972-8696.

5

Make your initial investment using the instructions on the next page.

Important information about opening a new account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.

For individual investors opening an account. When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number.

For investors other than individuals. When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business, and taxpayer identification number (TIN), and you may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments, or partnership agreements, and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.

Buying shares

Opening an account

Adding to an account

By check

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

If your account statement has a detachable investment slip, please complete it in its entirety. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, your share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered.

Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

By exchange

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

Log on to the website below to process exchanges between funds.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

You may exchange Class I shares for other Class I shares or John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

By wire

Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.

Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.

By phone

See "By exchange" and "By wire."

Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.

Complete the "To purchase, exchange, or redeem shares via telephone" and "Bank information" sections on your account application.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between
8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-597-1897

Signature Services, Inc.
888-972-8696

Selling shares

To sell some or all of your shares

By letter

Sales of any amount.

Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered, and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.

Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).

Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).

A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.

Certain requests will require a Medallion signature guarantee. Please refer to "Selling shares in writing" on the next page.

By phone

Amounts up to $100,000:

Most accounts.

Amounts up to $5 million:

Available to the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies, or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; group retirement plans; and pension accounts (excluding IRAs, 403(b) plans, and all John Hancock custodial retirement accounts).

 

Call EASI-Line for account balance, general fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

Redemption proceeds of up to $100,000 may be sent by wire or by check. A check will be mailed to the exact name(s) and address on the account.

To place your request with a representative at John Hancock, call Signature Services between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days, or contact your financial representative.

Redemption proceeds exceeding $100,000 will be wired to your designated bank account, unless a Medallion signature guaranteed letter is provided requesting payment by check. Please refer to "Selling shares in writing."

By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Requests by letter to sell any amount.

Qualified requests by phone to sell to $5 million (accounts with telephone redemption privileges).

To verify that the telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.

Amounts of $5 million or more will be wired on the next business day.

Amounts up to $100,000 may be sent by EFT or by check. Funds from EFT transactions are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge a fee for this service.

By exchange

Sales of any amount.

Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund's website, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, general fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

You may only exchange Class I shares for other Class I shares or John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-597-1897

Signature Services, Inc.
888-972-8696

Selling shares in writing

In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:

your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;

you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock);

you are selling more than $5 million worth of shares from the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies, or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; group retirement plans; and pension accounts (excluding IRAs, 403(b) plans, and all John Hancock custodial retirement accounts); or

you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).

You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.

 

Seller

Requirements for written requests

Owners of individual, joint, or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner, or association accounts

Letter of instruction.

Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock business/organization certification form.

On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners or trustees of trust accounts

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).

Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock trust certification form.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with deceased co-tenant(s)

Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant(s).

Copy of death certificate.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Executors of shareholder estates

Letter of instruction signed by executor.

Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Administrators, conservators, guardians, and other sellers, or account types not listed above

Call Signature Services for instructions.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-597-1897

Signature Services, Inc.
888-972-8696

Transaction policies

Valuation of shares

The net asset value (NAV) for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 P.M., Eastern time, on each business day that the NYSE is open). On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the fund's NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the fund's portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the fund's shares may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the fund.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Portfolio securities also may be fair valued by the fund's Pricing Committee in certain instances. Equity securities are generally valued at the last sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price as of the close of the relevant exchange. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued using last available bid prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the price on the exchange where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs (underlying funds) are valued based on the NAVs of such underlying funds.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are otherwise deemed unreliable because of market or issuer specific securities, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund's Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security's fair value may be made by the Pricing Committee acting pursuant to the procedures established by the Trustees. In certain instances, therefore, the Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund's NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund's portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material.

Regarding the fund's investment in an underlying fund that is not an ETF, which (as noted above) is valued at such underlying fund's NAV, the prospectus for such underlying fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that underlying fund.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing jhinvestments.com, or sending your request in writing.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Telephone transactions

For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

Exchanges

You may exchange Class I shares of one John Hancock fund for Class I shares of any other John Hancock fund or for John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Note: Once exchanged into John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares, shares may only be exchanged back to Class I shares.

Provided the fund's eligibility requirements are met, an investor in the fund pursuant to a fee-based, wrap, or other investment platform program of certain firms, as determined by the fund, may be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion of Class A shares and/or Class C shares (not subject to a CDSC) also owned by the investor in the same fund to Class I shares of that fund. Conversion of Class A shares and/or Class C shares to Class I shares of the same fund in these particular

circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss. For further details, see "Additional information concerning taxes" in the SAI for information regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of the fund (see the back cover of this prospectus).

The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days' written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see "Additional services and programs" in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject, or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder's financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject, or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific limitation on exchange activity, as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund's best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund's judgment, such delay would be in the fund's best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund's NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations, or U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or preestablished exchange, asset allocation, and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund's ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under "Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices" below. Depending upon the composition of the fund's shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund's shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial advisor, broker, retirement plan administrator, or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund's underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisors, brokers, retirement plan administrators, or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients' transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and

to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund's request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund's policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund's ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit, and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund's operating costs and decrease the fund's investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below-investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund's portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers, or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Account information

The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an accountholder's identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV, and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.

Certificated shares

The fund does not issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.

Sales in advance of purchase payments

When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements as follows:

after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment) that affects your account balance

after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)

in all other circumstances, every quarter

Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by February 15.

Dividends

The fund typically declares and pays income dividends at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are typically distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund's fiscal year.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested.

Taxability of dividends

For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund's short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund's long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund's holding period. Some

dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every February, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Additional investor services

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the website, jhinvestments.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top 10 holdings; top 10 sector analysis; total return/yield; top 10 countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top 10 portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the website no earlier than 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund's fiscal year and on Form
N-CSR as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the fund's fiscal year. A description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

Appendix

Historical Performance of the RIM International Equity Composite

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund (the fund) is expected to commence operations on or about [_______], 2014. The fund is subadvised by Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (Robeco). Robeco manages an account with an investment style, objective, policies, and strategies substantially similar to those that are used to manage the fund. The account is included in a composite the performance of which is presented in this Appendix (the Composite). The account has been managed by the same portfolio manager disclosed in the fund's prospectus for all periods shown in the Appendix. Performance presented in the Composite has been generated on an asset-weighted basis and includes the reinvestment of dividends.

Because of the similarities between the fund and the Composite, this information may help provide an indication of the fund's risks by showing how a similar Composite has performed historically. The performance of the Composite, however, is not the performance of the fund, and you should not assume that the fund will have the same performance as the Composite. The performance of the fund may be greater or less than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, the number of the holdings in and composition of the fund's portfolio, as well as the asset size and cash flow differences between the fund and the Composite. The account in the Composite is not subject to the investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if they had applied, might have affected the account's performance results. The inception date of the Composite is July 1, 2008.

This Appendix includes an index for purposes of comparing performance of the Composite. The MSCI EAFE Index, the Composite's benchmark (the Benchmark), is a broad-based securities index that reflects the investment strategies and performance target of the account underlying the Composite.

Performance information — bar chart and table — is presented on the following page for the Composite. The bar chart shows how the Composite's total return has varied over the last five (5) calendar years, and the table shows the Composite's performance over the last year, three (3) years, five (5) years and since inception as of December 31, 2013 (as compared with the Benchmark for reference). The past performance of the Composite is no guarantee of future results in managing the fund. The information in this Appendix does not represent the performance of the fund and is no indication of how it would have performed in the past or will perform in the future.

The past performance of the Composite has been calculated net of actual fees and expenses. The Composite's returns would be lower if it reflected the fees and expenses of the fund.

An index is unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. As such, year-by-year index figures do not account for any sales charges, fees or fund expenses. As indicated above, past performance does not indicate future results.

RIM International Equity Composite

Net assets of Composite as of December 31, 2013:  $19.6 million

Calendar year total returns—Composite (%)

Year-to-date total return  The Composite's net total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was [   ]%.

Best quarter : Q2 '09, 23.14%  Worst quarter : Q4 '08, –23.76%

 

Composite average annual total returns (%)

1 year

3 years

5 years

Since
inception

for periods ended 12-31-13

7-1-08

Composite

30.51

12.70

14.79

4.28

MSCI EAFE Index (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)

23.29

8.66

12.96

2.91

MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding tax on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada.

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions, and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditor's report (in the annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund's policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents or request other information

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus, or SAI from John Hancock, request other information, or make inquiries:

Online: jhinvestments.com

By mail:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

By phone : 888-972-8696

By EASI-Line: 800-597-1897

By TDD: 800-231-5469

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: sec.gov  

By email (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov  

By mail (duplicating fee required):
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-1520

In person: at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

For access to the Reference Room call 202-551-8090.

© 2014 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC DVIIPN 6-26-14 SEC file number: 811-00560

 
 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund

Prospectus
6-26-14

 

► Class R1:

► Class R2:

► Class R3:

► Class R4:

► Class R5:

The information in this prospectus is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Fund summary

Fund details

Your account

The summary section is a concise look at the investment objective, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, principal risks, past performance, and investment management.

More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the investment strategies and various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.

How to place an order to buy, sell, or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.

For more information  S ee back cover

 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund


Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Disciplined Value International Fund

Fund Details

Principal investment strategies

Principal risks of investing

Who's who

Financial highlights

Your Account

Who can buy shares

Class cost structure

Opening an account

Information for plan participants

Transaction policies

Dividends and account policies

Additional investor services

Appendix

Back Cover

Back Cover


Fund summary

John Hancock

Disciplined Value International Fund 

Investment objective

To seek long-term capital growth.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class R1

Class R2

Class R3

Class R4

Class R5

Maximum front-end sales charge (load)

None

None

None

None

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load)

None

None

None

None

None

 

Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class R1

Class R2

Class R3

Class R4

Class R5

Management fee

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees

[0.50]

[0.25]

[0.50]

[0.25]

[0.00]

Other expenses 1

Service fees

[0.25]

[0.25]

[0.15]

[0.10]

[0.05]

Remainder of other expenses

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

Total other expenses

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

Total annual fund operating expenses

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

1

"Other expenses" have been adjusted to reflect the estimated fees and expenses of the fund after its reorganization with the predecessor fund (as defined below).

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Expenses ($)

Class R1

Class R2

Class R3

Class R4

Class R5

1 year

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

3 years

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

5 years

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

10 years

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year of the predecessor to the fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund), the predecessor fund's portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for

a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities (IPOs). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the U.S. government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, political events within the United States and abroad, including the U.S. government's ongoing difficulty agreeing on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan and uncertainty surrounding sovereign debt of European Union members, could negatively impact financial markets and the fund's performance. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund's main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus .

Active management risk. The subadvisor's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Convertible securities risk. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk. The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

Currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

Emerging-market risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Exchange-traded funds risk. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk. As compared with U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings risk. IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time, causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk. An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Large company risk. Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Liquidity risk. Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Medium and smaller company risk. The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Non-diversified risk. Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Participatory notes risk. The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Investing in REITs subjects the fund to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decline in the value of real estate and general and local economic conditions.

Warrants risk. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to their expiration dates.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly, and may be obtained at our website: jhinvestments.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns.  Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns. Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns. These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

The fund is expected to be the successor to Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund). The performance information shown below is the historical performance of the predecessor fund's Institutional class shares, which commenced operations on December 30, 2011. Shares of the fund are expected to be offered on or about [_______], 2014. For periods shown below, performance is the actual performance of the sole share class of the predecessor fund and has not been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of any class of shares of the fund. As a result, the performance shown below may be higher than if adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of the particular class of shares of the fund.

Calendar year total returns—Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return.  The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was 0.68%.

Best quarter:  Q3 '13, 11.58%

Worst quarter:  Q2 '12, –6.39%

Average annual total returns (%)

1 year

Since inception

As of 12-31-13

12-30-11

Class R1 before tax

29.85

23.15

After tax on distribution

24.49

20.21

After tax on distribution, with sale

17.64

16.87

Class R2 before tax 29.85   23.15  
Class R3 before tax 29.85   23.15  
Class R4 before tax 29.85   23.15  
Class R5 before tax 29.85   23.15  

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, and taxes)

23.39

21.34

 

Investment management

Investment advisor John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio management

 

Jay Feeney
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Chrisopher K. Hart
Equity Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joshua Jones
Associate Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Purchase and sale of fund shares

There are no minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares of the fund. You may redeem shares of the fund on any business day by contacting your retirement plan administrator or recordkeeper.

Taxes

The fund's distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank, registered investment advisor, financial planner, or retirement plan administrator), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

 

Fund details

Principal investment strategies

The Board of Trustees can change the fund's investment objective and strategies without shareholder approval. The fund will provide 60 days' written notice to shareholders prior to changing its 80% investment strategy.

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including ETFs), REITs, and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in IPOs. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

The fund may invest in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of meeting redemption requests or making other anticipated cash payments.

Temporary defensive investing

The fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, or other investment-grade short-term securities for the purpose of protecting the fund in the event the subadvisor determines that market, economic, political, or other conditions warrant a defensive posture.

To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, its ability to achieve its investment objective will be limited.

Principal risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund's overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager's ability to pursue the fund's investment objective is subject to active management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions from its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the manager to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Convertible securities risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security's market value also tends to reflect the market price of common stock of the issuing company, particularly when that stock price is greater than the convertible security's conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the

convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see "Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk"), or a borrower of a fund's securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund's share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic, or foreign governments, or their subdivisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, or corporation; or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadvisor may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below-investment-grade securities, also called junk bonds (e.g., fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)), at the time of investment, or determined by a subadvisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their subdivisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below-investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: Their issuers' continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and they may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent that it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Economic and market events risk

Events in the financials sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government's placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship; the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, and General Motors; the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America; the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup; the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo; reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds; emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; debt crises in the eurozone; and S&P's downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods, and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging-market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the fund.

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the

U.S. or other securities markets. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Equity securities risk

Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality, or blue chip, equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.

The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.

Value investing risk. Certain equity securities (generally referred to as value securities) are purchased primarily because they are selling at prices below what the subadviser believes to be their fundamental value and not necessarily because the issuing companies are expected to experience significant earnings growth. The fund bears the risk that the companies that issued these securities may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be perceived by the subadviser to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. A value stock may not increase in price, as anticipated by the subadviser investing in such securities, if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price or invest in markets favoring faster growing companies. The fund's strategy of investing in value stocks also carries the risk that in certain markets value stocks will underperform growth stocks.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) risk

ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. A fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk

Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs, and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities, some or all of which may not be reclaimable. Also, for lesser-developed countries, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency or assets from a country); political changes; or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund's investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States.

Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund's currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards, and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund's portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices, or currency rates are changing.

Emerging-market risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with emerging-market economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more-developed foreign markets, since emerging-market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, and other risks greater than, or in addition to, the risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange-rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging-market countries; the fact that companies in emerging-market countries may be newly organized, smaller, and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging-market issuers.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadvisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest-rate risk, and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund's securities. Even if the subadvisor only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund's initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to efficiently adjust the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets, and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other, more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an 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, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party's consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund's risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments, or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadvisor may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure.

A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) risk

Certain funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on a fund's performance will likely decrease as the fund's asset size increases, which could reduce the fund's returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to a fund for investing, particularly as the fund's asset base grows. IPO shares are frequently volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading, and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, a fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund and may lead to increased expenses for a fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

Issuer risk

An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, or other factors.

Large company risk

Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Liquidity risk

A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund's ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds that invest in securities of emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.

Medium and smaller company risk

Market risk and liquidity risk may be pronounced for securities of companies with medium-sized market capitalizations and are particularly pronounced for securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. These companies may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or they may depend on a few key employees. The securities of companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities, and their value may fluctuate more sharply than those securities. They may also trade in the OTC market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. Investments in less-seasoned companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may not only present greater opportunities for growth and capital appreciation, but also involve greater risks than are customarily associated with more established companies with larger market capitalizations. These risks apply to all funds that invest in the securities of companies with smaller- or medium-sized market capitalizations. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Non-diversified risk

Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers, while overall risk is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Certain funds are not diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of a relatively small number of issuers, which may result in greater susceptibility to associated risks. As a result, credit, market, and other risks associated with a non-diversified fund's investment strategies or techniques may be more pronounced than for funds that are diversified.

Participatory notes risk 

The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk

The fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) risk

REITs are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs' ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Warrants risk

Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Who's who

The following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund's investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund's business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund's operations.

Investment advisor

Manages the fund's business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The advisor administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadvisor to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The advisor's parent company has been helping individuals and institutions work toward their financial goals since 1862. The advisor offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research and leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of March 31, 2014, the advisor had total assets under management of approximately $120.2 billion.

The advisor does not itself manage any of the fund's portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisor and recommend its hiring, termination, and replacement. In this connection, the advisor: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadvisor, and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the advisor, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadvisor or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisors or the fees paid to a subadvisor from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the advisor to appoint a subadvisor that is an affiliate of the advisor or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadvisor to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadvisor, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the advisor a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily net assets of the fund.

Average daily net assets

Annual rate (%)

[   ]

[   ]

Out of these fees, the investment advisor in turn pays the fees of the subadvisor.

The basis for the Trustees' approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, will be discussed in the fund's first shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund's annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund's expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund's "Annual fund operating expenses" table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

The advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). The waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; and 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion. 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. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the advisor upon notice to the funds and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Subadvisor

Handles the fund's day-to-day portfolio management.

Robeco Investment Management, Inc.
One Beacon Street
30 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Robeco is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company. Founded in 1929, Robeco Groep is one of the world's oldest asset management organizations. As of March 31, 2014, Robeco had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Below are brief biographical profiles of the fund's portfolio managers, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

Jay Feeney

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities

Managed predecessor fund since inception 

Joined subadvisor in 1995

Began business career in [1987]

Christopher K. Hart

Equity Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joined subadvisor in 2002

Began business career in [1993]

Joshua Jones

Associate Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Joined subadvisor in 2006

Began business career in [2005]

Custodian

Holds the fund's assets, settles all portfolio trades, and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund's net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners, and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends, and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Financial highlights

The financial highlights information in the following table represents the financial highlights of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (the predecessor fund) Institutional Class shares for the fiscal periods indicated. It is currently contemplated that the predecessor fund will be reorganized into the fund on or about [_______], 2014. "Total return" shows how much an investment in the fund's and the predecessor fund's shares would have increased (or decreased) during the period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares of the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. Because Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares of the fund have different expenses than the predecessor fund's Institutional Class shares, financial highlights for Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares of the fund would have differed.

The financial highlights for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012, August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, were derived from the predecessor fund's financial statements. The predecessor fund's financial statements in such fund's annual and semiannual reports for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, respectively, have been incorporated by reference into the SAI. Copies of the predecessor fund's annual and semiannual report can be obtained by calling [                ].

[To Be Updated By Amendment]

Institutional Share class

Per share operating performance

For the Period Ending February 28, 2014 (unaudited)

For the Period Ending August 31, 2013

For the Period December 30, 2011** through August 31, 2012

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

$10.79

$10.00

Net investment income*

0.20

0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

2.10

0.64

Total from investment operations

2.30

0.79

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

(0.13

)

Dividends to shareholders from net realized gains

(0.08

)

Total distributions

(0.21

)

Redemption fees

Net asset value, end of period

$

$12.88

$10.79

Total investment return 1,2

[ ]%

21.52

%

7.90

% 4

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (000)

$

$11,104

$10,895

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.30

%

1.30

% 3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

3.18

%

3.77

% 3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.63

%

2.16

% 3

Portfolio turnover rate

[ ]%

87

%

81

% 4

 

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

**

Inception date.

1

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3

Annualized.

4

Not annualized.

 

Your account

Who can buy shares

Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares are available to certain types of investors, as noted below:

Qualified tuition programs under Section 529 (529 Plans) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), distributed by John Hancock or one of its affiliates.

Retirement plans, including pension, profit-sharing, and other plans qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 403(b) or 457 of the Code, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Retirement plans, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, and SIMPLE IRAs where the shares are held on the books of the fund through investment-only omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial service firm) that trade through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC).

Except as noted above, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares are not available to retail or institutional non-retirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403(b) plans, or other individual retirement accounts.

Class cost structure

Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares of the fund are sold without any front-end or deferred sales charges. Each of Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, and Class R4 shares has a Rule 12b-1 plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution, and service of its shares. Class R5 shares do not pay any fees under their Rule 12b-1 plan.

Class R1

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.50%

Class R2

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.25%

Class R3

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.50%

Class R4

Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.25%

In addition to the Rule 12b-1 plan, the fund has adopted service plans for Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares, which authorize the fund to pay affiliated and unaffiliated entities a service fee for providing certain recordkeeping and other administrative services in connection with investments in the fund by retirement plans. The service fee is a specified percentage of the average daily net assets of the fund's share class held by plan participants and is up to 0.25% for Class R1 shares, 0.25% for Class R2 shares, 0.15% for Class R3 shares, 0.10% for Class R4 shares, and 0.05% for Class R5 shares.

The performance and expense information included in this prospectus does not reflect fees and expenses of any plan that may use a fund as its underlying investment medium. If such fees and expenses had been reflected, performance would be lower.

Rule 12b-1 fees

Rule 12b-1 fees will be paid to the fund's distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class, and for the payment of service fees that come within Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries

Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment advisors, financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in two principal ways:

directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and

indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.

Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments in addition to sales commissions and Rule 12b-1 fees out of the distributor's own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. These payments assist in the distributor's efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation, and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.

The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund's net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the advisor and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor's marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars, or other programs attended by the intermediary's sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.

The SAI discusses the distributor's revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

The distributor, advisor, and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the advisor or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the advisor or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.

Opening an account

1

Read this prospectus carefully.

2

Determine if you are eligible by referring to "Who can buy shares."

3

Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, or Class R5 shares by contacting any broker-dealer or other financial service firm authorized to sell Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, or Class R5 shares of the fund.

Additional shares may be purchased through a Retirement Plan's administrator or recordkeeper. There is no minimum initial investment to purchase Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, or Class R5 shares.

Information for plan participants

Plan participants generally must contact their plan service provider to purchase, redeem, or exchange shares. The administrator of a retirement plan or employee benefits office can provide participants with detailed information on how to participate in the plan, elect a fund as an investment option, elect different investment options, alter the amounts contributed to the plan, or change allocations among investment options. For questions about participant accounts, participants should contact their employee benefits office, the plan administrator, or the organization that provides recordkeeping services for the plan.

Financial service firms may provide some of the shareholder servicing and account maintenance services required by retirement plan accounts and their plan participants, including transfers of registration, dividend payee changes, and generation of confirmation statements, and may arrange for plan administrators to provide other investment or administrative services. Financial service firms may charge retirement plans and plan participants transaction fees and/or other additional amounts for such services. Similarly, retirement plans may charge plan participants for certain expenses. These fees and additional amounts could reduce an investment return in the fund.

Important information about opening a new account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.

When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business, and taxpayer identification number (TIN), and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments, or partnership agreements and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.

Transaction policies

Valuation of shares

The net asset value (NAV) for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 P.M., Eastern time, on each business day that the NYSE is open). On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the fund's NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the fund's portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the fund's shares may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the fund.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Portfolio securities also may be fair valued by the fund's Pricing Committee in certain instances. Equity securities are generally valued at the last sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price as of the close of the relevant exchange. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued using last available bid prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the price on the exchange where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs (underlying funds) are valued based on the NAVs of such underlying funds.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are otherwise deemed unreliable because of market or issuer specific securities, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund's Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security's fair value may be made by the Pricing Committee acting pursuant to the procedures established by the Trustees. In certain instances, therefore, the Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund's NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund's portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the

opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long- term shareholders. However, a security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material.

Regarding the fund's investment in an underlying fund that is not an ETF, which (as noted above) is valued at such underlying fund's NAV, the prospectus for such underlying fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that underlying fund.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Exchanges

You may exchange your Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, or Class R5 shares for shares of the same class of other John Hancock funds that are available through your plan, or John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares, without paying any additional sales charges. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Note: Once exchanged into John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares, shares may only be exchanged back into Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, or Class R5 shares, as applicable.

The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days' written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see "Additional services and programs" in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject, or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder's financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject, or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific limitation on exchange activity, as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund's best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund's judgment, such delay would be in the fund's best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund's NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations, or U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or preestablished exchange, asset allocation, and dollar-cost- averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or

redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund's ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under "Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices" below. Depending upon the composition of the fund's shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund's shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial advisor, broker, retirement plan administrator, or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund's underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisors, brokers, retirement plan administrators, or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients' transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund's request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund's policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund's ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit, and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund's operating costs and decrease the fund's investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below-investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund's portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers, or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Account information

The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an accountholder's identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV, and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.

Certificated shares

The fund does not issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.

Sales in advance of purchase payments

When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but

the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements from your plan's recordkeeper. Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement mailed by February 15 by your plan's recordkeeper.

Dividends

The fund typically declares and pays income dividends at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are typically distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund's fiscal year.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested.

Taxability of dividends

For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund's short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund's long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund's holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every February, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Additional investor services

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the website, jhinvestments.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top 10 holdings; top 10 sector analysis; total return/yield; top 10 countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top 10 portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the website no earlier than 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund's fiscal year and on Form
N-CSR as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the fund's fiscal year. A description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

Appendix

Historical Performance of the RIM International Equity Composite

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund (the fund) is expected to commence operations on or about [_______], 2014. The fund is subadvised by Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (Robeco). Robeco manages an account with an investment style, objective, policies, and strategies substantially similar to those that are used to manage the fund. The account is included in a composite the performance of which is presented in this Appendix (the Composite). The account has been managed by the same portfolio manager disclosed in the fund's prospectus for all periods shown in the Appendix. Performance presented in the Composite has been generated on an asset-weighted basis and includes the reinvestment of dividends.

Because of the similarities between the fund and the Composite, this information may help provide an indication of the fund's risks by showing how a similar Composite has performed historically. The performance of the Composite, however, is not the performance of the fund, and you should not assume that the fund will have the same performance as the Composite. The performance of the fund may be greater or less than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, the number of the holdings in and composition of the fund's portfolio, as well as the asset size and cash flow differences between the fund and the Composite. The account in the Composite is not subject to the investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if they had applied, might have affected the account's performance results. The inception date of the Composite is July 1, 2008.

This Appendix includes an index for purposes of comparing performance of the Composite. The MSCI EAFE Index, the Composite's benchmark (the Benchmark), is a broad-based securities index that reflects the investment strategies and performance target of the account underlying the Composite.

Performance information — bar chart and table — is presented on the following page for the Composite. The bar chart shows how the Composite's total return has varied over the last five (5) calendar years, and the table shows the Composite's performance over the last year, three (3) years, five (5) years and since inception as of December 31, 2013 (as compared with the Benchmark for reference). The past performance of the Composite is no guarantee of future results in managing the fund. The information in this Appendix does not represent the performance of the fund and is no indication of how it would have performed in the past or will perform in the future.

The past performance of the Composite has been calculated net of actual fees and expenses. The Composite's returns would be lower if it reflected the fees and expenses of the fund.

An index is unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. As such, year-by-year index figures do not account for any sales charges, fees or fund expenses. As indicated above, past performance does not indicate future results.

RIM International Equity Composite

Net assets of Composite as of December 31, 2013:  $19.6 million

Calendar year total returns—Composite (%)

Year-to-date total return  The Composite's net total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was [   ]%.

Best quarter : Q2 '09, 23.14%  Worst quarter : Q4 '08, –23.76%

 

Composite average annual total returns (%)

1 year

3 years

5 years

Since
inception

for periods ended 12-31-13

7-1-08

Composite

30.51

12.70

14.79

4.28

MSCI EAFE Index (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)

23.29

8.66

12.96

2.91

MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding tax on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada.

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions, and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditor's report (in the annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund's policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents or request other information

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus, or SAI from John Hancock, request other information, or make inquiries:

Online:   jhinvestments.com

By mail:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

By phone : 888-972-8696

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: sec.gov  

By email (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov  

By mail (duplicating fee required):
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-1520

In person: at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

For access to the Reference Room call 202-551-8090.

© 2014 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC DVIRPN 6-26-14 SEC file number: 811-00560

 
 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund

Prospectus
6-26-14

 

► Class R6:

The information in this prospectus is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Fund summary

Fund details

Your account

The summary section is a concise look at the investment objective, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, principal risks, past performance, and investment management.

More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the investment strategies and various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.

How to place an order to buy, sell, or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.

For more information  S ee back cover


Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Disciplined Value International Fund

Fund Details

Principal investment strategies

Principal risks of investing

Who's who

Financial highlights

Your Account

Who can buy shares

Opening an account

Buying shares

Selling shares

Transaction policies

Dividends and account policies

Additional investor services

Appendix

Back Cover

Back Cover


Fund summary

John Hancock

Disciplined Value International Fund 

Investment objective

To seek long-term capital growth.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class R6

Maximum front-end sales charge (load)

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load)

None

 

Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class R6

Management fee

[ ]

Other expenses 1

[ ]

Total annual fund operating expenses

[ ]

1

"Other expenses" have been adjusted to reflect the estimated fees and expenses of the fund after its reorganization with the predecessor fund (as defined below).

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Expenses ($)

Class R6

1 year

[     ]

     

3 years

[     ]

     

5 years

[     ]

     

10 years

[     ]

     

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year of the predecessor to the fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund), the predecessor fund's portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments

or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities (IPOs). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the U.S. government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, political events within the United States and abroad, including the U.S. government's ongoing difficulty agreeing on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan and uncertainty surrounding sovereign debt of European Union members, could negatively impact financial markets and the fund's performance. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund's main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus .

Active management risk. The subadvisor's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Convertible securities risk. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk. The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

Currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

Emerging-market risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Exchange-traded funds risk. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk. As compared with U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings risk. IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time, causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk. An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Large company risk. Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Liquidity risk. Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Medium and smaller company risk. The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Non-diversified risk. Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Participatory notes risk. The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Investing in REITs subjects the fund to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decline in the value of real estate and general and local economic conditions.

Warrants risk. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to their expiration dates.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly and may be obtained at our website: jhinvestments.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns. Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns.  These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

The fund is expected to be the successor to Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund). The performance information shown below is the historical performance of the predecessor fund's Institutional class shares, which commenced operations on December 30, 2011. Shares of the fund are expected to be offered on or about [_______], 2014. For periods shown below, performance is the actual performance of the sole share class of the predecessor fund and has not been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of any class of shares of the fund. As a result, the performance shown below may be higher than if adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of the particular class of shares of the fund.

Calendar year total returns—Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return.  The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was 0.68%.

Best quarter:  Q3 '13, 11.58%

Worst quarter:  Q2 '12, –6.39%

 

Average annual total returns (%)

1 year

Since inception

As of 12-31-13

12-30-11

Class R6 before tax

29.85

23.15

After tax on distribution

24.49

20.21

After tax on distribution, with sale

17.64

16.87

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, and taxes)

23.39

21.34

Investment management

Investment advisor John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio management

 

Jay Feeney
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Chrisopher K. Hart
Equity Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joshua Jones
Associate Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The minimum initial investment requirement for Class R6 shares of the fund is $1 million for all investors other than certain qualified plan investors. There is no minimum initial investment requirement for such qualified plan investors. There are no subsequent investment requirements. You may redeem shares of the fund on any business day by mail: Investment Operations, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913; or for most account types through our website: jhinvestments.com; or by telephone: 888-972-8696.

Taxes

The fund's distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

 

Fund details

Principal investment strategies

The Board of Trustees can change the fund's investment objective and strategies without shareholder approval. The fund will provide 60 days' written notice to shareholders prior to changing its 80% investment strategy.

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including ETFs), REITs, and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in IPOs. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

The fund may invest in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of meeting redemption requests or making other anticipated cash payments.

Temporary defensive investing

The fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, or other investment-grade short-term securities for the purpose of protecting the fund in the event the subadvisor determines that market, economic, political, or other conditions warrant a defensive posture.

To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, its ability to achieve its investment objective will be limited.

Principal risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund's overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager's ability to pursue the fund's investment objective is subject to active management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions from its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the manager to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Convertible securities risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security's market value also tends to reflect the market price of common stock of the issuing company, particularly when that stock price is greater than the convertible security's conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the

convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see "Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk"), or a borrower of a fund's securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund's share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic, or foreign governments, or their subdivisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, or corporation; or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadvisor may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below-investment-grade securities, also called junk bonds (e.g., fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)), at the time of investment, or determined by a subadvisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their subdivisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below-investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: Their issuers' continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and they may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent that it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Economic and market events risk

Events in the financials sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government's placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship; the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, and General Motors; the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America; the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup; the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo; reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds; emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; debt crises in the eurozone; and S&P's downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods, and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging-market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the fund.

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the

U.S. or other securities markets. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Equity securities risk

Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality, or blue chip, equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.

The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.

Value investing risk. Certain equity securities (generally referred to as value securities) are purchased primarily because they are selling at prices below what the subadviser believes to be their fundamental value and not necessarily because the issuing companies are expected to experience significant earnings growth. The fund bears the risk that the companies that issued these securities may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be perceived by the subadviser to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. A value stock may not increase in price, as anticipated by the subadviser investing in such securities, if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price or invest in markets favoring faster growing companies. The fund's strategy of investing in value stocks also carries the risk that in certain markets value stocks will underperform growth stocks.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) risk

ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. A fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk

Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs, and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities, some or all of which may not be reclaimable. Also, for lesser-developed countries, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency or assets from a country); political changes; or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund's investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States.

Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund's currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards, and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund's portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices, or currency rates are changing.

Emerging-market risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with emerging-market economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more-developed foreign markets, since emerging-market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, and other risks greater than, or in addition to, the risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange-rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging-market countries; the fact that companies in emerging-market countries may be newly organized, smaller, and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging-market issuers.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadvisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest-rate risk, and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund's securities. Even if the subadvisor only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund's initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to efficiently adjust the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets, and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other, more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an 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, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party's consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund's risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments, or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadvisor may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure.

A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) risk

Certain funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on a fund's performance will likely decrease as the fund's asset size increases, which could reduce the fund's returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to a fund for investing, particularly as the fund's asset base grows. IPO shares are frequently volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading, and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, a fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund and may lead to increased expenses for a fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

Issuer risk

An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, or other factors.

Large company risk

Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Liquidity risk

A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund's ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds that invest in securities of emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.

Medium and smaller company risk

Market risk and liquidity risk may be pronounced for securities of companies with medium-sized market capitalizations and are particularly pronounced for securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. These companies may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or they may depend on a few key employees. The securities of companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities, and their value may fluctuate more sharply than those securities. They may also trade in the OTC market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. Investments in less-seasoned companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may not only present greater opportunities for growth and capital appreciation, but also involve greater risks than are customarily associated with more established companies with larger market capitalizations. These risks apply to all funds that invest in the securities of companies with smaller- or medium-sized market capitalizations. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Non-diversified risk

Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers, while overall risk is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Certain funds are not diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of a relatively small number of issuers, which may result in greater susceptibility to associated risks. As a result, credit, market, and other risks associated with a non-diversified fund's investment strategies or techniques may be more pronounced than for funds that are diversified.

Participatory notes risk 

The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk

The fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) risk

REITs are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs' ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Warrants risk

Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Who's who

The following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund's investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund's business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund's operations.

Investment advisor

Manages the fund's business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The advisor administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadvisor to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The advisor's parent company has been helping individuals and institutions work toward their financial goals since 1862. The advisor offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research and leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of March 31, 2014, the advisor had total assets under management of approximately $120.2 billion.

The advisor does not itself manage any of the fund's portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisor and recommend its hiring, termination, and replacement. In this connection, the advisor: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadvisor, and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the advisor, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadvisor or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisors or the fees paid to a subadvisor from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the advisor to appoint a subadvisor that is an affiliate of the advisor or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadvisor to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadvisor, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the advisor a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily net assets of the fund.

Average daily net assets

Annual rate (%)

[   ]

[   ]

Out of these fees, the investment advisor in turn pays the fees of the subadvisor.

The basis for the Trustees' approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, will be discussed in the fund's first shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund's annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund's expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund's "Annual fund operating expenses" table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

The advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). The waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; and 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion. 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. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the advisor upon notice to the funds and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Subadvisor

Handles the fund's day-to-day portfolio management.

Robeco Investment Management, Inc.
One Beacon Street
30 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Robeco is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company. Founded in 1929, Robeco Groep is one of the world's oldest asset management organizations. As of March 31, 2014, Robeco had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Below are brief biographical profiles of the fund's portfolio managers, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

Jay Feeney

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities

Managed predecessor fund since inception 

Joined subadvisor in 1995

Began business career in [1987]

Christopher K. Hart

Equity Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joined subadvisor in 2002

Began business career in [1993]

Joshua Jones

Associate Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Joined subadvisor in 2006

Began business career in [2005]

Custodian

Holds the fund's assets, settles all portfolio trades, and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund's net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners, and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Transfer agent

Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends, and processing of buy and sell requests.

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Financial highlights

The financial highlights information in the following table represents the financial highlights of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (the predecessor fund) Institutional Class shares for the fiscal periods indicated. It is currently contemplated that the predecessor fund will be reorganized into the fund on or about [_______], 2014. "Total return" shows how much an investment in the fund's and the predecessor fund's shares would have increased (or decreased) during the period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Class R6 shares of the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. Because Class R6 shares of the fund have different expenses than the predecessor fund's Institutional Class shares, financial highlights for Class R6 shares of the fund would have differed.

The financial highlights for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012, August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, were derived from the predecessor fund's financial statements. The predecessor fund's financial statements in such fund's annual and semiannual reports for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, respectively, have been incorporated by reference into the SAI. Copies of the predecessor fund's annual and semiannual report can be obtained by calling [                ].

[To Be Updated By Amendment]

Institutional Share class

Per share operating performance

For the Period Ending February 28, 2014 (unaudited)

For the Period Ending August 31, 2013

For the Period December 30, 2011** through August 31, 2012

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

$10.79

$10.00

Net investment income*

0.20

0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

2.10

0.64

Total from investment operations

2.30

0.79

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

(0.13

)

Dividends to shareholders from net realized gains

(0.08

)

Total distributions

(0.21

)

Redemption fees

Net asset value, end of period

$

$12.88

$10.79

Total investment return 1,2

[ ]%

21.52

%

7.90

% 4

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (000)

$

$11,104

$10,895

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.30

%

1.30

% 3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

3.18

%

3.77

% 3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.63

%

2.16

% 3

Portfolio turnover rate

[ ]%

87

%

81

% 4

 

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

**

Inception date.

1

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3

Annualized.

4

Not annualized.

 

Your account

Who can buy shares

Class R6 shares are offered without any sales charge and are generally made available to the following types of investors if they also meet the minimum initial investment requirement for purchases of Class R6 shares. (See "Opening an account.")

Qualified 401(a) plans (including 401(k) plans, Keogh plans, profit-sharing pension plans, money purchase pension plans, target benefit plans, defined benefit pension plans, and Taft-Hartley multi-employer pension plans) (collectively, qualified plans)

Endowment funds and foundations

Any state, county, or city, or its instrumentality, department, authority, or agency

457 Plans, including 457(a) governmental entity plans and tax-exempt plans

Accounts registered to insurance companies, trust companies, and bank trust departments

Investment companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with the advisor

Any entity that is considered a corporation for tax purposes, including corporate nonqualified deferred compensation plans of such corporations

Fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with the fund and other John Hancock funds

Class R6 shares may not be available through certain investment dealers.

The availability of Class R6 shares for qualified plan investors will depend upon the policies of your financial intermediary and/or the recordkeeper for your Qualified Plan.

Class R6 shares also are generally available only to qualified plan investors where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the fund.

Class R6 shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, Traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, and 529 college savings plans.

Class R6 shares are also not available to retail, advisory fee-based wrap programs, or advisor-sold, donor-advised funds.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Payments to financial intermediaries

No dealer compensation is paid from fund assets on sales of Class R6 shares. Class R6 shares do not carry sales commissions, pay Rule 12b-1 fees, or make payments to financial intermediaries to assist in the distributor's efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares, sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. Neither the fund nor its affiliates make any type of administrative or service payments in connection with investments in Class R6 shares.

Opening an account

1

Read this prospectus carefully.

2

Determine if you are eligible by referring to "Who can buy shares."

3

Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment is $1 million for all investors other than qualified plan investors. There is no minimum initial investment requirement for qualified plan investors that do not require the fund or its affiliates to pay any type of administrative payments. There are no minimum investment requirements for subsequent purchases to existing accounts.

4

All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or call John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services) at 888-972-8696.

5

Make your initial investment using the instructions on the next page.

Important information about opening a new account

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.

When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business, and taxpayer identification number (TIN), and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments, or partnership agreements and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.

Buying shares

Opening an account

Adding to an account

By check

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to "John Hancock Signature Services, Inc."

If your account statement has a detachable investment slip, please complete it in its entirety. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered.

Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).

By exchange

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

Log on to the website below to process exchanges between funds.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

You may exchange Class R6 shares for other Class R6 shares or John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

By wire

Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.

Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.

Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.

By phone

See "By exchange" and "By wire."

Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.

Complete the "To purchase, exchange, or redeem shares via telephone" and "Bank information" sections on your account application.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between
8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-597-1897

Signature Services, Inc.
888-972-8696

Selling shares

To sell some or all of your shares

By letter

Sales of any amount.

Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered, and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.

Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).

Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).

A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.

Certain requests will require a Medallion signature guarantee. Please refer to "Selling shares in writing" on the next page.

By phone

Amounts up to $5 million:

Available to the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies, or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; and group retirement plans.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, general fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

Redemption proceeds of up to $100,000 may be sent by wire or by check. A check will be mailed to the exact name(s) and address on the account.

To place your request with a representative at John Hancock, call Signature Services between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days, or your financial representative.

Redemption proceeds exceeding $100,000 will be wired to your designated bank account, unless a Medallion signature guaranteed letter is provided requesting payment by check. Please refer to "Selling shares in writing."

By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Requests by letter to sell any amount.

Qualified requests by phone to sell to $5 million (accounts with telephone redemption privileges).

To verify that the telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.

Amounts of $5 million or more will be wired on the next business day.

Amounts up to $100,000 may be sent by EFT or by check. Funds from EFT transactions are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge a fee for this service.

By exchange

Sales of any amount.

Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund's website, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

Call EASI-Line for account balance, general fund inquiry, and transaction processing on some account types.

You may only exchange Class R6 shares for other Class R6 shares or John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares.

Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-597-1897

Signature Services, Inc.
888-972-8696

Selling shares in writing

In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:

your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;

you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock);

you are selling more than $5 million worth of shares from the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies, or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; and group retirement plans; or

you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).

You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.

 

Seller

Requirements for written requests

Owners of individual, joint, or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner, or association accounts

Letter of instruction.

Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock business/organization certification form.

On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Owners or trustees of trust accounts

Letter of instruction.

On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).

Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock trust certification form.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with deceased co-tenant(s)

Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant(s).

Copy of death certificate.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Executors of shareholder estates

Letter of instruction signed by executor.

Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.

Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.

Administrators, conservators, guardians, and other sellers, or account types not listed above

Call Signature Services for instructions.

 

Regular mail
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

Express delivery
Investment Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

Website
jhinvestments.com

EASI-Line
(24/7 automated service)
800-597-1897

Signature Services, Inc.
888-972-8696

Transaction policies

Valuation of shares

The net asset value (NAV) for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 P.M., Eastern time, on each business day that the NYSE is open). On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the fund's NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the fund's portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the fund's shares may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the fund.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Portfolio securities also may be fair valued by the fund's Pricing Committee in certain instances. Equity securities are generally valued at the last sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price as of the close of the relevant exchange. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued using last available bid prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the price on the exchange where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs (underlying funds) are valued based on the NAVs of such underlying funds.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are otherwise deemed unreliable because of market or issuer specific securities, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund's Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security's fair value may be made by the Pricing Committee acting pursuant to the procedures established by the Trustees. In certain instances, therefore, the Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund's NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund's portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material.

Regarding the fund's investment in an underlying fund that is not an ETF, which (as noted above) is valued at such underlying fund's NAV, the prospectus for such underlying fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that underlying fund.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing jhinvestments.com, or sending your request in writing.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Telephone transactions

For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

Exchanges

You may exchange Class R6 shares of one John Hancock fund for Class R6 shares of any other John Hancock fund or for John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Note: Once exchanged into John Hancock Money Market Fund Class A shares, shares may only be exchanged back to Class R6 shares.

The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days' written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see "Additional services and programs" in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject, or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder's financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject, or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific limitation on exchange activity, as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund's best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund's judgment, such delay would be in the fund's best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund's NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations, or U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or preestablished exchange, asset allocation, and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund's ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under "Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices" below. Depending upon the composition of the fund's shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund's shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial advisor, broker, retirement plan administrator, or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund's underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisors, brokers, retirement plan administrators, or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients' transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund's request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund's policies. The fund cannot

guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund's ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit, and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund's operating costs and decrease the fund's investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below-investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund's portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers, or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Account information

The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an accountholder's identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth, and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV, and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.

Certificated shares

The fund does not issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.

Sales in advance of purchase payments

When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements as follows:

after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment) that affects your account balance

after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)

in all other circumstances, every quarter

Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by February 15.

Dividends

The fund typically declares and pays income dividends at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are typically distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund's fiscal year.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested. No front-end sales charge or CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

Taxability of dividends

For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund's short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund's long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund's holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every February, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Additional investor services

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the website, jhinvestments.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top 10 holdings; top 10 sector analysis; total return/yield; top 10 countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top 10 portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the website no earlier than 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund's fiscal year and on Form
N-CSR as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the fund's fiscal year. A description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

Appendix

Historical Performance of the RIM International Equity Composite

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund (the fund) is expected to commence operations on or about [_______], 2014. The fund is subadvised by Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (Robeco). Robeco manages an account with an investment style, objective, policies, and strategies substantially similar to those that are used to manage the fund. The account is included in a composite the performance of which is presented in this Appendix (the Composite). The account has been managed by the same portfolio manager disclosed in the fund's prospectus for all periods shown in the Appendix. Performance presented in the Composite has been generated on an asset-weighted basis and includes the reinvestment of dividends.

Because of the similarities between the fund and the Composite, this information may help provide an indication of the fund's risks by showing how a similar Composite has performed historically. The performance of the Composite, however, is not the performance of the fund, and you should not assume that the fund will have the same performance as the Composite. The performance of the fund may be greater or less than the performance of the Composite due to, among other things, the number of the holdings in and composition of the fund's portfolio, as well as the asset size and cash flow differences between the fund and the Composite. The account in the Composite is not subject to the investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if they had applied, might have affected the account's performance results. The inception date of the Composite is July 1, 2008.

This Appendix includes an index for purposes of comparing performance of the Composite. The MSCI EAFE Index, the Composite's benchmark (the Benchmark), is a broad-based securities index that reflects the investment strategies and performance target of the account underlying the Composite.

Performance information — bar chart and table — is presented on the following page for the Composite. The bar chart shows how the Composite's total return has varied over the last five (5) calendar years, and the table shows the Composite's performance over the last year, three (3) years, five (5) years and since inception as of December 31, 2013 (as compared with the Benchmark for reference). The past performance of the Composite is no guarantee of future results in managing the fund. The information in this Appendix does not represent the performance of the fund and is no indication of how it would have performed in the past or will perform in the future.

The past performance of the Composite has been calculated net of actual fees and expenses. The Composite's returns would be lower if it reflected the fees and expenses of the fund.

An index is unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. As such, year-by-year index figures do not account for any sales charges, fees or fund expenses. As indicated above, past performance does not indicate future results.

RIM International Equity Composite

Net assets of Composite as of December 31, 2013:  $19.6 million

Calendar year total returns—Composite (%)

Best quarter : Q2 '09, 23.14%  Worst quarter : Q4 '08, –23.76%

Year-to-date total return  The Composite's net total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was [   ]%.

 

Composite average annual total returns (%)

1 year

3 years

5 years

Since
inception

for periods ended 12-31-13

7-1-08

Composite

30.51

12.70

14.79

4.28

MSCI EAFE Index (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes)

23.29

8.66

12.96

2.91

MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) (Benchmark) (gross of foreign withholding tax on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada.

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions, and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditor's report (in the annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund's policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents or request other information

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus, or SAI from John Hancock, request other information, or make inquiries:

Online: jhinvestments.com

By mail:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 55913
Boston, MA 02205-5913

By phone : 888-972-8696

By EASI-Line: 800-597-1897

By TDD: 800-231-5469

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: sec.gov  

By email (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov  

By mail (duplicating fee required):
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-1520

In person: at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

For access to the Reference Room call 202-551-8090.

© 2014 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC DVIR6PN 6-26-14 SEC file number: 811-00560

 
 

John Hancock
Disciplined Value International Fund

Prospectus
6-26-14

 

► Class NAV:

The information in this prospectus is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.

 

Fund summary

Fund details

Your account

The summary section is a concise look at the investment objective, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, principal risks, past performance, and investment management.

More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the investment strategies and various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.

How to place an order to buy, sell, or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.

For more information  S ee back cover


Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Disciplined Value International Fund

Fund Details

Principal investment strategies

Principal risks of investing

Who's who

Financial highlights

Your Account

Who can buy shares

Class cost structure

Opening an account

Transaction policies

Dividends and account policies

Additional investor services

Back Cover

Back Cover


Fund summary

John Hancock

Disciplined Value International Fund 

Investment objective

To seek long-term capital growth.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class NAV

Maximum front-end sales charge (load)

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load)

None

 

Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Class NAV

Management fee

[  ]

  

Other expenses 1

[ ]

Total annual fund operating expenses

[ ]

1

"Other expenses" have been adjusted to reflect the estimated fees and expenses of the fund after its reorganization with the predecessor fund (as defined below).

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment for the time periods indicated and then assuming a redemption of all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

Expenses ($)

Class NAV

1 year

[     ]

     

3 years

[     ]

     

5 years

[     ]

     

10 years

[     ]

     

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year of the predecessor to the fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund), the predecessor fund's portfolio turnover rate was 87% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), real estate investment trusts (REITs), and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments

or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities (IPOs). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

Principal risks

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the U.S. government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. In addition, political events within the United States and abroad, including the U.S. government's ongoing difficulty agreeing on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan and uncertainty surrounding sovereign debt of European Union members, could negatively impact financial markets and the fund's performance. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

The fund's main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6 of the prospectus .

Active management risk. The subadvisor's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Convertible securities risk. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk. The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

Currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

Emerging-market risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as greater social, economic, regulatory, and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Exchange-traded funds risk. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk. As compared with U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk. Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings risk. IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time, causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk. An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Large company risk. Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the fund to underperform investments that focus on small- or medium-capitalization stocks. Larger, more established companies may be slow to respond to challenges and may grow more slowly than smaller companies. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Liquidity risk. Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Medium and smaller company risk. The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Non-diversified risk. Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Participatory notes risk. The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. Investing in REITs subjects the fund to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as a decline in the value of real estate and general and local economic conditions.

Warrants risk. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. Their prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to their expiration dates.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly, and quarterly and may be obtained at our website: jhinvestments.com/FundPerformance, or by calling 800-344-1029 between 8:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., Eastern time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns. Performance of a broad-based market index is included for comparison.

After-tax returns.  These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

The fund is expected to be the successor to Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the predecessor fund). The performance information shown below is the historical performance of the predecessor fund's Institutional class shares, which commenced operations on December 30, 2011. Shares of the fund are expected to be offered on or about [_______], 2014. For periods shown below, performance is the actual performance of the sole share class of the predecessor fund and has not been adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of any class of shares of the fund. As a result, the performance shown below may be higher than if adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses, including any Rule 12b-1 fees and/or sales charges, of the particular class of shares of the fund.

Calendar year total returns—Class NAV (%)

Year-to-date total return.  The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2014, was 0.68%.

Best quarter:  Q3 '13, 11.58%

Worst quarter:  Q2 '12, –6.39%

 

Average annual total returns (%)

1 year

Since inception

As of 12-31-13

12-30-11

Class NAV before tax

29.85

23.15

After tax on distribution

24.49

20.21

After tax on distribution, with sale

17.64

16.87

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends)
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, and taxes)

23.39

21.34

Investment management

Investment advisor John Hancock Advisers, LLC
Subadvisor Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

Portfolio management

 

Jay Feeney
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Chrisopher K. Hart
Equity Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joshua Jones
Associate Portfolio Manager
Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Purchase and sale of fund shares

There are no minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for Class NAV shares of the fund. The fund's shares are redeemable on any business day on instruction to the fund.

Taxes

The fund's distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank, registered investment advisor, financial planner, or retirement plan administrator), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These

payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

 

Fund details

Principal investment strategies

The Board of Trustees can change the fund's investment objective and strategies without shareholder approval. The fund will provide 60 days' written notice to shareholders prior to changing its 80% investment strategy.

The fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in a non-diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any capitalization size. The fund may invest in all types of equity and equity-related securities, including, without limitation, exchange-traded and over-the-counter common and preferred stocks, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts and shares, trust certificates, participatory notes, limited partnership interests, shares of other investment companies (including ETFs), REITs, and equity participations. An equity participation is a type of loan that gives the lender a portion of equity ownership in a property, in addition to principal and interest payments. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. The fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund and may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer.

The fund defines non-U.S. companies as companies: (i) that are organized under the laws of a foreign country; (ii) whose principal trading market is in a foreign country; or (iii) that have a majority of their assets, or that derive a significant portion of their revenue or profits, from businesses, investments or sales outside of the United States. The fund primarily will be invested in issuers located in countries with developed securities markets, but may also invest in issuers located in emerging markets.

The fund may invest in securities denominated in the currencies of a variety of developed, emerging and frontier market countries.

The fund generally invests in the equity securities of issuers believed by the subadvisor to be undervalued in the marketplace, focusing on issuers that combine attractive valuations with catalysts for change. The subadvisor applies a bottom-up stock selection process (i.e., one that focuses primarily on issuer-specific factors) in managing the fund, using a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis. In selecting investments for the fund, the subadvisor considers various factors, such as price-to-book value, price-to-sales and earnings ratios, dividend yields, strength of management, and cash flow to identify securities that are trading at a price that appears to be lower than the issuer's inherent value.

The fund may (but is not required to) invest in derivatives, including put and call options, futures, forward contracts and swaps, in lieu of investing directly in a security, currency or instrument, for hedging and nonhedging purposes.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

The fund may participate as a purchaser in IPOs. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The fund may also seek to increase its income by lending portfolio securities.

The subadvisor will sell a stock when it no longer meets one or more investment criteria, either through obtaining target value or due to an adverse change in fundamentals or business momentum. Each holding has a target valuation established at purchase, which the subadvisor constantly monitors and adjusts as appropriate.

The fund may invest in cash or money market instruments for the purpose of meeting redemption requests or making other anticipated cash payments.

Temporary defensive investing

The fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments, or other investment-grade short-term securities for the purpose of protecting the fund in the event the subadvisor determines that market, economic, political, or other conditions warrant a defensive posture.

To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, its ability to achieve its investment objective will be limited.

Principal risks of investing

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund's overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

Active management risk

A fund that relies on the manager's ability to pursue the fund's investment objective is subject to active management risk. The manager will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for a fund and there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. A fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, a fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions from its benchmark. To the extent a fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the manager to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.

Convertible securities risk

Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible fixed-income securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, a convertible security's market value also tends to reflect the market price of common stock of the issuing company, particularly when that stock price is greater than the convertible security's conversion price. The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price or exchange ratio at which the convertible security can be converted or exchanged for the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the

convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock.

Credit and counterparty risk

This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see "Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk"), or a borrower of a fund's securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest, or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund's share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic, or foreign governments, or their subdivisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, or corporation; or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadvisor may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.

Funds that invest in below-investment-grade securities, also called junk bonds (e.g., fixed-income securities rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)), at the time of investment, or determined by a subadvisor to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their subdivisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below-investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: Their issuers' continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and they may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent that it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.

Economic and market events risk

Events in the financials sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government's placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship; the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler, and General Motors; the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America; the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup; the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo; reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds; emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; debt crises in the eurozone; and S&P's downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage, and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods, and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging-market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the fund.

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the

U.S. or other securities markets. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from the fund's performance.

Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union have disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Equity securities risk

Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality, or blue chip, equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.

The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.

Value investing risk. Certain equity securities (generally referred to as value securities) are purchased primarily because they are selling at prices below what the subadviser believes to be their fundamental value and not necessarily because the issuing companies are expected to experience significant earnings growth. The fund bears the risk that the companies that issued these securities may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be perceived by the subadviser to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. A value stock may not increase in price, as anticipated by the subadviser investing in such securities, if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price or invest in markets favoring faster growing companies. The fund's strategy of investing in value stocks also carries the risk that in certain markets value stocks will underperform growth stocks.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) risk

ETFs are a type of investment company bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index. A fund could purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile, and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs. An ETF has its own fees and expenses, which are indirectly borne by the fund.

Foreign securities risk

Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting, and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs, and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities, some or all of which may not be reclaimable. Also, for lesser-developed countries, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency or assets from a country); political changes; or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund's investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, the fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States.

Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund's currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards, and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund's portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices, or currency rates are changing.

Emerging-market risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with emerging-market economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more-developed foreign markets, since emerging-market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, and other risks greater than, or in addition to, the risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange-rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging-market countries; the fact that companies in emerging-market countries may be newly organized, smaller, and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging-market issuers.

Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk

The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadvisor's ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest-rate risk, and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund's securities. Even if the subadvisor only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund's initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.

A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to efficiently adjust the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets, and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.

The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other, more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an 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, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party's consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms (e.g., the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadvisor intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of counterparties, the fund's risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments, or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates, or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadvisor may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure.

A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions which the fund intends to utilize and the main risks associated with each of them:

Foreign currency forward contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Options. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Swaps. Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, settlement risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation, and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving swaps.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) risk

Certain funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of IPOs. IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on a fund's performance will likely decrease as the fund's asset size increases, which could reduce the fund's returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to a fund for investing, particularly as the fund's asset base grows. IPO shares are frequently volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading, and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, a fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of a fund and may lead to increased expenses for a fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

Issuer risk

An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, or other factors.

Large company risk

Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer tastes. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Liquidity risk

A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund's ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous market price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds that invest in securities of emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.

Medium and smaller company risk

Market risk and liquidity risk may be pronounced for securities of companies with medium-sized market capitalizations and are particularly pronounced for securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations. These companies may have limited product lines, markets, or financial resources, or they may depend on a few key employees. The securities of companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities, and their value may fluctuate more sharply than those securities. They may also trade in the OTC market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. Investments in less-seasoned companies with medium and smaller market capitalizations may not only present greater opportunities for growth and capital appreciation, but also involve greater risks than are customarily associated with more established companies with larger market capitalizations. These risks apply to all funds that invest in the securities of companies with smaller- or medium-sized market capitalizations. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. The fund is not obligated to sell a company's security simply because, subsequent to its purchase, the company's market capitalization has changed to be outside the capitalization range, if any, in effect for the fund.

Non-diversified risk

Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers, while overall risk is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Certain funds are not diversified within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of a relatively small number of issuers, which may result in greater susceptibility to associated risks. As a result, credit, market, and other risks associated with a non-diversified fund's investment strategies or techniques may be more pronounced than for funds that are diversified.

Participatory notes risk 

The return on a participatory note (p-note) is linked to the performance of the issuers of the underlying securities. The performance of p-notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers that they seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. P-notes are subject to counterparty risk since the notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the financial institutions issuing the notes, and the fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such institutions and has no rights under the notes against the issuers of the underlying securities. In addition, p-notes are subject to liquidity risk.

Preferred stock risk

The fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock generally has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) risk

REITs are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs' ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower's or a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Warrants risk

Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

Who's who

The following are the names of the various entities involved with the fund's investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.

Trustees

Oversee the fund's business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund's operations.

Investment advisor

Manages the fund's business and investment activities.

John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Founded in 1968, the advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.

The advisor administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadvisor to manage the assets of the fund. John Hancock is one of the most recognized and respected names in the financial services industry. The advisor's parent company has been helping individuals and institutions work toward their financial goals since 1862. The advisor offers investment solutions managed by leading institutional money managers, taking a disciplined team approach to portfolio management and research, leveraging the expertise of seasoned investment professionals. As of March 31, 2014, the advisor had total assets under management of approximately $[___] billion.

The advisor does not itself manage any of the fund's portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisor and recommend its hiring, termination, and replacement. In this connection, the advisor: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadvisor, and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.

The fund relies on an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permitting the advisor, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadvisor or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisors or the fees paid to a subadvisor from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the advisor to appoint a subadvisor that is an affiliate of the advisor or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadvisor to the fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadvisor, without the approval of the shareholders.

Management fee

The fund pays the advisor a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily net assets of the fund.

Average daily net assets

Annual rate (%)

[   ]

[   ]

Out of these fees, the investment advisor in turn pays the fees of the subadvisor.

The basis for the Trustees' approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, will be discussed in the fund's first shareholder report.

Additional information about fund expenses

The fund's annual operating expenses will likely vary throughout the period and from year to year. The fund's expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than the expenses listed in the fund's "Annual fund operating expenses" table, for some of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; or (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as fund tax expenses.

The advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). The waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; and 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion. 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. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the advisor upon notice to the funds and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Subadvisor

Handles the fund's day-to-day portfolio management.

Robeco Investment Management, Inc.
One Beacon Street
30 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Robeco is a subsidiary of Robeco Groep N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company. Founded in 1929, Robeco Groep is one of the world's oldest asset management organizations. As of March 31, 2014, Robeco had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Below are brief biographical profiles of the fund's portfolio managers, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage, and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.

Jay Feeney

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer—Equities

Managed predecessor fund since inception 

Joined subadvisor in 1995

Began business career in [1987]

Christopher K. Hart

Equity Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since inception

Joined subadvisor in 2002

Began business career in [1993]

Joshua Jones

Associate Portfolio Manager

Managed predecessor fund since 2013

Joined subadvisor in 2006

Began business career in [2005]

Custodian

Holds the fund's assets, settles all portfolio trades, and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund's net asset value.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Principal distributor

Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners, and other financial representatives.

John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

Financial highlights

The financial highlights information in the following table represents the financial highlights of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (the predecessor fund) Institutional Class shares for the fiscal periods indicated. It is currently contemplated that the predecessor fund will be reorganized into the fund on or about [_______], 2014. "Total return" shows how much an investment in the fund's and the predecessor fund's shares would have increased (or decreased) during the period (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Class NAV shares of the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. Because Class NAV shares of the fund have different expenses than the predecessor fund's Institutional Class shares, financial highlights for Class NAV shares of the fund would have differed.

The financial highlights for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012, August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, were derived from the predecessor fund's financial statements. The predecessor fund's financial statements in such fund's annual and semiannual reports for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2013, and February 28, 2014, respectively, have been incorporated by reference into the SAI. Copies of the predecessor fund's annual and semiannual report can be obtained by calling [                ].

[To Be Updated By Amendment]

Institutional Share class

Per share operating performance

For the Period Ending February 28, 2014 (unaudited)

For the Period Ending August 31, 2013

For the Period December 30, 2011** through August 31, 2012

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

$10.79

$10.00

Net investment income*

0.20

0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

2.10

0.64

Total from investment operations

2.30

0.79

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

(0.13

)

Dividends to shareholders from net realized gains

(0.08

)

Total distributions

(0.21

)

Redemption fees

Net asset value, end of period

$

$12.88

$10.79

Total investment return 1,2

[ ]%

21.52

%

7.90

% 4

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (000)

$

$11,104

$10,895

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.30

%

1.30

% 3

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

3.18

%

3.77

% 3

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
with waivers and
reimbursements

[ ]%

1.63

%

2.16

% 3

Portfolio turnover rate

[ ]%

87

%

81

% 4

 

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

**

Inception date.

1

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3

Annualized.

4

Not annualized.

 

Your account

Who can buy shares

Class NAV shares are sold to certain affiliated funds, each of which is a fund of funds that invests in various other funds. Class NAV shares may also be sold to retirement plans for employees of John Hancock and/or Manulife Financial Corporation affiliated companies only, including John Hancock qualified plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans and separate investment accounts of John Hancock and its insurance affiliates, and to the issuers of interests in the John Hancock Freedom 529 Plan, including the Education Trust of Alaska. 

Class cost structure

No sales charges

No distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees

Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structures, may be offered in separate prospectuses.

Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.

Additional payments to financial intermediaries

Class NAV shares do not carry sales commissions or pay Rule 12b-1 fees. However, certain financial intermediaries may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments out of the distributor's own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as revenue sharing. These payments assist in the distributor's efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts.

The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund's net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the advisor and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor's marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars, or other programs attended by the intermediary's sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.

The SAI discusses the distributor's revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

The distributor, advisor, and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the advisor or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the advisor or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.

Opening an account

1

Read this prospectus carefully.

2

Determine if you are eligible by referring to "Who can buy shares."

3

Permitted entities generally may open an account and purchase Class NAV shares by contacting any broker-dealer or other financial service firm authorized to sell Class NAV shares of the fund. There is no minimum initial investment for Class NAV shares.

Transaction policies

Valuation of shares

The net asset value (NAV) for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 P.M., Eastern time, on each business day that the NYSE is open). On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the fund's NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the fund's portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the fund's shares may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the fund.

Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.

Valuation of securities

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Portfolio securities also may be fair valued by the fund's Pricing Committee in certain instances. Equity securities are generally valued at the last sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price as of the close of the relevant exchange. Securities not traded on a particular day are valued using last available bid prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the price on the exchange where the security was acquired or most likely will be sold. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate supplied by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices. Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs (underlying funds) are valued based on the NAVs of such underlying funds.

If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or are otherwise deemed unreliable because of market or issuer specific securities, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility

to fair value securities to the fund's Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security's fair value may be made by the Pricing Committee acting pursuant to the procedures established by the Trustees. In certain instances, therefore, the Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund's NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund's portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain, thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security's valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains.

The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants, but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed and these differences could be material.

Regarding the fund's investment in an underlying fund that is not an ETF, which (as noted above) is valued at such underlying fund's NAV, the prospectus for such underlying fund explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that underlying fund.

Buy and sell prices

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV.

Execution of requests

The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after receipt of your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.

In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.

Excessive trading

The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.

Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders

Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject, or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder's financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject, or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific limitation on exchange activity, as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund's best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund's judgment, such delay would be in the fund's best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund's NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.

Exchange limitation policies

The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.

Limitation on exchange activity

The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund's shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.

Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations, or U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or preestablished exchange, asset allocation, and dollar-cost- averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an

effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.

These exchange limits are subject to the fund's ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under "Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices" below. Depending upon the composition of the fund's shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund's shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control, or influence.

Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices

Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial advisor, broker, retirement plan administrator, or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund's underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries, such as financial advisors, brokers, retirement plan administrators, or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients' transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund's request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund's policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund's ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.

Excessive trading risk

To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund's portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit, and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund's operating costs and decrease the fund's investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.

While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of foreign issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.

A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below-investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under "Valuation of securities" incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).

Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund's portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers, or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.

Dividends and account policies

Account statements

In general, you will receive account statements from your plan's recordkeeper. Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement mailed by February 15 by your plan's recordkeeper.

Dividends

The fund typically declares and pays income dividends at least annually. Capital gains, if any, are typically distributed at least annually, typically after the end of the fund's fiscal year.

Dividend reinvestments

Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested.

Taxability of dividends

For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund's short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund's long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund's holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.

The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every February, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.

Returns of capital

If the fund's distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder's cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.

Taxability of transactions

Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.

Additional investor services

Disclosure of fund holdings

The following information for the fund is posted on the website, jhinvestments.com, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top 10 holdings; top 10 sector analysis; total return/yield; top 10 countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top 10 portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the website no earlier than 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund's fiscal year and on Form
N-CSR as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the fund's fiscal year. A description of the fund's policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

For more information

Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:

Annual/semiannual report to shareholders

Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions, and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditor's report (in the annual report only).

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund and includes a summary of the fund's policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.

To obtain a free copy of these documents or request other information

There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus, or SAI from John Hancock, request other information, or make inquiries:

Online: jhinvestments.com

By mail:
John Hancock Funds
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805

By phone: 800-344-1029

You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:

Online: sec.gov  

By email (duplicating fee required): publicinfo@sec.gov  

By mail (duplicating fee required):
Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-1520

In person: at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

For access to the Reference Room call 202-551-8090.

© 2014 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC DVINPN 6-26-14 SEC file number: 811-00560

 
 

 

 

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is incomplete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This SAI is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST

 

Fund A C I R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 NAV
John Hancock Disciplined Value
International Fund
[   ] [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ] [   ] N/A

 

Statement of Additional Information

[June 26], 2014

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides information about John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund (the “Fund”), a series of John Hancock Investment Trust (the “Trust”). The information in this SAI is in addition to the information that is contained in the Fund’s current prospectuses dated [June 26], 2014 (each a “Prospectus” and collectively, the “Prospectuses”).

 

It is currently contemplated that, before the Fund commences operations, all of the assets of another investment company advised by the Fund’s subadvisor, Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco” or the “Subadvisor”), Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund, a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Robeco Fund”), will be transferred to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization. If approved by the Robeco Fund’s shareholders, the reorganization is expected to occur on or about [_____________], 2014, and the Fund is expected to commence operations on or about [____________], 2014. As the Fund will be the successor to the Robeco Fund’s financial statements, the Robeco Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, and the six months ended February 28, 2014, included in such Fund’s latest and annual and semiannual reports, respectively, are incorporated by reference. These reports can be obtained free of charge by calling [_______________]. This SAI is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. Copies of the Prospectuses and the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders (including financial statements) (when they become available) can be obtained free of charge by contacting:

 

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

P. O. Box 55913

Boston, MA 02205-5913

800-225-5291

jhinvestments.com

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST 1
INVESTMENT POLICIES 1
OTHER INSTRUMENTS 6
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES 17
RISK FACTORS 24
REGULATION OF COMMODITY INTERESTS 36
HEDGING AND OTHER STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS 37
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 51
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 54
THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT 54
SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND 65
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER SERVICES 65
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS 69
SALES COMPENSATION 71
NET ASSET VALUE 76
POLICY REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 76
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES 78
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A AND CLASS C SHARES 82
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS R1, CLASS R3, CLASS R4 AND CLASS R5 SHARES 84
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS R2 SHARES 84
ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS NAV SHARES 84
SPECIAL REDEMPTIONS 85
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS 85
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES 88
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SHARES 88
CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE 90
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES 90
PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE 97
TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES 100
LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS 101
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 101
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 101
CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES 101
CODES OF ETHICS 102
   
APPENDIX A A-1
APPENDIX B B-1
APPENDIX C C-1

 

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ORGANIZATION OF THE TRUST

 

The Trust was organized on December 21, 1984 as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust.

 

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Advisor”) is the investment advisor to the Trust and the Fund. The Advisor is a Delaware limited liability company whose principal offices are located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The Advisor is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “CEA”). The Advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.). John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) and its subsidiaries today offer a broad range of financial products and services, including whole, term, variable, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance and various forms of business insurance. The ultimate controlling parent of the Advisor is Manulife Financial Corporation (“Manulife Financial or “MFC”), a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Canada. MFC is the holding company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, collectively known as Manulife Financial.

 

The Advisor has retained Robeco as the subadvisor for the Fund. The Subadvisor is responsible for providing investment advice to the Fund subject to the review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) and the overall supervision of the Advisor.

 

Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$[___] billion (US$[___] billion) as of March 31, 2014.

 

Manulife Financial trades as “MFC” on the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and Philippine Stock Exchange, and under “945” on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Manulife Financial can be found on the internet at manulife.com.

 

The Fund commenced operations as a series of John Hancock Investment Trust on [        ], 2014. The Robeco Fund had commenced operations on December 30, 2011, as a series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES

 

The principal strategies and risks of investing in the Fund are described in each applicable Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated in each applicable Prospectus or this SAI, the investment objective and policies of the Fund may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund may invest in the types of instruments described below, unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectuses or this SAI.

 

Conversion of Debt Securities

 

In the event debt securities held by the Fund are converted to or exchanged for equity securities, the Fund may continue to hold such equity securities, but only if and to the extent consistent with and permitted by its investment objectives and policies.

 

Money Market Instruments

 

Money market instruments (and other securities as noted under the Fund description) may be purchased for temporary defensive purposes or for short-term investment purposes.

 

 
 

 

U.S. Government and Government Agency Obligations

 

U.S. Government Obligations. U.S. government obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury. These securities include treasury bills, notes and bonds.

 

GNMA Obligations. GNMA obligations are mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which guarantee is supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

 

U.S. Agency Obligations. U.S. government agency obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government pursuant to authority granted by Congress. U.S. government agency obligations include, but are not limited to:

 

Student Loan Marketing Association;
Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”);
Federal Intermediate Credit Banks; and
Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”).

 

U.S. Instrumentality Obligations . U.S. instrumentality obligations include, but are not limited to, those issued by the Export-Import Bank and Farmers Home Administration.

 

Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury or the Federal Reserve Banks, such as those issued by Federal Intermediate Credit Banks. Others, such as those issued by Fannie Mae, FHLBs and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) are supported by discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality. In addition, other obligations such as those issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. There also are separately traded interest components of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.

 

No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support for the obligations of such U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities in the future, since it is not obligated to do so by law. In this SAI, “U.S. government securities” refers not only to securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury but also to securities that are backed only by their own credit and not the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

 

It is possible that the availability and the marketability (that is, liquidity) of the securities discussed in this section could be adversely affected by actions of the U.S. government to tighten the availability of its credit. In 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”), an agency of the U.S. government, placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. The FHFA will act as the conservator to operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac until they are stabilized. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

 

Municipal Obligations

 

Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds are issued to obtain funding for various public purposes including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, housing, mass transportation, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal bonds may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds for many types of local, privately operated facilities. Such debt instruments are considered municipal obligations if the interest paid on them is exempt from federal income tax. The payment of principal and interest by issuers of certain obligations purchased may be guaranteed by a letter of credit, note repurchase agreement, insurance or other credit facility agreement offered by a bank or other financial institution. Such guarantees and the creditworthiness of guarantors will be considered by the Subadvisor in determining whether a municipal obligation meets investment quality requirements. No assurance can be given that a municipality or guarantor will be able to satisfy the payment of principal or interest on a municipal obligation.

 

2
 

 

Municipal Notes. Municipal notes are short-term obligations of municipalities, generally with a maturity ranging from six months to three years. The principal types of such notes include tax, bond and revenue anticipation notes and project notes.

 

Municipal Commercial Paper. Municipal commercial paper is a short-term obligation of a municipality, generally issued at a discount with a maturity of less than one year. Such paper is likely to be issued to meet seasonal working capital needs of a municipality or interim construction financing. Municipal commercial paper is backed in many cases by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks and other institutions.

 

Federal tax legislation enacted in the 1980s placed substantial new restrictions on the issuance of the bonds described above and in some cases eliminated the ability of state or local governments to issue municipal obligations for some of the above purposes. Such restrictions do not affect the federal income tax treatment of municipal obligations issued prior to the effective dates of the provisions imposing such restrictions. The effect of these restrictions may be to reduce the volume of newly issued municipal obligations.

 

Issuers of municipal obligations are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. There also is the possibility that as a result of litigation or other conditions the power or ability of any one or more issuers to pay when due the principal of and interest on their municipal obligations may be affected.

 

The yields of municipal bonds depend upon, among other things, general money market conditions, general conditions of the municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue. The ratings of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) represent their respective opinions on the quality of the municipal bonds they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields and municipal bonds of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. See Appendix A to this SAI for a description of ratings. Many issuers of securities choose not to have their obligations rated. Although unrated securities eligible for purchase must be determined to be comparable in quality to securities having certain specified ratings, the market for unrated securities may not be as broad as for rated securities since many investors rely on rating organizations for credit appraisal.

 

Canadian and Provincial Government and Crown Agency Obligations

 

Canadian Government Obligations. Canadian government obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the government of Canada pursuant to authority granted by the Parliament of Canada and approved by the Governor in Council, where necessary. These securities include treasury bills, notes, bonds, debentures and marketable government of Canada loans.

 

Canadian Crown Obligations. Canadian Crown agency obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed by a Crown corporation, company or agency (“Crown Agencies”) pursuant to authority granted by the Parliament of Canada and approved by the Governor in Council, where necessary. Certain Crown Agencies are by statute agents of Her Majesty in right of Canada, and their obligations, when properly authorized, constitute direct obligations of the government of Canada. These obligations include, but are not limited to, those issued or guaranteed by the:

 

Export Development Corporation;
Farm Credit Corporation;
Federal Business Development Bank; and
Canada Post Corporation.

 

In addition, certain Crown Agencies that are not, by law, agents of Her Majesty may issue obligations that, by statute, the Governor in Council may authorize the Minister of Finance to guarantee on behalf of the government of Canada. Other Crown Agencies that are not, by law, agents of Her Majesty may issue or guarantee obligations not

 

3
 

 

entitled to be guaranteed by the government of Canada. No assurance can be given that the government of Canada will support the obligations of Crown Agencies that are not agents of Her Majesty, which it has not guaranteed, since it is not obligated to do so by law.

 

Provincial Government Obligations. Provincial Government obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the government of any province of Canada pursuant to authority granted by the provincial Legislature and approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of such province, where necessary. These securities include treasury bills, notes, bonds and debentures.

 

Provincial Crown Agency Obligations. Provincial Crown Agency obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed by a provincial Crown corporation, company or agency (“Provincial Crown Agencies”) pursuant to authority granted by the provincial Legislature and approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of such province, where necessary. Certain Provincial Crown Agencies are by statute agents of Her Majesty in right of a particular province of Canada, and their obligations, when properly authorized, constitute direct obligations of such province. Other Provincial Crown Agencies that are not, by law, agents of Her Majesty in right of a particular province of Canada may issue obligations that, by statute, the Lieutenant Governor in Council of such province may guarantee, or may authorize the Treasurer thereof to guarantee, on behalf of the government of such province. Finally, other Provincial Crown Agencies that are not, by law, agencies of Her Majesty may issue or guarantee obligations not entitled to be guaranteed by a provincial government. No assurance can be given that the government of any province of Canada will support the obligations of Provincial Crown Agencies that are not agents of Her Majesty and that it has not guaranteed, as it is not obligated to do so by law. Provincial Crown Agency obligations described above include, but are not limited to, those issued or guaranteed by a:

 

provincial railway corporation;
provincial hydroelectric or power commission or authority;
provincial municipal financing corporation or agency; and
provincial telephone commission or authority.

 

Certificates of Deposit, Time Deposits and Bankers’ Acceptances

 

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are certificates issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan. They are issued for a definite period of time and earn a specified rate of return.

 

Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates.

 

Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are short-term credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft which has been drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligations both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity. They are primarily used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. They are “accepted” when a bank guarantees their payment at maturity.

 

These obligations are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

Commercial Paper

 

Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is issued in bearer form with maturities generally not exceeding nine months.

 

Variable Amount Master Demand Notes. Commercial paper obligations may include variable amount master demand notes. Variable amount master demand notes are obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the borrower. These notes permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The investing (i.e., “lending”) Fund has the right to increase the amount under the note at any time up to the full amount provided by the note agreement, or to decrease the amount, and the borrower may prepay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. Because variable amount master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower, it is not generally

 

4
 

 

contemplated that such instruments will be traded. There is no secondary market for these notes, although they are redeemable (and thus immediately repayable by the borrower) at face value, plus accrued interest, at any time.

 

A subadvisor will only invest in variable amount master demand notes issued by companies that, at the date of investment, have an outstanding debt issue rated “Aaa” or “Aa” by Moody’s or “AAA” or “AA” by S&P or Fitch and that the applicable subadvisor has determined present minimal risk of loss. A subadvisor will look generally at the financial strength of the issuing company as “backing” for the note and not to any security interest or supplemental source, such as a bank letter of credit. A variable amount master demand note will be valued on each day a net asset value (“NAV”) is determined. The NAV generally will be equal to the face value of the note plus accrued interest unless the financial position of the issuer is such that its ability to repay the note when due is in question.

 

Corporate Obligations

 

Corporate obligations are bonds and notes issued by corporations to finance long-term credit needs.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

Repurchase agreements are arrangements involving the purchase of an obligation and the simultaneous agreement to resell the same obligation on demand or at a specified future date and at an agreed upon price. A repurchase agreement can be viewed as a loan made by the Fund to the seller of the obligation with such obligation serving as collateral for the seller’s agreement to repay the amount borrowed with interest. Repurchase agreements provide the opportunity to earn a return on cash that is only temporarily available. Repurchase agreements may be entered with banks, brokers or dealers. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and with “primary dealers” in U.S. government securities. However, a repurchase agreement will only be entered with a broker or dealer if the broker or dealer agrees to deposit additional collateral should the value of the obligation purchased decrease below the resale price.

 

Generally, repurchase agreements are of a short duration, often less than one week but on occasion for longer periods. Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be valued every business day and additional collateral will be requested if necessary so that the value of the collateral is at least equal to the value of the repurchase obligation, including the interest accrued thereon.

 

A subadvisor shall engage in a repurchase agreement transaction only with those banks or broker/dealers who meet the subadvisor’s quantitative and qualitative criteria regarding creditworthiness, asset size and collateralization requirements. The Advisor also may engage in repurchase agreement transactions on behalf of the Fund. The counterparties to a repurchase agreement transaction are limited to a:

 

Federal Reserve System member bank;

 

primary government securities dealer reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Market Reports Division; or

 

broker-dealer that reports U.S. government securities positions to the Federal Reserve Board.

 

The Fund also may participate in repurchase agreement transactions utilizing the settlement services of clearing firms that meet the subadvisor’s creditworthiness requirements.

 

The Advisor and the subadvisor will continuously monitor repurchase agreement transactions to ensure that the collateral held with respect to a repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the amount of the obligation.

 

The risk of a repurchase agreement transaction is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the delivery date. In the event of bankruptcy or other default by the seller, the instrument purchased may decline in value, interest payable on the instrument may be lost and there may be possible difficulties and delays in obtaining collateral and delays and expense in liquidating the instrument. If an issuer of a repurchase agreement fails to repurchase the underlying obligation, the loss, if any, would be the difference between the repurchase price and the

 

5
 

 

underlying obligation’s market value. The Fund also might incur certain costs in liquidating the underlying obligation. Moreover, if bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller, realization upon the underlying obligation might be delayed or limited.

 

Foreign Repurchase Agreements

 

Foreign repurchase agreements involve an agreement to purchase a foreign security and to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price in either U.S. dollars or foreign currency. Unlike typical U.S. repurchase agreements, foreign repurchase agreements may not be fully collateralized at all times. The value of a security purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to repurchase the security. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Fund may suffer a loss if the value of the security purchased is less than the agreed-upon repurchase price, or if it is unable to successfully assert a claim to the collateral under foreign laws. As a result, foreign repurchase agreements may involve higher credit risks than repurchase agreements in U.S. markets, as well as risks associated with currency fluctuations. In addition, as with other emerging market investments, repurchase agreements with counterparties located in emerging markets, or relating to emerging markets, may involve issuers or counterparties with lower credit ratings than typical U.S. repurchase agreements.

 

OTHER INSTRUMENTS

 

The following discussion provides an explanation of some of the other instruments in which the Fund may invest, but only if and to the extent that such investment is consistent with and permitted by its investment objectives and policies.

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Preferred stock generally has a preference to dividends and, upon liquidation, over an issuer’s common stock but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure. Preferred stock generally pays dividends in cash (or additional shares of preferred stock) at a defined rate but, unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Dividends on preferred stock may be cumulative, meaning that, in the event the issuer fails to make one or more dividend payments on the preferred stock, no dividends may be paid on the issuer’s common stock until all unpaid preferred stock dividends have been paid. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

 

Warrants

 

Warrants may trade independently of the underlying securities. Warrants are rights to purchase securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Warrant prices do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities, and warrant holders receive no dividends and have no voting rights or rights with respect to the assets of an issuer. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants cease to have value if not exercised prior to the expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells a debt security and agrees to repurchase it at an agreed upon time and at an agreed upon price. The Fund retains record ownership of the security and the right to receive interest and principal payments thereon. At an agreed upon future date, the Fund repurchases the security by remitting the proceeds previously received, plus interest. The difference between the amount the Fund receives for the security and the amount it pays on repurchase is payment of interest. In certain types of agreements, there is no agreed-upon repurchase date and interest payments are calculated daily, often based on the prevailing overnight repurchase rate. A reverse repurchase agreement may be considered a form of leveraging and may, therefore, increase fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV per share. The Fund will cover its repurchase agreement transactions by maintaining in a segregated custodial account cash, Treasury bills or other U.S. government securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such commitment to repurchase including accrued interest, until payment is made.

 

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Investments in Creditors’ Claims

 

Creditors’ claims in bankruptcy (“Creditors’ Claims”) are rights to payment from a debtor under the U.S. bankruptcy laws. Creditors’ Claims may be secured or unsecured. A secured claim generally receives priority in payment over unsecured claims.

 

Sellers of Creditors’ Claims can either be: (i) creditors that have extended unsecured credit to the debtor company (most commonly trade suppliers of materials or services); or (ii) secured creditors (most commonly financial institutions) that have obtained collateral to secure an advance of credit to the debtor. Selling a Creditors’ Claim offers the creditor an opportunity to turn a claim that otherwise might not be satisfied for many years into liquid assets.

 

Creditors’ Claims may be purchased directly from a creditor although most are purchased through brokers. A Creditors’ Claim can be sold as a single claim or as part of a package of claims from several different bankruptcy filings. Purchasers of Creditors’ Claims may take an active role in the reorganization process of the bankrupt company and, in certain situations in which a Creditors’ Claim is not paid in full, the claim may be converted into stock of the reorganized debtor.

 

Although Creditors’ Claims can be sold to other investors, the market for Creditors’ Claims is not liquid and, as a result, a purchaser of a Creditors’ Claim may be unable to sell the claim or may have to sell it at a drastically reduced price. There is no guarantee that any payment will be received from a Creditors’ Claim, especially in the case of unsecured claims.

 

Convertible Securities

 

Convertible securities may include corporate notes or preferred securities. Investments in convertible securities are not subject to the rating criteria with respect to non-convertible debt obligations. As with all debt securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. The market value of convertible securities can also be heavily dependent upon the changing value of the equity securities into which such securities are convertible, depending on whether the market price of the underlying security exceeds the conversion price. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure and consequently entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock. However, the extent to which such risk is reduced depends upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed-income security.

 

Mortgage Securities

 

Prepayment of Mortgages. Mortgage securities differ from conventional bonds in that principal is paid over the life of the securities rather than at maturity. As a result, the Fund that invests in mortgage securities receives monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest, and may receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. When the Fund reinvests the payments and any unscheduled prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is higher or lower than the rate on the existing mortgage securities. For this reason, mortgage securities may be less effective than other types of debt securities as a means of locking in long term interest rates.

 

In addition, because the underlying mortgage loans and assets may be prepaid at any time, if the Fund purchases mortgage securities at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will increase yield to maturity. Conversely, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase yield to maturity, while slower than expected payments will reduce yield to maturity.

 

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. Adjustable rate mortgage securities are similar to the fixed rate mortgage securities discussed above, except that unlike fixed rate mortgage securities, adjustable rate mortgage securities are collateralized by or represent interests in mortgage loans with variable rates of interest. These variable rates of interest reset periodically to align themselves with market rates. Most adjustable rate mortgage securities provide for an initial mortgage rate that is in effect for a fixed period, typically ranging from three to twelve months. Thereafter, the mortgage interest rate will reset periodically in accordance with movements in a specified published interest rate

 

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index. The amount of interest due to an adjustable rate mortgage holder is determined in accordance with movements in a specified published interest rate index by adding a pre-determined increment or “margin” to the specified interest rate index. Many adjustable rate mortgage securities reset their interest rates based on changes in:

 

one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Bill rates;

 

three-month or six-month Treasury Bill rates;

 

11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds;

 

National Median Cost of Funds; or

 

one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other market rates.

 

During periods of increasing rates, the Fund will not benefit from such increase to the extent that interest rates rise to the point where they cause the current coupon of adjustable rate mortgages held as investments to exceed any maximum allowable annual or lifetime reset limits or “cap rates” for a particular mortgage. In this event, the value of the mortgage securities held by the Fund would likely decrease. During periods of declining interest rates, income to the Fund derived from adjustable rate mortgages that remain in a mortgage pool may decrease in contrast to the income on fixed rate mortgages, which will remain constant. Adjustable rate mortgages also have less potential for appreciation in value as interest rates decline than do fixed rate investments. Also, the Fund’s NAV could vary to the extent that current yields on adjustable rate mortgage securities held as investments are different than market yields during interim periods between coupon reset dates.

 

Privately Issued Mortgage Securities. Privately issued mortgage securities provide for the monthly principal and interest payments made by individual borrowers to pass through to investors on a corporate basis, and in privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations, as further described below. Privately issued mortgage securities are issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including:

 

mortgage bankers;

 

commercial banks;

 

investment banks;

 

savings and loan associations; and

 

special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.

 

Since privately issued mortgage certificates are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of GNMA or Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement. For a description of the types of credit enhancements that may accompany privately issued mortgage securities, see “Types of Credit Support” below. If the Fund invests in mortgage securities it will not limit its investments in mortgage securities to those with credit enhancements.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs generally are bonds or certificates issued in multiple classes that are collateralized by or represent an interest in mortgages. CMOs may be issued by single-purpose, stand-alone finance subsidiaries or trusts of financial institutions, government agencies, investment banks or other similar institutions. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a “tranche,” may be issued with a specific fixed coupon rate (which may be zero) or a floating coupon rate. Each class of CMOs also has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the underlying mortgages may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrued on CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis.

 

The principal of and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. The general goal sought to be achieved in allocating cash flows on the underlying mortgages to the various classes of a series of CMOs is to create tranches on which the expected cash flows have a higher degree of predictability than the underlying mortgages. In creating such tranches, other tranches may be subordinated to the interests of these tranches and receive payments only after the obligations of the more senior tranches have been satisfied. As a general matter, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated

 

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yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance. As part of the process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows on the underlying mortgages. The yields on these tranches are relatively higher than on tranches with more predictable cash flows. Because of the uncertainty of the cash flows on these tranches, and the sensitivity of these transactions to changes in prepayment rates on the underlying mortgages, the market prices of and yields on these tranches tend to be highly volatile. The market prices of and yields on tranches with longer terms to maturity also tend to be more volatile than tranches with shorter terms to maturity due to these same factors. To the extent the mortgages underlying a series of a CMO are so-called “subprime mortgages” (mortgages granted to borrowers whose credit history is not sufficient to obtain a conventional mortgage), the risk of default is higher, which increases the risk that one or more tranches of a CMO will not receive its predicted cash flows.

 

CMOs purchased by the Fund may be:

 

(1) collateralized by pools of mortgages in which each mortgage is guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government;

 

(2) collateralized by pools of mortgages in which payment of principal and interest is guaranteed by the issuer and the guarantee is collateralized by U.S. government securities; or

 

(3) securities for which the proceeds of the issuance are invested in mortgage securities and payment of the principal and interest is supported by the credit of an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government.

 

Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”). Separately traded interest components of securities may be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The interest components of selected securities are traded independently under the STRIPS program. Under the STRIPS program, the interest components are individually numbered and separately issued by the U.S. Treasury at the request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts independently.

 

Stripped Mortgage Securities. Stripped mortgage securities are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government, or by private issuers, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped mortgage securities have greater volatility than other types of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests. Although stripped mortgage securities are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, the market for such securities has not yet been fully developed. Accordingly, stripped mortgage securities may be illiquid and, together with any other illiquid investments, will not exceed the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

 

Stripped mortgage securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal only or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on an investing Fund’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities, even if the securities are rated highly.

 

As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. The value of the other mortgage securities described in the Prospectuses and this SAI, like other debt instruments, will tend to move in the opposite direction to interest rates. Accordingly, investing in IOs, in conjunction with the other mortgage securities described in the Prospectuses and SAI, is expected to contribute to the relative stability of a Fund’s NAV.

 

Similar securities such as Super Principal Only (“SPO”) and Levered Interest Only (“LIO”) are more volatile than POs and IOs. Risks associated with instruments such as SPOs are similar in nature to those risks related to

 

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investments in POs. Risks associated with LIOs and IOettes (a.k.a. “high coupon bonds”) are similar in nature to those associated with IOs. Other similar instruments may develop in the future.

 

Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), POs may generate taxable income from the current accrual of original issue discount, without a corresponding distribution of cash to the Fund.

 

Inverse Floaters. Inverse floaters may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government, or by private issuers, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Inverse floaters have greater volatility than other types of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests (with the exception of stripped mortgage securities and there is a risk that the market value will vary from the amortized cost). Although inverse floaters are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, the market for such securities has not yet been fully developed. Accordingly, inverse floaters may be illiquid. Any illiquid inverse floaters, together with any other illiquid investments, will not exceed the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

 

Inverse floaters are derivative mortgage securities that are structured as a class of security that receives distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. Yields on inverse floaters move in the opposite direction of short-term interest rates and at an accelerated rate.

 

Types of Credit Support. Mortgage securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the impact of an obligor’s failure to make payments on underlying assets, mortgage securities may contain elements of credit support. A discussion of credit support is described under “Asset-Backed Securities.”

 

Asset-Backed Securities

 

The securitization techniques used to develop mortgage securities also are being applied to a broad range of other assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, automobile and credit card receivables are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to mortgage pass-through structures or in a pay-through structure similar to the CMO structure.

 

Generally, the issuers of asset-backed bonds, notes or pass-through certificates are special purpose entities and do not have any significant assets other than the receivables securing such obligations. In general, the collateral supporting asset-backed securities is of a shorter maturity than that of mortgage loans. As a result, investment in these securities should be subject to less volatility than mortgage securities. Instruments backed by pools of receivables are similar to mortgage-backed securities in that they are subject to unscheduled prepayments of principal prior to maturity. When the obligations are prepaid, the Fund must reinvest the prepaid amounts in securities with the prevailing interest rates at the time. Therefore, the Fund’s ability to maintain an investment including high-yielding asset-backed securities will be affected adversely to the extent that prepayments of principal must be reinvested in securities which have lower yields than the prepaid obligations. Moreover, prepayments of securities purchased at a premium could result in a realized loss. Unless otherwise stated in its Prospectus, the Fund will only invest in asset-backed securities rated, at the time of purchase, “AA” or better by S&P or Fitch or “Aa” or better by Moody’s.

 

As with mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligation of a number of different parties and use similar credit enhancement techniques. For a description of the types of credit enhancement that may accompany asset-backed securities, see “Types of Credit Support” below. When the Fund invests in asset-backed securities it will not limit its investments in asset-backed securities to those with credit enhancements. Although asset-backed securities are not generally traded on a national securities exchange, such securities are widely traded by brokers and dealers, and will not be considered illiquid securities for the purposes of the Fund’s limitation with respect to investments in illiquid securities under “Additional Investment Policies.”

 

Types of Credit Support. To lessen the impact of an obligor’s failure to make payments on underlying assets, mortgage securities and asset-backed securities may contain elements of credit support. Such credit support falls into two categories:

 

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liquidity protection; and

 

default protection.

 

Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the pass-through of payments due on the underlying pool of assets occurs in a timely fashion. Default protection provides against losses resulting from ultimate default and enhances the likelihood of ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The Fund will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

 

Some examples of credit support include:

 

“senior-subordinated securities” (multiple class securities with one or more classes subordinate to other classes as to the payment of principal thereof and interest thereon, with the result that defaults on the underlying assets are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class);

 

creation of “reserve funds” (where cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying assets, are held in reserve against future losses); and

 

“over-collateralization” (where the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying assets exceed those required to make payment on the securities and pay any servicing or other fees).

 

The ratings of mortgage securities and asset-backed securities for which third-party credit enhancement provides liquidity protection or default protection are generally dependent upon the continued creditworthiness of the provider of the credit enhancement. The ratings of these securities could be reduced in the event of deterioration in the creditworthiness of the credit enhancement provider even in cases where the delinquency and loss experienced on the underlying pool of assets is better than expected.

 

The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information concerning the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquency or loss greater than anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in mortgage securities or asset-backed securities.

 

Collateralized Bond Obligations, Collateralized Loan Obligations, and Collateralized Debt Obligations. Obligations in which the Fund may be authorized to invest may include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), other collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is a trust which is often backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. The collateral can be from many different types of fixed income securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage-related securities, trust preferred securities and emerging market debt. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Other CDOs are trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various parties. CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses.

 

For CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche, which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CBO trust, CLO trust or trust of another CDO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CBO, CLO or other CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO, CLO or other CDO securities as a class.

 

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Zero Coupon Securities, Deferred Interest Bonds and Pay-In-Kind Bonds

 

The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities, deferred interest bonds and pay-in-kind bonds. Zero coupon securities, deferred interest bonds and pay-in-kind bonds involve special risk considerations. Zero coupon securities and deferred interest bonds are debt securities that pay no cash income but are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. While zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest, deferred interest bonds provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins. When a zero coupon security or a deferred interest bond is held to maturity, its entire return, which consists of the amortization of discount, comes from the difference between its purchase price and its maturity value. This difference is known at the time of purchase, so that investors holding these securities until maturity know at the time of their investment what the return on their investment will be. Pay-in-kind bonds are bonds that pay all or a portion of their interest in the form of debt or equity securities.

 

Zero coupon securities, deferred interest bonds and pay-in-kind bonds are subject to greater price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates than ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. The value of zero coupon securities and deferred interest bonds usually appreciate during periods of declining interest rates and usually depreciates during periods of rising interest rates.

 

Issuers of Zero Coupon Securities and Pay-In-Kind Bonds. Zero coupon securities and pay-in-kind bonds may be issued by a wide variety of corporate and governmental issuers. Although zero coupon securities and pay-in-kind bonds are generally not traded on a national securities exchange, these securities are widely traded by brokers and dealers and, to the extent they are widely traded, will not be considered illiquid for the purposes of the investment restriction under “Additional Investment Policies.”

 

Tax Considerations. Current federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon security or certain pay-in-kind bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for federal income and excise taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.

 

Loans and Other Direct Debt Instruments

 

Direct debt instruments are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other borrower to lenders or lending syndicates (loans and loan participations), to suppliers of goods or services (trade claims or other receivables), or to other parties. Direct debt instruments involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower and may offer less legal protection to the purchaser in the event of fraud or misrepresentation, or there may be a requirement that the Fund supply additional cash to a borrower on demand.

 

High Yield (High Risk) Domestic Corporate Debt Securities

 

High yield corporate debt securities include bonds, debentures, notes, bank loans, credit-linked notes and commercial paper. Most of these debt securities will bear interest at fixed rates, except bank loans, which usually have floating rates. Bonds also may have variable rates of interest or debt securities, which involve equity features, such as equity warrants or convertible outright and participation features (i.e., interest or other payments, often in addition to a fixed rate of return, that are based on the borrower’s attainment of specified levels of revenues, sales or profits and thus enable the holder of the security to share in the potential success of the venture). Today, much high yield debt is used for general corporate purposes, such as financing capital needs or consolidating and paying down bank lines of credit.

 

The secondary market for high yield U.S. corporate debt securities is concentrated in relatively few market makers and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as, and is more volatile than, the secondary market for higher-rated securities. In addition, market trading volume for high yield U.S. corporate debt securities is generally lower and the secondary market for such securities could shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. The lack of sufficient market liquidity may cause the Fund to incur losses

 

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because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and then only at a substantial drop in price. These factors may have an adverse effect on the market price and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in its portfolio.

 

The Fund is not obligated to dispose of securities whose issuers subsequently are in default or that are downgraded below the rating requirements the Fund imposes at the time of purchase.

 

Brady Bonds

 

Brady Bonds are debt securities issued under the framework of the “Brady Plan,” an initiative announced by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external commercial bank indebtedness. The Brady Plan framework, as it has developed, involves the exchange of external commercial bank debt for newly issued bonds (“Brady Bonds”). Brady Bonds also may be issued in respect of new money being advanced by existing lenders in connection with the debt restructuring. Brady Bonds issued to date generally have maturities between 15 and 30 years from the date of issuance and have traded at a deep discount from their face value. In addition to Brady Bonds, investments in emerging market governmental obligations issued as a result of debt restructuring agreements outside of the scope of the Brady Plan are available.

 

Agreements implemented under the Brady Plan to date are designed to achieve debt and debt-service reduction through specific options negotiated by a debtor nation with its creditors. As a result, the financial packages offered by each country differ. The types of options have included:

 

the exchange of outstanding commercial bank debt for bonds issued at 100% of face value that carry a below-market stated rate of interest (generally known as par bonds);

 

bonds issued at a discount from face value (generally known as discount bonds);

 

bonds bearing an interest rate which increases over time; and

 

bonds issued in exchange for the advancement of new money by existing lenders.

 

Discount bonds issued to date under the framework of the Brady Plan have generally borne interest computed semi-annually at a rate equal to 13/16th of one percent above the current six-month LIBOR rate. Regardless of the stated face amount and interest rate of the various types of Brady Bonds, when the Fund invests in Brady Bonds it will purchase Brady Bonds in secondary markets in which the price and yield to the investor reflect market conditions at the time of purchase.

 

Certain sovereign bonds are entitled to “value recovery payments” in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Certain Brady Bonds have been collateralized as to principal due at maturity (typically 15 to 30 years from the date of issuance) by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds with a maturity equal to the final maturity of such Brady Bonds, although the collateral is not available to investors until the final maturity of the Brady Bonds. Collateral purchases are financed by the International Monetary Fund (the “IMF”), the World Bank and the debtor nations’ reserves. In addition, interest payments on certain types of Brady Bonds may be collateralized by cash or high-grade securities in amounts that typically represent between 12 and 18 months of interest accruals on these instruments, with the balance of the interest accruals being uncollateralized.

 

The Fund may purchase Brady Bonds with no or limited collateralization, and must rely for payment of interest and (except in the case of principal collateralized Brady Bonds) principal primarily on the willingness and ability of the foreign government to make payment in accordance with the terms of the Brady Bonds.

 

Brady Bonds issued to date are purchased and sold in secondary markets through U.S. securities dealers and other financial institutions and are generally maintained through European transactional securities depositories. A substantial portion of the Brady Bonds and other sovereign debt securities in which the Fund invests are likely to be acquired at a discount.

 

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Sovereign Debt Obligations

 

Sovereign debt obligations are issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or their agencies. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loan or loan participations. Typically, sovereign debt of developing countries may involve a high degree of risk and may be in default or present the risk of default, however, sovereign debt of developed countries also may involve a high degree of risk and may be in default or present the risk of default. Governments rely on taxes and other revenue sources to pay interest and principal on their debt obligations, and governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and pay interest when due and may require renegotiation or rescheduling of debt payments. The payment of principal and interest on these obligations may be adversely affected by a variety of factors, including economic results, changes in interest and exchange rates, changes in debt ratings, a limited tax base or limited revenue sources, natural disasters, or other economic or credit problems. In addition, prospects for repayment and payment of interest may depend on political as well as economic factors. Defaults in sovereign debt obligations, or the perceived risk of default, also may impair the market for other securities and debt instruments, including securities issued by banks and other entities holding such sovereign debt, and negatively impact the Fund.

 

Indexed Securities

 

Indexed securities are instruments whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.

 

Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S. dollar denominated securities. Currency-indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs similarly to a foreign denominated instrument, or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities also may have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign currencies relative to each other.

 

The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and also may be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. Indexed securities also are subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates. Issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. government agencies. An indexed security may be leveraged to the extent that the magnitude of any change in the interest rate or principal payable on an indexed security is a multiple of the change in the reference price.

 

Hybrid Instruments

 

Hybrid instruments (a type of potentially high-risk derivative) combine the elements of futures contracts or options with those of debt, preferred equity or a depository instrument (“Hybrid Instruments”).

 

Characteristics of Hybrid Instruments. Generally, a Hybrid Instrument is a debt security, preferred stock, depository share, trust certificate, certificate of deposit or other evidence of indebtedness on which a portion of or all interest payments, and/or the principal or stated amount payable at maturity, redemption or retirement, is determined by reference to the following:

 

prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices of securities, currencies, intangibles, goods, articles or commodities (collectively, “underlying assets”); or

 

an objective index, economic factor or other measure, such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity indices, and securities indices (collectively, “Benchmarks”).

 

Hybrid Instruments may take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to:

 

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debt instruments with interest or principal payments or redemption terms determined by reference to the value of a currency or commodity or securities index at a future point in time;

 

preferred stock with dividend rates determined by reference to the value of a currency; or

 

convertible securities with the conversion terms related to a particular commodity.

 

Uses of Hybrid Instruments. Hybrid Instruments provide an efficient means of creating exposure to a particular market, or segment of a market, with the objective of enhancing total return. For example, the Fund may wish to take advantage of expected declines in interest rates in several European countries, but avoid the transaction costs associated with buying and currency-hedging the foreign bond positions.

 

One approach is to purchase a U.S. dollar-denominated Hybrid Instrument whose redemption price is linked to the average three-year interest rate in a designated group of countries. The redemption price formula would provide for payoffs of greater than par if the average interest rate was lower than a specified level, and payoffs of less than par if rates were above the specified level. Furthermore, the investing Fund could limit the downside risk of the security by establishing a minimum redemption price so that the principal paid at maturity could not be below a predetermined minimum level if interest rates were to rise significantly.

 

The purpose of this type of arrangement, known as a structured security with an embedded put option, is to give the Fund the desired European bond exposure while avoiding currency risk, limiting downside market risk, and lowering transactions costs. Of course, there is no guarantee that such a strategy will be successful and the value of the Fund may decline if, for example, interest rates do not move as anticipated or credit problems develop with the issuer of the Hybrid Instrument.

 

Structured Notes. Structured notes include investments in an entity, such as a trust, organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of various securities. This type of restructuring involves the deposit or purchase of specified instruments and the issuance of one or more classes of securities backed by, or representing interests in the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured notes to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities or interest rate provisions. The extent of the income paid by the structured notes is dependent on the cash flow of the underlying instruments.

 

Depositary Receipts

 

Securities of foreign issuers may include American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, Global Depositary Receipts, Non-Voting Depositary Receipts, and International Depositary Receipts (“ADRs,” “EDRs,” “GDRs,” “NVDRs” and “IDRs,” respectively) (and collectively, “Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts are certificates typically issued by a bank or trust company that give their holders the right to receive securities issued by a foreign or domestic corporation.

 

ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated securities backed by foreign securities deposited in a U.S. securities depository. ADRs are created for trading in the U.S. markets. The value of an ADR will fluctuate with the value of the underlying security and will reflect any changes in exchange rates. An investment in ADRs involves risks associated with investing in foreign securities. Issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may not be a correlation between that information and the market value of an unsponsored ADR.

 

EDRs, GDRs, NVDRs, and IDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a foreign bank or exchange affiliate similar to that for ADRs and are designed for use in foreign securities markets. EDRs, GDRs, NVDRs and IDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security. NVDRs do not have voting rights.

 

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Variable and Floating Rate Obligations

 

Investments in floating or variable rate securities normally will involve industrial development or revenue bonds, which provide that the rate of interest is set as a specific percentage of a designated base rate, such as rates of Treasury Bonds or Bills or the prime rate at a major commercial bank. In addition, a bondholder can demand payment of the obligations on behalf of the investing Fund on short notice at par plus accrued interest, which amount may be more or less than the amount the bondholder paid for them. The maturity of floating or variable rate obligations (including participation interests therein) is deemed to be the longer of (i) the notice period required before the Fund is entitled to receive payment of the obligation upon demand or (ii) the period remaining until the obligation’s next interest rate adjustment. If not redeemed by the investing Fund through the demand feature, the obligations mature on a specified date, which may range up to thirty years from the date of issuance.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

 

An ETF is a type of investment company shares of which are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF generally represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market index or basket of securities. The Fund could purchase shares of an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF include the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. In addition, the lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying securities and ETFs have management fees which increase their costs. Also, there is a risk that an ETF may fail to closely track the index or basket of securities that it is designed to replicate.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

 

ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities the returns of which are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy, minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the NYSE) during normal trading hours; however, investors also can hold ETNs until they mature. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day’s market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk, including the credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN also may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A decision by the Fund to sell ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

 

ETNs also are subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes.

 

An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, and thus they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. The market value of ETNs may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.

 

Yield Curve Notes

 

Inverse floating rate securities include, but are not limited to, an inverse floating rate class of a government agency-issued yield curve note. A yield curve note is a fixed income security that bears interest at a floating rate that is reset

 

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periodically based on an interest rate benchmark. The interest rate resets on a yield curve note in the opposite direction from the interest rate benchmark.

 

Non-Diversification

 

The Fund has elected “non-diversified” status under the 1940 Act and may invest more than 5% of total assets in securities of a single company. However, the Fund intends to comply with the diversification standards applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to meet these standards, among other requirements, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must be represented by one or more of the following: (i) cash and cash items, including receivables; (ii) U.S. government securities; (iii) securities of other regulated investment companies; and (iv) securities (other than those in items (ii) and (iii) above) of any one or more issuers as to which the Fund’s investment in an issuer does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (valued at time of purchase); and (b) not more than 25% of its total assets (valued at time of purchase) may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies).

 

The Fund’s strategy of investing in a limited number of stocks may increase the volatility of the Fund’s investment performance. If the stocks that the Fund invests in perform poorly, the Fund could incur greater losses than if it had invested in a larger number of stocks. As a result, the NAV per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable “diversified” fund.

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

 

The following provides a more detailed explanation of some investment policies of the Fund, but only if and to the extent that such policies are consistent with and permitted by the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

 

Lending of Securities

 

The Fund may lend its securities so long as such loans do not represent more than 33⅓% of its total assets. As collateral for the loaned securities, the borrower gives the lending portfolio collateral equal to at least 100% of the value of the loaned securities. The collateral will consist of cash (including U.S. dollars and foreign currency), cash equivalents or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. The borrower also must agree to increase the collateral if the value of the loaned securities increases. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks that collateral could be inadequate in the event of the borrower failing financially, which could result in actual financial loss, and risks that recovery of loaned securities could be delayed, which could result in interference with portfolio management decisions or exercise of ownership rights. The collateral is managed by an affiliate of the Advisor. The Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including the risk that the Fund may lose money on the investment or may fail to earn sufficient income to meet its obligations to the borrower. In addition, the Fund may lose its right to vote its shares of the loaned securities at a shareholders meeting if the subadvisor does not recall or does not timely recall the loaned securities, or if the borrower fails to return the recalled securities in advance of the record date for the meeting.

 

Certain series of the Trust have entered into an agreement with The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, doing business as Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“Goldman Sachs”), or Brown Brothers Harriman as their securities lending agent (each a “Securities Lending Agreement”). Under each Securities Lending Agreement, Goldman Sachs or Brown Brothers Harriman, as applicable, generally will bear the risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities.

 

Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased when the Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the number of borrowers to which the Fund may lend securities and the Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. In addition, under the Securities Lending Agreement, loans may be made to affiliates of Goldman Sachs or Brown Brothers Harriman, as applicable, as identified in the Securities Lending Agreement.

 

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Cash collateral may be invested by the Fund in a privately offered registered investment company advised by John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC (“John Hancock Asset Management”) that is part of the same group of investment companies as the Fund and that is offered exclusively to funds in the same group of investment companies. Investment of cash collateral offers the opportunity for the Fund to profit from income earned by this collateral pool, but also the risk of loss, should the value of the Fund’s shares in the collateral pool decrease below their initial value.

 

Interfund Lending

 

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund may lend money to, and borrow money from, other funds advised by the Advisor or any other investment advisor under common control with the Advisor, subject to the fundamental restrictions on borrowing and lending applicable to the Fund. The Fund is authorized to participate fully in this program.

 

The Fund will borrow through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower than the cost of bank loans, and the Fund will lend through the program only when the returns are higher than those available from an investment in overnight repurchase agreements. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one day’s notice. The Fund may have to borrow from a bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund or from a borrowing fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

 

When-Issued/Delayed Delivery/Forward Commitment Securitie s

 

When-issued, delayed-delivery or forward-commitment transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement for such securities (which is typically one month or more after trade date). When purchasing securities in one of these types of transactions, payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date, however, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be delivered. When the Fund has sold securities pursuant to one of these transactions, it will not participate in further gains or losses with respect to that security. At the time of delivery, the value of when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment securities may be more or less than the transaction price, and the yields then available in the market may be higher or lower than those obtained in the transaction.

 

Under normal circumstances, when the Fund purchases securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis it will take delivery of the securities, but the Fund may, if deemed advisable, sell the securities before the settlement date. Forward contracts may settle in cash between the counterparty and the Fund or by physical settlement of the underlying securities, and the Fund may renegotiate or roll over a forward commitment transaction. In general, the Fund does not pay for the securities, or start earning interest on them, or deliver or take possession of securities until the obligations are scheduled to be settled. In such transactions, no cash changes hands on the trade date, however, if the transaction is collateralized, the exchange of margin may take place between the Fund and the counterparty according to an agreed-upon schedule. The Fund does, however, record the transaction and reflect the value each day of the securities in determining its NAV.

 

While awaiting settlement of the obligations purchased or sold on such basis, the Fund will maintain on its records liquid assets consisting of cash, liquid high quality debt obligations or other assets equal to the amount of the commitments to purchase or sell when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment securities. The availability of liquid assets for this purpose and the effect of asset segregation on the Fund’s ability to meet its current obligations, to honor requests for redemption, and to otherwise manage its investment portfolio will limit the extent to which the Fund may purchase when-issued or forward commitment securities.

 

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

 

Under a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the future (generally within 30 days) and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities (of the same type, coupon and

 

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maturity) on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sale price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”), as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. The Fund also may be compensated by receipt of a commitment fee. The Fund may only enter into “covered rolls.” A covered roll is a specific type of dollar roll for which there is an offsetting cash or cash equivalent security position that matures on or before the forward settlement date of the dollar roll transaction or for which the Fund maintains on its records liquid assets having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such commitment to repurchase. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the repurchase price of those securities. A mortgage dollar roll may be considered a form of leveraging, and may, therefore, increase fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV per share. Covered rolls are not treated as a borrowing or other senior security and will be excluded from the calculation of the Fund’s borrowing and other senior securities. For financial reporting and tax purposes, the Fund treats mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale.

 

Illiquid Securities

 

The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities that are not readily marketable (“illiquid securities”). Investment in illiquid securities involves the risk that, because of the lack of consistent market demand for such securities, the Fund may be forced to sell them at a discount from the last offer price.

 

Illiquid securities may include, but are not limited to: (a) securities (except for Section 4(2) Commercial Paper, discussed below) that are not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”); (b) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days; (c) IOs and POs of non-governmental issuers; (d) time deposits maturing in more than seven days; (e) federal fund loans maturing in more than seven days; (f) bank loan participation interests; (g) foreign government loan participations; (h) municipal leases and participations therein; and (i) any other securities or other investments for which a liquid secondary market does not exist.

 

Commercial paper issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act (“Section 4(2) Commercial Paper”) is restricted as to its disposition under federal securities law, and generally is sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, who agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be made in an exempt transaction. Section 4(2) Commercial Paper normally is resold to other institutional investors, like the Fund, through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in Section 4(2) Commercial Paper, thus providing liquidity.

 

If the Board determines, based upon a continuing review of the trading markets for specific Section 4(2) Commercial Paper or securities that are restricted as to resale but for which a ready market is available pursuant to an exemption provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act or other exemptions from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, that such investments are liquid, they will not be subject to the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The Board has adopted procedures and delegated responsibility to the Advisor regarding oversight of the subadvisor’s compliance with the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of restricted securities, including Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) Commercial Paper, as well as other investments. The Board, however, retains sufficient oversight and is ultimately responsible for such determinations. The Board carefully monitors the Fund’s investments in these securities, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund if qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.

 

Short Sales

 

The Fund may make short sales of securities or maintain a short position in anticipation of the decline in the market value of that security (a “short sale”). The Fund may make short sales when the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short (often referred to as a short sale “against-the-box”).

 

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In addition, the Fund may make short sales of securities that the Fund does not own. To complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the lender any dividends or interest which accrues during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale are typically retained by the broker to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out. Until the Fund replaces a borrowed security, it will segregate with its custodian cash or other liquid assets at such a level that the amount segregated plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral (not including proceeds from the short sale) will equal the current value of the security sold short. Except for short sales against-the-box, the amount of the Fund’s net assets that may be committed to short sales is limited and the securities in which short sales are made must be listed on a national securities exchange.

 

The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaced the borrowed security and theoretically the Fund’s loss could be unlimited. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. This result is the opposite of what one would expect from a cash purchase of a long position in a security. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of any premium, dividends or interest the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. Short selling may amplify changes in the Fund’s NAV. Short selling also may produce higher than normal portfolio turnover, which may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund.

 

There may be certain holding period and gain/loss adjustments due to tax rules regarding short sales. Some long term capital gains may be recognized as short term and some short term capital losses may be recognized as long term for tax. There may be losses realized on a short sale that may not be recognized for tax if there is substantially identical property that has appreciated still held.

 

Investment in Other Investment Companies

 

The Fund may invest in other investment companies (including closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, open-end investment companies, investment companies exempted from registration under the 1940 Act pursuant to the rules thereunder and other pooled vehicles) to the extent permitted by federal securities laws (including the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder) and to the extent permitted by exemptive relief obtained from the SEC by the custodian, investment advisor and/or the subadvisor.

 

Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying instruments, but the total return on such investments at the investment company-level may be reduced by the operating expenses and fees of such other investment companies, including advisory fees. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such investment companies’ portfolio securities when traded OTC or at discounts to their NAVs. Others are continuously offered at NAV, but also may be traded in the secondary market.

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Investment grade bonds are rated at the time of purchase in the four highest rating categories, such as those rated “Aaa,” “Aa,” “A” and “Baa” by Moody’s or “AAA,” “AA,” “A” and “BBB” by S&P or Fitch, as applicable. Obligations rated in the lowest of the top four rating categories (such as “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P or Fitch, as applicable) may have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments, including a greater possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuer, than is the case with higher grade bonds. Subsequent to its purchase, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. In addition, it is possible that Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and other NRSROs, as applicable, might not timely change their ratings of a particular issue to reflect subsequent events. None of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund, although the subadvisor will consider these events in determining whether it should continue to hold the securities.

 

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In general, the ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch represent the opinions of these agencies as to the quality of the securities that they rate. It should be emphasized however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. These rating will be used by the Fund as initial criteria for the selection of portfolio securities. Among the factors that will be considered are the long-term ability of the issuer to pay principal and interest and general economic trends. Appendix A contains further information concerning the ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and their significance.

 

Loan Participations and Assignments

 

Loan participations are loans or other direct debt instruments that are interests in amounts owned by a corporate, governmental or other borrower to another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates to suppliers of goods or services, or to other parties. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the term of the loan agreement relating to loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.

 

When the Fund purchases assignments from lenders it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. However, because assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligation acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. Investments in loan participations and assignments present the possibility that the Fund could be held liable as a co-lender under emerging legal theories of lender liability. In addition, if the loan is foreclosed, the Fund could be part owner of any collateral and could bear the costs and liabilities of owning and disposing of the collateral. It is anticipated that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. In addition, some loan participations and assignments may not be rated by major rating agencies and may not be protected by the securities laws.

 

Investments in loans and loan participations will subject the Fund to liquidity risk. Loans and loan participations may be transferable among financial institutions, but may not have the liquidity of conventional debt securities and are often subject to restrictions on resale thereby making them potentially illiquid. For example, the purchase or sale of loans requires, in many cases, the consent of either a third party (such as the lead or agent bank for the loan) or of the borrower, and although such consent is, in practice, infrequently withheld, the consent requirement can delay a purchase or hinder the Fund’s ability to dispose of its investments in loans in a timely fashion. In addition, in some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. Consequently, some indebtedness may be difficult or impossible to dispose of readily at what the subadvisor believes to be a fair price.

 

Corporate loans that the Fund may acquire, or in which the Fund may purchase a loan participation, are made generally to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs, leverage recapitalizations and other corporate activities. The highly leveraged capital structure of the borrowers in certain of these transactions may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions and greater credit risk than other investments.

 

Certain of the loan participations or assignments acquired by the Fund may involve unfunded commitments of the lenders or revolving credit facilities under which a borrower may from time to time borrow and repay amounts up to the maximum amount of the facility. In such cases, the Fund would have an obligation to advance its portion of such additional borrowings upon the terms specified in the loan documentation. Such an obligation may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not be desirable to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid).

 

The borrower of a loan in which the Fund holds an interest (including through a loan participation) may, either at its own election or pursuant to the terms of the loan documentation, prepay amounts of the loan from time to time. The degree to which borrowers prepay loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected

 

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by general business conditions, the financial condition of the borrower and competitive conditions among lenders, among other things. As such, prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Upon a prepayment, either in part or in full, the actual outstanding debt on which the Fund derives interest income will be reduced. The effect of prepayments on the Fund’s performance may be mitigated by the receipt of prepayment fees, and the Fund’s ability to reinvest prepayments in other loans that have similar or identical yields. However, there is no assurance that the Fund will be able to reinvest the proceeds of any loan prepayment at the same interest rate or on the same terms as those of the prepaid loan.

 

The Fund may invest in loans that pay interest at fixed rates and loans that pay interest at rates that float or reset periodically at a margin above a generally recognized base lending rate such as the Prime Rate, LIBOR or another generally recognized base lending rate. Most floating rate loans are senior in rank in the event of bankruptcy to most other securities of the borrower such as common stock or public bonds. In addition, floating rate loans also are normally secured by specific collateral or assets of the borrower so that the holders of the loans will have a priority claim on those assets in the event of default or bankruptcy of the issuer. While the seniority in rank and the security interest are helpful in reducing credit risk, such risk is not eliminated. Securities with floating interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much as interest rates in general, or if interest rates decline. While, because of this interest rate reset feature, loans with resetting interest rates provide a considerable degree of protection against rising interest rates, there is still potential for interest rates on such loans to lag changes in interest rates in general for some period of time. In addition, changes in interest rates will affect the amount of interest income paid to the Fund as the floating rate instruments adjust to the new levels of interest rates. In a rising base rate environment, income generation generally will increase. Conversely, during periods when the base rate is declining, the income generating ability of the loan instruments will be adversely affected.

 

Investments in many loans have additional risks that result from the use of agents and other interposed financial institutions. Many loans are structured and administered by a financial institution (e.g., a commercial bank) that acts as the agent of the lending syndicate. The agent typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the other lenders in the lending syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the agent, holds the collateral, if any, on behalf of the lenders. A financial institution’s employment as an agent might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent, and assets held by the agent under the loan agreement would likely remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or government agency) similar risks may arise.

 

Index-Related Securities (“Equity Equivalents”)

 

The Fund may invest in certain types of securities that enable investors to purchase or sell shares in a basket of securities that seeks to track the performance of an underlying index or a portion of an index. Such Equity Equivalents include, among others DIAMONDS (interests in a basket of securities that seeks to track the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average), SPDRs or S&P Depositary Receipts (interests in a basket of securities of the largest and most actively traded non-financial companies listed on the S&P 500 Index). Such securities are similar to index mutual funds, but they are traded on various stock exchanges or secondary markets. The value of these securities is dependent upon the performance of the underlying index on which they are based. Thus, these securities are subject to the same risks as their underlying indices as well as the securities that make up those indices. For example, if the securities comprising an index that an index-related security seeks to track perform poorly, the index-related security will lose value.

 

Equity Equivalents may be used for several purposes, including to simulate full investment in the underlying index while retaining a cash balance for portfolio management purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs or to seek higher investment returns where an Equity Equivalent is priced more attractively than securities in the underlying index. Because the expense associated with an investment in Equity Equivalents may be substantially lower than the expense of small investments directly in the securities comprising the indices they seek to track, investments in Equity Equivalents may provide a cost-effective means of diversifying the Fund’s assets across a broad range of securities.

 

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To the extent that the Fund invests in securities of other investment companies, including Equity Equivalents, Fund shareholders would indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies in addition to the expenses of its own operations. These costs include management, brokerage, shareholder servicing and other operational expenses. Indirectly, if the Fund invests in Equity Equivalents, shareholders may pay higher operational costs than if they owned the underlying investment companies directly. Additionally, the Fund’s investments in such investment companies are subject to limitations under the 1940 Act and market availability.

 

The prices of Equity Equivalents are derived and based upon the securities held by the particular investment company. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of an Equity Equivalent is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for such instruments is based on a basket of stocks. The market prices of Equity Equivalents are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and the supply and demand for the instruments on the exchanges on which they are traded. Substantial market or other disruptions affecting Equity Equivalents could adversely affect the liquidity and value of the shares of the Fund.

 

Market Capitalization Weighted Approach

 

The Fund’s structure may involve market capitalization weighting in determining individual security weights and, where applicable, country or region weights. Market capitalization weighting means each security is generally purchased based on the issuer’s relative market capitalization. Market capitalization weighting will be adjusted by the subadvisor, for a variety of factors. The Fund may deviate from market capitalization weighting to limit or fix the exposure to a particular country or issuer to a maximum portion of the assets of the Fund. Additionally, the subadvisor may consider such factors as free float, momentum, trading strategies, liquidity management, expected profitability and other factors determined to be appropriate by the subadvisor given market conditions. In assessing expected profitability, the subadvisor may consider different ratios, such as that of earnings or profits from operations relative to book value or assets. The subadvisor may exclude the eligible security of a company that meets applicable market capitalization criterion if it determines that the purchase of such security is inappropriate in light of other conditions. These adjustments will result in a deviation from traditional market capitalization weighting.

 

Adjustment for free float adjusts market capitalization weighting to exclude the share capital of a company that is not freely available for trading in the public equity markets by international investors. For example, the following types of shares may be excluded: (i) those held by strategic investors (such as governments, controlling shareholders and management); (ii) treasury shares; or (iii) shares subject to foreign ownership restrictions.

 

Deviation from market capitalization weighting also will occur because the subadvisor generally intends to purchase in round lots. Furthermore, the subadvisor may reduce the relative amount of any security held in order to retain sufficient portfolio liquidity. A portion, but generally not in excess of 20% of the Fund’s assets, may be invested in interest-bearing obligations, such as money market instruments, thereby causing further deviation from market capitalization weighting.

 

Block purchases of eligible securities may be made at opportune prices, even though such purchases exceed the number of shares that, at the time of purchase, would be purchased under a market capitalization weighted approach. Changes in the composition and relative ranking (in terms of market capitalization) of the stocks that are eligible for purchase take place with every trade when the securities markets are open for trading due, primarily, to price fluctuations of such securities. On at least a semi-annual basis, the subadvisor will prepare a list of companies whose stock is eligible for investment by the Fund. Additional investments generally will not be made in securities that have changed in value sufficiently to be excluded from the subadvisor’s then current market capitalization requirement for eligible portfolio securities. This may result in further deviation from market capitalization weighting. This deviation could be substantial if a significant amount of holdings of the Fund change in value sufficiently to be excluded from the requirement for eligible securities but not by a sufficient amount to warrant their sale.

 

Country weights may be based on the total market capitalization of companies within each country. The calculation of country market capitalization may take into consideration the free float of companies within a country or whether these companies are eligible to be purchased for the particular strategy. In addition, to maintain a satisfactory level of diversification, the subadvisor may limit or adjust the exposure to a particular country or region to a maximum

 

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proportion of the assets of that vehicle. Country weights also may deviate from target weights due to general day-to-day trading patterns and price movements. As a result, the weighting of countries will likely vary from their weighting in published international indices.

 

Short-Term Trading

 

Short-term trading means the purchase and subsequent sale of a security after it has been held for a relatively brief period of time. If and to the extent consistent with and permitted by its investment objectives and policies, the Fund may engage in short-term trading in response to stock market conditions, changes in interest rates or other economic trends and developments, or to take advantage of yield disparities between various fixed income securities in order to realize capital gains or improve income. Short-term trading may have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover rate. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or greater) involves correspondingly greater brokerage transaction expenses and may make it more difficult for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes (for additional information about qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code, see “Additional Information Concerning Taxes” in this SAI). See “Portfolio Turnover.”

 

Funds of Funds Investments

 

The Fund may serve as an underlying investment for one or more John Hancock funds of funds (the “Portfolios”), which seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing in, among other things, other John Hancock funds. The Portfolios periodically re-allocate their investments among underlying investments. In an effort to be fully invested at all times and also to avoid temporary periods of under-investment, the Fund may buy securities and other instruments in anticipation of or with knowledge of future purchases of Fund shares resulting from a re-allocation of assets by the Portfolios to the Fund. Until such purchases of Fund shares by a Portfolio settle (normally between one and three days), the Fund may have investment exposure in excess of its net assets. Shareholders who transact with the Fund during the period beginning when the Fund first starts buying securities in anticipation of a purchase order from a Portfolio until such purchase order settles may incur more loss or realize more gain than they otherwise might have in the absence of the excess investment exposure.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

The risks of investing in certain types of securities are described below. Risks are only applicable to the Fund if and to the extent that corresponding investments are consistent with and permitted by the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. The value of an individual security or a particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently than the value of the market as a whole.

 

Non-Diversification

 

The Fund is non-diversified and is not limited as to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in any one issuer, or as to the percentage of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer that may be owned, except by the Fund’s own investment restrictions. In contrast, a diversified fund, as to at least 75% of the value of its total assets, generally may not, except with respect to government securities and securities of other investment companies, invest more than five percent of its total assets in the securities, or own more than ten percent of the outstanding voting securities, of any one issuer. In determining the issuer of a municipal security, each state, each political subdivision, agency, and instrumentality of each state and each multi-state agency of which such state is a member is considered a separate issuer. In the event that securities are backed only by assets and revenues of a particular instrumentality, facility or subdivision, such entity is considered the issuer.

 

The Fund may invest a high percentage of its assets in the securities of a small number of issuers, may invest more of its assets in the securities of a single issuer, and may be affected more than a diversified fund by a change in the financial condition of any of these issuers or by the financial markets’ assessment of any of these issuers.

 

Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

The risks of an investment in a CBO, CLO or other CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the instrument in which the Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered

 

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and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however an active dealer market may exist for CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs allowing them to qualify for Rule 144A transactions. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and the Prospectuses (e.g., interest rate risk and default risk), CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs carry additional risks including, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the risk that the Fund may invest in CBOs, CLOs or other CDOs that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

 

Equity Securities

 

Equity securities include common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks and securities the values of which are tied to the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible debt securities. Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies invested in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even funds that invest in high quality or “blue chip” equity securities or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics) can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations also may have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be able to react less quickly to change in the marketplace.

 

Fixed-Income Securities

 

Fixed-income securities generally are subject to two principal types of risks: (a) interest rate risk; and (b) credit quality risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the market value of fixed-income securities generally can be expected to decline.

 

Credit Quality Risk. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income security deteriorates after the Fund has purchased the security, the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a decrease in the value of the Fund’s investments. Funds that may invest in lower rated fixed-income securities are riskier than funds that may invest in higher rated fixed-income securities.

 

Gaming-Tribal Authority Investments

 

The value of the Fund’s investments in securities issued by gaming companies, including gaming facilities operated by Indian (Native American) tribal authorities, is subject to legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions, and/or increased competition affecting the gaming sector. Securities of gaming companies may be considered speculative, and generally exhibit greater volatility than the overall market. The market value of gaming company securities may fluctuate widely due to unpredictable earnings, due in part to changing consumer tastes and intense competition, strong reaction to technological developments, and the threat of increased government regulation.

 

Securities issued by Indian tribal authorities are subject to particular risks. Indian tribes enjoy sovereign immunity, which is the legal privilege by which the United States federal, state, and tribal governments cannot be sued without their consent. In order to sue an Indian tribe (or an agency or instrumentality thereof), the tribe must have effectively waived its sovereign immunity with respect to the matter in dispute. Certain Indian tribal authorities have agreed to waive their sovereign immunity in connection with their outstanding debt obligations. Generally, waivers of sovereign immunity have been held to be enforceable against Indian tribes. Nevertheless, if a waiver of sovereign

 

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immunity is held to be ineffective, claimants, including investors in Indian tribal authority securities (such as the Fund), could be precluded from judicially enforcing their rights and remedies.

 

Further, in most commercial disputes with Indian tribes, it may be difficult or impossible to obtain federal court jurisdiction. A commercial dispute may not present a federal question, and an Indian tribe may not be considered a citizen of any state for purposes of establishing diversity jurisdiction. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that jurisdiction in a tribal court must be exhausted before any dispute can be heard in an appropriate federal court. In cases where the jurisdiction of the tribal forum is disputed, the tribal court first must rule as to the limits of its own jurisdiction. Such jurisdictional issues, as well as the general view that Indian tribes are not considered to be subject to ordinary bankruptcy proceedings, may be disadvantageous to holders of obligations issued by Indian tribal authorities, including the Fund.

 

Hybrid Instruments

 

The risks of investing in Hybrid Instruments are a combination of the risks of investing in securities, options, futures and currencies. Therefore, an investment in a Hybrid Instrument may include significant risks not associated with a similar investment in a traditional debt instrument with a fixed principal amount, is denominated in U.S. dollars, or that bears interest either at a fixed rate or a floating rate determined by reference to a common, nationally published benchmark. The risks of a particular Hybrid Instrument will depend upon the terms of the instrument, but may include, without limitation, the possibility of significant changes in the benchmarks or the prices of underlying assets to which the instrument is linked. These risks generally depend upon factors unrelated to the operations or credit quality of the issuer of the Hybrid Instrument and that may not be readily foreseen by the purchaser. Such factors include economic and political events, the supply and demand for the underlying assets, and interest rate movements. In recent years, various benchmarks and prices for underlying assets have been highly volatile, and such volatility may be expected in the future. See “Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions” for a description of certain risks associated with investments in futures, options, and forward contracts.

 

Volatility. Hybrid Instruments are potentially more volatile and carry greater market risks than traditional debt instruments. Depending on the structure of the particular Hybrid Instrument, changes in a benchmark may be magnified by the terms of the Hybrid Instrument and have an even more dramatic and substantial effect upon the value of the Hybrid Instrument. Also, the prices of the Hybrid Instrument and the benchmark or underlying asset may not move in the same direction or at the same time.

 

Leverage Risk. Hybrid Instruments may bear interest or pay preferred dividends at below market (or even relatively nominal) rates. Alternatively, Hybrid Instruments may bear interest at above market rates, but bear an increased risk of principal loss (or gain). For example, an increased risk of principal loss (or gain) may result if “leverage” is used to structure a Hybrid Instrument. Leverage risk occurs when the Hybrid Instrument is structured so that a change in a benchmark or underlying asset is multiplied to produce a greater value change in the Hybrid Instrument, thereby magnifying the risk of loss, as well as the potential for gain.

 

Liquidity Risk. Hybrid Instruments also may carry liquidity risk since the instruments are often “customized” to meet the needs of a particular investor. Therefore, the number of investors that would be willing and able to buy such instruments in the secondary market may be smaller than for more traditional debt securities. In addition, because the purchase and sale of Hybrid Instruments could take place in an over-the-counter (“OTC”) market without the guarantee of a central clearing organization or in a transaction between the Fund and the issuer of the Hybrid Instrument, the creditworthiness of the counterparty or issuer of the Hybrid Instrument would be an additional risk factor, which the Fund would have to consider and monitor.

 

Lack of U.S. Regulation. Hybrid Instruments may not be subject to regulation of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), which generally regulates the trading of commodity futures by U.S. persons, the SEC, which regulates the offer and sale of securities by and to U.S. persons, or any other governmental regulatory authority.

 

Credit and Counterparty Risk. The issuer or guarantor of a hybrid instrument may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in hybrid

 

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instruments are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the Fund’s share price and income level.

 

The various risks discussed above with respect to Hybrid Instruments, particularly the market risk of such instruments, may cause significant fluctuations in the NAV of a fund that invests in such instruments.

 

Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities in the Lowest Rating Category

 

Investment grade fixed-income securities in the lowest rating category (i.e., rated “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P or Fitch, as applicable, and comparable unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in the higher rating categories. While such securities are considered investment grade quality and are deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and interest, such securities lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well. For example, changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher grade securities.

 

Lower Rated Fixed-Income Securities

 

Lower rated fixed-income securities are defined as securities rated below investment grade (e.g., rated “Ba” and below by Moody’s and “BB” and below by S&P). The principal risks of investing in these securities are as follows:

 

Risk to Principal and Income. Investing in lower rated fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these securities generally provide greater income potential than investments in higher rated securities, there is a greater risk that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.

 

Price Volatility. The price of lower rated fixed-income securities may be more volatile than securities in the higher rating categories. This volatility may increase during periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these securities is affected more than higher rated fixed-income securities by the market’s perception of their credit quality especially during times of adverse publicity. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in interest rates have an even greater effect on highly leveraged issuers of these securities.

 

Liquidity. The market for lower rated fixed-income securities may have more limited trading than the market for investment grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to sell these securities and these securities may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market conditions.

 

Dependence on Subadvisor’s Own Credit Analysis. While a subadvisor to the Fund may rely on ratings by established credit rating agencies, it also will supplement such ratings with its own independent review of the credit quality of the issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of lower rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the subadvisor’s evaluation than the assessment of the credit risk of higher rated securities.

 

Additional Risks Regarding Lower Rated Corporate Fixed-Income Securities. Lower rated corporate debt securities (and comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities.

 

Issuers of lower rated corporate debt securities also may be highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income will not be repaid.

 

Additional Risks Regarding Lower Rated Foreign Government Fixed-Income Securities. Lower rated foreign government fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in emerging market countries described under “Risk Factors – Foreign Securities.” In addition, the ability and willingness of a foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions within the country. Emerging market countries may experience high inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as exchange rate

 

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trade difficulties and political uncertainty or instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign government will not make payments when due.

 

Market Events

 

Events in the financial sector have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to, the U.S. government’s placement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship (see “Investment Policies - U.S. Government and Government Agency Obligations - U.S. Instrumentality Obligations”), the bankruptcy filings of Lehman Brothers, Chrysler and General Motors, the sale of Merrill Lynch to Bank of America, the U.S. government support of American International Group and Citigroup, the sale of Wachovia to Wells Fargo, reports of credit and liquidity issues involving certain money market mutual funds, emergency measures by the U.S. and foreign governments banning short-selling, measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits, debt crises in the eurozone, and S&P’s downgrade of U.S. long-term sovereign debt. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have been experiencing increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain whether or for how long these conditions will continue.

 

In addition to the unprecedented volatility in financial markets, the reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. This reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods and services from emerging markets, which may, in turn, bring down the prices of these economic staples. It also may result in emerging market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may, in turn, cause a decline in their stock prices. These events and possible continuing market volatility may have an adverse effect on the Fund.

 

Recent political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the Fund. Although the U.S. government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the U.S. could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Fund’s investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of European Union countries and the viability of the European Union has disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the U.S. and around the world. If one or more countries leave the European Union or the European Union dissolves, the world’s securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

 

Small and Medium Size Companies

 

Survival of Small or Unseasoned Companies. Companies that are small or unseasoned (i.e., less than three years of operating history) are more likely than larger or established companies to fail or not to accomplish their goals. As a result, the value of their securities could decline significantly. These companies are less likely to survive since they are often dependent upon a small number of products and may have limited financial resources and a small management group.

 

Changes in Earnings and Business Prospects. Small or unseasoned companies often have a greater degree of change in earnings and business prospects than larger or established companies, resulting in more volatility in the price of their securities.

 

Liquidity. The securities of small or unseasoned companies may have limited marketability. This factor could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decrease if it needs to sell such securities when there are few interested buyers.

 

Impact of Buying or Selling Shares. Small or unseasoned companies usually have fewer outstanding shares than larger or established companies. Therefore, it may be more difficult to buy or sell large amounts of these shares without unfavorably impacting the price of the security.

 

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Publicly Available Information. There may be less publicly available information about small or unseasoned companies. Therefore, when making a decision to purchase a security for the Fund, a subadvisor may not be aware of problems associated with the company issuing the security.

 

Medium Size Companies. Investments in the securities of medium sized companies present risks similar to those associated with small or unseasoned companies although to a lesser degree due to the larger size of the companies.

 

Foreign Securities

 

Currency Fluctuations. Investments in foreign securities may cause the Fund to lose money when converting investments from foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. The Fund may be authorized to attempt to lock in an exchange rate by purchasing a foreign currency exchange contract prior to the settlement of an investment in a foreign security. However, the Fund may not always be successful in doing so, and it could still lose money.

 

Political and Economic Conditions. Investments in foreign securities subject the Fund to the political or economic conditions of the foreign country. These conditions could cause the Fund’s investments to lose value if these conditions deteriorate for any reason. This risk increases in the case of emerging market countries which are more likely to be politically unstable. Political instability could cause the value of any investment in the securities of an issuer based in a foreign country to decrease or could prevent or delay the Fund from selling its investment and taking the money out of the country.

 

Removal of Proceeds of Investments from a Foreign Country. Foreign countries, especially emerging market countries, often have currency controls or restrictions that may prevent or delay the Fund from taking money out of the country or may impose additional taxes on money removed from the country. Therefore, the Fund could lose money if it is not permitted to remove capital from the country or if there is a delay in taking the assets out of the country, since the value of the assets could decline during this period or the exchange rate to convert the assets into U.S. dollars could worsen.

 

Nationalization of Assets. Investments in foreign securities subject the Fund to the risk that the company issuing the security may be nationalized. If the company is nationalized, the value of the company’s securities could decrease in value or even become worthless.

 

Settlement of Sales. Foreign countries, especially emerging market countries, also may have problems associated with settlement of sales. Such problems could cause the Fund to suffer a loss if a security to be sold declines in value while settlement of the sale is delayed.

 

Investor Protection Standards. Foreign countries, especially emerging market countries, may have less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards than the U.S. Therefore, when making a decision to purchase a security for the Fund, the subadvisor may not be aware of problems associated with the company issuing the security and may not enjoy the same legal rights as those provided in the U.S.

 

European Risk

 

Countries in Europe may be significantly affected by fiscal and monetary controls implemented by the European Union (“EU”) and European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”), which require member countries to comply with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, interest rates, debt levels and fiscal and monetary controls. Decreasing imports or exports, changes in governmental or other regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the Euro, the default or threat of default by one or more EU member countries on its sovereign debt, and/or an economic recession in one or more EU member countries may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of other EU member countries and major trading partners outside Europe.

 

In recent years, the European financial markets have experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns, rising government debt levels and the possible default of government debt in several European countries, including Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Several countries, including Greece and Italy, have agreed to multi-year bailout loans from the European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund, and other institutions. A default or debt restructuring by any European country, such as the restructuring of Greece’s

 

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outstanding sovereign debt, can adversely impact holders of that country’s debt and sellers of credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness, which may be located in countries other than those listed above, and can affect exposures to other EU countries and their financial companies as well. The manner in which the EU and EMU responded to the global recession and sovereign debt issues raised questions about their ability to react quickly to rising borrowing costs and the potential default by Greece and other countries of their sovereign debt and revealed a lack of cohesion in dealing with the fiscal problems of member states. To address budget deficits and public debt concerns, a number of European countries have imposed strict austerity measures and comprehensive financial and labor market reforms, which could increase political or social instability. Many European countries continue to suffer from high unemployment rates.

 

Investing in the securities of Eastern European issuers is highly speculative and involves risks not usually associated with investing in the more developed markets of Western Europe. Securities markets of Eastern European countries typically are less efficient and have lower trading volume, lower liquidity, and higher volatility than more developed markets. Eastern European economies also may be particularly susceptible to the international credit market due to their reliance on bank related inflows of capital.

 

A fund’s investments in European securities may be exposed to these risks through its direct investments in such securities, including sovereign debt, or indirectly through investments in money market funds and financial institutions with significant investments in such securities.

 

Natural Disasters and Adverse Weather Conditions

 

Certain areas of the world historically have been prone to major natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, tidal waves, tsunamis, erupting volcanoes, wildfires or droughts, and have been economically sensitive to environmental events. Such disasters, and the resulting damage, could have a severe and negative impact on the Fund’s investment portfolio and, in the longer term, could impair the ability of issuers in which the Fund invests to conduct their businesses in the manner normally conducted. Adverse weather conditions also may have a particularly significant negative effect on issuers in the agricultural sector and on insurance companies that insure against the impact of natural disasters.

 

Investment Company Securities

 

The total return on investments in securities of other investment companies will be reduced by the operating expenses and fees of such other investment companies, including advisory fees. Investments in closed-end funds may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such investment companies’ portfolio securities.

 

Stripped Securities

 

Stripped securities are the separate income or principal components of a debt security. The risks associated with stripped securities are similar to those of other debt securities, although stripped securities may be more volatile, and the value of certain types of stripped securities may move in the same direction as interest rates. U.S. Treasury securities that have been stripped by a Federal Reserve Bank are obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury.

 

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent participating interests in pools of residential mortgage loans that are guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. However, the guarantee of these types of securities relates to the principal and interest payments and not the market value of such securities. In addition, the guarantee only relates to the mortgage-backed securities held by the Fund and not the purchase of shares of the Fund.

 

Mortgage-backed securities are issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial banks, and savings and loan associations. Such securities differ from conventional debt securities, which provide for the periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts (usually semiannually) with principal payments at maturity or on specified dates. Mortgage-backed securities provide periodic payments that are, in effect, a “pass-through” of the interest and

 

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principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans. A mortgage-backed security will mature when all the mortgages in the pool mature or are prepaid. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities do not have a fixed maturity, and their expected maturities may vary when interest rates rise or fall.

 

When interest rates fall, homeowners are more likely to prepay their mortgage loans. An increased rate of prepayments on the Fund’s mortgage-backed securities will result in an unforeseen loss of interest income to the Fund as the Fund may be required to reinvest assets at a lower interest rate. Because prepayments increase when interest rates fall, the prices of mortgage-backed securities do not increase as much as other fixed-income securities when interest rates fall.

 

When interest rates rise, homeowners are less likely to prepay their mortgage loans. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of a mortgage-backed security. Therefore, the prices of mortgage-backed securities may decrease more than prices of other fixed-income securities when interest rates rise.

 

The yield of mortgage-backed securities is based on the average life of the underlying pool of mortgage loans. The actual life of any particular pool may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest. Principal prepayments may result from the sale of the underlying property or the refinancing or foreclosure of underlying mortgages. The occurrence of prepayments is affected by a wide range of economic, demographic and social factors and, accordingly, it is not possible to accurately predict the average life of a particular pool. The actual prepayment experience of a pool of mortgage loans may cause the yield realized by the Fund to differ from the yield calculated on the basis of the average life of the pool. In addition, if the Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a premium, the premium may be lost in the event of early prepayment which may result in a loss to the Fund.

 

Prepayments tend to increase during periods of falling interest rates and decline during periods of rising interest rates. Monthly interest payments received by the Fund have a compounding effect, which will increase the yield to shareholders as compared to debt obligations that pay interest semiannually. Because of the reinvestment of prepayments of principal at current rates, mortgage-backed securities may be less effective than Treasury bonds of similar maturity at maintaining yields during periods of declining interest rates. Also, although the value of debt securities may increase as interest rates decline, the value of these pass-through type of securities may not increase as much due to their prepayment feature.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. CMOs are mortgage-backed securities issued in separate classes with different stated maturities. As the mortgage pool experiences prepayments, the pool pays off investors in classes with shorter maturities first. By investing in CMOs, the Fund may manage the prepayment risk of mortgage-backed securities. However, prepayments may cause the actual maturity of a CMO to be substantially shorter than its stated maturity.

 

Asset-Backed Securities . Asset-backed securities include interests in pools of debt securities, commercial or consumer loans, or other receivables. The value of these securities depends on many factors, including changes in interest rates, the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the credit quality of the underlying assets, the market’s perception of the servicer of the pool, and any credit enhancement provided. In addition, asset-backed securities have prepayment risks similar to mortgage-backed securities.

 

Securities Linked to the Real Estate Market

 

Investing in securities of companies in the real estate industry subjects the Fund to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. These risks include, but are not limited to:

 

declines in the value of real estate;

 

risks related to general and local economic conditions;

 

possible lack of availability of mortgage funds;

 

overbuilding;

 

extended vacancies of properties;

 

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increased competition;

 

increases in property taxes and operating expenses;

 

change in zoning laws;

 

losses due to costs resulting from the clean-up of environmental problems;

 

liability to third parties for damages resulting from environmental problems;

 

casualty or condemnation losses;

 

limitations on rents;

 

changes in neighborhood values and the appeal of properties to tenants; and

 

changes in interest rates.

 

Therefore, for a fund investing a substantial amount of its assets in securities of companies in the real estate industry, the value of the fund’s shares may change at different rates compared to the value of shares of a fund with investments in a mix of different industries.

 

Securities of companies in the real estate industry include real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), including equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by a trust, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. Further, equity, mortgage and hybrid REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity, mortgage and hybrid REITs also are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidations. In addition, equity, mortgage and hybrid REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax free pass-through of income under the Code, or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors also may adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.

 

In addition, even the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole. See “Small and Medium Size Companies” for a discussion of the risks associated with investments in these companies.

 

Industry or Sector Investing

 

When a fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular industry or sector of the economy, they are not as diversified as the investments of most mutual funds and are far less diversified than the broad securities markets. This means that concentrated funds tend to be more volatile than other mutual funds, and the values of their investments tend to go up and down more rapidly. In addition, a fund that invests in a particular industry or sector is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and others factors affecting that industry or sector.

 

Internet-Related Investments. The value of companies engaged in internet-related activities, which is a developing industry, is particularly vulnerable to: (a) rapidly changing technology; (b) extensive government regulation; and (c) relatively high risk of obsolescence caused by scientific and technological advances. In addition, companies engaged in internet-related activities are difficult to value and many have high share prices relative to their earnings which they may not be able to maintain over the long-term. Moreover, many internet companies are not yet profitable and will need additional financing to continue their operations. There is no guarantee that such financing will be available when needed. Since many internet companies are start-up companies, the risks associated with investing in small companies are heightened for these companies. Any Fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in internet-related companies should be considered extremely risky even as compared to other funds that invest primarily in small company securities.

 

Financial Services. A fund investing principally in securities of financial services companies is particularly vulnerable to events affecting those companies. Financial services companies include commercial and industrial

 

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banks, savings and loan associations and their holding companies, consumer and industrial finance companies, diversified financial services companies, investment banking, securities brokerage and investment advisory companies, leasing companies and insurance companies. These companies are all subject to extensive regulation, rapid business changes, volatile performance dependent upon the availability and cost of capital, prevailing interest rates and significant competition. General economic conditions significantly affect these companies. Credit and other losses resulting from the financial difficulty of borrowers or other third parties have a potentially adverse effect on companies in this industry. Investment banking, securities brokerage and investment advisory companies are particularly subject to government regulation and the risks inherent in securities trading and underwriting activities.

 

Banking. Commercial banks (including “money center” regional and community banks), savings and loan associations and holding companies of the foregoing are especially subject to adverse effects of volatile interest rates, concentrations of loans in particular industries (such as real estate or energy) and significant competition. The profitability of these businesses is to a significant degree dependent upon the availability and cost of capital funds. Economic conditions in the real estate market may have a particularly strong effect on certain banks and savings associations. Commercial banks and savings associations are subject to extensive federal and, in many instances, state regulation. Neither such extensive regulation nor the federal insurance of deposits ensures the solvency or profitability of companies in this industry, and there is no assurance against losses in securities issued by such companies.

 

Insurance. Insurance companies are particularly subject to government regulation and rate setting, potential anti-trust and tax law changes, and industry-wide pricing and competition cycles. Property and casualty insurance companies also may be affected by weather and other catastrophes. Life and health insurance companies may be affected by mortality and morbidity rates, including the effects of epidemics. Individual insurance companies may be exposed to reserve inadequacies, problems in investment portfolios (for example, due to real estate or “junk” bond holdings) and failures of reinsurance carriers.

 

Telecommunications. Companies in the telecommunications sector are subject to the additional risks of rapid obsolescence, lack of standardization or compatibility with existing technologies, an unfavorable regulatory environment, and a dependency on patent and copyright protection. The prices of the securities of companies in the telecommunications sector may fluctuate widely due to both federal and state regulations governing rates of return and services that may be offered, fierce competition for market share, and competitive challenges in the U.S. from foreign competitors engaged in strategic joint ventures with U.S. companies, and in foreign markets from both U.S. and foreign competitors. In addition, recent industry consolidation trends may lead to increased regulation of telecommunications companies in their primary markets.

 

Utilities. Many utility companies, especially electric and gas and other energy related utility companies, are subject to various uncertainties, including but not limited to: risks of increases in fuel and other operating costs; restrictions on operations and increased costs and delays as a result of environmental and nuclear safety regulations; coping with the general effects of energy conservation; technological innovations which may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete; the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters; difficulty obtaining adequate returns on invested capital, even if frequent rate increases are approved by public service commissions; the high cost of obtaining financing during periods of inflation; difficulties of the capital markets in absorbing utility debt and equity securities; and increased competition. For example, electric utilities in certain markets have experienced financial difficulties recently related to changes in regulations and price volatility in the oil and natural gas markets. Similar difficulties could arise for other types of utilities or in other regions. Because utility companies are faced with the same obstacles, issues and regulatory burdens, their securities may react similarly and more in unison to these or other market conditions.

 

Health Sciences. Companies in this sector are subject to the additional risks of increased competition within the health care industry, changes in legislation or government regulations, reductions in government funding, product liability or other litigation and the obsolescence of popular products. The prices of the securities of health sciences companies may fluctuate widely due to government regulation and approval of their products and services, which may have a significant effect on their price and availability. In addition, the types of products or services produced or provided by these companies may quickly become obsolete. Moreover, liability for products that are later alleged

 

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to be harmful or unsafe may be substantial and may have a significant impact on a company’s market value or share price.

 

Natural Resources. The Fund’s investments in natural resources companies are especially affected by variations in the commodities markets (which may be due to market events, regulatory developments or other factors that the Fund cannot control) and these companies may lack the resources and the broad business lines to weather hard times. Natural resources companies can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices, and tax and government regulations.

 

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”)

 

IPOs may have a magnified impact on the performance of a fund with a small asset base. The impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance likely will decrease as the Fund’s asset size increases, which could reduce the Fund’s returns. IPOs may not be consistently available to the Fund for investment, particularly as the Fund’s asset base grows. IPO shares frequently are volatile in price due to the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. Therefore, the Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the Fund’s turnover and may lead to increased expenses for the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

 

U.S. Government Securities

 

U.S. government securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government. Not all U.S. government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, which depends entirely on its own resources to repay the debt. U.S. government securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by GNMA. Securities that are only supported by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality include those issued by Fannie Mae, the FHLBs and Freddie Mac.

 

High Yield (High Risk) Securities

 

General. High yield (high risk) securities are those rated below investment grade and comparable unrated securities. These securities offer yields that fluctuate over time, but generally are superior to the yields offered by higher rated securities. However, securities rated below investment grade also have greater risks than higher rated securities as described below.

 

Interest Rate Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the NAV of the Fund’s shares can be expected to change as general levels of interest rates fluctuate. However, the market values of securities rated below investment grade (and comparable unrated securities) tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities. Except to the extent that values are affected independently by other factors (such as developments relating to a specific issuer) when interest rates decline, the value of a fixed-income fund generally rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed-income fund will decline.

 

Liquidity. The secondary markets for high yield corporate and sovereign debt securities are not as liquid as the secondary markets for investment grade securities. The secondary markets for high yield debt securities are concentrated in relatively few market makers and participants are mostly institutional investors. In addition, the trading volume for high yield debt securities is generally lower than for investment grade securities. Furthermore, the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer.

 

These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of funds investing in high yield securities to dispose of particular fund investments. These factors also may limit funds that invest in high yield securities from obtaining accurate market quotations to value securities and calculate NAV. If a fund investing in high yield debt securities is

 

 

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not able to obtain precise or accurate market quotations for a particular security, it will be more difficult for the subadvisor to value the fund’s investments.

 

Less liquid secondary markets also may affect the Fund’s ability to sell securities at their fair value. The Fund may invest in illiquid securities, subject to certain restrictions (see “Additional Investment Policies – Illiquid Securities”). These securities may be more difficult to value and to sell at fair value. If the secondary markets for high yield debt securities are affected by adverse economic conditions, the proportion of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities may increase.

 

Below-Investment Grade Corporate Debt Securities. While the market values of securities rated below investment grade (and comparable unrated securities) tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities, the market values of below-investment grade corporate debt securities tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated securities.

 

In addition, these securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. Issuers of these securities are often highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them. Therefore, their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. The risk of loss due to default by such issuers is significantly greater than with investment grade securities because such securities generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness.

 

Below-Investment Grade Foreign Sovereign Debt Securities. Investing in below-investment grade foreign sovereign debt securities will expose the Fund to the consequences of political, social or economic changes in the developing and emerging market countries that issue the securities. The ability and willingness of sovereign obligors in these countries to pay principal and interest on such debt when due may depend on general economic and political conditions within the relevant country. Developing and emerging market countries have historically experienced (and may continue to experience) high inflation and interest rates, exchange rate trade difficulties, extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these countries also are characterized by political uncertainty or instability.

 

The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations also will be strongly influenced by:

 

the obligor’s balance of payments, including export performance;

 

the obligor’s access to international credits and investments;

 

fluctuations in interest rates; and

 

the extent of the obligor’s foreign reserves.

 

Obligor’s Balance of Payments. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other than dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars could be adversely affected.

 

Obligor’s Access to International Credits and Investments. If a foreign sovereign obligor cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks, and multilateral organizations, and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on the part of these entities to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its obligations. Failure in any of these efforts may result in the cancellation of these third parties’ lending commitments, thereby further impairing the obligor’s ability or willingness to service its debts on time.

 

Obligor’s Fluctuations in Interest Rates. The cost of servicing external debt is generally adversely affected by rising international interest rates since many external debt obligations bear interest at rates that are adjusted based upon international interest rates.

 

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Obligor’s Foreign Reserves. The ability to service external debt also will depend on the level of the relevant government’s international currency reserves and its access to foreign exchange. Currency devaluations may affect the ability of a sovereign obligor to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to service its external debt.

 

The Consequences of a Default. As a result of the previously listed factors, a governmental obligor may default on its obligations. If a default occurs, a fund holding foreign sovereign debt securities may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of the foreign sovereign debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign sovereign debt obligations in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements.

 

Sovereign obligors in developing and emerging countries are among the world’s largest debtors to commercial banks, other governments, international financial organizations and other financial institutions. These obligors have in the past experienced substantial difficulties in servicing their external debt obligations. This difficulty has led to defaults on certain obligations and the restructuring of certain indebtedness. Restructuring arrangements have included, among other things:

 

reducing and rescheduling interest and principal payments by negotiating new or amended credit agreements or converting outstanding principal and unpaid interest to Brady Bonds; and

 

obtaining new credit to finance interest payments.

 

Holders of certain foreign sovereign debt securities may be requested to participate in the restructuring of such obligations and to extend further loans to their issuers. There can be no assurance that the Brady Bonds and other foreign sovereign debt securities in which the Fund may be authorized to invest will not be subject to similar restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit that may adversely affect the Fund’s holdings. Furthermore, certain participants in the secondary market for such debt may be directly involved in negotiating the terms of these arrangements and may therefore have access to information not available to other market participants.

 

Securities in the Lowest Rating Categories. Certain debt securities in which the Fund may be authorized to invest may have (or be considered comparable to securities having) the lowest ratings for non-subordinated debt instruments (e.g., securities are rated “Caa” or lower by Moody’s or “CCC” or lower by S&P). These securities are considered to have the following characteristics:

 

extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing;

 

current identifiable vulnerability to default;

 

unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions;

 

are speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations; and/or

 

are in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal.

 

Accordingly, it is possible that these types of characteristics could, in certain instances, reduce the value of securities held by the Fund with a commensurate effect on the value of the Fund’s shares.

 

REGULATION OF COMMODITY INTERESTS

 

The CFTC has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and/or their investment advisors to regulation by the CFTC if the registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its NAV in commodity futures, options on commodities or commodity futures, swaps, or other financial instruments regulated

 

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under the CEA (“commodity interests”), or if the registered investment company markets itself as providing investment exposure to such commodity interests. The Advisor is registered as a CPO under the CEA and is a National Futures Association member firm; however, the Advisor does not act in the capacity of a registered CPO with respect to the Fund.

 

Although the Advisor is a registered CPO, the Advisor has claimed an exclusion from CPO registration pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5 with respect to the Fund. To remain eligible for this exclusion, the Fund must comply with certain limitations, including limits on trading in commodity interests, and restrictions on the manner in which the Fund markets its commodity interests trading activities. These limitations may restrict the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategy, increase the costs of implementing its strategy, increase its expenses and/or adversely affect its total return.

 

Under CFTC rules, certain mandated disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping obligations will not apply to the Advisor with respect to the Fund.

 

HEDGING AND OTHER STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS

 

Hedging refers to protecting against possible changes in the market value of securities that the Fund already owns or plans to buy or protecting unrealized gains in the Fund. These strategies also may be used to gain exposure to a particular market. This section describes the hedging and other strategic transactions which may be used by the Fund, but only if and to the extent such transactions are consistent with and permitted by its investment objectives and policies. Such transactions may include, as discussed below:

 

exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on securities, equity indices, volatility indices, financial futures contracts, currencies, fixed income indices and other financial instruments;

 

financial futures contracts (including stock index futures);

 

interest rate transactions;*

 

currency transactions;**

 

warrants and rights (including non-standard warrants and participatory risks);

 

swaps (including interest rate, index, dividend, inflation, variance, equity, and volatility swaps, credit default swaps, swap options and currency swaps); and

 

structured notes, including hybrid or “index” securities.

 

* The Fund’s interest rate transactions may take the form of swaps, caps, floors and collars.

 

** The Fund’s currency transactions may take the form of currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps and options on currencies or currency futures contracts.

 

The Fund may be authorized to use hedging and other strategic transactions for the following purposes:

 

to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of securities held or to be purchased by the Fund resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

to protect the Fund’s unrealized gains in the value of its securities;

 

to facilitate the sale of the Fund’s securities for investment purposes;

 

to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund’s securities;

 

to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a method of gaining exposure to a particular geographic region, market, industry, issuer or security; or

 

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to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another.

 

To the extent that the Fund uses hedging or another strategic transaction to gain, shift or manage exposure to a particular geographic region, market, industry, issuer, security, currency or other asset, the Fund will be exposed to the risks of investing in that asset as well as the risks inherent in the specific hedging or other strategic transaction used to gain such exposure.

 

Because of the uncertainties under federal tax laws as to whether income from commodity-linked derivative instruments and certain other instruments would constitute “qualifying income” to a regulated investment company, the Fund is not permitted to invest in such instruments unless the subadvisor obtains prior written approval from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”). The CCO, as a member of the Advisor’s Complex Securities Committee, evaluates with the committee the appropriateness of the investment.

 

General Characteristics of Options

 

Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Many hedging and other strategic transactions involving options require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts, as described under “Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts.”

 

Put Options. A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell (and the writer the obligation to buy) the underlying security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a put option on a security, for example, might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value of such instrument by giving the Fund the right to sell the instrument at the option exercise price.

 

The Fund may be authorized, for various purposes, to purchase and sell put options on securities (whether or not it holds the securities in its portfolio) and on securities indices, currencies and futures contracts.

 

Risk of Selling Put Options. In selling put options, the Fund faces the risk that it may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.

 

Call Options. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy (and the seller the obligation to sell) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a call option on an underlying instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase the instrument. An “American” style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period, whereas a “European” style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior to expiration.

 

Partial Hedge or Income to the Fund. If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the value of the underlying securities or instruments held by the Fund or will increase the Fund’s income. Similarly, the sale of put options also can provide gains.

 

Covering of Options. All call options sold by the Fund must be “covered” (that is, the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call or must otherwise meet the asset segregation requirements described below for so long as the call is outstanding).

 

Risk of Selling Call Options. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call option sold by the Fund will expose it during the term of the option to possible loss of the opportunity to sell the underlying security or instrument with a gain.

 

Exchange-listed Options. Exchange-listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (the “OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to the options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example but also is applicable to other similar financial intermediaries.

 

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OCC-issued and exchange-listed options, with certain exceptions, generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although in the future, cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar instruments (which are described below under “Eurodollar Instruments”) are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is “in-the-money” at the time the option is exercised. “In-the-money” means the amount by which the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option.

 

The Fund’s ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC-issued or exchange-listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity of the particular option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are:

 

insufficient trading interest in certain options;

 

restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange;

 

trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities, including reaching daily price limits;

 

interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange;

 

inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or the OCC to handle current trading volume; or

 

a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease to exist, although any such outstanding options on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected in the corresponding option markets.

 

OTC Options. OTC options are purchased from or sold to counterparties such as securities dealers or financial institutions through direct bilateral agreement with the counterparty. In contrast to exchange-listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all of the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guaranties and security, are determined by negotiation of the parties. It is anticipated that the Fund generally will only enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it will not be required to do so.

 

Unless the parties provide for it, no central clearing or guaranty function is involved in an OTC option. As a result, if a counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Thus, the subadvisor must assess the creditworthiness of each such counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the counterparty’s credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be met. The Fund will enter into OTC option transactions only with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as “primary dealers,” or broker-dealers, domestic or foreign banks, or other financial institutions that are deemed creditworthy by the subadvisor. In the absence of a change in the current position of the SEC’s staff, OTC options purchased by the Fund and the amount of the Fund’s obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by the Fund (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) or the value of the assets held to cover such options will be deemed illiquid.

 

Types of Options That May Be Purchased. The Fund may be authorized to purchase and sell call options on securities indices, currencies, and futures contracts, as well as on Eurodollar instruments that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the OTC markets.

 

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The Fund reserves the right to invest in options on instruments and indices that may be developed in the future to the extent consistent with applicable law, the investment objective and the restrictions set forth herein.

 

General Characteristics of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

 

The Fund may be authorized to trade financial futures contracts (including stock index futures contracts which are described below) or purchase or sell put and call options on those contracts for the following purposes:

 

as a hedge against anticipated interest rate, currency or market changes;

 

for duration management;

 

for risk management purposes; and

 

to gain exposure to a securities market.

 

Futures contracts are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with respect to certain instruments, the net cash amount). Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract and obligates the seller to deliver that position.

 

With respect to futures contracts that are not legally required to “cash settle,” the Fund may cover the open position by setting aside or earmarking liquid assets in an amount equal to the market value of the futures contract. With respect to futures that are required to “cash settle,” such as Eurodollar, UK 90 day and Euribor futures; however, the Fund is permitted to set aside or earmark liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked to market (net) obligation, if any, (in other words, the Fund’s daily net liability, if any) rather than the market value of the futures contract. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled futures contracts, the Fund will have the ability to employ such futures contracts to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full market value of the futures contract.

 

The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code in order to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.

 

Margin. Maintaining a futures contract or selling an option on a futures contract will typically require the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary, as security for its obligations, an amount of cash or other specified assets (“initial margin”) that initially is from 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (“variation margin”) may be required to be deposited thereafter daily as the mark-to-market value of the futures contract fluctuates. The purchase of an option on a financial futures contract involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potentially variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any futures position.

 

Settlement. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction, but no assurance can be given that a position can be offset prior to settlement or that delivery will occur.

 

Value of Futures Contracts Sold by the Fund. The value of all futures contracts sold by the Fund (adjusted for the historical volatility relationship between the Fund and the contracts) will not exceed the total market value of the Fund’s assets.

 

Hedging and other strategic transactions involving futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and swaps will be purchased, sold or entered into primarily for bona fide hedging, risk management (including duration management) or appropriate portfolio management purposes, including gaining exposure to a particular securities market.

 

Stock Index Futures

 

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Definition. A stock index futures contract (an “Index Future”) is a contract to buy a certain number of units of the relevant index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. A unit is the value at a given time of the relevant index.

 

Uses of Index Futures. Below are some examples of how the Fund may be authorized to use Index Futures:

 

In connection with the Fund’s investment in common stocks, the Fund may invest in Index Futures while the Subadvisor seeks favorable terms from brokers to effect transactions in common stocks selected for purchase.

The Fund also may invest in Index Futures when the Subadvisor believes that there are not enough attractive common stocks available to maintain the standards of diversity and liquidity set for the Fund’s pending investment in such stocks when they do become available.

 

Through the use of Index Futures, the Fund may maintain a pool of assets with diversified risk without incurring the substantial brokerage costs that may be associated with investment in multiple issuers. This may permit the Fund to avoid potential market and liquidity problems (e.g., driving up or forcing down the price by quickly purchasing or selling shares of a portfolio security), which may result from increases or decreases in positions already held by the Fund.

 

The Fund also may invest in Index Futures in order to hedge its equity positions.

 

Options on Securities Indices and Other Financial Indices (“Options on Financial Indices”)

 

The Fund may be authorized to purchase and sell call and put options on securities indices and other financial indices (“Options on Financial Indices”). In so doing, the Fund may achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments.

 

Description of Options on Financial Indices. Options on Financial Indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, Options on Financial Indices settle by cash settlement. Cash settlement means that the holder has the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call (or is less than, in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments comprising the market or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case for options on securities. In the case of an OTC option, physical delivery may be used instead of cash settlement. By purchasing or selling Options on Financial Indices, the Fund may achieve many of the same objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on individual securities or other instruments.

 

Yield Curve Options

 

The Fund also may be authorized to enter into options on the “spread,” or yield differential, between two fixed income securities, in transactions referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

 

Yield curve options may be used for the same purposes as other options on securities. Specifically, the Fund may purchase or write such options for hedging purposes. For example, the Fund may purchase a call option on the yield spread between two securities, if it owns one of the securities and anticipates purchasing the other security and wants to hedge against an adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. The Fund also may purchase or write yield curve options for other than hedging purposes (e.g., in an effort to increase its current income) if, in the judgment of the subadvisor, the Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread between the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, such options present risk of loss even if the yield of one

 

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of the underlying securities remains constant, if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated. Yield curve options written by the Fund will be “covered.” A call (or put) option is covered if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and owns liquid and unencumbered assets sufficient to cover the Fund’s net liability under the two options. Therefore, the Fund’s liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the difference between the amounts of the Fund’s liability under the option written by the Fund less the value of the option held by it. Yield curve options also may be covered in such other manner as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded over-the-counter.

 

Currency Transactions

 

The Fund may be authorized to engage in currency transactions with counterparties to hedge the value of portfolio securities denominated in particular currencies against fluctuations in relative value, or to gain exposure to a currency without purchasing securities denominated in that currency. Currency transactions may include:

 

forward currency contracts;

 

exchange-listed currency futures contracts and options thereon;

 

exchange-listed and OTC options on currencies;

 

currency swaps; and

 

spot transactions (i.e., transactions on a cash basis based on prevailing market rates).

 

A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an interest rate swap, which is described under “Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements.” The Fund may enter into currency transactions only with counterparties that are deemed creditworthy by the subadvisor. Nevertheless, engaging in currency transactions will expose the Fund to counterparty risk.

 

The Fund’s dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency transactions such as futures contracts, options, options on futures contracts and swaps may be used for hedging and similar purposes, possibly including transaction hedging, position hedging, cross hedging and proxy hedging. The Fund also may use foreign currency options and foreign currency forward contracts to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuation from one country to another. The Fund may elect to hedge less than all of its foreign portfolio positions as deemed appropriate by the subadvisor.

 

The Fund also may engage in non-deliverable forward transactions to manage currency risk or to gain exposure to a currency without purchasing securities denominated in that currency. A non-deliverable forward is a transaction that represents an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty (usually a commercial bank) to buy or sell a specified (notional) amount of a particular currency at an agreed upon foreign exchange rate on an agreed upon future date. Unlike other currency transactions, there is no physical delivery of the currency on the settlement of a non-deliverable forward transaction. Rather, the Fund and the counterparty agree to net the settlement by making a payment in U.S. dollars or another fully convertible currency that represents any differential between the foreign exchange rate agreed upon at the inceptions of the non-deliverable forward agreement and the actual exchange rate on the agreed upon future date. Thus, the actual gain or loss of a given non-deliverable forward transaction is calculated by multiplying the transaction’s notional amount by the difference between the agreed upon forward exchange rate and the actual exchange rate when the transaction is completed.

 

When the Fund enters into a non-deliverable forward transaction, the Fund will segregate liquid assets in an amount not less than the value of the Fund’s net exposure to such non-deliverable forward transactions. If the additional segregated assets decline in value or the amount of the Fund’s commitment increases because of a change in currency rates, additional cash or securities will be segregated on a daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the Fund’s commitments under the non-deliverable forward agreement.

 

Since the Fund generally may only close out a non-deliverable forward with the particular counterparty, there is a risk that the counterparty will default on its obligation to pay under the agreement. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreement related to the transaction, but there is no assurance

 

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that contract counterparties will be able to meet their obligations pursuant to such agreements or that, in the event of a default, the Fund will succeed in pursuing contractual remedies. The Fund thus assumes the risk that it may be delayed or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it pursuant to non-deliverable forward transactions.

 

In addition, where the currency exchange rates that are the subject of a given non-deliverable forward transaction do not move in the direction or to the extent anticipated, the Fund could sustain losses on the non-deliverable forward transaction. The Fund’s investment in a particular non-deliverable forward transaction will be affected favorably or unfavorably by factors that affect the subject currencies, including economic, political and legal developments that impact the applicable countries, as well as exchange control regulations of the applicable countries. These risks are heightened when a non-deliverable forward transaction involves currencies of emerging market countries because such currencies can be volatile and there is a greater risk that such currencies will be devalued against the U.S. dollar or other currencies.

 

Transaction Hedging. Transaction hedging involves entering into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which generally will arise in connection with the purchase or sale of the Fund’s securities or the receipt of income from them.

 

Position Hedging. Position hedging involves entering into a currency transaction with respect to Fund securities positions denominated or generally quoted in that currency.

 

Cross Hedging. The Fund may be authorized to cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to increase or decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects to have exposure.

 

Proxy Hedging. To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or anticipated holdings of its securities, the Fund also may be authorized to engage in proxy hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which a Fund’s holdings are exposed is generally difficult to hedge or specifically difficult to hedge against the dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a forward contract to sell a currency, the changes in the value of which are generally considered to be linked to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund’s securities are or are expected to be denominated, and to buy dollars. The amount of the contract would not exceed the market value of the Fund’s securities denominated in linked currencies.

 

Risk of Currency Transactions. Currency transactions are subject to risks different from other Fund transactions, as discussed under “Risk Factors.” If the Fund enters into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the asset segregation requirements described below under “Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts.”

 

Combined Transactions

 

The Fund may be authorized to enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts), multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions. A combined transaction usually will contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although the Fund normally will enter into combined transactions to reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase the risks or hinder achievement of the Fund’s investment objective.

 

Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements

 

Swap transactions include, but not limited to, swap agreements on interest rates, security or commodity indexes, specific securities and commodities, currency exchange rates, and credit and event-linked swaps.

 

The Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective and policies, such as for the purpose of attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique, to protect against any increase in the price of securities

 

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the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in the most economical way possible.

 

OTC swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to one or more years. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities or commodities representing a particular index. A “quanto” or “differential” swap combines both an interest rate and a currency transaction. Other forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. The Fund may be authorized to invest in commodity swap agreements. For example, an investment in a commodity swap agreement may involve the exchange of floating-rate interest payments for the total return on a commodity index. In a total return commodity swap, the Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. If the commodity swap is for one period, the Fund may pay a fixed fee, established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is more than one period, with interim swap payments, the Fund may pay an adjustable or floating fee. With a “floating” rate, the fee may be pegged to a base rate, such as the LIBOR, and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date.

 

The Fund may be authorized to enter into options on swap agreements (“Swap Options”). A Swap Option is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. The Fund also may be authorized to write (sell) and purchase put and call Swap Options.

 

Depending on the terms of the particular agreement, the Fund generally will incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a Swap Option than it will incur when it purchases a Swap Option. When the Fund purchases a swap option, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Fund writes a Swap Option, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement. Most other types of swap agreements entered into by the Fund would calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement generally will be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the segregation or “earmarking” of liquid assets, to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund’s investments. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.

 

Whether the Fund’s use of swap agreements or Swap Options will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the subadvisor’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because OTC swaps are two-party contracts, and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, they may be considered illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. Certain restrictions imposed on the Fund by the Code may limit its ability to use swap agreements. Although the swaps market is largely unregulated, expected government regulation, described below, as well as potential future regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

 

Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of

 

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the referenced asset, rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. Swap agreements may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many OTC swaps), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. In addition, a swap transaction may be subject to the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

 

Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to the Fund’s interest. The Fund bears the risk that the subadvisor will not accurately forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing swap positions for it. If a subadvisor attempts to use a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, an investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they also can reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments.

 

The swaps market was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which was enacted in 2010 in response to turmoil in the financial markets and other market events. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a new regulatory framework for certain OTC derivatives, such as swaps, in which the Fund may be authorized to invest. The Dodd-Frank Act requires many swap transactions to be executed on registered exchanges or through swap execution facilities, cleared through a regulated clearinghouse and publicly reported. In addition, many market participants are now regulated as swap dealers or major swap participants and are, or will be, subject to certain minimum capital and margin requirements and business conduct standards. The statutory requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act are being implemented primarily through rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and/or the CFTC. There is a prescribed phase-in period during which most of the mandated rulemaking and regulations are being implemented, and temporary exemptions from certain rules and regulations have been granted so that current trading practices will not be unduly disrupted during the transition period.

 

As of the date of this SAI, central clearing is required only for certain market participants trading certain instruments, although central clearing for additional instruments is expected to be implemented by the CFTC until the majority of the swaps market is ultimately subject to central clearing. In addition, uncleared OTC swaps will be subject to regulatory collateral requirements that could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market. These developments could cause the Fund to terminate new or existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such instruments at an inopportune time. Until the mandated rulemaking and regulations are implemented completely, it will not be possible to determine the complete impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations on the Fund, and the establishment of a centralized exchange or market for swap transactions may not result in swaps being easier to value or trade. However, it is expected that swap dealers, major market participants and swap counterparties will experience other new and/or additional regulations, requirements, compliance burdens and associated costs. The legislation and rules to be promulgated may exert a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective, either through limits or requirements imposed on the Fund or its counterparties. The swap market could be disrupted or limited as a result of the legislation, and the new requirements may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and of doing business, which could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to buy or sell OTC derivatives.

 

Additional information about certain swap agreements that the Fund may be authorized to utilize is provided below.

 

Credit default swaps. The Fund may be authorized to enter into credit default swap agreements. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be authorized to be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a

 

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credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to the Fund because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

 

The Fund also may be authorized to enter into credit default swaps on index tranches. CDS index tranches give the Fund, as a seller of credit protection, the opportunity to take on exposures to specific segments of the CDS index default loss distribution. Each tranche has a different sensitivity to credit risk correlations among entities in the index. One of the main benefits of index tranches is higher liquidity. This has been achieved mainly through standardization, yet it also is due to the liquidity in the single-name CDS and CDS index markets. In contrast, possibly owing to the limited liquidity in the corporate bond market, securities referencing corporate bond indexes have not been traded actively.

 

Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. The Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. The Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). In connection with credit default swaps in which the Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or liquid assets, or enter into certain offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a mark-to-market basis. In connection with credit default swaps in which the Fund is the seller, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or liquid assets, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s investments. Such segregation or “earmarking” will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss.

 

If the Fund enters into a credit default swap, the Fund may be required to report the swap as a “listed transaction” for tax shelter reporting purposes on the Fund’s federal income tax return. If the IRS were to determine that the credit default swap is a tax shelter, the Fund could be subject to penalties under the Code.

 

Dividend swaps. A dividend swap agreement is a financial instrument where two parties contract to exchange a set of future cash flows at set dates in the future. One party agrees to pay the other the future dividend flow on a stock or basket of stocks in an index, in return for which the other party gives the first call options. Dividend swaps generally are traded OTC rather than on an exchange.

 

Inflation swaps. An inflation swap agreement is a contract in which one party agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index ( e.g ., the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) with respect to CPI swaps) over the term of the swap (with some lag on the inflation index), and the other pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swap agreements may be used to protect the Fund’s NAV against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index since the value of these agreements is expected to increase if unexpected inflation increases.

 

Interest rate swaps . An interest rate swap agreement involves the exchange of cash flows based on interest rate specifications and a specified principal amount, often a fixed payment for a floating payment that is linked to an interest rate. An interest rate lock specifies a future interest rate to be paid. In an interest rate cap, one party receives payments at the end of each period in which a specified interest rate on a specified principal amount exceeds an agreed-upon rate; conversely, in an interest rate floor, one party may receive payments if a specified interest rate on a specified principal amount falls below an agreed-upon rate. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. Interest rate collars involve selling a cap and purchasing a floor, or vice versa, to protect the Fund against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.

 

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Total return swaps. A total return swap agreement is a contract whereby one party agrees to make a series of payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying such contract (which can include a security, commodity, index or baskets thereof) during the specified period. In exchange, the other party to the contract agrees to make a series of payments calculated by reference to an interest rate and/or some other agreed-upon amount (including the change in market value of other underlying assets). The Fund may use total return swaps to gain exposure to an asset without owning it or taking physical custody of it. For example, by investing in total return commodity swaps, the Fund will receive the price appreciation of a commodity, commodity index or portion thereof in exchange for payment of an agreed-upon fee.

 

Variance swaps. Variance swap agreements involve an agreement by two parties to exchange cash flows based on the measured variance (or square of volatility) of a specified underlying asset. One party agrees to exchange a “fixed rate” or strike price payment for the “floating rate” or realized price variance on the underlying asset with respect to the notional amount. At inception, the strike price chosen is generally fixed at a level such that the fair value of the swap is zero. As a result, no money changes hands at the initiation of the contract. At the expiration date, the amount paid by one party to the other is the difference between the realized price variance of the underlying asset and the strike price multiplied by the notional amount. A receiver of the realized price variance would receive a payment when the realized price variance of the underlying asset is greater than the strike price and would make a payment when that variance is less than the strike price. A payer of the realized price variance would make a payment when the realized price variance of the underlying asset is greater than the strike price and would receive a payment when that variance is less than the strike price. This type of agreement is essentially a forward contract on the future realized price variance of the underlying asset.

 

Eurodollar Instruments

 

Eurodollar instruments typically are dollar-denominated futures contracts or options on those contracts that are linked to the LIBOR. In addition, foreign currency denominated instruments are available from time to time. Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for borrowings. The Fund might use Eurodollar futures contracts and options thereon to hedge against changes in the LIBOR, to which many interest rate swaps and fixed income instruments are linked.

 

Warrants and Rights

 

Warrants and rights generally give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise and prior to the expiration date, a security of the issuer at a stated price. Funds typically use warrants and rights in a manner similar to their use of options on securities, as described in “General Characteristics of Options” above and elsewhere in this SAI. Risks associated with the use of warrants and rights are generally similar to risks associated with the use of options. Unlike most options, however, warrants and rights are issued in specific amounts, and warrants generally have longer terms than options. Warrants and rights are not likely to be as liquid as exchange-traded options backed by a recognized clearing agency. In addition, the terms of warrants or rights may limit the Fund’s ability to exercise the warrants or rights at such time, or in such quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish.

 

Non-Standard Warrants and Participatory Notes. The Fund may be authorized to use, from time to time, non-standard warrants, including low exercise price warrants or low exercise price options (“LEPOs”), and participatory notes (“P-Notes”) to gain exposure to issuers in certain countries. LEPOs are different from standard warrants in that they do not give their holders the right to receive a security of the issuer upon exercise. Rather, LEPOs pay the holder the difference in price of the underlying security between the date the LEPO was purchased and the date it is sold. P-Notes are a type of equity-linked derivative that generally are traded over-the-counter and constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions that issue them. Generally, banks and broker-dealers associated with non-U.S.-based brokerage firms buy securities listed on certain foreign exchanges and then issue P-Notes which are designed to replicate the performance of certain issuers and markets. The performance results of P-Notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. The return on a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security generally is increased to the extent of any dividends paid in connection with the underlying security. However, the holder of a P-Note typically does not receive voting or other rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security, and P-Notes present similar risks to investing directly in the underlying security. Additionally, LEPOs and P-Notes entail the same risks as other over-the-counter derivatives. These include

 

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the risk that the counterparty or issuer of the LEPO or P-Note may not be able to fulfill its obligations, that the holder and counterparty or issuer may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the instrument may not perform as expected. See “Principal Risks” in the Prospectuses and “Risk of Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions” below. Additionally, while LEPOs or P-Notes may be listed on an exchange, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist or that the counterparty or issuer of a LEPO or P-Note will be willing to repurchase such instrument when the Fund wishes to sell it.

 

Risk of Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions

 

Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions have special risks associated with them, including:

 

possible default by the counterparty to the transaction;

 

markets for the securities used in these transactions could be illiquid; and

 

to the extent the subadvisor’s assessment of market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of the hedging and other strategic transactions could result in losses to the Fund.

 

Losses resulting from the use of Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions will reduce the Fund’s NAV, and possibly income. Losses can be greater than if Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions had not been used.

 

Options and Futures Transactions. Options transactions are subject to the following additional risks:

 

option transactions could force the sale or purchase of Fund securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than current market values (in the case of put options) or lower than current market values (in the case of call options), or could cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell (in the case of a call option);

 

calls written on securities that the Fund does not own are riskier than calls written on securities owned by the Fund because there is no underlying security held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge, and there also is a risk, especially with less liquid securities, that the securities may not be available for purchase; and

 

options markets could become illiquid in some circumstances and certain OTC options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses.

 

Futures transactions are subject to the following additional risks:

 

the degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s position; and

 

futures markets could become illiquid. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses.

 

Although the Fund’s use of futures and options for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, it will tend, at the same time, to limit the potential gain that might result from an increase in value.

 

Currency Hedging. In addition to the general risks of hedging and other strategic transactions described above, currency hedging transactions have the following risks:

 

currency hedging can result in losses to the Fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or direction that is not anticipated;

 

48
 

 

proxy hedging involves determining the correlation between various currencies. If the subadvisor’s determination of this correlation is incorrect, the Fund’s losses could be greater than if the proxy hedging were not used; and

 

foreign government exchange controls and restrictions on repatriation of currency can negatively affect currency transactions. These forms of governmental actions can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or monies to settle obligations. Such governmental actions also could cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs.

 

Currency Futures Contracts and Options on Currency Futures Contracts. Currency futures contracts are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures contracts generally. In addition, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. Trading options on currency futures contracts is relatively new, and the ability to establish and close out positions on these options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market that may not always be available.

 

Risk Associated with Specific Types of Derivative Debt Securities. Different types of derivative debt securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension and/or interest rate risk. Conventional mortgage pass-through securities and sequential pay CMOs are subject to all of these risks, but typically are not leveraged. Thus, the magnitude of exposure may be less than for more leveraged mortgage-backed securities.

 

The risk of early prepayments is the primary risk associated with IOs, super floaters, other leveraged floating rate instruments and mortgage-backed securities purchased at a premium to their par value. In some instances, early prepayments may result in a complete loss of investment in certain of these securities. The primary risks associated with certain other derivative debt securities are the potential extension of average life and/or depreciation due to rising interest rates.

 

Derivative debt securities include floating rate securities based on the Cost of Funds Index (“COFI floaters”), other “lagging rate” floating rate securities, capped floaters, mortgage-backed securities purchased at a discount, leveraged inverse floating rate securities, POs, certain residual or support tranches of CMOs and index amortizing notes. Index amortizing notes are not mortgage-backed securities, but are subject to extension risk resulting from the issuer’s failure to exercise its option to call or redeem the notes before their stated maturity date. Leveraged inverse IOs combine several elements of the mortgage-backed securities described above and present an especially intense combination of prepayment, extension and interest rate risks.

 

Planned amortization class (“PAC”) and target amortization class (“TAC”) CMO bonds involve less exposure to prepayment, extension and interest rate risk than other mortgage-backed securities, provided that prepayment rates remain within expected prepayment ranges or “collars.” To the extent that prepayment rates remain within these prepayment ranges, the residual or support tranches of PAC and TAC CMOs assume the extra prepayment, extension and interest rate risk associated with the underlying mortgage assets.

 

Other types of floating rate derivative debt securities present more complex types of interest rate risks. For example, range floaters are subject to the risk that the coupon will be reduced to below market rates if a designated interest rate floats outside of a specified interest rate band or collar. Dual index or yield curve floaters are subject to depreciation in the event of an unfavorable change in the spread between two designated interest rates. X-reset floaters have a coupon that remains fixed for more than one accrual period. Thus, the type of risk involved in these securities depends on the terms of each individual X-reset floater.

 

Risks of Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions Outside the United States

 

When conducted outside the United States, hedging and other strategic transactions will not only be subject to the risks described above but also could be adversely affected by:

 

foreign governmental actions affecting foreign securities, currencies or other instruments;

 

less stringent regulation of these transactions in many countries as compared to the United States;

 

49
 

 

the lack of clearing mechanisms and related guarantees in some countries for these transactions;

 

more limited availability of data on which to make trading decisions than in the United States;

 

delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States;

 

the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States; and

 

lower trading volume and liquidity.

 

Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts

 

Use of extensive hedging and other strategic transactions by the Fund will require, among other things, that the Fund segregate cash or other liquid assets with its custodian, or a designated subcustodian, to the extent that the Fund’s obligations are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency.

 

In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by (a) holding the securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or (b) subject to any regulatory restrictions, segregating an amount of cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the current amount of the obligation. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. Some examples of cover requirements are set forth below.

 

Call Options. A call option on securities written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate cash or other liquid assets sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to own portfolio securities that correlate with the index or to segregate cash or other liquid assets equal to its obligations under the option.

 

Put Options. A put option on securities written by the Fund will require the Fund to segregate cash or other liquid assets equal to the exercise price.

 

OTC Options. OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities, currency, financial instruments or indices, and OTC-issued and exchange-listed index options generally will provide for cash settlement, although the Fund will not be required to do so. As a result, when the Fund sells these instruments it will segregate an amount of cash or other liquid assets equal to its obligations under the options. OTC-issued and exchange-listed options sold by the Fund other than those described above generally settle with physical delivery, and the Fund will segregate an amount of cash or liquid high grade debt securities equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery.

 

Currency Contracts. Except when the Fund enters into a forward contract in connection with the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency or for other non-speculative purposes, which requires no segregation, a currency contract that obligates the Fund to buy or sell a foreign currency generally will require the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or liquid securities denominated in that currency equal to the Fund’s obligations or to segregate cash or other liquid assets equal to the amount of the Fund’s obligations.

 

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts . In the case of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin and, in some instances, daily variation margin, in addition to segregating assets sufficient to meet its obligations under the contract. These assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt, equity securities or other acceptable assets.

 

Swaps. The Fund will calculate the net amount, if any, of its obligations relating to swaps on a daily basis and will segregate an amount of cash or other liquid assets having an aggregate value at least equal to this net amount.

 

50
 

 

Caps, Floors and Collars. Caps, floors and collars require segregation of assets with a value equal to the Fund’s net obligation, if any.

 

Hedging and other strategic transactions may be covered by means other than those described above when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund also may enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets, equals its net outstanding obligation. The Fund could purchase a put option, for example, if the exercise price of that option is the same or higher than the exercise price of a put option sold by the Fund. In addition, if it holds a futures contracts or forward contract, the Fund could, instead of segregating assets, purchase a put option on the same futures contract or forward contract with an exercise price as high as or higher than the price of the contract held. Other hedging and strategic transactions also may be offset in combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates on or after the time the primary transaction terminates, no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to that time, assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.

 

Risk of Potential Government Regulation of Derivatives

 

It is possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options on futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategy, which could negatively impact the Fund. While many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have yet to be implemented through rulemaking, and any regulatory or legislative activity may not necessarily have a direct, immediate effect upon the Fund, it is possible that, upon implementation of these measures or any future measures, they could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of the Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions also could prevent the Fund from using these instruments or affect the pricing or other factors relating to these instruments, or may change the availability of certain investments.

 

Other Limitations

 

The Fund will not maintain open short positions in futures contracts, call options written on futures contracts, and call options written on securities indices if, in the aggregate, the current market value of the open positions exceeds the current market value of that portion of its securities portfolio being hedged by those futures and options, plus or minus the unrealized gain or loss on those open positions. The gain or loss on these open positions will be adjusted for the historical volatility relationship between that portion of the Fund and the contracts (e.g., the Beta volatility factor). In the alternative, however, the Fund could maintain sufficient liquid assets in a segregated account equal at all times to the current market value of the open short position in futures contracts, call options written on futures contracts and call options written on securities indices, subject to any other applicable investment restrictions.

 

For purposes of this limitation, to the extent the Fund has written call options on specific securities in that portion of its portfolio, the value of those securities will be deducted from the current market value of that portion of the securities portfolio. If this limitation should be exceeded at any time, the Fund will take prompt action to close out the appropriate number of open short positions to bring its open futures and options positions within this limitation.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

There are two classes of investment restrictions to which the Fund is subject in implementing its investment policies: (a) fundamental and (b) non-fundamental. Fundamental restrictions may only be changed by a vote of the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. Non-fundamental restrictions are subject to change by the Board without shareholder approval.

 

When submitting an investment restriction change to the holders of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, the matter shall be deemed to have been effectively acted upon if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund votes for the approval of the matter, notwithstanding: (1) that the matter has not been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any other series of the Trust affected by the matter, and (2) that the matter has not been approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust as a whole.

 

51
 

 

Restrictions (1) through (7) are fundamental. Restrictions (8) through (10) are non-fundamental.

 

Fundamental Investment Restrictions .

 

(1) Concentration. The Fund will not concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

(2) Borrowing. The Fund will not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

(3) Underwriting. The Fund will not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.

 

(4) Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities.

 

(5) Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

(6) Loans. The Fund will not make loans except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

(7) Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

For purposes of Fundamental Restriction No. 7, purchasing securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed delivery basis and engaging in hedging and other strategic transactions will not be deemed to constitute the issuance of a senior security.

 

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions

 

The Fund will not:

 

(8) Knowingly invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments, including repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days but excluding master demand notes, which are not readily marketable.

 

(9) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, if, when added together, more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s net assets would be: (i) deposited as collateral for the obligation to replace securities borrowed to effect short sales; and (ii) allocated to segregated accounts in connection with short sales, except that it may obtain such short-term credits as may be required to clear transactions. For purposes of this restriction, collateral arrangements with respect to hedging and other strategic transactions will not be deemed to involve the use of margin. Short sales “against-the-box” are not subject to this limitation.

 

(10) Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or transfer (except as provided in restriction (7)) as security for indebtedness any securities held by the Fund, except in an amount of not more than 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and then only to secure borrowings permitted by restrictions (2) and (9). For purposes of this restriction, collateral arrangements with respect to hedging and other strategic transactions will not be deemed to involve a pledge of assets.

 

For purposes of restriction (10), “other strategic transactions” can include short sales and derivative transactions intended for non-hedging purposes, including leveraged investment exposure.

 

52
 

 

Additional Information Regarding Fundamental Restrictions

 

Concentration. While the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry, the staff of the SEC takes the position that any fund that invests more than 25% of its total assets in a particular industry (excluding the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) is deemed to be “concentrated” in that industry.

 

Borrowing. The 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of its total assets, at the time of borrowing, from banks for any purpose (a fund’s total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires a fund to maintain at all times an “asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings, not including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets. “Asset coverage” means the ratio that the value of a fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings.

 

Commodities. Under the federal securities and commodities laws, certain financial instruments such as futures contracts and options thereon, including currency futures, stock index futures or interest rate futures, and certain swaps, including currency swaps, interest rate swaps, swaps on broad-based securities indices and certain credit default swaps, may, under certain circumstances, also be considered to be commodities. Nevertheless, the 1940 Act does not prohibit investments in physical commodities or contracts related to physical commodities. Mutual funds typically invest in futures contracts and related options on these and other types of commodity contracts for hedging purposes, to implement tax or cash management strategies, or to enhance returns.

 

Loans. Although the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.

 

Senior Securities. “Senior securities” are defined as fund obligations that have a priority over the fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a fund from issuing any class of senior securities or selling any senior securities of which it is the issuer, except that the fund is permitted to borrow from a bank so long as, immediately after such borrowings, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings of the fund (not including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the fund’s total assets). In the event that such asset coverage falls below this percentage, a fund must reduce the amount of its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) so that the asset coverage is restored to at least 300%. The fundamental investment restriction regarding senior securities will be interpreted so as to permit collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.

 

With the exception of Fundamental Investment Restriction No. 2, if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the investment’s percentage of the value of the Fund’s total assets resulting from a change in such values or assets will not constitute a violation of the percentage restriction. Any subsequent change in a rating assigned by any rating service to a security (or, if unrated, any change in the subadvisor’s assessment of the security), or change in the percentage of portfolio assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in the average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in the Fund’s total assets will not require the Fund to dispose of an investment until the subadvisor determines that it is practicable to sell or close out the investment without undue market or tax consequences to the Fund. In the event that rating services assign different ratings to the same security, the subadvisor will determine which rating it believes best reflects the security’s quality and risk at that time, which may be the higher of the several assigned ratings.

 

Investment Policies that May Be Changed Only on 60 Days’ Notice to Shareholders

 

In order to comply with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act, the 80% investment policy for the Fund is subject to change only upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders; refer to the Prospectuses for the Fund’s “Principal investment strategies.”

 

53
 

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

The annual rate of portfolio turnover for the Fund may vary from year to year as well as within a year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by the Fund. Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of Fund securities during the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the Fund’s securities. (Excluded from the computation are all securities, including options, with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less). Portfolio turnover rates can change from year to year due to various factors, including, among others, portfolio adjustments made in response to market conditions.

 

The portfolio turnover rates for the Robeco Fund for the fiscal periods ended August 31, 2012 and August 31, 2013 were 81% and 87%, respectively.

 

THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT

 

The business of the Trust, an open-end management investment company consisting of the Fund and the Trust’s other series is managed by the Board, including certain Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Trustees elect officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Funds and who execute policies formulated by the Trustees. Several of the Trustees and officers of the Trust also are officers or directors of the Advisor, or officers or directors of the principal distributor to the Funds, John Hancock Funds, LLC (the “Distributor”). Each Trustee oversees the Funds and other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex (as defined below).

 

The tables below present certain information regarding the Trustees and officers of the Trust, including their principal occupations which, unless specific dates are shown, are of at least five years’ duration. In addition, the table includes information concerning other directorships held by each Trustee in other registered investment companies or publicly traded companies. Information is listed separately for each Trustee who is an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (each a “Non-Independent Trustee”) and the Independent Trustees. As of [____], 2014, the “John Hancock Fund Complex” consisted of [233] funds (including separate series of series mutual funds): John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (“JHVIT”) ([82] funds); John Hancock Funds II (“JHF II”) ([103] funds); John Hancock Funds III (“JHF III”) ([11] funds); and [37] other John Hancock funds consisting of [27] series of other John Hancock trusts and [10] closed-end funds. Each Trustee was most recently elected to serve on the Board at a shareholder meeting held on November 15, 2012. The address of each Trustee and officer of the Trust is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

 

Non-Independent Trustees
Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with
 the Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other 
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Craig Bromley (2)

(1966)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2012); Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager, U. S. Division, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2012); President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Insurance Company (Manulife (Japan)) (2005-2012, including prior positions).

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) , John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012).

  [233]

 

54
 

 

Non-Independent Trustees
Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with
 the Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other 
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Warren A. Thomson (2)

(1955)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (since 2009); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Asset Management (since 2001, including prior positions); Director (since 2006), and President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Manulife Asset Management Limited; Director and Chairman, Hancock Natural Resources Group, Inc. (since 2013).

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) , John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012).

  [233]

 

Independent Trustees
Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with
 the Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other 
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Charles L. Bardelis

(1941)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport).

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 1988); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

  [233]
             

Peter S. Burgess

(1942)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

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 (since 2010); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010).

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

  [233]

 

55
 

 

Independent Trustees
Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with
 the Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other 
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

William H. Cunningham

(1944)

  Trustee (since 1986)  

Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Director, LIN Television (since 2009); Chairman (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Resolute Energy Corporation (since 2009); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, Introgen (manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals) (until 2008); former Director, Hicks Acquisition Company I, Inc. (until 2007); former Director, Texas Exchange Bank, SSB (formerly Bank of Crowley) (until 2009); former Advisory Director, JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly Texas Commerce Bank–Austin) (until 2009).

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 1986); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2006 and since 2012).

 

  [233]

Grace K. Fey

(1946)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

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, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

 

  [233]

Theron S. Hoffman

(1947)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

Chief Executive Officer, T. Hoffman Associates, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2003); Director, The Todd Organization ( consulting firm) (2003–2010); President, Westport Resources Management (investment management consulting firm) (2006–2008); Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Operating Head, Putnam Investments (2000–2003); Executive Vice President, The Thomson Corp. (financial and legal information publishing) (1997–2000) .

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

 

  [233]

Deborah C. Jackson

(1952)

  Trustee (since 2008)  

President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); 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, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012).

  [233]

 

56
 

 

Independent Trustees
Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with
 the Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other 
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Hassell H. McClellan

(1945)

  Trustee (since 2012)  

Trustee, Virtus Variable Insurance Trust (formerly Phoenix Edge Series Funds) (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013).

 

Trustee, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

 

  [233]

James M. Oates

(1946)

  Trustee and Chairperson of the Board (since 2012)  

Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (since 2000); 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 (since 1998); Director, Virtus Funds (formerly Phoenix Mutual Funds) (since 1988).

 

Trustee and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2012); Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2012), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2005), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Trustee and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

 

  [233]

Steven R. Pruchansky

(1944)

  Trustee (since 1994); Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012)  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991).

 

Trustee (since 1992) and Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), John Hancock retail funds (3) ; Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012).

  [233]

 

57
 

 

Independent Trustees
Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with
 the Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other 
Directorships During the Past 5 Years
  Number of
Funds in John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

Gregory A. Russo

(1949)

  Trustee (since 2009)  

Director and Audit Committee Chairman (since 2012), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (since 2011), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member of Finance Committee, The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community) (since 2012); 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, John Hancock retail funds (3) (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012).

  [233]

 

(1) Because the Trust does not hold regular annual shareholders meetings, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until his/her successor is duly elected and qualified or until he/she dies, retires, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Trustees may be removed from the Trust (provided the aggregate number of Trustees after such removal shall not be less than one) with cause or without cause, by the action of two-thirds of the remaining Trustees or by action of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

 

(2) The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain of its affiliates.

 

(3) “John Hancock retail funds” is composed of John Hancock Funds III and [37] other John Hancock funds consisting of [27] series of other John Hancock trusts and [10] closed-end funds.

 

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

 

The following table presents information regarding the current principal officers of the Trust who are not Trustees, including their principal occupations which, unless specific dates are shown, are of at least five years’ duration. Each of the officers is an affiliated person of the Advisor. All of the officers listed are officers or employees of the Advisor or its affiliates. All of the officers also are officers of all of the other funds for which the Advisor serves as investment advisor.

 

Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with the
Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Andrew G. Arnott
(1971)
  President (since 2014); Executive Vice President
(2007–2014, including prior positions)
 

Senior Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President, John Hancock retail funds (2) , John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007, including prior positions).

 

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Name
(Birth Year)
  Position(s) with the
Trust (1)
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Thomas M. Kinzler
(1955)
 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

(since 2006)

  Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2007); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock retail funds (2) , John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2006).

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
(1947)
  Chief Compliance Officer
(since 2005)
  Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds (2) , John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005).

Charles A. Rizzo
(1959)
  Chief Financial Officer
(since 2007)
  Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds (2) , John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007).

Salvatore Schiavone
(1965)
  Treasurer
(since 2010)
  Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds (2) (since 2007, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2007–2009 and since 2010, including prior positions).

 

(1) Each officer holds office for an indefinite term until his/her successor is duly elected and qualified or until he/she dies, retires, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.

 

(2) “John Hancock retail funds” is composed of John Hancock Funds III and [37] other John Hancock funds consisting of [27] series of other John Hancock trusts and [10] closed-end funds.

 

Additional Information about the Trustees

 

In addition to the description of each Trustee’s Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships set forth above, the following provides further information about each Trustee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills with respect to the Trust. The information in this section should not be understood to mean that any of the Trustees is an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

 

There are no specific required qualifications for Board membership. The Board believes that the different perspectives, viewpoints, professional experience, education, and individual qualities of each Trustee represent a diversity of experiences and a variety of complementary skills. Each Trustee has experience as a Trustee of the Trust as well as experience as a Trustee of other John Hancock funds. It is the Trustees’ belief that this allows the Board, as a whole, to oversee the business of the Funds in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. When considering potential nominees to fill vacancies on the Board, and as part of its annual self-evaluation, the Board reviews the mix of skills and other relevant experiences of the Trustees.

 

Charles L. Bardelis — As a director and former chief executive of an operating company, Mr. Bardelis has experience with a variety of financial, staffing, regulatory and operational issues. He also has experience as a director of publicly traded companies.

 

Craig Bromley — Through his positions as President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Life Insurance Company (Manulife Japan), positions as a senior executive of Manulife Financial, the Advisor’s parent company, and positions with other affiliates of the Advisor, Mr. Bromley has experience as a strategic business builder expanding product offerings and distribution, enabling him to provide valuable management input to the Board.

 

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Peter S. Burgess — As a financial consultant and certified public accountant and a former partner in a major international public accounting firm, Mr. Burgess has experience in the auditing of financial services companies and mutual funds. He also has experience as a director of publicly traded operating companies.

 

William H. Cunningham — Mr. Cunningham has management and operational oversight experience as a former Chancellor and President of a major university. Mr. Cunningham regularly teaches a graduate course in corporate governance at the law school and the Red McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. He also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of a number of operating companies, including an insurance company.

 

Grace K. Fey — As a consultant to nonprofit and corporate boards, and as a former director and executive of an investment management firm, Ms. Fey has experience in the investment management industry. She also has experience as a director of an operating company.

 

Theron S. Hoffman — As a consultant and as a former senior executive of several large public and private companies, including a global reinsurance company and a large investment management firm, Mr. Hoffman has extensive experience in corporate governance, business operations and new product development. In addition, his prior service as chair of corporate pension trusts has given him experience in the oversight of investment managers.

 

Deborah C. Jackson — Ms. Jackson has management and operational oversight experience as the president of a college and as the former chief executive officer of a major charitable organization. She also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of various corporate organizations, including a bank, an insurance company and a regional stock exchange, and nonprofit entities.

 

Hassell H. McClellan — As a professor in the graduate management department of a major university and as a former director of several privately held companies, Mr. McClellan has experience in corporate and financial matters. He also has experience as a director of other investment companies not affiliated with the Trust.

 

James M. Oates — As a senior officer and director of investment management companies, Mr. Oates has experience in investment management. Mr. Oates previously served as chief executive officer of two banks. He also has experience as a director of publicly traded companies and investment companies not affiliated with the Trust.

 

Steven R. Pruchansky — Mr. Pruchansky has entrepreneurial, executive and financial experience as a chief executive officer of an operating services company and a current and former director of real estate and banking companies.

 

Gregory A. Russo — As a certified public accountant and former partner in a major independent registered public accounting firm, Mr. Russo has accounting and executive experience. He also has experience as a current and former director of various operating entities.

 

Warren A. Thomson — Through his positions as Chairman of Manulife Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of MFC, the Advisor’s parent company, Mr. Thomson has experience in the management of investments, registered investment companies, variable annuities and retirement products, enabling him to provide management input to the Board.

 

Duties of Trustees; Committee Structure

 

The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are responsible for managing the affairs of the Trust, including the appointment of advisors and subadvisors. Each Trustee has the experience, skills, attributes or qualifications described above (see “Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships” and “Additional Information about the Trustees” above). The Board appoints officers who assist in managing the day-to-day affairs of the Trust. The Board met five times during the latest fiscal year.

 

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee as Chairperson. The Chairperson presides at meetings of the Trustees, and may call meetings of the Board and any Board committee whenever he deems it necessary. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the identification of

 

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information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson also acts as a liaison with the funds’ management, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairperson may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. The Board also has designated a Vice Chairperson to serve in the absence of the Chairperson. Except for any duties specified in this SAI or pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-laws, or as assigned by the Board, the designation of a Trustee as Chairperson or Vice Chairperson does not impose on that Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on any other Trustee, generally. The Board has designated a number of standing committees as further described below, each of which has a Chairperson. The Board also may designate working groups or ad hoc committees as it deems appropriate.

 

The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees or working groups of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board considers leadership by an Independent Trustee as Chairperson to be integral to promoting effective independent oversight of the Funds’ operations and meaningful representation of the shareholders’ interests, given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Funds. The Board also believes that having a super-majority of Independent Trustees is appropriate and in the best interest of the Funds’ shareholders. Nevertheless, the Board also believes that having interested persons serve on the Board brings corporate and financial viewpoints that are, in the Board’s view, helpful elements in its decision-making process. In addition, the Board believes that Messrs. Bromley and Thomson, as senior executives of MFC, the parent company of the Advisor and the Distributor, and of other affiliates of the Advisor and the Distributor, provide the Board with the perspective of the Advisor and the Distributor in managing and sponsoring all of the Trust’s series. The leadership structure of the Board may be changed, at any time and in the discretion of the Board, including in response to changes in circumstances or the characteristics of the Trust.

 

Board Committees

 

The Board has established an Audit Committee; Compliance Committee; Contracts, Legal & Risk Committee; Nominating and Governance Committee; and Investment Committee.

 

The current membership of each committee is set forth below. As Chairperson of the Board, Mr. Oates is considered an ex officio member of each committee and, therefore, is able to attend and participate in any committee meeting, as appropriate.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has a standing Audit Committee composed solely of Independent Trustees (Messrs. Bardelis, Burgess and Hoffman). Mr. Burgess serves as Chairperson of this Committee. This Committee met four times during the Trust’s last fiscal year to review the internal and external accounting and auditing procedures of the Trust and, among other things, to consider the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust, to approve all significant services proposed to be performed by its independent registered public accounting firm and to consider the possible effect of such services on its independence.

 

Compliance Committee . The Board also has a standing Compliance Committee (Ms. Jackson and Messrs. Cunningham and McClellan). This Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the full Board regarding certain compliance matters relating to the Trust. Mr. McClellan serves as Chairperson of this Committee. This Committee met four times during the last fiscal year.

 

Contracts, Legal & Risk Committee . The Board also has a standing Contracts, Legal & Risk Committee (Ms. Fey and Messrs. Pruchansky and Russo). This Committee met four times during the last fiscal year. This Committee oversees the initiation, operation, and renewal of the various contracts between the Trust and other entities. These contracts include advisory and subadvisory agreements, custodial and transfer agency agreements and arrangements with other service providers. The Committee also reviews the significant legal affairs of the funds, as well as any significant regulatory and legislative actions or proposals affecting or relating to the funds or their service providers. The Committee also assists the Board in its oversight role with respect to the processes pursuant to which the Advisor and the Subadvisor identify, manage and report the various risks that affect or could affect the funds. Mr. Russo serves as Chairperson of this Committee.

 

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Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board also has a Nominating and Governance Committee (formerly known as the Nominating, Governance & Administration Committee) composed of all of the Independent Trustees. This Committee met three times during the last fiscal year. This Committee will consider nominees recommended by Trust shareholders. Nominations should be forwarded to the attention of the Secretary of the Trust at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. 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, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in order to be considered by this Committee.

 

Investment Committee . The Board also has an Investment Committee composed of all of the Trustees. The Investment Committee has five subcommittees with the Trustees divided among the five subcommittees (each an “Investment Sub-Committee”). Each Investment Sub-Committee reviews investment matters relating to a particular group of funds and coordinates with the full Board regarding investment matters. Mses. Fey and Jackson and Messrs. Hoffman, Bardelis and Cunningham serve as Chairpersons of the Investment Sub-Committees. In addition, the Chairperson of the Board serves on each Investment Sub-Committee as an ex officio member. The Investment Committee met five times during the last fiscal year.

 

Annually, the Board evaluates its performance and that of its Committees, including the effectiveness of the Board’s Committee structure.

 

Risk Oversight

 

As registered investment companies, the Funds are subject to a variety of risks, including investment risks (such as, among others, market risk, credit risk and interest rate risk), financial risks (such as, among others, settlement risk, liquidity risk and valuation risk), compliance risks, and operational risks. As a part of its overall activities, the Board oversees the Funds’ risk management activities that are implemented by the Advisor, the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and other service providers to the Funds. The Advisor has primary responsibility for the Funds’ risk management on a day-to-day basis as a part of its overall responsibilities. The Funds’ subadvisors, subject to oversight of the Advisor, is primarily responsible for managing investment and financial risks as a part of its day-to-day investment responsibilities, as well as operational and compliance risks at its firm. The Advisor and the CCO also assist the Board in overseeing compliance with investment policies of the Funds and regulatory requirements, and monitor the implementation of the various compliance policies and procedures approved by the Board as a part of its oversight responsibilities.

 

The Advisor identifies to the Board the risks that it believes may affect the Funds and develops processes and controls regarding such risks. However, risk management is a complex and dynamic undertaking and it is not always possible to comprehensively identify and/or mitigate all such risks at all times since risks are at times impacted by external events. In discharging its oversight responsibilities, the Board considers risk management issues throughout the year with the assistance of its various Committees as described below. Each Committee meets at least quarterly and presents reports to the Board, which may prompt further discussion of issues concerning the oversight of the Funds’ risk management. The Board as a whole also reviews written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues as needed and may discuss particular risks that are not addressed in the Committee process.

 

The Board has established an Investment Committee, which consists of five Investment Sub-Committees. Each Investment Sub-Committee assists the Board in overseeing the significant investment policies of the relevant Funds and the performance of their subadvisors. The Advisor monitors these policies and subadvisor activities and may recommend changes in connection with the Funds to each relevant Investment Sub-Committee in response to subadvisor requests or other circumstances. On at least a quarterly basis, each Investment Sub-Committee reviews reports from the Advisor regarding the relevant Funds’ investment performance, which include information about investment and financial risks and how they are managed, and from the CCO regarding subadvisor compliance matters. In addition, each Investment Sub-Committee meets periodically with the portfolio managers of the Funds’ subadvisors to receive reports regarding management of the Funds, including with respect to risk management processes.

 

The Audit Committee assists the Board in reviewing with the independent auditors, at various times throughout the year, matters relating to the Funds’ financial reporting. In addition, this Committee oversees the process of each

 

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Fund’s valuation of its portfolio securities, with day-to-day responsibility for valuation determinations having been delegated to the Funds’ Pricing Committee (composed of officers of the Trust).

 

The Compliance Committee assists the Board in overseeing the activities of the Trust’s CCO with respect to the compliance programs of the Funds, the Advisor, the subadvisors, and certain of the Funds’ other service providers (the Distributor and transfer agent). This Committee and the Board receive and consider periodic reports from the CCO throughout the year, including the CCO’s annual written report, which, among other things, summarizes material compliance issues that arose during the previous year and any remedial action taken to address these issues, as well as any material changes to the compliance programs.

 

The Contracts, Legal & Risk Committee assists the Board in its oversight role with respect to the processes pursuant to which the Advisor and the subadvisors identify, assess, manage and report the various risks that affect or could affect the Funds. This Committee reviews reports from the Funds’ Advisor on a periodic basis regarding the risks facing the Funds, and makes recommendations to the Board concerning risks and risk oversight matters as the Committee deems appropriate. This Committee also coordinates with the other Board Committees regarding risks relevant to the other Committees, as appropriate.

 

In addressing issues regarding the Funds’ risk management between meetings, appropriate representatives of the Advisor communicate with the Chairperson of the Board, the relevant Committee Chair, or the Trust’s CCO, who is directly accountable to the Board. As appropriate, the Chairperson of the Board, the Committee Chairs and the Trustees confer among themselves, with the Trust’s CCO, the Advisor, other service providers, external Fund counsel, and counsel to the Independent Trustees, to identify and review risk management issues that may be placed on the full Board’s agenda and/or that of an appropriate Committee for review and discussion.

 

In addition, in its annual review of the Funds’ advisory, subadvisory and distribution agreements, the Board reviews information provided by the Advisor, the subadvisors and the Distributor relating to their operational capabilities, financial condition, risk management processes and resources.

 

The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts its risk oversight role.

 

The Advisor also has its own, independent interest in risk management. In this regard, the Advisor has appointed a Risk and Investment Operations Committee, consisting of senior personnel from each of the Advisor’s functional departments. This Committee reports periodically to the Board and the Contracts, Legal & Risk Committee on risk management matters. The Advisor’s risk management program is part of the overall risk management program of John Hancock, the Advisor’s parent company. John Hancock’s Chief Risk Officer supports the Advisor’s risk management program, and at the Board’s request will report on risk management matters.

 

Compensation of Trustees and Officers

 

The Trust pays fees only to its Independent Trustees. Trustees also are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. Each Independent Trustee receives in the aggregate from the Trust and the other open-end funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex an annual retainer of $210,000, a fee of $15,000 for each regular meeting of the Trustees that he or she attends in person and a fee of $2,500 for each special meeting of the Trustees that he or she attends in person. The Chairperson of the Board receives an additional retainer of $150,000. The Vice Chairperson of the Board receives an additional retainer of $10,000. The Chairperson of each of the Audit Committee, Compliance Committee and Contracts, Legal & Risk Committee receives an additional $30,000 retainer. The Chairperson of each Investment Sub-Committee receives an additional $10,000 retainer. The following table provides information regarding the compensation paid by the Trust and the other investment companies in the John Hancock Fund Complex to the Independent Trustees for their services during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

 

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Compensation Table (1)

 

Name of Trustee Total Compensation from
 the Trust
  Total Compensation from the Trust and
 the John Hancock Fund Complex  (2)
Independent Trustees (3)      
Charles L. Bardelis (4) $15,579   $416,250
Peter S. Burgess (4) $16,742   $458,000
William H. Cunningham $15,576   $361,250
Grace K. Fey (4) $15,576   $416,250
Theron S. Hoffman (4) $15,576   $416,250
Deborah C. Jackson $15,016   $351,250
Hassell H. McClellan (4) $16,742   $441,250
James M. Oates (4) $23,235   $608,000
Steven R. Pruchansky $15,458   $358,750
Gregory A. Russo $16,742   $386,250
 Non-Independent Trustees      
Craig Bromley (4) $0   $0
Warren A. Thomson (4) $0   $0

 

______

(1) Compensation received for services as a Trustee for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013. The Trust does not have a pension or retirement plan for any of its Trustees or officers. With respect to Messrs. Cunningham and Pruchansky, the John Hancock Fund Complex compensation for this period included fees deferred under the John Hancock Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) with a value as of October 31, 2013 of $356,657 and $509,784, respectively. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, which was terminated in November 2012, Messrs. Cunningham and Pruchansky had elected to have their deferred fees invested in shares of one or more funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex, with the amounts ultimately payable to them under the Deferred Compensation Plan to be determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees’ fees did not obligate the John Hancock funds to retain the services of either such Trustee or obligate such funds to pay any particular level of compensation to the Trustee. Under these circumstances, each such Trustee was not the legal owner of the underlying shares, but did realize any positive or negative return on those shares to the same extent as all other shareholders. As a result of the termination of the Deferred Compensation Plan, the amounts remaining in the Deferred Compensation Plan for these Trustees were paid in full in February 2014.

 

(2) There were approximately 233 series in the John Hancock Fund Complex as of October 31, 2013.

 

(3) In addition to the Independent Trustees listed above, during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, John A. Moore received compensation from the Trust and the John Hancock Fund Complex for his service as Independent Trustee. Dr. Moore retired as a Trustee effective as of December 1, 2012. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, compensation received from the Trust and from the John Hancock Fund Complex by Dr. Moore was $2,245 and $18,500, respectively. The John Hancock Fund Complex compensation for Dr. Moore includes amounts contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan described above, which, as of October 31, 2013, had a value of $0. In January 2013, as a result of their separation from the Board, aggregate deferred compensation accrued under the Deferred Compensation Plan was paid to Dr. Moore in the amount of $374,265.

 

(4) Messrs. Bardelis, Bromley, Burgess, Hoffman, McClellan, Oates and Thomson and Ms. Fey began service as Trustees to the Trust as of December 1, 2012.

 

Trustee Ownership of Shares of the Fund

 

The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of the shares of the Fund, and the dollar range of the aggregate value of the shares of all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex overseen by a Trustee, owned beneficially by the Trustees as of December 31, 2013. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. Trustees may own shares beneficially through group annuity contracts. Exact dollar amounts of securities held are not listed in the table. Rather, the ranges are identified according to the following key:

 

A - $0

B - $1 up to and including $10,000

 

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C - $10,001 up to and including $50,000

D - $50,001 up to and including $100,000

E - $100,001 or more

 

Trustees John
Hancock
Disciplined
International
Value Fund
  Total – John
Hancock Fund
Complex
Independent Trustees      
Charles L. Bardelis A   E
Peter S. Burgess A   E
William H. Cunningham A   E
Grace K. Fey A   E
Theron S. Hoffman A   E
Deborah C. Jackson A   E
Hassell H. McClellan A   E
James M. Oates A   E
Steven R. Pruchansky A   E
Gregory A. Russo A   E
Non-Independent Trustees      
Craig Bromley A   E
Warren A. Thomson A   E

 

SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND

 

The Fund will commence operations after the closing of the reorganization of the Robeco Fund into the Fund. Therefore, there are no shares of the Fund outstanding as of the date of this SAI. Accordingly, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group beneficially owned no shares of any class of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER SERVICES

 

The Advisory Agreement

 

The Fund has entered into an investment management contract (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Advisor. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor selects, contracts with, and compensates one or more subadvisors to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. The Advisor monitors the compliance of the subadvisor with the investment objectives and related policies of the Fund and reviews the performance of the subadvisor and reports periodically on such performance to the Trustees. The Advisor may elect directly to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Trustees. In directly managing the assets, the Advisor will have the same responsibilities as those described below with respect to the subadvisor under a subadvisory agreement.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, in conjunction with the Fund’s subadvisor, the Advisor will: (i) furnish continuously an investment program for the Fund and determine, subject to the overall supervision and review of the Trustees, which investments should be purchased, held, sold or exchanged; and (ii) provide supervision over all aspects of the Fund’s operations except those that are delegated to a custodian, transfer agent or other agent.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor may elect directly to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Trustees. In directly managing the assets, the Advisor will have the same responsibilities as those described below with respect to the subadvisor under the subadvisory agreement.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Advisor in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.

 

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Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund may use the name “John Hancock” or any name derived from or similar to it only for so long as the Advisory Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof remains in effect. If the Agreement is no longer in effect, the Fund (to the extent that it lawfully can) will cease to use such name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or otherwise connected with the Advisor. In addition, the Advisor or The Manufacturer’s Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Manulife Financial (the “Life Company”), may grant the nonexclusive right to use the name “John Hancock” or any similar name to any other corporation or entity, including but not limited to any investment company of which the Life Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any successor to the business of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall be the investment advisor.

 

The continuation of the Advisory Agreement and the Distribution Agreement (discussed below) were each approved by all Trustees. The Advisory Agreement and the Distribution Agreement will continue in effect from year to year, provided that each Agreement’s continuance is approved annually both: (i) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or by the Trustees; and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement, or “interested persons” of any such parties. Each of these Agreements may be terminated on 60 days’ written notice by any party or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and will terminate automatically if assigned.

 

Personnel of the Advisor and its affiliates may trade securities for their personal accounts. The Fund also may hold, or may be buying or selling, the same securities. To prevent the Fund from being disadvantaged, the Advisor, the subadvisor, the Distributor and the Trust have adopted codes of ethics that restrict the trading activity of those personnel.

 

The Fund bears all the costs of its organization and operation, including but not limited to expenses of preparing, printing and mailing all shareholders’ reports, notices, prospectuses, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; expenses relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares; government fees; interest charges; expenses of furnishing to shareholders their account statements; taxes; expenses of redeeming shares; brokerage and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio securities transactions; expenses pursuant to the Fund’s plan of distribution; fees and expenses of custodians including those for keeping books and accounts, maintaining a committed line of credit and calculating the NAV of shares; fees and expenses of transfer agents and dividend disbursing agents; legal, accounting, financial, management, tax and auditing fees and expenses of the Fund (including an allocable portion of the cost of the Advisor’s employees rendering such services to the Fund); the compensation and expenses of officers and Trustees (other than persons serving as President or Trustee who are otherwise affiliated with the Fund, the Advisor or any of their affiliates); expenses of Trustees’ and shareholders’ meetings; trade association memberships (as explicitly approved by the Trustees); insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses.

 

Securities held by the Fund also may be held by other funds or investment advisory clients for which the Advisor, subadvisor or their respective affiliates provide investment advice. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more funds or clients when one or more are selling the same security. If opportunities for purchase or sale of securities by the Advisor or subadvisor for the Fund or for other funds or clients for which the Advisor or subadvisor renders investment advice arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds or clients in a manner deemed equitable to all of them. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Advisor or subadvisor or their respective affiliates may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.

 

Advisor Compensation. As compensation for its advisory services under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor receives a fee from the Trust computed separately for the Fund. The amount of the advisory fee is determined by applying the daily equivalent of an annual fee rate to the net assets of the Fund. The Fund pays the advisory fee daily. The management fees the Fund currently is obligated to pay the Advisor are as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectuses.

 

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From time to time, the Advisor may reduce its fee or make other arrangements to limit the Fund’s expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets. The Advisor retains the right to re-impose a fee and recover any other payments to the extent that, at the end of any fiscal year, the Fund’s annual expenses fall below this limit.

 

Service Agreement. Pursuant to a Service Agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing, at the expense of the Trust, certain financial, accounting and administrative services such as legal services, tax, accounting, valuation, financial reporting and performance, compliance and service oversight. Pursuant to the Service Agreement, the Advisor shall determine, subject to Board approval, the expenses to be reimbursed by the Fund; provided, however, that such expenses shall not exceed levels that are fair and reasonable in light of the usual and customary charges made by others for services of the same nature and quality. Pursuant to the Service Agreement, the reimbursement shall be calculated and paid monthly in arrears.

 

The Advisor is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Service Agreement relates, except losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by the Advisor in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by the Advisor of its obligations under the Agreement.

 

The Service Agreement is subject to annual approval by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, or the Advisor may terminate the Agreement at any time without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties, without obtaining shareholder approval.

 

The Subadvisory Agreement

 

Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”) serves as subadvisor to the Fund.

 

Duties of the Subadvisor. Under the terms of the current subadvisory agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”), the subadvisor manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board and the Advisor. The subadvisor formulates a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with its investment objectives and policies outlined in the Prospectuses. The subadvisor implements such programs by purchases and sales of securities and regularly reports to the Advisor and the Board with respect to the implementation of such programs. The subadvisor, at its expense, furnishes all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of personnel required for it to execute its duties, as well as administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel, and equipment necessary for the conduct of the investment affairs of the Fund. Additional information about the Fund’s portfolio managers, including other accounts managed, ownership of Fund shares, and compensation structure, can be found at Appendix B to this SAI.

 

The Advisor has delegated to the subadvisor the responsibility to vote all proxies relating to securities held by the Fund in accordance with the subadvisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The subadvisor has a duty to vote or not vote such proxies in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders and to avoid the influence of conflicts of interest.

 

Subadvisory Fees. As compensation for its services, the subadvisor receives fees from the Advisor computed separately for the Fund.

 

Robeco Business Arrangement. In connection with the reorganization of Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund into John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund, the Advisor and Robeco have entered into an overall business arrangement under which Robeco has agreed not to offer investment management services to another registered investment company of certain competitors of the Advisor that have similar investment strategies to those it manages for the Advisor for a certain period of time. [As part of this arrangement, the Advisor has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and not John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund or the Trust) will pay to Robeco a specified amount if the Robeco subadvisory agreement for the Fund is terminated within a three-year period after the closing of the reorganization.] Neither the Trust nor either of John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund or Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or their respective Boards. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because the Advisor has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the

 

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Robeco subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of the Advisor to Robeco.

 

Additional Information Applicable to the Subadvisory Agreement

 

Term of the Subadvisory Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement will initially continue in effect as to the Fund for a period no more than two years from the date of its execution (or the execution of an amendment making the agreement applicable to the Fund) and thereafter if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually either: (a) by the Trustees; or (b) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. In either event, such continuance also shall be approved by the vote of the majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the Agreement.

 

Any required shareholder approval of any continuance of any of the Agreement shall be effective with respect to the Fund if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund votes to approve such continuance even if such continuance may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of: (a) any other series of the Trust affected by the Agreement; or (b) all of the series of the Trust.

 

Failure of Shareholders to Approve Continuance of the Subadvisory Agreement. If the outstanding voting securities of the Fund fail to approve any continuance of the Subadvisory Agreement, the party may continue to act as investment subadvisor with respect to the Fund pending the required approval of the continuance of such Agreement or a new agreement with either that party or a different subadvisor, or other definitive action.

 

Termination of the Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party or parties to the Agreement, and also to the Fund. The following parties may terminate the Subadvisory Agreement:

 

the Board;
with respect to the Fund, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
the Advisor; and
the subadvisor.

 

The Subadvisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

 

Amendments to the Subadvisory Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement may be amended by the parties to the agreement, provided that the amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (except as noted below) and by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees.

 

The required shareholder approval of any amendment to the Subadvisory Agreement shall be effective with respect to the Fund if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund votes to approve the amendment, even if the amendment may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of: (a) any other series of the Trust affected by the amendment; or (b) all the series of the Trust.

 

As noted under “Who’s who — Investment advisor” in the Prospectuses, an SEC order permits the Advisor, subject to approval by the Board and a majority of the Independent Trustees, to appoint a subadvisor (other than an Affiliated Subadvisor) or change a subadvisory fee or otherwise amend a subadvisory agreement (other than for an Affiliated Subadvisor) pursuant to an agreement that is not approved by shareholders.

 

Other Services

 

Proxy Voting. Based on the terms of the current subadvisory agreement, the Trust’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Trust Procedures”) delegate to the subadvisor the responsibility to vote all proxies relating to securities held by the Fund in accordance with the subadvisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The subadvisor has a duty to vote or not vote such proxies in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, and to avoid the influence of conflicts of interest. In the event that the Advisor assumes day-to-day management

 

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responsibilities for the Fund, the Trust Procedures delegate proxy voting responsibilities to the Advisor. Complete descriptions of the Trust Procedures and the proxy voting procedures of the Advisor and the subadvisor are set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.

 

It is possible that conflicts of interest could arise for the subadvisor when voting proxies. Such conflicts could arise, for example, when the subadvisor or its affiliate has an existing business relationship with the issuer of the security being voted or with a third party that has an interest in the vote. A conflict of interest also could arise when the Fund, its Advisor or principal underwriter or any of their affiliates has an interest in the vote.

 

In the event that the subadvisor becomes aware of a material conflict of interest, the Trust Procedures generally require the subadvisor to follow any conflicts procedures that may be included in the subadvisor’s proxy voting procedures. Although conflicts procedures will vary among subadvisors, they generally include one or more of the following:

 

(a) voting pursuant to the recommendation of a third party voting service;

 

(b) voting pursuant to pre-determined voting guidelines; or

 

(c) referring voting to a special compliance or oversight committee.

 

The specific conflicts procedures of the subadvisor are set forth in its proxy voting procedures included in Appendix C. While these conflicts procedures may reduce the influence of conflicts of interest on proxy voting, such influence will not necessarily be eliminated.

 

Although the subadvisor may have a duty to vote all proxies on behalf of the Fund, it is possible that the subadvisor may not be able to vote proxies under certain circumstances. For example, it may be impracticable to translate in a timely manner voting materials that are written in a foreign language or to travel to a foreign country when voting in person rather than by proxy is required. In addition, if the voting of proxies for shares of a security prohibits the subadvisor from trading the shares in the marketplace for a period of time, the subadvisor may determine that it is not in the best interests of the Fund to vote the proxies. In addition, consistent with its duty to vote proxies in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders, the subadvisor may refrain from voting one or more of the Fund’s proxies if the subadvisor believes that the costs of voting such proxies may outweigh the potential benefits. For example, the subadvisor may choose not to recall securities where the subadvisor believes the costs of voting may outweigh the potential benefit of voting. The subadvisor also may choose not to recall securities that have been loaned in order to vote proxies for shares of the security since the Fund would lose security lending income if the securities were recalled.

 

Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 th is available (1) without charge upon request, by calling 800-344-1029 (attention: Secretary) and (2) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS

 

The Trust has a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC, an affiliate of the Advisor (the “Distributor”), located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor is obligated to use its best efforts to sell shares of each class of the Fund. Shares of the Fund also are sold by selected broker-dealers, banks and registered investment advisors (“Selling Firms”) that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor. These Selling Firms are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Distributor accepts orders for the purchase of the shares of the Fund that are continually offered at NAV next determined, plus an applicable sales charge, if any. Class I, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 and Class R6 shares of the Fund are offered without a front-end sales load or contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”). In connection with the sale of Class A shares of the Fund, the Distributor and Selling Firms receive compensation from a sales charge imposed at the time of sale. In the case of Class C shares, the Selling Firms receive compensation immediately but the Distributor is compensated on a deferred basis. Neither the Distributor nor Selling Firms receive any compensation with respect to the sale of Class R6 shares of the Fund.

 

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With respect to share classes other than Class R6, the Distributor may make, either from Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, if applicable, or out of its own resources, additional payments to financial intermediaries (firms), such as broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisors, independent financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. These payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” No such payments are made with respect to the Fund’s Class R6 shares.

 

The Fund does not issue share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. The Trustees reserve the right to change or waive the Fund’s minimum investment requirements and to reject any order to purchase shares (including purchase by exchange) when in the judgment of the Advisor such rejection is in the Fund’s best interest.

 

The Board has adopted distribution plans with respect to each class of shares (other than Class I, Class NAV and Class R6 shares) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Rule 12b-1 Plans”). Under the Rule 12b-1 Plans, the Fund may pay distribution and service fees at an aggregate annual rate of up to 0.30% for Class A shares, 1.00% for Class C shares, 0.50% for Class R1 shares, 0.25% for Class R2 shares, 0.50% for Class R3 shares, 0.25% for Class R4 shares and 0.00% for Class R5 shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares of the respective class of shares. However, the service portion of the Rule 12b-1 fees will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares.

 

The Distributor has contractually agreed to limit the Rule 12b-1 distribution and service fees for Class R4 shares of the Fund to 0.15% until [____].

 

The Fund’s Rule 12b-1 Plans are “compensation” plans. Under a compensation Rule 12b-1 Plan, the Distributor will retain the entire amount of the payments made to it, even if such amount exceeds the Distributor’s actual distribution-related expenses for the applicable fiscal year.

 

The distribution portion of the fees payable pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plans may be spent on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the particular class, including but not limited to: (i) compensation to Selling Firms and others (including affiliates of the Distributor) that are engaged in or support the sale of Fund shares; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Fund shares. The service portion of the fees payable pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plans may be used to compensate Selling Firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.

 

The Rule 12b-1 Plans and all amendments were approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, by votes cast in person at meetings called for the purpose of voting on the Rule 12b-1 Plans.

 

Pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plans, at least quarterly, the Distributor provides the Advisor with a written report of the amounts expended under the Rule 12b-1 Plans and the purpose for which these expenditures were made. The Trustees review these reports on a quarterly basis to determine their continued appropriateness.

 

Each Rule 12b-1 Plan provides that it will continue in effect only so long as its continuance is approved at least annually by a majority of both the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. Each Rule 12b-1 Plan provides that it may be terminated without penalty: (a) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees; and (b) by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares of the applicable class, in each case upon 60 days’ written notice to the Distributor. Each Rule 12b-1 Plan further provides that it may not be amended to increase materially the maximum amount of the fees for the services described therein without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the class of the Fund that has voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plans provide that no material amendment to the Rule 12b-1 Plans will be effective unless it is approved by a majority vote of the Trustees and the Independent Trustees of the Trust. The holders of Class A, Class C, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 Plans applicable to their class of shares. In adopting the Rule 12b-1 Plans, the Trustees concluded that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Rule 12b-1 Plans will benefit the holders of the applicable classes of shares of the Fund.

 

Class I, Class R6 and Class NAV shares of the Fund are not subject to any Rule 12b-1 Plan. Expenses associated with the obligation of the Distributor to use its best efforts to sell Class I, Class R6 and Class NAV shares will be

 

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paid by the Advisor or by the Distributor and will not be paid from the fees paid under the Rule 12b-1 Plan for any other class of shares. In addition, expenses associated with the obligation of the Distributor to use its best efforts to sell Class R5 shares will be paid by the Advisor or by the Distributor and will not be paid by the Fund.

 

Amounts paid to the Distributor by any class of shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of that Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, the Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other mutual funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by the Fund in proportion to the relative NAVs of the Fund and the other funds.

 

Each Rule 12b-1 Plan recognizes that the Advisor may use its management fee revenue under the Advisory Agreement with the Fund as well as its past profits or other resources from any source to make payments with respect to expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of shares of the Fund. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to the Advisor should be deemed to be the indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of a class within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, such payments are deemed to be authorized by the Rule 12b-1 Plan.

 

Class R Service Plans. The Trust has adopted separate service plans with respect to Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares of the Fund (the “Class R Service Plans”). The Class R Service Plans authorize the Fund to pay securities dealers, plan administrators or other service organizations who agree to provide certain services to retirement plans or plan participants holding shares of the Fund a service fee of up to a specified percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the applicable class of shares held by such plan participants. The percentages are 0.25% for Class R1 shares, 0.25% for Class R2 shares, 0.15% for Class R3 shares, 0.10% for Class R4 shares and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. The services may include (a) acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder and nominee for all plan participants; (b) maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns the applicable class of shares; (c) processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange the applicable class of shares on behalf of plan participants, and handling the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds; (d) addressing plan participant questions regarding their accounts and the Fund; and (e) other services related to servicing such retirement plans.

 

SALES COMPENSATION

 

As part of their business strategy, the Fund, along with the Distributor, pay compensation to Selling Firms that sell the shares of the Fund. These firms typically pass along a portion of this compensation to your broker or financial representative.

 

The primary sources of Selling Firm compensation payments for sales of shares of the Fund are: (1) the Rule 12b-1 fees that are applicable to the class of shares being sold and that are paid out of the Fund’s assets; and (2) in the case of Class A and Class C shares, sales charges paid by investors. The sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees are detailed in the relevant Prospectuses and under “Distribution Agreements,” “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares” and “Deferred Sales Charge on Class A and Class C Shares” in this SAI. For Class I and Class NAV shares, the Distributor may make a one-time payment at the time of initial purchase out of its own resources to a Selling Firm that sells shares of the Fund. This payment may not exceed 0.15% of the amount invested.

 

Initial compensation. Whenever an investor purchases Class A or Class C shares of the Fund, the Selling Firm receives a reallowance/payment/commission as described in the section “First Year Brokerage or Other Selling Firm Compensation.” The Selling Firm also receives the first year’s Rule 12b-1 service fee at that time.

 

Annual compensation. For Class A and Class C shares of the Fund, beginning in the second year after an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual Rule 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of the average daily net (aged) assets of the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, as applicable. In addition, beginning in the second year after an investment is made in Class C shares of the Fund, the Distributor will pay the Selling Firm a distribution fee in an amount not to exceed 0.75% of average daily net (aged) assets. In certain cases, for Class A shares, Rule 12b-1 fees

 

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are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears.

 

For Class R1 and Class R3 shares of the Fund, beginning with the first year an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual Rule 12b-1 distribution fee of 0.50% of its average daily net assets. For Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the Fund, beginning with the first year an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual Rule 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of its average daily net assets, except that the annual Rule 12b-1 distribution fee payable to Selling Firms for Class R4 shares is limited to 0.15% of the average daily net assets of Class R4 shares for the Fund until [____]. For more information, see the table below under the column captioned “Selling Firm receives Rule 12b-1 service fees.” These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears.

 

Rollover Program Compensation. The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 457(b) of the Code that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (“Rollover Compensation”) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock sponsored custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA invested in shares of John Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid to the broker-dealer at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for John Hancock Money Market Fund, a series of John Hancock Current Interest (the “Money Market Fund”)) under the rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. The Rollover Compensation is not related to the reallowance and/or Rule 12b-1 fees that a broker-dealer may earn as broker-dealer of record in connection with sales of John Hancock funds.

 

Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries. Shares of the Fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries (firms), such as broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisors, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators. In addition to sales charges, which are payable by shareholders, or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, which are paid by the Fund, the Distributor may make, either from Rule 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional payments to firms. These payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” Many firms that sell shares of the Fund receive one or more types of these cash payments. The categories of payments that the Distributor provides to firms are described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive and the Distributor may make additional types of revenue sharing payments in the future. The same firms may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in the Distributor’s efforts to promote the sale of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The Distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The Distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the Fund and that are willing to cooperate with the Distributor’s promotional efforts. The Distributor does not make an independent assessment of the cost of providing such services.

 

As of [____], 2014, the following member firms of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) have arrangements in effect with the Distributor pursuant to which the firm is entitled to a revenue sharing payment at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the value of the Fund shares sold or serviced by the firm:

 

[TO BE UPDATED BY AMENDMENT]

 

1st Global Capital Corp. Infinex Investments Inc.
Advisor Group – FSC Securities Corporation ING Financial Partners, Inc.
Advisor Group – Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.
Advisor Group – Sagepoint Financial, Inc. Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC
Advisor Group – Woodbury Financial Services John Hancock Financial Network
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. J.J.B. Hilliard. W.L. Lyons, Inc.
AXA Advisors, LLC Key Investment Services
Banc of America/Merrill Lynch Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc.

 

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BOSC, Inc. Lincoln Financial Network
Cambridge Investment Research MML Investor Services, Inc.
CCO Investment Services Money Concepts Capital Corp.
Centaurus Financial, Inc. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
Cetera – Advisor Network LLC NFP Securities, Inc.
Cetera – Advisors LLC NPH – Investment Centers of America
Cetera – Financial Institutions NPH – Invest Financial Corporation
Cetera – Financial Specialists, Inc. NPH – National Planning Corp.
CISC, Inc. NPH-SII Investments, Inc.
Charles Schwab ProEquities, Inc.
Commonwealth Financial Network Raymond James and Associates, Inc.
Crown Capital Securities L.P. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
Cuso Financial Services RBC Capital Markets Corporation
Fintegra LLC Robert W. Baird & Co.
First Allied Securities, Inc. Stifel, Nicolaus & Co, Inc.
First Command Financial Planning The Investment Center, Inc.
First Tennessee Brokerage, Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
First Third Bank UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Geneos Wealth Management Unionbanc Investment Services
H.D. Vest Investment Services, Inc. Wells Fargo Advisors
Independent Financial Group  

 

The Distributor also has arrangements with intermediaries that are not members of FINRA.

 

Sales and Asset Based Payments. The Distributor makes revenue sharing payments as incentives to certain firms to promote and sell shares of the Fund. The Distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the Fund’s net assets, which, as well as benefiting the Fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the Advisor and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the Fund in its sales system or give the Distributor additional access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, a firm may agree to participate in the marketing efforts of the Distributor by allowing it to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients that have invested in the Fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue sharing payments may provide a firm with an incentive to favor the Fund.

 

The revenue sharing payments the Distributor makes may be calculated on sales of shares of the Fund (“Sales-Based Payments”). Such payments also may be calculated on the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to that particular financial intermediary (“Asset-Based Payments”). Sales-Based Payments primarily create incentives to make new sales of shares of the Fund and Asset-Based Payments primarily create incentives to retain previously sold shares of the Fund in investor accounts. The Distributor may pay a firm either or both Sales-Based Payments and Asset-Based Payments.

 

Administrative and Processing Support Payments. The Distributor also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the Fund for certain administrative services, including recordkeeping and sub-accounting shareholder accounts, to the extent that the Fund does not pay for these costs directly. The Distributor also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the Fund in connection with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction processing. The types of payments that the Distributor may make under this category include, among others, payment of ticket charges per purchase or exchange order placed by a financial intermediary, payment of networking fees in connection with certain mutual fund trading systems, or one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up the Fund on a firm’s mutual fund trading system.

 

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Other Cash Payments. From time to time, the Distributor may provide, either from Rule 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional compensation to firms that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the Fund. Such compensation provided by the Distributor may include financial assistance to firms that enable the Distributor to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client entertainment, client and investor events, and other firm-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with client prospecting, retention and due diligence trips. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. The Distributor makes payments for entertainment events it deems appropriate, subject to the Distributor’s guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the relationship.

 

The Distributor and its affiliates may have other relationships with firms relating to the provisions of services to the Fund, such as providing omnibus account services or transaction processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for the Fund. If a firm provides these services, the Advisor or the Fund may compensate the firm for these services. In addition, a firm may have other compensated or uncompensated relationships with the Advisor or its affiliates that are not related to the Fund.

 

First Year Brokerage or Other Selling Firm Compensation

 

  Investor pays sales
charge

(% of offering
price) (1)
Selling Firm
receives
commission (2)
Selling Firm
receives Rule 12b-1
service fee (3)
Total Selling Firm
compensation (4)(5)
Class A investments        
Up to $49,999 5.00% 4.01% 0.25% 4.25%
$50,000 - $99,999 4.50% 3.51% 0.25% 3.75%
$100,000 - $249,999 3.50% 2.61% 0.25% 2.85%
$250,000 - $499,999 2.50% 1.86% 0.25% 2.10%
$500,000 - $999,999 2.00% 1.36% 0.25% 1.60%
         
Investments in Class A share s of $1 million or more        
First $1M - $4,999,999 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
Next $1 - $5M above that 0.25% 0.25% 0.50%
Next $1 or more above that 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
         
Investments in Class A shares by certain Retirement Plans (6)        
First $1 - $4,999,999 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
Next $1 - $5M above that 0.25% 0.25% 0.50%
Next $1 or more above that 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
         
Class C investments        
All amounts 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
         
Class R1 investments (7)        
All amounts 0.00% 0.50% 0.50%
         
Class R2 investments (7)        
All amounts 0.00% 0.25% 0.25%
         
Class R3 investments (7)        
All amounts 0.00% 0.50% 0.50%

 

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  Investor pays sales
charge

(% of offering
price) (1)
Selling Firm
receives
commission (2)
Selling Firm
receives Rule 12b-1
service fee (3)
Total Selling Firm
compensation (4)(5)
Class R4 investments (7)        
All amounts 0.00% 0.15% 0.15%
         
Class R5 investments        
All amounts 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
         
Class I investments (8)        
All amounts 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
         
Class R6 investments        
All amounts 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

 

(1) See “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares” for discussion on how to qualify for a reduced sales charge. The Distributor may take recent redemptions into account in determining if an investment qualifies as a new investment.

 

(2) For Class A investments under $1 million, a portion of the Selling Firm’s commission is paid out of the front-end sales charge.

 

(3) For Class A and Class C shares, the Selling Firm receives Rule 12b-1 fees in the first year as a percentage of the amount invested and after the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. Monthly payments are made in arrears. In certain circumstances, Rule 12b-1 fees are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. This compensation applies to the following: Selling Firms with a fee-based/WRAP program agreement with the Distributor, certain retirement platforms with over 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund account or $1 million in plan assets, and Selling Firms that roll over assets from a terminated participant’s qualified plan, which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA investing in John Hancock funds. Monthly payments are made in arrears.

 

(4) Selling Firm commission and Rule 12b-1 service fee percentages are calculated from different amounts, and therefore may not equal the total Selling Firm compensation percentages if combined using simple addition.

 

(5) Underwriter retains the balance.

 

(6) Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges. These purchases consist of $1 million or more purchases by employer sponsored defined contribution retirement plans investing $1 million or more or with 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase.

 

(7) For purchases of Class R1, Class R2, Class R3 and Class R4 shares, beginning with the first year an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual Rule 12b-1 service fee paid monthly in arrears. See “Distribution Agreements” for description of Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 Service Plan charges and payments.

 

(8) The Distributor may make a one-time payment at time of initial purchase out of its own resources to a Selling Firm that sells Class I shares of the Fund. This payment may be up to 0.15% of the amount invested.

 

CDSC revenues collected by the Distributor may be used to pay Selling Firm commissions when there is no initial sales charge.

 

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NET ASSET VALUE

 

The NAV for each class of the Fund is determined each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) by dividing the class’s net assets by the number of its shares outstanding. Equity securities traded principally in foreign markets are valued using the last sale price or official closing price in the relevant exchange or market, as adjusted by an independent pricing vendor to reflect fair value. On any day a foreign market is closed and the NYSE is open, any foreign securities will be valued using the last price or official closing price obtained from the relevant exchange on the prior business day adjusted based on information provided by an independent pricing vendor to reflect fair value. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and U.S. business holidays on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the Fund’s portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the Fund’s redeemable securities may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.

 

Portfolio securities are valued by various methods that are generally described below. Most equity securities that are traded on a stock exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of the relevant exchange or, lacking any sales that day, at the last available bid prices. Certain exceptions exist; for example, securities traded on the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are valued at the official closing price. Debt obligations are valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor or from broker-dealers. Certain short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate provided by an independent pricing vendor. Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement price. Certain futures contracts may be valued using last traded prices.

 

Shares of other open-end investment companies that are not ETFs held by the Fund are valued based on the NAVs of such other investment companies.

 

As noted in the Prospectus, in certain instances, the Trust’s Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and accordingly may determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.

 

POLICY REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Board has adopted a Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings, to protect the interests of the shareholders of the Fund and to address potential conflicts of interest that could arise between the interests of shareholders and the interests of the Advisor, or the interests of the Fund’s subadvisors, principal underwriter or affiliated persons of the Advisor, subadvisors or principal underwriter. The Trust’s general policy with respect to the release of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to unaffiliated persons is to do so only in limited circumstances and only to provide nonpublic information regarding portfolio holdings to any person, including affiliated persons, on a “need to know” basis and, when released, to release such information only as consistent with applicable legal requirements and the fiduciary duties owed to shareholders. The Trust applies its policy uniformly to all potential recipients of such information, including individual and institutional investors, intermediaries, affiliated persons of the Fund, and all third party service providers and rating agencies.

 

The Trust posts to its website at jhinvestments.com complete portfolio holdings a number of days after each calendar month end as described in the Prospectuses. The Fund also discloses its complete portfolio holdings information quarterly to the SEC using Form N-Q within 60 days of the end of the first and third quarters of the Trust’s fiscal year and on Form N-CSR after the second and fourth quarter ends of the Trust’s fiscal year. Form N-Q is not required to be mailed to shareholders, but is made public through the SEC electronic filings. Shareholders receive either complete portfolio holdings information or summaries of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with their annual and semi-annual reports.

 

Portfolio holdings information for the Fund that is not publicly available will be released only pursuant to the exceptions described in the Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Fund’s material nonpublic holdings information may be provided to the following unaffiliated persons as part of the investment activities of the

 

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Fund: entities that, by explicit agreement, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; rating organizations, such as Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, Morningstar and Lipper, Vestek (Thomson Financial) or other entities for the purpose of compiling reports and preparing data; proxy voting services for the purpose of voting proxies; entities providing computer software; courts (including bankruptcy courts) or regulators with jurisdiction over the Trust and its affiliates; and institutional traders to assist in research and trade execution. Exceptions to the portfolio holdings release policy can be approved only by the Trust’s CCO or the CCO’s duly authorized delegate after considering: (a) the purpose of providing such information; (b) the procedures that will be used to ensure that such information remains confidential and is not traded upon; and (c) whether such disclosure is in the best interest of the shareholders.

 

As of the date of this SAI, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are as presented in the table below. If not otherwise noted, portfolio holdings information is provided as frequently as daily with a one day lag.

 

[TO BE UPDATED BY AMENDMENT]

 

Advent Software (aggregation, reconciliation)   Lipper (ratings/surveys) (monthly; one-month lag)
Bloomberg (pricing) (monthly)   Mark It (back office functions)
BNP Paribas (leverage provider, pledging)   Morningstar (ratings/surveys) (monthly; one-month lag)
BNY Mellon (back office functions, fund administration, middle office functions)   NASDAQ (NAVs)
Brown Brothers Harriman (back office functions, compliance, reconciliation, securities lending)   PricewaterhouseCoopers (audit services) (audit cycles)
Capital Institutional Services (CAPIS) (commission recapture, rebalancing strategy, transition services)   Proxy Edge (ADP) (proxy voting)
Credit Suisse (leverage provider)   Risk Metrics (class actions, proxy voting) (monthly; two-month lag)
Deutsche Bank (securities lending)   RR Donnelley (printing)
Electra Information Systems (reconciliation)   SEI Investments (back office functions, middle office functions, portfolio accounting)
Elkins McSherry (trade execution analysis)   SimCorp (portfolio accounting)
FactSet (analytics, data gathering, systems support, performance, proxy voting)   SJ Levinson (proxy voting, trade execution analysis, proxy voting)
Failstation (matched/unmatched trades reporting)   SS&C Technologies (analytics, data gathering, reconciliation)
Financial Tracking (compliance)   Star Compliance (code of ethics monitoring)
GainsKeeper (tax reporting, wash sale & REIT data)   State Street Investment Management (back office functions)
Glass Lewis (proxy voting)   SunGard (securities lending)
Goldman Sachs (securities lending)   Swift (trade messaging)
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) (class actions, proxy voting)   Thomson Financial (pricing)
Interactive Data (pricing)   Thomson Reuters Vestek (analytics)
ITG Solutions (trade execution analysis)    

 

The CCO is required to pre-approve the disclosure of nonpublic information regarding the Fund’s portfolio holdings to any affiliated persons of the Trust. The CCO will use the same three considerations stated above before approving disclosure of the Fund’s nonpublic information to affiliated persons.

 

The CCO shall report to the Board whenever additional disclosures of the Fund’s portfolio holdings are approved. The CCO’s report shall be at the Board meeting following such approval. The CCO shall then provide annually a report to the Board regarding the operation of the policy and any material changes recommended as a result of such review.

 

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When the CCO believes that the disclosure of the Fund’s nonpublic information to an unaffiliated person presents a potential conflict of interest between the interest of the shareholders and the interest of affiliated persons of the Trust, the CCO shall refer the conflict to the Board. The Board shall then permit such disclosure of the Fund’s nonpublic information only if in its reasonable business judgment it concludes that such disclosure will be in the best interests of the Trust’s shareholders.

 

The receipt of compensation by the Fund, the Advisor, a subadvisor or an affiliate as consideration for disclosing the Fund’s nonpublic portfolio holdings information is not deemed a legitimate business purpose and is strictly forbidden.

 

Registered investment companies and separate accounts that are advised or subadvised by the Fund’s subadvisor may have investment objectives and strategies and, therefore, portfolio holdings, that potentially are similar to those of the Fund. Neither such registered investment companies and separate accounts nor the Fund’s subadvisor are subject to the Trust’s Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings, and may be subject to different portfolio holdings disclosure policies. The Fund’s subadvisor may not, and the Trust’s Board cannot, exercise control over policies applicable to separate subadvised funds and accounts.

 

In addition, the Advisor or the Fund’s subadvisor may receive compensation for furnishing to separate account clients (including sponsors of wrap accounts) model portfolios, the composition of which may be similar to those of the Fund. Such clients have access to their portfolio holdings and are not subject to the Trust’s Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. In general, the provision of portfolio management services and/or model portfolio information to wrap program sponsors is subject to contractual confidentiality provisions that the sponsor will only use such information in connection with the program, although there can be no assurance that this would be the case in an agreement between any particular Fund subadvisor that is not affiliated with the Advisor and a wrap account sponsor. Finally, the Advisor or the Fund’s subadvisor may distribute to investment advisory clients analytical information concerning a model portfolio, which information may correspond substantially to the characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio, provided that the Fund is not identified in any manner as being the model portfolio.

 

The potential provision of information in the various ways discussed in the preceding paragraph is not subject to the Trust’s Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings, as discussed above, and is not deemed to be the disclosure of the Fund’s nonpublic portfolio holdings information.

 

As a result of the Fund’s inability to control the disclosure of information as noted above, there can be no guarantee that this information would not be used in a way that adversely impacts the Fund. Nonetheless, the Fund has oversight processes in place to attempt to minimize this risk.

 

INITIAL SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES

 

Class A and Class C shares of the Fund are offered at a price equal to their NAV plus a sales charge that, in the case of Class A shares, is imposed at the time of purchase (the “initial sales charge”), or, in the case of Class C shares, on a contingent deferred basis (the “contingent deferred sales charge” or “CDSC”). The Trustees reserve the right to change or waive the Fund’s minimum investment requirements and to reject any order to purchase shares (including purchase by exchange) when in the judgment of the Advisor such rejection is in the Fund’s best interest.

 

The sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A shares of the Fund are described in the applicable Prospectus. Methods of obtaining reduced sales charges referred to generally in the Prospectuses are described in detail below. In calculating the sales charge applicable to current purchases of Class A shares of the Fund, the investor is entitled to accumulate current purchases with the current offering price of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class I2, Class R6, Class T, Class ADV or all Class R shares of the John Hancock funds owned by the investor (see “Combination and Accumulation Privileges” below).

 

In order to receive the reduced sales charge, the investor must notify his or her financial advisor and/or the financial advisor must notify the Fund’s transfer agent, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (“Signature Services”), at the time of purchase of the Class A shares, about any other John Hancock funds owned by the investor, the investor’s

 

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spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household (see “Combination and Accumulation Privileges” below). This includes investments held in an individual retirement account, including those held at a broker or financial advisor other than the one handling your current purchase. Additionally, individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) also may be aggregated if the investments are for a single trust estate or for a group retirement plan. Assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside of the plan.

 

John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase. Signature Services will automatically link certain accounts registered in the same client name, with the same taxpayer identification number, for the purpose of qualifying you for lower initial sales charge rates. You must notify Signature Services and your broker-dealer (financial advisor) at the time of purchase of any eligible accounts held by your spouse or children under 21, living in the same household in order to ensure these assets are linked to your accounts.

 

Without Sales Charges . Class A shares may be offered without a front-end sales charge or CDSC to various individuals and institutions as follows:

 

· A Trustee or officer of the Trust; a director or officer of the Advisor and its affiliates, subadvisors or Selling Firms; employees or sales representatives of any of the foregoing; retired officers, employees or directors of any of the foregoing; a member of the immediate family (spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, parent, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, niece, nephew and same sex domestic partner; “Immediate Family”) of any of the foregoing; or any fund, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the individuals described above.

 

· A broker, dealer, financial planner, consultant or registered investment advisor that has entered into a signed agreement with the Distributor providing specifically for the use of Fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based investment products or services made available to their clients.

 

· Financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not be charged a transaction fee.

 

· Individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to an IRA.

 

· Individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to a Roth IRA.

 

· Individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SARSEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock funds back to the original account type from which it was converted.

 

· Terminating participants in a pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts or for which John Hancock Trust Company serves as trustee, rolling over assets (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from such a plan to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, or the subsequent establishment of or any rollover into a new John Hancock fund account through John Hancock’s Personal Financial Services (PFS) Group by such terminating participants and/or their Immediate Family (as defined in the SAI), including subsequent investments into such accounts and which are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center.

 

· Participants in a terminating pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to such plan’s termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts or in trust by John Hancock Trust Company but have been transferred from such contracts or trust funds and are held either: (i) in trust by a

 

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distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made available through John Hancock), rolling over assets (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from such a plan to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, or the subsequent establishment of or any rollover into a new John Hancock fund account through John Hancock’s PFS Group by such participants and/or their Immediate Family (as defined in the SAI), including subsequent investments into such accounts and which are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center.

 

· Participants actively enrolled in a John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (RPS) plan account rolling over or transferring assets into a new John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds through the John Hancock PFS Group (to the extent such assets are otherwise prohibited from rolling over or transferring into the John Hancock RPS plan account), including subsequent investments into such accounts and which are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center.

 

· Individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account.

 

· Former employees/associates of John Hancock, its affiliates or agencies rolling over (directly or indirectly within 60 days after distribution) to a new John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA from the John Hancock Employee Investment-Incentive Plan (TIP), John Hancock Savings Investment Plan (SIP) or the John Hancock Pension Plan and such participants and their Immediate Family (as defined herein) subsequently establishing or rolling over assets into a new John Hancock account through the John Hancock PFS Group, including subsequent investments into such accounts and which are held directly at John Hancock funds or at the PFS Financial Center.

 

NOTE: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as described in Code Sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457 and not specified above as waiver-eligible will be subject to applicable sales charges.

 

· A member of a class action lawsuit against insurance companies who is investing settlement proceeds.

 

· Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A shares, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.

 

· Retirement plans investing through the PruSolutions SM program.

 

· Participants in certain qualified tuition programs under Section 529 of the Code (“529 Plans”) that have a signed agreement with the John Hancock Fund Complex. No CDSC will be due for redemptions on plan purchases made at NAV with no finder’s fee. However, if a plan had a finder’s fee or commission, and the entire plan redeemed within 12 months of the first investment in the plan, a CDSC would be due.

 

· Participant directed retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees at the inception of a Fund account that are currently invested in Class A shares of John Hancock funds. Each of these employees may purchase Class A shares with no initial sales charge, if the plan sponsor notifies Signature Services of the number of employees at the time the account is established. However, if all shares are redeemed within 12 months of the inception of the plan and a commission or finder’s fee was paid, a 1.00% CDSC will be imposed.

 

In-Kind Re-Registrations. A shareholder who has previously paid a sales charge, withdraws funds via a tax reportable transaction from one John Hancock fund account and reregisters those assets directly to another John

 

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Hancock fund account, without the assets ever leaving the John Hancock Fund Complex, may do so without paying a sales charge. The beneficial owner must remain the same, i.e., in-kind.

 

NOTE: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as described in Sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of the Code are not eligible for this provision, and will be subject to applicable sales charges.

 

Class A shares also may be purchased without an initial sales charge in connection with certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding companies.

 

Reducing Your Class A Sales Charges

 

Combination and Accumulation Privileges. In calculating the sales charge applicable to purchases of Class A shares made at one time, the purchases will be combined to reduce sales charges if made by (a) an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household, purchasing securities for his or their own account, (b) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or group retirement plan, and (c) groups which qualify for the Group Investment Program (see below). Individual qualified and non-qualified investments can be combined to take advantage of this privilege; however, assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside the plan.

 

Class A investors also may reduce their Class A sales charge by taking into account not only the amount being invested but also the current offering price of all the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class I2, Class R6, Class T, Class ADV and all Class R shares of all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex already held by such persons. However, Class A shares of Money Market Fund will be eligible for the accumulation privilege only if the investor has previously paid a sales charge on the amount of those shares. To receive a reduced sales charge, the investor must tell his or her financial advisor or Signature Services at the time of the purchase about any other John Hancock funds held by that investor, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household. Further information about combined purchases, including certain restrictions on combined group purchases, is available from Signature Services or a Selling Firm’s representative.

 

Group Investment Program. Under the Combination and Accumulation Privileges, all members of a group may combine their individual purchases of Class A shares to potentially qualify for breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. This feature is provided to any group that: (1) has been in existence for more than six months; (2) has a legitimate purpose other than the purchase of mutual fund shares at a discount for its members; (3) utilizes salary deduction or similar group methods of payment; and (4) agrees to allow sales materials of the Fund in its mailings to its members at a reduced or no cost to the Distributor.

 

Letter of Intention. Reduced Class A sales charges under the Combination and Accumulation Privileges also are applicable to investments made pursuant to a Letter of Intention (the “LOI”), which should be read carefully prior to its execution by an investor. The Fund offers two options regarding the specified period for making investments under the LOI. All investors have the option of making their investments over a specified period of thirteen (13) months. Individual investors who are using the Fund as a funding medium for their retirement plan account, however, may opt to make the necessary investments called for by the LOI over a forty-eight (48) month period. These retirement accounts include traditional, Roth IRA and Coverdell ESA, SEP, SARSEP, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k), 403(b) (including TSAs), SIMPLE 401(k), Money Purchase Plan, Profit Sharing and section 457 plans. An individual’s non-qualified and qualified retirement plan investments can be combined to satisfy an LOI (either 13 or 48 months). Since some retirement plans are held in an omnibus account, an investor wishing to count retirement plan holdings towards a Class A purchase must notify Signature Services and his or her financial advisor of these holdings. Such an investment (including accumulations, combinations and reinvested dividends) must aggregate $50,000 or more during the specified period from the date of the LOI or from a date within ninety (90) days prior thereto, upon written request to Signature Services. Purchases made within 90 days prior to the signing of an LOI will be counted towards fulfillment of the LOI, however, the original sales charge will not be recalculated for these previous purchases. The sales charge applicable to all amounts invested after an LOI is signed is computed as if the aggregate amount intended to be invested had been invested immediately. If such aggregate amount is not actually invested, the difference in the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge payable had the LOI not been in effect is due from the investor. However, for the purchases actually made within the specified period (either 13 or 48

 

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months) the applicable sales charge will not be higher than that which would have applied (including accumulations and combinations) had the LOI been for the amount actually invested.

 

The LOI authorizes Signature Services to hold in escrow sufficient Class A shares (approximately 5% of the aggregate) to make up any difference in sales charges on the amount intended to be invested and the amount actually invested, until such investment is completed within the specified period, at which time the escrowed Class A shares will be released. If the total investment specified in the LOI is not completed, the Class A shares held in escrow may be redeemed and the proceeds used as required to pay such sales charge as may be due. By signing the LOI, the investor authorizes Signature Services to act as his or her attorney-in-fact to redeem any escrowed Class A shares and adjust the sales charge, if necessary. A LOI does not constitute a binding commitment by an investor to purchase, or by the Fund to sell, any additional Class A shares and may be terminated at any time.

 

DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A AND CLASS C SHARES

 

Class A shares are available with no front-end sales charge on investments of $1 million or more. Class C shares are purchased at NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge. In each of these cases, the Fund will receive the full amount of the purchase payment.

 

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. There is a CDSC on any Class A shares upon which a commission or finder’s fee was paid that are sold within one year of purchase. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth in the applicable Prospectuses as a percentage of the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The CDSC will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost of the Class A or Class C shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the initial purchase prices or on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

 

Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of Class C shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first day of the month.

 

In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. It will be assumed that your redemption comes first from shares you have held beyond the one-year CDSC redemption period for Class A or Class C shares, or those you acquired through dividend and capital gain reinvestment. For this purpose, the amount of any increase in a share’s value above its initial purchase price is not subject to a CDSC. Thus, when a share that has appreciated in value is redeemed during the CDSC period, a CDSC is assessed only on its initial purchase price.

 

When requesting a redemption for a specific dollar amount, the shareholder should indicate if proceeds to equal the dollar amount requested are required. If not indicated, only the specified dollar amount will be redeemed from the shareholder’s account and the proceeds will be less any applicable CDSC.

Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to the Distributor and are used in whole or in part by the Distributor to defray its expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class A and Class C shares, such as the payment of compensation to select Selling Firms for selling Class A and Class C shares. The combination of the CDSC and the distribution and service fees facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class A and Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of the purchase.

 

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of Class C shares and Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC, unless indicated otherwise, in the circumstances defined below:

 

For all account types:

 

Redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception date of a retirement plan at John Hancock.

 

Redemptions of Class A shares by retirement plans that invested through the PruSolutions SM program.

 

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Redemptions made pursuant to the Fund’s right to liquidate your account if you own shares worth less than the stated account minimum in the section “Opening an account” in the Prospectuses.

 

Redemptions made under certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding companies.

 

Redemptions due to death or disability. (Does not apply to trust accounts unless trust is being dissolved.)

 

Redemptions made under the Reinstatement Privilege, as described in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” section of the applicable Prospectuses.

 

Redemption of Class C shares made under a periodic withdrawal plan or redemptions for fees charged by planners or advisors for advisory services, as long as your annual redemptions do not exceed 12% of your account value, including reinvested dividends, at the time you established your periodic withdrawal plan and 12% of the value of subsequent investments (less redemptions) in that account at the time you notify Signature Services. (Please note that this waiver does not apply to periodic withdrawal plan redemptions of Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC).

 

Rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by Signature Services as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b)(7) accounts.

 

Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A and Class C shares, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.

 

For Retirement Accounts (such as traditional, Roth IRAs and Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE IRAs, SIMPLE 401(k), Rollover IRA, TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and other plans as described in the Code) unless otherwise noted:

 

Redemptions made to effect mandatory or life expectancy distributions under the Code. (Waiver based on required, minimum distribution calculations for John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only.)

 

Returns of excess contributions made to these plans.

 

Redemptions made to effect certain distributions, as outlined in the chart on the following page, to participants or beneficiaries from employer sponsored retirement plans under sections 401(a) (such as Money Purchase Pension Plans and Profit-Sharing Plan/401(k) Plans), 403(b), 457 and 408 (SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs) of the Code.

 

Please see the following chart for some examples.

 

Type of
Distribution
  401 (a) Plan
(401 (k), MPP,
PSP) 457 &
408 (SEPs &
Simple IRAs)
  403 (b)   457   IRA, IRA
Rollover
  Non-retirement
Death or Disability   Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived
Over 70 1/2   Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived for required minimum distributions* or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   12% of account value annually in periodic payments
Between 59 1/2 and 70 ½   Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived for Life Expectancy or 12% of account value   12% of account value annually in periodic payments

 

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Type of
Distribution
  401 (a) Plan
(401 (k), MPP,
PSP) 457 &
408 (SEPs &
Simple IRAs)
  403 (b)   457   IRA, IRA
Rollover
  Non-retirement
                annually in periodic payments.    
Under 59 1/2 (Class C only)   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   12% of account value annually in periodic payments
Loans   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A   N/A
Termination of Plan   Not Waived   Waived   Not Waived   Not Waived   N/A
Hardships   Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders   Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A
Termination of Employment Before Normal Retirement Age   Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A
Return of Excess   Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A

____________

 

* Required minimum distributions based on John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only .

 

If you qualify for a CDSC waiver under one of these situations, you must notify Signature Services at the time you make your redemption. The waiver will be granted once Signature Services has confirmed that you are entitled to the waiver.

 

ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS R1, CLASS R3, CLASS R4 AND CLASS R5 SHARES

 

Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are available only to retirement plans, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs and SIMPLE IRAs where the shares are held on the books of the Fund through investment-only omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial service firm) that trade through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”).

 

ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS R2 SHARES

 

Class R2 shares are available only to qualified tuition programs under 529 plans distributed by John Hancock or one of its affiliates, and retirement plans (“Retirement Plans”) including pension, profit-sharing and other plans (“Plans”) qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Sections 403(b) or 457 of the Code, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans and traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs SIMPLE IRAs where the shares are held on the books of the Fund through omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial service firm) that trade through the NSCC.

 

ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS NAV SHARES

 

Class NAV shares are sold to certain affiliated funds, each of which is a fund of funds that invests in various other funds. Class NAV shares may also be sold to retirement plans for employees of John Hancock and/or Manulife affiliated companies only, including John Hancock qualified plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans,

 

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and separate investment accounts of John Hancock and its insurance affiliates and to the issuers of interests in the John Hancock Freedom 529 plan, including the Education Trust of Alaska.

 

SPECIAL REDEMPTIONS

 

Although it would not normally do so, the Fund has the right to pay the redemption price of shares of the Fund in whole or in part in Fund securities as prescribed by the Trustees. When a shareholder sells any securities received in a redemption of Fund shares, the shareholder will incur a brokerage charge. Any such securities would be valued for the purposes of fulfilling such a redemption request in the same manner as they are in computing the Fund’s NAV. The Fund has, however, elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act. Under that rule, the Fund must redeem its shares for cash except to the extent to that the redemption payments to any shareholder during any 90-day period would exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV at the beginning of such period.

 

The Trust has adopted Procedures Regarding Redemptions in Kind by Affiliates (the “Procedures”) to facilitate the efficient and cost effective movement of assets of the Fund and other funds managed by the Advisor or its affiliates (“Affiliated Funds”) in connection with certain investment and marketing strategies. It is the position of the SEC that the 1940 Act prohibits an investment company such as the Fund from satisfying a redemption request from a shareholder that is affiliated with the investment company by means of an in-kind distribution of portfolio securities. However, under a no-action letter issued by the SEC staff, a redemption in kind to an affiliated shareholder is permissible provided certain conditions are met. The Procedures, which are intended to conform to the requirements of this no-action letter, allow for in-kind redemptions by Fund and Affiliated Fund shareholders subject to specified conditions, including that:

 

· the distribution is effected through a pro rata distribution of securities of the distributing Fund or Affiliated Fund;
· the distributed securities are valued in the same manner as they are in computing the Fund’s or Affiliated Fund’s NAV;
· neither the affiliated shareholder nor any other party with the ability and the pecuniary incentive to influence the redemption in kind may select or influence the selection of the distributed securities; and
· the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, must determine on a quarterly basis that any redemptions in kind to affiliated shareholders made during the prior quarter were effected in accordance with the Procedures, did not favor the affiliated shareholder to the detriment of any other shareholder, and were in the best interests of the Fund and Affiliated Fund.

 

Potential Adverse Effects of Large Shareholder Redemptions

 

The Fund may from time to time sell to one or more investors, including other funds advised by the Advisor or third parties, a substantial amount of its shares, and may thereafter be required to satisfy redemption requests by such shareholders. Such sales and redemptions may be very substantial relative to the size of the Fund. While it is not possible to predict the overall effect of such sales and redemptions over time, such transactions may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is required to invest cash received in connection with a sale or to sell portfolio securities to facilitate a redemption at, in either case, a time when the Fund otherwise would not invest or sell. Such transactions also may increase the Fund’s transaction costs, which would detract from Fund performance. If the Fund is forced to sell portfolio securities that have appreciated in value, such sales may accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments result in gains.

 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

 

Exchange Privilege. The Trust permits exchanges of shares of any class of the Fund for shares of the same class in any other fund within the John Hancock Fund Complex offering that same class at the time of the exchange. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Identical registration is determined by having the same beneficial owner on both accounts involved in the exchange.

 

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Investors may exchange shares of any class of the Fund for the same class of other John Hancock funds. Class I, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 or Class R6 shareholders may exchange their shares for the same class of shares of other John Hancock funds or Class A shares of Money Market Fund. If a shareholder exchanges into Class A shares of Money Market Fund, any future exchanges out of Money Market Fund Class A shares must be to the same share class from which they were originally exchanged.

 

Exchanges between the Fund or other funds are based on their respective NAVs. No sales charge is imposed, except on exchanges of Class A shares from Money Market Fund to another John Hancock fund, if a sales charge has not previously been paid on those shares. Shares acquired in an exchange will be subject to the CDSC rate and holding schedule of the fund in which such shares were originally purchased if and when such shares are redeemed. For Class A shares, certain funds within the John Hancock Fund Complex have different CDSC rates and holding schedules and shareholders should review the prospectuses for funds with Class A shares before considering an exchange. For purposes of determining the holding period for calculating the CDSC, shares will continue to age from their original purchase date.

 

If a retirement plan exchanges the plan’s Class A account in its entirety from the Fund to a non-John Hancock investment, the one-year CDSC applies.

 

The Fund reserves the right to require that previously exchanged shares (and reinvested dividends) be in the Fund for 90 days before a shareholder is permitted a new exchange.

 

An exchange of shares is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and the purchase of shares of another for federal income tax purposes. An exchange may result in a taxable gain or loss. See “Additional Information Concerning Taxes.”

 

Conversion Privilege. Provided the Fund’s eligibility requirements are met, an investor who purchases Class I shares of the Fund pursuant to a fee-based, wrap or other investment platform program of certain firms, as determined by the Fund, may be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion of Class A or Class C shares of the Fund also owned by the investor to Class I shares of the Fund.

 

Conversion of Class A or Class C shares to Class I shares of the Fund in the particular circumstances described above should not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss. For further details, see “Additional Information Concerning Taxes” for information regarding the tax treatment of such conversions.

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The Trust permits the establishment of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Payments under this plan represent proceeds arising from the redemption of shares of the Fund. Since the redemption price of Fund shares may be more or less than the shareholder’s cost, depending upon the market value of the securities owned by the Fund at the time of redemption, the distribution of cash pursuant to this plan may result in realization of gain or loss for purposes of federal, state and local income taxes. The maintenance of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan concurrently with purchases of additional shares of the Fund could be disadvantageous to a shareholder because of the initial sales charge payable on such purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class C shares and because redemptions are taxable events. Therefore, a shareholder should not purchase shares at the same time a Systematic Withdrawal Plan is in effect. The Fund reserve the right to modify or discontinue the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of any shareholder on 30 days’ prior written notice to such shareholder, or to discontinue the availability of such plan in the future. The shareholder may terminate the plan at any time by giving proper notice to Signature Services.

 

Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program. The program is explained in the Fund’s Class A and Class C Prospectuses. The program, as it relates to automatic investment checks, is subject to the following conditions:

 

· The investments will be drawn on or about the day of the month indicated.

 

· The privilege of making investments through the MAAP may be revoked by Signature Services without prior notice if any investment is not honored by the shareholder’s bank. The bank shall be under no obligation to notify the shareholder as to the nonpayment of any checks.

 

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· The program may be discontinued by the shareholder either by calling Signature Services or upon written notice to Signature Services that is received at least five (5) business days prior to the due date of any investment.

 

Reinstatement or Reinvestment Privilege. If Signature Services and the financial advisor are notified prior to reinvestment, a shareholder who has redeemed shares of the Fund may, within 120 days after the date of redemption, reinvest, without payment of a sales charge, any part of the redemption proceeds in shares back into the same share class of the same John Hancock fund and account from which it was removed, subject to the minimum investment limit in that fund. The proceeds from the redemption of Class A shares of the Fund may be reinvested at NAV without paying a sales charge in Class A shares of the Fund. If a CDSC was paid upon a redemption, a shareholder may reinvest the proceeds from this redemption at NAV in additional shares of the same class, Fund and account from which the redemption was made. The shareholder’s account will be credited with the amount of any CDSC charged upon the prior redemption and the new shares will continue to be subject to the CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will, for purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption, include the holding period of the redeemed shares.

 

Redemption proceeds that are otherwise prohibited from being reinvested in the same account or the same fund may be invested in another account for the same shareholder in the same share class of the same fund (or different fund if the original fund is no longer available) without paying a sales charge. Any such reinvestment is subject to the minimum investment limit.

 

The Fund may refuse any reinvestment request and may change or cancel its reinvestment policies at any time.

 

A redemption or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes even if the reinvestment privilege is exercised, and any gain or loss realized by a shareholder on the redemption or other disposition of Fund shares will be treated for tax purposes as described under the caption “Additional Information Concerning Taxes.”

 

Retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch’s or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc.’s servicing programs:

 

· Class A shares are available at NAV for Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. retirement plans, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.

 

Section 403(b)(7) Accounts:

 

Section 403(b)(7) of the Code permits public school employers and employers of certain types of tax-exempt organizations to establish for their eligible employees custodial accounts for the purpose of providing for retirement income for such employees. Treasury regulations impose certain conditions on exchanges between one custodial account intended to qualify under Section 403(b)(7) (the “exchanged account”) and another contract or custodial account intended to qualify under Section 403(b) (the “replacing account”) under the same employer plan (a “Section 403(b) Plan”). Specifically, the replacing account agreement must include distribution restrictions that are no less stringent than those imposed under the exchanged account agreement, and the employer must enter into an agreement with the custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account under which the employer and the custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account will from time to time in the future provide each other with certain information.

 

Due to the Regulations:

 

1) The Fund does not accept requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts intended to qualify as a Section 403(b) Plan.

 

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2) The Fund does not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts ( i.e. , where yours is the replacing account).

 

3) The Fund requires certain signed disclosure documentation in the event:

 

· You established a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account with the Fund prior to September 24, 2007; and

 

· You direct the Fund to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b) contract or account (i.e., where the exchanged account is with the Fund).

 

4) The Fund does not accept salary deferrals into 403(b)(7) accounts.

 

In the event that the Fund does not receive the required documentation, and you nonetheless direct the Fund to proceed with the transfer, the transfer may be treated as a taxable transaction.

 

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES

 

Shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed through certain Selling Firms. Selling Firms may charge the investor additional fees for their services. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized Selling Firm, or if applicable, a Selling Firm’s authorized designee, receives the order. Orders may be processed at the NAV next calculated after the Selling Firm receives the order. The Selling Firm must segregate any orders it receives after the close of regular trading on the NYSE and transmit those orders to the Fund for execution at the NAV next determined. Some Selling Firms that maintain network/omnibus/nominee accounts with the Fund for their clients charge an annual fee on the average net assets held in such accounts for accounting, servicing, and distribution services they provide with respect to the underlying Fund shares. This fee is paid by the Advisor, the Fund and/or the Distributor.

 

Certain accounts held on the Fund’s books, known as omnibus accounts, contain the investments of multiple underlying clients that are invested in shares of the Fund. These underlying client accounts are maintained by entities such as financial intermediaries. When you invest indirectly in a John Hancock fund through a financial intermediary such as, but not limited to: a broker-dealer, a bank (including a bank trust department), an investment advisor, a record keeper or trustee of a retirement plan or qualified tuition plan or a sponsor of a fee-based program that maintains an omnibus account with the fund for trading on behalf of its customers, different guidelines, conditions, services and restrictions may apply that vary from those discussed in the fund(s)’ prospectus and if you had held your shares of the fund directly. These differences may include, but are not limited to: (i) eligibility standards to purchase, exchange, and sell shares depending on that intermediary’s policies; (ii) availability of sales charge waivers and fees; (iii) different minimum and maximum initial and subsequent purchase amounts; and (iv) inability to provide Letter of Intent privileges. Additional conditions may apply to your investment in the Fund, and the investment professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based, administrative or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in addition to those imposed by the Fund and its affiliates.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SHARES

 

The Trustees are responsible for the management and supervision of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of the Fund without par value. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the authority to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series and classes without further action by shareholders. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees have authorized shares of [six (6)] series of the Trust. The Trustees have also authorized the issuance of [ten (10)] classes of shares of the Fund, designated as Class A, Class C, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5, Class R6 and Class I. Additional classes of shares may be authorized in the future.

 

Each share of each class of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the aggregate net assets attributable to that class of the Fund. Holders of each class of shares have certain exclusive voting rights on matters

 

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relating to their respective distribution plan, if any. The different classes of the Fund may bear different expenses relating to the cost of holding shareholder meetings necessitated by the exclusive voting rights of any class of shares.

 

Dividends paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and on the same day and will be in the same amount, except for differences resulting from the fact that: (i) the distribution and service fees, if any, relating to each class of shares will be borne exclusively by that class, and (ii) each class of shares will bear any class expenses properly allocable to that class of shares. Similarly, the NAV per share may vary depending on which class of shares is purchased. No interest will be paid on uncashed dividend or redemption checks.

 

In the event of liquidation, shareholders of each class are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund that are available for distribution to these shareholders. Shares entitle their holders to one vote per share (and fractional votes for fractional shares), are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. When issued, shares are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.

 

Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration of Trust, the Fund has no intention of holding annual meetings of shareholders. Fund shareholders may remove a Trustee by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Trust’s outstanding shares and the Trustees shall promptly call a meeting for such purpose when requested to do so in writing by the record holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. Shareholders may, under certain circumstances, communicate with other shareholders in connection with a request for a special meeting of shareholders. However, at any time that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office were elected by the shareholders, the Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees.

 

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for acts or obligations of such trust or a series thereof. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts, obligations or affairs of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification out of the Trust’s assets for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable by reason of being or having been a shareholder. The Declaration of Trust also provides that no series of the Trust shall be liable for the liabilities of any other series. Furthermore, the Fund shall not be liable for the liabilities of any other fund within the John Hancock Fund Complex. Liability is therefore limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations, and the possibility of this occurrence is remote.

 

The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that conflicts with the Fund’s internal policies or the policies of any regulatory authority. The Distributor does not accept starter, credit card or third party checks. All checks returned by the post office as undeliverable will be reinvested at NAV in the fund or funds from which a redemption was made or dividend paid. Information provided on the account application may be used by the Fund to verify the accuracy of the information or for background or financial history purposes. A joint account will be administered as a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, unless the joint owners notify Signature Services of a different intent. A shareholder’s account is governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For telephone transactions, the transfer agent will take measures to verify the identity of the caller, such as asking for name, account number, Social Security or other taxpayer ID number and other relevant information. If appropriate measures are taken, the transfer agent is not responsible for any losses that may occur to any account due to an unauthorized telephone call. Also for your protection telephone redemptions are not permitted on accounts whose names or addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.

 

Shares of the Fund generally may be sold only to U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates.

 

The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Board may approve the merger of the Fund with an affiliated mutual fund without shareholder approval, in accordance with the 1940 Act. This provision will permit mergers of affiliated funds without shareholder approval in certain circumstances to reduce the incurring the expense of soliciting proxies when a combination does not raise significant issues for shareholders. For example, this provision would permit the combination of two small funds having the same portfolio managers, the same investment objectives and the same

 

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fee structure in order to achieve economies of scale and thereby reduce fund expenses borne by shareholders. Such a merger will still require each fund’s board (including a majority of the independent trustees) to determine that the merger is in the best interests of the combining funds and will not dilute the interest of existing shareholders. The Trustees will evaluate any and all information reasonably necessary to make their determination and consider and give appropriate weight to all pertinent factors in fulfilling the overall duty of care owed to shareholders.

 

Shareholders of an acquired fund will still be required to approve a combination that would result in a change in a fundamental investment policy, a material change to the terms of an advisory agreement, the institution of or an increase in Rule 12b-1 fees or when the board of the surviving fund does not have a majority of independent trustees who were elected by its shareholders. Under Massachusetts law, shareholder approval is not required for fund mergers, consolidation or sales of assets. Shareholder approval nevertheless will be obtained for combinations of affiliated funds when required by the 1940 Act. Shareholder approval also will be obtained for combinations with unaffiliated funds when deemed appropriate by the Trustees.

 

CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE

 

Class A shares of the Fund are sold with a maximum initial sales charge of 5.00%. Class C shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges and with a 1.00% CDSC on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5, Class R6, Class NAV and Class I shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges or CDSCs.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING TAXES

 

The following discussion is a general and abbreviated summary of certain tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all federal, state, local and foreign tax concerns, and the discussions set forth here and in the Prospectuses do not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with specific questions relating to federal, state, local or foreign taxes.

 

The Fund is treated as a separate entity for accounting and tax purposes, has qualified and elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, and intends to continue to so qualify for each taxable year. As such and by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code regarding the sources of its income, the timing of its distributions and the diversification of its assets, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income (including net realized capital gains) that is distributed to shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements of the Code.

 

To qualify as a regulated investment company for income tax purposes, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in stock, securities and currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

 

To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must also satisfy certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its assets. The Fund must have, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets represented by cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities that, in respect of any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the value of the assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the voting securities of that issuer. In addition, at those times not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets may be invested in securities (other than United States government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) (i) of any one issuer, or (ii) of two or more issuers, that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or (iii) of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

If the Fund fails to meet the annual gross income test described above, the Fund will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test if (i) (a) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reports the failure pursuant to Treasury Regulations to be adopted, and (ii) the Fund pays an excise tax equal to the excess non-qualifying income. If the Fund fails to meet the asset diversification test described above with respect to

 

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any quarter, the Fund will nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the requirements for such quarter if the Fund cures such failure within 6 months and either (i) such failure is de minimis or (ii) (a) such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (b) the Fund reports the failure under Treasury Regulations to be adopted and pays an excise tax.

 

As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deductions for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes in each taxable year to its shareholders; provided that it distributes at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income for such taxable year. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest income and net capital gain.

 

If the Fund failed to meet the annual gross income test or asset diversification test as described above or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement described above for any taxable year, the Fund would incur regular corporate income tax on its taxable income for that year, it would lose its deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and it would be subject to certain gain recognition and distribution requirements upon requalification. Further distributions of income by the Fund to its shareholders would be treated as dividend income, although such dividend income would constitute qualified dividend income subject to reduced federal income tax rates for an individual shareholder who satisfies certain holding period requirements with respect to his or her shares in the Fund. Compliance with the regulated investment company 90% qualifying income test and with the asset diversification requirements is carefully monitored by the Advisor and the Subadvisor and it is intended that the Fund will comply with the requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company.

 

In order to avoid incurring a federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that the Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not including tax-exempt income) for such year, (ii) at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (which is the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses), generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards and (iii) 100% of any income and capital gains from the prior year (as previously computed) that was not paid out during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements it will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. The Fund intends under normal circumstances to seek to avoid or minimize liability for such tax by satisfying such distribution requirements.

 

Distributions from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”) will be taxable under the Code for investors who are subject to tax. If these distributions are paid from the Fund’s “investment company taxable income,” they will be taxable as ordinary income unless such distributions are reported as “qualified dividend income,” in which event such reported dividends will be taxable at lower rates applying to long-term capital gain. If distributions are paid from the Fund’s “net capital gain,” they will be taxable as long-term capital gain. Net capital gain is the excess (if any) of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, and investment company taxable income is all taxable income and capital gains, other than those gains and losses included in computing net capital gain, after reduction by deductible expenses. Some distributions may be paid in January but may be taxable to shareholders as if they had been received on December 31 of the previous year. The tax treatment described above will apply without regard to whether distributions are received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.

 

Distributions, if any, in excess of E&P will constitute a return of capital, which will first reduce an investor’s federal tax basis in the Fund’s shares and then, to the extent such basis is exceeded, generally will give rise to capital gains. Shareholders who have chosen automatic reinvestment of their distributions will have a federal tax basis in each share received pursuant to such a reinvestment equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive the distribution in cash, divided by the number of shares received in the reinvestment.

 

If the Fund invests in stock (including an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and

 

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additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. An election may be available to ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash. These investments could also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies or make an available election to minimize its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.

 

Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain foreign currency options, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Transactions in foreign currencies that are not directly related to the Fund’s investment in stock or securities, including speculative currency positions, could under future Treasury regulations produce income not among the types of “qualifying income” from which the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from each taxable year. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 were to exceed the Fund’s investment company taxable income computed without regard to such loss the resulting overall ordinary loss for such year would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Under such circumstances, distributions paid by the Fund could include a return of capital.

 

Certain options, futures, and forward foreign currency contracts undertaken by the Fund could cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking to market even though its positions have not been sold or terminated and affect the character as long-term or short-term (or, in the case of foreign currency contracts, as ordinary income or loss) and timing of some capital gains and losses realized by the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain, but not loss, if an option, short sale or other transaction is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated financial position in the Fund’s portfolio. Also, certain of the Fund’s losses on its transactions involving options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting or successor portfolio positions may be deferred rather than being taken into account currently in calculating the Fund’s taxable income or gains. Certain of such transactions also may cause the Fund to dispose of investments sooner than would otherwise have occurred. These transactions may therefore affect the amount, timing and character of the Fund’s distributions to shareholders. The Fund will take into account the special tax rules (including consideration of available elections) applicable to options, futures and forward contracts in order to seek to minimize any potential adverse tax consequences.

 

The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries with respect to its investments in foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Investors may be entitled to claim U.S. foreign tax credits or deductions with respect to foreign income taxes, or certain other foreign taxes (“qualified foreign taxes”), paid by the Fund, subject to certain provisions and limitations contained in the Code, if the Fund so elects. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may file an election with the IRS pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund will be required to (i) include in ordinary gross income (in addition to taxable dividends and distributions actually received) their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund even though not actually received by them, and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as foreign taxes paid by them

 

If the Fund makes this election, shareholders may then deduct such pro rata portions of foreign income taxes in computing their taxable income, or alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their share of such taxes in gross income. Shareholders who claim a foreign tax credit for such foreign taxes may be required to treat a portion of dividends received from the Fund as a separate category of income for purposes of computing the limitations on the foreign tax credit. Tax-exempt shareholders will ordinarily not benefit from this election. Each year that the Fund files the election described above, its shareholders will be notified of the amount of (i) each shareholder’s pro rata share of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund and (ii) the portion of Fund dividends that represents income from each foreign country. If the Fund cannot or does not make this election, the Fund will deduct the foreign taxes it pays in determining the amount it has

 

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available for distribution to shareholders, and shareholders will not include these foreign taxes in their income, nor will they be entitled to any tax deductions or credits with respect to such taxes.

 

The amount of the Fund’s net realized capital gains, if any, in any given year will vary depending upon the Subadvisor’s current investment strategy and whether the Subadvisor believes it to be in the best interest of the Fund, including for tax purposes, to dispose of portfolio securities and/or engage in options transactions that will generate capital gains. At the time of an investor’s purchase of shares of the Fund, a portion of the purchase price is often attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent distributions on these shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such investor even if the NAV of the investor’s shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such shares and the distributions in reality represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 

Upon a redemption or other disposition of shares of the Fund (including by exercise of the exchange privilege) in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, a shareholder will ordinarily realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the amount of the proceeds and the shareholder’s basis in his shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands and will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s tax holding period for the shares and subject to the special rules described below. A sales charge paid in purchasing shares of the Fund cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent shares of the Fund or another John Hancock fund are subsequently acquired, on or before January 31 of the year following the calendar year that includes the date of such redemption or exchange, without payment of a sales charge pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. This disregarded charge will result in an increase in the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. Also, any loss realized on a redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund may be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Fund, such as pursuant to automatic dividend reinvestments, within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date on which the initial shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular circumstances to determine whether a disposition of Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in the foregoing discussion.

 

Although the Fund’s present intention is to distribute, at least annually, all net capital gain, if any, the Fund reserves the right to retain and reinvest all or any portion of the excess, as computed for federal income tax purposes, of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss in any year. To the extent such gain was retained and not exhausted by the carryforward of prior years’ capital losses, it would be subject to federal income tax in the hands of the Fund. Upon proper reporting of this amount by the Fund, each shareholder would be treated for federal income tax purposes as if the Fund had distributed to him on the last day of its taxable year his pro rata share of such excess, and he had paid his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund and reinvested the remainder in the Fund. Accordingly, each shareholder would (a) include his pro rata share of such excess as long-term capital gain in his return for his taxable year in that the last day of the Fund’s taxable year falls, (b) be entitled either to a tax credit on his return for, or to a refund of, his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund, and (c) be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis for his shares by the difference between his pro rata share of such excess and his pro rata share of such taxes. The Fund will not in any event distribute net capital gain realized in any year to the extent that a capital loss is carried forward from prior years against such gain.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset net capital gains, if any, during its taxable years following the year of the loss. The carryforward of losses realized in taxable years beginning prior to December 23, 2010, however, is limited to an eight-year period following the year of realization. Capital losses carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law. The Fund must use losses that do not expire before it uses losses that do expire and the Fund’s ability to utilize capital losses in a given year or in total may be limited. To the extent subsequent net capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax liability to the Fund and, as noted above, would not be distributed as such to shareholders.

 

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The Subadvisor may choose to have the Fund sell portfolio securities or engage in options transactions in order to generate capital gain for purposes of utilizing the Fund’s capital loss carryforward before it expires. Although this strategy would reduce the Fund’s capital gain distributions, which could increase the after-tax return of an investment in the Fund by a taxable investor, the Fund’s investors in tax-deferred accounts would not obtain a similar benefit. Additionally, this strategy might cause the Fund to incur transaction costs in connection with such sales that the Fund would not otherwise incur.

 

For United States federal income tax purposes, distributions paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will, except in the case of distributions of qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends described below, be taxable as ordinary dividend income. Certain income distributions paid by the Fund (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares) to individual taxpayers are taxed at rates applicable to net long-term capital gains (currently 20%, 15% or 0%, depending on an individual’s tax bracket). This tax treatment applies only if certain holding period requirements and other requirements are satisfied by the shareholder and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund itself. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s dividend distributions will qualify as qualified dividend income.

 

Qualified dividend income received by an individual will be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level): (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date); (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property; (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of being able to deduct investment interest; or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is: (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

 

In general, distributions of investment income reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. In any event, if the qualified dividend income received by the Fund during any taxable year is 95% or more of its gross income, then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than properly-reported capital gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only gain included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.

 

If the Fund should have dividend income that qualifies for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income, the maximum amount allowable will be reported by the Fund. This amount will be reflected on Form 1099-DIV for the applicable calendar year.

 

If the Fund should have dividend income that qualifies for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, it will be subject to the limitations applicable under the Code. The qualifying portion is limited to distributions attributed to dividend income (if any) reported in a written statement to shareholders that the Fund receives from certain stock in U.S. domestic corporations and the deduction is subject to holding period requirements and debt-financing limitations under the Code.

 

For purposes of the dividends received deduction available to corporations, dividends received by the Fund, if any, from U.S. domestic corporations in respect of the stock of such corporations held by the Fund, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for at least 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during a prescribed period extending before and after each such dividend and distributed and reported by the Fund may be treated as qualifying dividends. Corporate shareholders must meet the holding period requirement stated above with respect to their shares of the Fund for each dividend in order to qualify for the deduction and, if they have any debt that is deemed

 

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under the Code directly attributable to such shares, may be denied a portion of the dividends received deduction. The entire qualifying dividend, including the otherwise deductible amount, will be included in determining the excess (if any) of a corporate shareholder’s adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, that may increase its alternative minimum tax liability, if any. Additionally, any corporate shareholder should consult its tax advisor regarding the possibility that its basis in its shares may be reduced, for federal income tax purposes, by reason of “extraordinary dividends” received with respect to the shares, and, to the extent such basis would be reduced below zero, that current recognition of income would be required.

 

Selling shareholders will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold and the sale proceeds. If the shares are held as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers is: (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less; or (ii) 20% for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year (as well as certain capital gain distributions) (15% or 0% for individuals in certain tax brackets).

 

An investor should be aware that the benefits of the reduced tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual shareholders.

 

Investment in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default presents special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income, and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, in the event it acquires or holds any such obligations, in order to reduce the risk of distributing insufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and seeks to avoid becoming subject to federal income or excise tax.

 

The Fund is required to accrue income on any debt securities that have more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount (or debt securities acquired at a market discount, if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. The mark to market or constructive sales rules applicable to certain options, futures, forward contracts, short sales or other transactions also may require the Fund to recognize income or gain without a concurrent receipt of cash.

 

The Fund may be required to account for its transactions in forward rolls or swaps, caps, floors and collars in a manner that, under certain circumstances, may limit the extent of its participation in such transactions. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain, but not loss, if a swap or other transaction is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated financial position in the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain net investment income received by an individual having modified adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 (or $250,000 for married individuals filing jointly) will be subject to a tax of 3.8%. Undistributed net investment income of trusts and estates in excess of a specified amount also will be subject to this tax. Dividends paid by the Fund will constitute investment income of the type subject to this tax.

 

The Fund will be required to report to the IRS all taxable distributions to shareholders, as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the Fund’s shares, except in the case of certain exempt recipients, i.e. , corporations and certain other investors distributions to that are exempt from the information reporting provisions of the Code. All such reportable distributions and proceeds may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number and certain certifications required by the IRS or if the IRS or a broker notifies the Fund that the number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividend income. The Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required taxpayer identification number or certification that the number provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S.

 

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federal income tax liability. Investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

 

The Fund is not subject to Massachusetts corporate excise or franchise taxes. The Fund anticipates that, provided that the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, the Fund also will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income tax.

 

If a shareholder realizes a loss on disposition of Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies.

 

Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors for more information.

 

Legislation passed by Congress in 2008 requires the Fund (or is administrative agent) to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information and holding period for the Fund’s shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012, and repurchased by the Fund on or after that date. The Fund will permit shareholders to elect from among several permitted cost basis methods. In the absence of an election, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method. The cost basis method that a shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a repurchase of shares after the settlement date of the repurchase. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best permitted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the new cost basis reporting rules apply to them.

 

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations currently in effect. It is not intended to be a complete explanation or a substitute for consultation with individual tax advisors. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and Treasury Regulations are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

Non-U.S. investors not engaged in a U.S. trade or business with which their investment in the Fund is effectively connected will be subject to U.S. federal income tax treatment that is different from that described above. These investors may be subject to withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty) on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the Fund and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8, Form W-8BEN or other authorized withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding on certain other payments from the Fund.

 

Legislation enacted in early 2013 has reinstated provisions under which properly-reported dividends generally are exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they are (i) “interest-related dividends” paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) “short-term capital gain dividends” paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified short-term gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such interest-related dividends or as short-term capital gain dividends and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. This withholding exemption has been reinstated, however, only for such properly-reported dividends with respect to taxable years of the Fund beginning on or before December 31, 2013.

 

Under recent legislation known as FATCA, beginning in July 2014, a 30% U.S. withholding tax may apply to any U.S.-source “withholdable payments” made to a non-U.S. entity unless the non-U.S. entity enters into an agreement with the IRS or a governmental authority in its own country to collect and provide annually substantial information regarding the entity’s owners, including “specified United States persons” and “United States owned foreign entities,” or such non-U.S. entity otherwise demonstrates compliance with or exemption from FATCA. The term

 

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“withholdable payment” includes any payment of interest (even if the interest is otherwise exempt from the withholding rules described above), dividends, and the gross proceeds of a disposition of stock (including a liquidating distribution from a corporation) or debt instruments, in each case with respect to any U.S. investment. The withholding tax is scheduled to begin in 2014 with respect to U.S.-source income and in 2017 with respect to U.S.-source investment sale proceeds. A specified United States person is essentially any U.S. person, other than publicly traded corporations, their affiliates, tax-exempt organizations, governments, banks, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, and common trust funds. A United States owned foreign entity is a foreign entity with one or more “substantial United States owners,” generally defined as United States person owning a greater than 10% interest. Under recently issued regulations, a non-U.S. entity that is not otherwise exempt or deemed compliant will need to register with the IRS and enter into an agreement with the IRS or, if applicable, with the taxing authority in its own country, by April 25, 2014 to insure that it will be identified as FATCA-compliant in sufficient time to allow the entity to avoid such withholding on its U.S.-source income beginning on July 1, 2014. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of this recent legislation on their investment in the Fund.

 

PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

 

Pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement, the subadvisor is responsible for placing all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities of the Fund. The subadvisor has no formula for the distribution of the Fund’s brokerage business; rather they place orders for the purchase and sale of securities with the primary objective of obtaining the most favorable overall results for the Fund. The cost of securities transactions for the Fund will consist primarily of brokerage commissions or dealer or underwriter spreads. Fixed-income securities and money market instruments are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes.

 

Occasionally, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. For securities traded primarily in the OTC market, the subadvisor will, where possible, deal directly with dealers who make a market in the securities unless better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such dealers usually act as principals for their own account.

 

Selection of Brokers or Dealers to Effect Trades. In selecting brokers or dealers to implement transactions, the subadvisor will give consideration to a number of factors, including:

 

price, dealer spread or commission, if any;

 

the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer;

 

size of the transaction;

 

difficulty of execution;

 

brokerage and research services provided; and

 

confidentiality and anonymity.

 

Consideration of these factors by the subadvisor, either in terms of a particular transaction or the subadvisor’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and any other accounts managed by the subadvisor, could result in the Fund paying a commission or spread on a transaction that is in excess of the amount of commission or spread another broker-dealer might have charged for executing the same transaction.

 

Soft Dollar Considerations. In selecting brokers and dealers, the subadvisor will give consideration to the value and quality of any research, statistical, quotation, brokerage or valuation services provided by the broker or dealer to the subadvisor. In placing a purchase or sale order, the subadvisor may use a broker whose commission in effecting the transaction is higher than that of some other broker if the subadvisor determines in good faith that the amount of the higher commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the subadvisor’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Fund and any other accounts managed by the subadvisor. In addition to statistical, quotation, brokerage or valuation services, the subadvisor may receive from brokers or dealers products or research that are used for both

 

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research and other purposes, such as administration or marketing. In such case, the subadvisor will make a good faith determination as to the portion attributable to research. Only the portion attributable to research will be paid through portfolio brokerage. The portion not attributable to research will be paid by the subadvisor. Research products and services may be acquired or received either directly from executing brokers or indirectly through other brokers in step-out transactions. A “step-out” is an arrangement by which the subadvisor executes a trade through one broker-dealer but instructs that entity to step-out all or a portion of the trade to another broker-dealer. This second broker-dealer will clear and settle, and receive commissions for, the stepped-out portion. The second broker-dealer may or may not have a trading desk of its own.

 

The subadvisor also may receive research or research credits from brokers that are generated from underwriting commissions when purchasing new issues of fixed income securities or other assets for the Fund. These services, which in some cases also may be purchased for cash, include such matters as general economic and security market reviews, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities and recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities. Some of these services are of value to the subadvisor in advising several of its clients (including the Fund), although not all of these services are necessarily useful and of value in managing the Fund. The management fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because the subadvisor and its affiliates receive such services.

 

As noted above, the subadvisor may purchase new issues of securities for the Fund in underwritten fixed price offerings. In these situations, the underwriter or selling group member may provide the subadvisor with research in addition to selling the securities (at the fixed public offering price) to the Fund or other advisory clients. Because the offerings are conducted at a fixed price, the ability to obtain research from a broker-dealer in this situation provides knowledge that may benefit the Fund, other subadvisor clients, and the subadvisor without incurring additional costs. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor in Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, because the broker-dealer is considered to be acting in a principal capacity in underwritten transactions. However, FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting broker-dealers to provide bona fide research to advisors in connection with fixed price offerings under certain circumstances. As a general matter in these situations, the underwriter or selling group member will provide research credits at a rate that is higher than that which is available for secondary market transactions.

 

Brokerage and research services provided by brokers and dealers include advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to:

 

the value of securities;

 

the advisability of purchasing or selling securities;

 

the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; and

 

analyses and reports concerning: (a) issuers; (b) industries; (c) securities; (d) economic, political and legal factors and trends; and (e) Fund strategy.

 

Research services are received primarily in the form of written reports, computer generated services, telephone contacts and personal meetings with security analysts. In addition, such services may be provided in the form of meetings arranged with corporate and industry spokespersons, economists, academicians and government representatives. In some cases, research services are generated by third parties but are provided to the subadvisor by or through a broker.

 

To the extent research services are used by the subadvisor, such services would tend to reduce such party’s expenses. However, the subadvisor does not believe that an exact dollar value can be assigned to these services. Research services received by the subadvisor from brokers or dealers executing transactions for series of the Trust, which may not be used in connection with the Fund, also will be available for the benefit of other funds managed by the subadvisor.

 

Allocation of Trades by the Subadvisor . The subadvisor manages a number of accounts other than the Fund. Although investment determinations for the Fund will be made by a subadvisor independently from the investment determinations it makes for any other account, investments deemed appropriate for the Fund by the subadvisor also

 

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may be deemed appropriate by it for other accounts. Therefore, the same security may be purchased or sold at or about the same time for both the Fund and other accounts. In such circumstances, the subadvisor may determine that orders for the purchase or sale of the same security for the Fund and one or more other accounts should be combined. In this event the transactions will be priced and allocated in a manner deemed by the subadvisor to be equitable and in the best interests of the Fund and such other accounts. While in some instances combined orders could adversely affect the price or volume of a security, the Fund believes that its participation in such transactions on balance will produce better overall results for the Fund.

 

For purchases of equity securities, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will be made to each participating account pro rata based on the order size. For high demand issues (for example, initial public offerings), shares will be allocated pro rata by account size as well as on the basis of account objective, account size (a small account’s allocation may be increased to provide it with a meaningful position), and the account’s other holdings. In addition, an account’s allocation may be increased if that account’s portfolio manager was responsible for generating the investment idea or the portfolio manager intends to buy more shares in the secondary market. For fixed income accounts, generally securities will be allocated when appropriate among accounts based on account size, except if the accounts have different objectives or if an account is too small to get a meaningful allocation. For new issues, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will be made to each account pro rata based on the order size. However, if a partial allocation is too small to be meaningful, it may be reallocated based on such factors as account objectives, strategies, duration benchmarks and credit and sector exposure. For example, value funds will likely not participate in initial public offerings as frequently as growth funds. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtainable for it. On the other hand, to the extent permitted by law, the subadvisor may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other clients managed by it in order to obtain best execution.

 

Affiliated Underwriting Transactions by the Subadvisor. The Trust has approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the subadvisor participates. These procedures prohibit the Fund from directly or indirectly benefiting the subadvisor affiliate in connection with such underwritings. In addition, for underwritings where the subadvisor affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that the Fund could purchase.

 

Affiliated Brokerage. Pursuant to procedures determined by the Trustees and consistent with the above policy of obtaining best net results, the Fund may execute portfolio transactions with or through brokers affiliated with the Advisor or subadvisor (“Affiliated Brokers”). Affiliated Brokers may act as broker for the Fund on exchange transactions, subject, however, to the general policy set forth above and the procedures adopted by the Trustees pursuant to the 1940 Act. Commissions paid to an Affiliated Broker must be at least as favorable as those that the Trustees believe to be contemporaneously charged by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold. A transaction would not be placed with an Affiliated Broker if the Fund would have to pay a commission rate less favorable than the Affiliated Broker’s contemporaneous charges for comparable transactions for its other most favored, but unaffiliated, customers, except for accounts for which the Affiliated Broker acts as clearing broker for another brokerage firm, and any customers of the Affiliated Broker not comparable to the Fund, as determined by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, the Advisor, the subadvisor or the Affiliated Broker. Because the Advisor or subadvisor that is affiliated with the Affiliated Broker has, as an investment advisor to the Fund, the obligation to provide investment management services, which includes elements of research and related investment skills such research and related skills will not be used by the Affiliated Broker as a basis for negotiating commissions at a rate higher than that determined in accordance with the above criteria.

 

The Advisor’s indirect parent, Manulife Financial, is the indirect sole shareholder of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer (“Signator”). The Advisor’s indirect parent, Manulife Financial, is the parent of another broker-dealer, John Hancock Distributors, LLC (“JH Distributors”). Each of Signator and JH Distributors is considered an Affiliated Broker.

 

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Commission Recapture Program. The Board has approved the Fund’s participation in a commission recapture program. Commission recapture is a form of institutional discount brokerage that returns commission dollars directly to a fund. It provides a way to gain control over the commission expenses incurred by the subadvisor, which can be significant over time and thereby reduces expenses, improves cash flow and conserves assets. The Fund can derive commission recapture dollars from both equity trading commissions and fixed-income (commission equivalent) spreads. From time to time, the Board reviews whether participation in the recapture program is in the best interests of the Fund.

 

TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES

 

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Manulife Financial, is the transfer and dividend paying agent for the Class A, Class C, Class I, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 and Class R6 shares of the Fund.

 

The fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services of providing services to the Fund and to all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which Signature Services serves as transfer agent (“Signature Services Cost”). Signature Services Cost includes: (i) an allocable portion of John Hancock corporate overhead; and (ii) out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made by Signature Services to intermediaries and other third-parties (“Subtransfer Agency Fees”) whose clients and/or customers invest in one or more funds for sub-transfer agency and administrative services provided to those clients/customers. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated by Signature Services among four different categories as described below based generally on the Signature Services Cost associated with providing services to each category in the aggregate. Within each category, Signature Services Cost is allocated across all of the John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes for which Signature Services provides transfer agent services, on the basis of relative average net assets.

 

Retail Share and Institutional Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Cost associated with providing services to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class ADV, Class T, Class I, and Class I2 shares of all non-municipal series of the Trust and of all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which it serves as transfer agent, excluding out-of-pocket expenses for Subtransfer Agency Fees, is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all Class A, Class B, Class C, Class ADV, Class T, Class I, and Class I2 shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. Out-of-pocket expenses for Subtransfer Agency Fees attributable to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class ADV and Class T shares are borne solely by those share classes and are allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all Class A, Class B, Class C, Class ADV and Class T shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. Out-of-pocket expenses for Subtransfer Agency Fees attributable to Class I and Class I2 shares are borne solely by those share classes and are allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all Class I and Class I2 shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. The Fund does not offer Class B, Class I2, Class ADV or Class T shares.

 

Class R6 Shares. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Cost associated with providing services to Class R6 shares of the Trust and all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which it serves as transfer agent, is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all such shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund.

 

Retirement Share Classes. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Cost associated with providing services to Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares of the Trust and all other John Hancock affiliated funds for which it serves as transfer agent is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all such shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. In addition, payments made to intermediaries and/or record keepers under Class R Service plans will be made by each relevant fund on a fund- and class- specific basis pursuant to the applicable plan.

 

Municipal Bond Funds. An amount equal to the total Signature Services Cost associated with providing services to Class A, Class B, and Class C shares of all John Hancock affiliated municipal bond funds for which it serves as transfer agent, including out-of-pocket expenses for Subtransfer Agency Fees, is allocated pro-rata based upon assets of all such shares in the aggregate, without regard to fund or class. John Hancock municipal bond funds currently only offer Class A, Class B and Class C shares. The Trust currently does not offer any municipal bond funds.

 

100
 

 

In applying the foregoing methodology, Signature Services seeks to operate its aggregate transfer agency operations on an “at cost” or “break even” basis. The allocation of aggregate transfer agency costs to categories of funds and/or classes assets seeks to ensure that shareholders of each class within each category will pay the same or a very similar level of transfer agency fees for the delivery of similar services. Under this methodology, the actual costs associated with providing particular services to a particular fund and/or share classes during a period of time, including payments to intermediaries for sub-transfer agency services to clients or customers whose assets are invested in a particular fund or share class, are not charged to and borne by that particular fund or share classes during that period. Instead, they are included in Signature Services Cost, which is then allocated to the applicable aggregate asset category described above and then allocated to all assets in that category based on relative net assets. Applying this methodology could result in some funds and/or classes having higher or lower transfer agency fees than they would have had if they bore only fund- or class-specific costs directly or indirectly attributable to them.

 

LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

 

There are no legal proceedings to which the Trust, the investment advisor or the principal underwriter is a party that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of either the investment advisor or the principal underwriter to perform its contract with the Fund.

 

On June 25, 2007, the Advisor and three of its affiliates including the Distributor (collectively, the “John Hancock Affiliates”) reached a settlement with the SEC that resolved an investigation of certain practices relating to the John Hancock Affiliates’ variable annuity and mutual fund operations involving directed brokerage and revenue sharing. Under the terms of the settlement, each John Hancock Affiliate was censured and agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to the United States Treasury. In addition, the Advisor and the Distributor agreed to pay disgorgement of $2,087,477 and prejudgment interest of $359,460 to entities, including certain John Hancock funds, that participated in the Advisor’s directed brokerage program during the period from 2000 to October 2003. Collectively, all John Hancock Affiliates agreed to pay a total disgorgement of $16,926,420 and prejudgment interest of $2,361,460 to the entities advised or distributed by John Hancock Affiliates. The Advisor discontinued the use of directed brokerage in recognition of the sale of fund shares in October 2003.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The financial statements for the most recent fiscal year and financial highlights for the Robeco Fund have been independently audited by the independent registered public accounting firm, [_______________] , as stated in its report appearing in the Robeco Fund’s August 31, 2013 annual report to shareholders. [_______________] is located at [_______________].

 

Effective as of the commencement of the Fund’s operations, [_______________], independent registered public accounting firm, has been appointed as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund.[_______________] has offices at [_______________].

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The financial statements of the Robeco Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 and the six months ended February 28, 2014 are incorporated by reference from the Robeco Fund’s most recent annual report and semiannual report, respectively, each of which was filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, currently acts as custodian and bookkeeping agent of the Fund’s assets. State Street has selected various banks and trust companies in foreign countries to maintain custody of certain foreign securities. The Fund also may use special purpose custodian banks from time to time for certain assets. State Street is authorized to use the facilities of the Depository Trust Company, the Participants Trust Company and the book-entry system of the Federal Reserve Banks.

 

101
 

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

The Trust, the Advisor, the Distributor and the subadvisor have adopted Codes of Ethics that comply with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Each Code of Ethics permits personnel subject to the Code of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.

 

102
 

 

APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

 

DESCRIPTIONS OF CREDIT RATING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS

 

The ratings of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) represent their respective opinions as of the date they are expressed and are not statements of fact as to the quality of various long-term and short-term debt instruments they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt instruments with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt instruments of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

 

Ratings do not constitute recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security, nor do they comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of any payments of any security.

 

MOODY’S LONG-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

 

Moody’s long-term ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of financial obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

 

Aaa: Obligations rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

Aa: Obligations rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A: Obligations rated ‘A’ are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa: Obligations rated ‘Baa’ are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Ba: Obligations rated ‘Ba’ are judged to have speculative elements are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

B: Obligations rated ‘B’ are considered speculative elements and are subject to high credit risk.

 

Caa: Obligations rated ‘Caa’ are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

Ca: Obligations rated ‘Ca’ are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

C: Obligations rated ‘C’ are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

 

Note: Addition of a Modifier 1, 2 or 3: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from ‘Aa’ through ‘Caa.’ The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

S&P’S LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

 

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). They are an assessment of default risk, but may

 

A- 1
 

 

incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy.

 

AAA: An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA: An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

A: An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

BBB: An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

BB, B, CCC, CC and C: Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’ ‘CC’ and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

 

BB : An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B: An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

CCC: An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

CC: An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

 

C: The ‘C’ rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default.

 

D: An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within the shorter of the stated grace period but not longer than five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

 

Note: Addition of a Plus (+) or minus (-) sign: The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

A- 2
 

 

FITCH CREDIT RATING SCALES

 

The terms “investment grade” and “speculative grade” have established themselves over time as shorthand to describe the categories ‘AAA’ to ‘BBB’ (investment grade) and ‘BB’ to ‘D’ (speculative grade). The terms are market conventions and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. “Investment grade” categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the “speculative” categories either signal a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.

 

NR: A designation of “Not Rated” or “NR” is used to denote securities not rated by Fitch where Fitch has rated some, but not all, securities comprising a capital structure.

 

Investment Grade

 

AAA: Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

AA: Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

A: High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

BBB: Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

 

Speculative Grade

 

BB: Speculative.

· ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

 

B: Highly speculative.

· For issuers and performing obligations, ‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.
· For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R1’ (outstanding).

 

CCC : Substantial credit risk.

· For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.
· For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R2’ (superior), or ‘R3’ (good) or ‘R4’ (average).

 

CC: Very high levels of credit risk.

· For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.
· For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with Recovery Raging of ‘R4’ (average) or ‘R5’ (below average).

 

A- 3
 

 

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

· For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent, or inevitable, or is at a standstill.
· For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R6’ (poor).

 

RD: Restricted default.

o Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.

 

D : Default.

o Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following:
- failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation;
- the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or winding-up or cessation of business of an issuer/obligor; or
- the distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

 

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distresses debt exchange.

 

Issuers will be rated ‘D’ upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of ’B’ to ‘C’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the ‘C’ category.

 

Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation. Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.

 

Note: Addition of a Plus (+) or minus (-) sign: Fitch ratings may be appended by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to denote relative status within major rating categories.

 

CORPORATE AND TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

 

MOODY’S SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

 

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding 13 months, unless explicitly noted.

 

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

A- 4
 

 

P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

S&P’S SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS

 

S&P’s short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days – including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual-rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium term notes are assigned long-term ratings. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from ‘A’ for the highest-quality obligations to ‘D’ for the lowest. These categories are as follows:

 

A-1: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is very strong.

 

A-2: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

A-3: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B: A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

C: A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

D: A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

 

Dual Ratings - S&P assigns “dual” rating to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.

 

The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’). With U. S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

 

FITCH SHORT-TERM ISSUER OR OBLIGATIONS RATINGS

 

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the

 

A- 5
 

 

documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 

F1: Highest short-term credit quality.

Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added plus sign (“+”) to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

F2: Good short-term credit quality.

Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

F3: Fair short-term credit quality.

The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

B: Speculative short-term credit quality.

Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

C: High short-term default risk.

Default is a real possibility

 

RD: Restricted default.

Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.

 

D: Default.

Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

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APPENDIX B

 

ROBECO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. (“Robeco”)

 

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund

 

The following chart reflects information regarding other accounts for which each portfolio manager to the Fund has day-to-day management responsibilities. Accounts are grouped into three categories: (i) investment companies (and series thereof) other than those listed above, (ii) other pooled investment vehicles, and (iii) other accounts. To the extent that any of these accounts pay advisory fees that are based on account performance (“performance-based fees”), information on those accounts is specifically broken out. In addition, any assets denominated in foreign currencies have been converted into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of the applicable date. Also shown below the chart is each portfolio manager’s investment in the fund.

 

The following table reflects information as of [ ], 2014:

 

[TABLE TO BE UPDATED BY AMENDMENT]

 

  Other Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
Other Accounts
Portfolio Manager Number
of
Accounts
Assets
(in millions)
Number of
Accounts
Number of
Accounts
Assets
(in millions)
Number of
Accounts 
Assets
(in
millions) 
Joseph F. Feeney, Jr. 0 0 1 $2 0 0
Christopher K. Hart 0 0 1 $2 0 0
Joshua Jones 0 0 1 $2 0 0

 

Note: None of the accounts managed have a performance-based advisory fee.

 

Share Ownership by Portfolio Managers. None of the portfolio managers listed in the above table beneficially owned any shares of the fund as of the date of this SAI.

 

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

The compensation paid to Robeco for managing the Fund is based on a percentage of assets under management and for certain accounts on a performance fee. Portfolio managers benefit from Robeco’s revenues and profitability. But no Portfolio Managers are compensated based directly on fee revenue earned by Robeco on particular accounts in a way that would create a material conflict of interest in favoring particular accounts over other accounts.

 

Execution and research services provided by brokers may not always be utilized in connection with the Fund or other client accounts that may have provided the commission or a portion of the commission paid to the broker providing the services. Robeco allocates brokerage commissions for these services in a manner that it believes is fair and equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to each of its clients.

 

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one fund or other client account, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity. To mitigate this conflict of interest, Robeco aggregates orders of the funds it advises with orders from each of its other client accounts in order to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equitably over time and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to each of its clients.

 

COMPENSATION

 

All investment professionals receive a variable compensation package comprised of an industry competitive base salary and a discretionary bonus and long-term incentives. Through Robeco’s bonus program, key investment professionals are rewarded primarily for strong investment performance.

 

B- 1
 

 

Typically, bonuses are based upon a combination of one or more of the following four criteria:

 

1.         Individual Contribution: a subjective evaluation of the professional’s individual contribution based on the individual’s goals and objectives established at the beginning of each year;

 

2.         Product Investment Performance: performance of the investment product(s) with which the individual is involved versus the pre-designed index, based on the excess return;

 

3.         Investment Team Performance: the financial results of the investment group; and

 

4.         Firm-wide Performance: the overall financial performance of Robeco.

 

Total revenues generated by any particular product affect the total available bonus pool for the analysts and Portfolio Managers associated with that product. The discretionary bonus assessment is done annually. In the case of John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund, product investment performance is based on the Fund’s 1-, 3-, and 5-year performance compared to its market benchmark, the [Russell 1000 Value Index], and compared to its consultant peer group for [large cap value]. Returns are evaluated on a pre-tax basis.

 

In addition, Robeco offers a profit participation plan focused on the firm's investment professionals whereby participants receive the equivalent of an equity stake in the firm based on a combination of factors, including the product investment performance and the investment professional’s seniority and longevity with Robeco. The incentive plan provides for the issuance of restricted shares and options that vest over multi-year periods.

 

B- 2
 

 

APPENDIX C — PROXY VOTING POLICIES

 

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC

&

JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

General

John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Advisers, LLC (collectively the “Adviser”) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and serves as the investment adviser to a number of management investment companies (including series thereof) (each a “Fund”) registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Adviser generally retains one or more sub-advisers to manage the assets of the Funds, including voting proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities. From time to time, however, the Adviser may elect to manage directly the assets of a Fund, including voting proxies with respect to its portfolio securities, or a Fund’s board of trustees or directors may otherwise delegate to the Adviser authority to vote such proxies. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires that a registered investment adviser adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it votes proxies with respect to a client’s securities in the best interest of the client. Pursuant thereto, the Adviser has adopted and implemented these proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Procedures”).

 

Procedure

Fiduciary Duty

The Adviser has a fiduciary duty to vote proxies on behalf of a Fund in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Voting of Proxies

The Adviser will vote proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities when authorized to do so by the Fund and subject to the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any further direction or delegation of authority by the Fund’s board of trustees or directors. The decision on how to vote a proxy will be made by the person(s) to whom the Adviser has from time to time delegated such responsibility (the “Designated Person”). The Designated Person may include the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) and a Proxy Voting Committee, as described below.

 

When voting proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities, the following standards will apply:

 

·     The Designated Person will vote based on what it believes to be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and in accordance with the Fund’s investment guidelines.

 

·     Each voting decision will be made independently. The Designated Person may enlist the services of reputable professionals (who may include persons employed by or otherwise associated with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons) or independent proxy evaluation services such as Institutional Shareholder Services, to assist with the analysis of voting issues and/or to carry out the actual voting process. However, the ultimate decision as to how to vote a proxy will remain the responsibility of the Designated Person.

 

·     The Adviser believes that a good management team of a company will generally act in the best interests of the company. Therefore, the Designated Person will take into consideration as a key factor in voting proxies with respect to securities of a company that are held by the Fund the quality of the company’s management and, in general, will vote as recommended by such

 

 

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management except in situations where the Designated Person believes such recommended vote is not in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

·     As a general principle, voting with respect to the same portfolio securities held by more than one Fund should be consistent among those Funds having substantially the same mandates.

 

·     The Adviser will provide the Fund, from time to time in accordance with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any applicable laws and regulations, a record of the Adviser’s voting of proxies with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities.

 

Material Conflicts of Interest

In carrying out its proxy voting responsibilities, the Adviser will monitor and resolve potential material conflicts (“Material Conflicts”) between the interests of (a) a Fund and (b) the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons. Affiliates of the Adviser include Manulife Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries. Material Conflicts may arise, for example, if a proxy vote relates to matters involving any of these companies or other issuers in which the Adviser or any of its affiliates has a substantial equity or other interest.

 

If the Adviser or a Designated Person becomes aware that a proxy voting issue may present a potential Material Conflict, the issue will be referred to the Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department. If the Legal and Compliance Department determines that a potential Material Conflict does exist, a Proxy Voting Committee will be appointed to consider and resolve the issue. The Proxy Voting Committee may make any determination that it considers reasonable and may, if it chooses, request the advice of an independent, third-party proxy service on how to vote the proxy.

 

Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds

The Adviser or the Designated Person will vote proxies with respect to the shares of a Fund that are held by another Fund that operates as a fund of funds (a “Fund of Funds”) in the manner provided in the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Fund of Funds (including such policies and procedures relating to material conflicts of interest) or as otherwise directed by the board of trustees or directors of the Fund of Funds.

 

Proxy Voting Committee(s)

The Adviser will from time to time, and on such temporary or longer term basis as it deems appropriate, establish one or more Proxy Voting Committees. A Proxy Voting Committee shall include the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and may include legal counsel. The terms of reference and the procedures under which a Proxy Voting Committee will operate will be reviewed from time to time by the Legal and Compliance Department. Records of the deliberations and proxy voting recommendations of a Proxy Voting Committee will be maintained in accordance with applicable law, if any, and these Procedures.

 

Records Retention

The Adviser will retain (or arrange for the retention by a third party of) such records relating to proxy voting pursuant to these Procedures as may be required from time to time by applicable law and regulations, including the following:

 

1.    these Procedures and all amendments hereto;

 

2.    all proxy statements received regarding Fund portfolio securities;

 

3.    records of all votes cast on behalf of a Fund;

 

 

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4.    records of all Fund requests for proxy voting information;

 

5.    any documents prepared by the Designated Person or a Proxy Voting Committee that were material to or memorialized the basis for a voting decision;

 

6.    all records relating to communications with the Funds regarding Conflicts; and

 

7.    all minutes of meetings of Proxy Voting Committees.

 

Reporting to Fund Boards

The Adviser will provide the board of trustees or directors of a Fund (the “Board”) with a copy of these Procedures, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Procedures have been adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, the Adviser will provide the Board with notice and a copy of any amendments or revisions to the Procedures and will report quarterly to the Board all material changes to the Procedures.

 

The CCO’s annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of material changes to the Procedures during the period covered by the report.

 

If the Adviser votes any proxies in a manner inconsistent with either these Procedures or a Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, the CCO will provide the Board with a report detailing such exceptions.

 

In the case of proxies voted by a sub-adviser to a Fund (a “Subadviser”) pursuant to the Fund’s proxy voting procedures, the Adviser will request the Subadviser to certify to the Adviser that the Subadviser has voted the Fund’s proxies as required by the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and that such proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with these Procedures and to provide the Adviser will a report detailing any instances where the Subadviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The Adviser will then report to the Board on a quarterly basis regarding the Subadviser certification and report to the Board any instance where the Subadviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures.

 

Effective 1/1/12

 

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JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

POLICY:

 

General

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of each registered investment company in the John Hancock family of funds listed on Schedule A (collectively, the “Trust”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), adopts these proxy voting policies and procedures.

 

Each fund of the Trust or any other registered investment company (or series thereof) (each, a “fund”) is required to disclose its proxy voting policies and procedures in its registration statement and, pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act, file annually with the Securities and NYSE Commission and make available to shareholders its actual proxy voting record. In this regard, the Trust Policy is set forth below.

 

Delegation of Proxy Voting Responsibilities

 

It is the policy of the Trust to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a fund to the fund’s investment adviser (“adviser”) or, if the fund’s adviser has delegated portfolio management responsibilities to one or more investment subadviser(s), to the fund’s subadviser(s), subject to the Board’s continued oversight. The subadviser for each fund shall vote all proxies relating to securities held by each fund and in that connection, and subject to any further policies and procedures contained herein, shall use proxy voting policies and procedures adopted by each subadviser in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).

 

Except as noted below under Material Conflicts of Interest, the Trust Policy with respect to a fund shall incorporate that adopted by the fund’s subadviser with respect to voting proxies held by its clients (the “Subadviser Policy”). Each Subadviser Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Trust Policy. Each subadviser to a fund is directed to comply with these policies and procedures in voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a fund, subject to oversight by the fund’s adviser and by the Board. Each adviser to a fund retains the responsibility, and is directed, to oversee each subadviser’s compliance with these policies and procedures, and to adopt and implement such additional policies and procedures as it deems necessary or appropriate to discharge its oversight responsibility. Additionally, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) shall conduct such monitoring and supervisory activities as the CCO or the Board deems necessary or appropriate in order to appropriately discharge the CCO’s role in overseeing the subadvisers’ compliance with these policies and procedures.

 

The delegation by the Board of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the funds is entirely voluntary and may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds

 

A. Where the Fund of Funds is not the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund

With respect to voting proxies relating to the shares of an underlying fund (an “Underlying Fund”) held by a fund of the Trust operating as a fund of funds (a “Fund of Funds”) in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act where the Underlying Fund has shareholders other than the Fund of Funds that are not other Fund of Funds, the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such Underlying Fund shares.

 

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B. Where the Fund of Funds is the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund

 

In the event that one or more Funds of Funds are the sole shareholders of an Underlying Fund, the adviser to the Fund of Funds or the Trust will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund as set forth below unless the Board elects to have the Fund of Funds seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Funds of Funds in that case the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders.

 

1. Where Both the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are Voting on Substantially Identical Proposals

 

In the event that the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are voting on substantially identical proposals (the “Substantially Identical Proposal”), then the adviser or the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the Substantially Identical Proposal.

 

2. Where the Underlying Fund is Voting on a Proposal that is Not Being Voted on By the Fund of Funds

 

a. Where there is No Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal

 

In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and there is no material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the adviser will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund pursuant to its Proxy Voting Procedures.

 

b. Where there is a Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal

 

In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the Fund of Funds will seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the proposal and will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders. A material conflict is generally defined as a proposal involving a matter in that the adviser or one of its affiliates has a material economic interest.

 

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Material Conflicts of Interest

 

If: (1) a subadviser to a fund becomes aware that a vote presents a material conflict between the interests of: (a) shareholders of the fund; and (b) the fund’s adviser, subadviser, principal underwriter, or any of their affiliated persons, and (2) the subadviser does not propose to vote on the particular issue in the manner prescribed by its Subadviser Policy or the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Subadviser Policy are otherwise triggered, then the subadviser will follow the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Subadviser Policy when voting such proxies.

 

If a Subadviser Policy provides that in the case of a material conflict of interest between fund shareholders and another party, the subadviser will ask the Board to provide voting instructions, the subadviser shall vote the proxies, in its discretion, as recommended by an independent third party, in the manner prescribed by its Subadviser Policy or abstain from voting the proxies.

 

Securities Lending Program

 

Certain of the funds participate in a securities lending program with the Trust through an agent lender. When a fund’s securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. Where a subadviser determines, however, that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially important to the client’s account, the subadviser should request that the agent recall the security prior to the record date to allow the subadviser to vote the securities.

 

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in the Trust’s SAI (“SAI”)

 

The Trust shall include in its SAI a summary of the Trust Policy and of the Subadviser Policy included therein. (In lieu of including a summary of these policies and procedures, the Trust may include each full Trust Policy and Subadviser Policy in the SAI.)

 

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports

 

The Trust shall disclose in its annual and semi-annual shareholder reports that a description of the Trust Policy, including the Subadviser Policy, and the Trust’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 months ended June 30 are available on the Securities and NYSE Commission’s (“SEC”) website, and without charge, upon request, by calling a specified toll-free telephone number. The Trust will send these documents within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

Filing of Proxy Voting Record on Form N-PX

 

The Trust will annually file its complete proxy voting record with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Form N-PX shall be filed for the twelve months ended June 30 no later than August 31 of that year.

 

PROCEDURES:

 

Review of Subadvisers’ Proxy Voting

 

The Trust has delegated proxy voting authority with respect to fund portfolio securities in accordance with the Trust Policy, as set forth above.

 

Consistent with this delegation, each subadviser is responsible for the following:

 

1) Implementing written policies and procedures, in compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act, reasonably designed to ensure that the subadviser votes portfolio securities in the best interest of shareholders of the Trust.

 

2) Providing the adviser with a copy and description of the Subadviser Policy prior to being approved by the Board as a subadviser, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Subadviser Policy has been

 

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adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, providing the adviser with notice of any amendment or revision to that Subadviser Policy or with a description thereof. The adviser is required to report all material changes to a Subadviser Policy quarterly to the Board. The CCO’s annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of the material changes to each Subadviser Policy during the period covered by the report.

 

3) Providing the adviser with a quarterly certification indicating that the subadviser did vote proxies of the funds and that the proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with the Subadviser Policy. If the subadviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Subadviser Policy, the subadviser will provide the adviser with a report detailing the exceptions.

 

Adviser Responsibilities

 

The Trust has retained a proxy voting service to coordinate, collect, and maintain all proxy-related information, and to prepare and file the Trust’s reports on Form N-PX with the SEC.

 

The adviser, in accordance with its general oversight responsibilities, will periodically review the voting records maintained by the proxy voting service in accordance with the following procedures:

 

1) Receive a file with the proxy voting information directly from each subadviser on a quarterly basis.

 

2) Select a sample of proxy votes from the files submitted by the subadvisers and compare them against the proxy voting service files for accuracy of the votes.

 

3) Deliver instructions to shareholders on how to access proxy voting information via the Trust’s semi-annual and annual shareholder reports.

 

Proxy Voting Service Responsibilities

 

Aggregation of Votes:

 

The proxy voting service ’s proxy disclosure system will collect fund-specific and/or account-level voting records, including votes cast by multiple subadvisers or third party voting services.

 

Reporting:

 

The proxy voting service ’s proxy disclosure system will provide the following reporting features:

 

1) multiple report export options;

 

2) report customization by fund-account, portfolio manager, security, etc.; and

 

3) account details available for vote auditing.

 

Form N-PX Preparation and Filing:

 

The adviser will be responsible for oversight and completion of the filing of the Trust’s reports on Form N-PX with the SEC. The proxy voting service will prepare the EDGAR version of Form N-PX and will submit it to the adviser for review and approval prior to filing with the SEC . The proxy voting service will file Form N-PX for each twelve-month period ending on June 30. The filing must be submitted to the SEC on or before August 31 of each year.

 

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Schedule A

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS: Adopted: Amended:
John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust September 28, 2007 March 26, 2008
John Hancock Funds II September 28, 2007 March 26, 2008
John Hancock Funds III September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Bond Trust September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Capital Series September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Current Interest September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Equity Trust September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust II September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust III September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Strategic Series September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock World Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (formerly, John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II) September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Bank & Thrift Opportunity Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Income Securities Trust September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investors Trust September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund September 11, 2007 June 10, 2008

 

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ROBECO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

ROBECO WEISS, PECK & GREER

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS

 

Proxy Voting Policies

March 2013

 

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I. The Board of Directors 1
A. Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections 1
B. Majority Voting for Director Elections (U.S. and Canada) 4
C. Chairman and CEO are the Same Person 5
D. Majority of Independent Directors 5
E. Stock Ownership Requirements 5
F. Options Backdating 5
G. Lack of nominating committee 5
H. Term of Office 6
I. Requiring two or more nominees 6
J. Age Limits 6
K. Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection 6
L. Succession Planning 6
M. Limits for directors receiving 25% Withhold Votes 6
N. Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications 6
O. Director Elections – Non-U.S. Companies 7
II. Proxy Contests 18
A. Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections 18
B. Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses 18
III. Auditors 18
A. Ratifying Auditors 18
B. Italy - Director and Auditor Indemnification 19
C. Austria, Greece, Portugal and Spain: 19
D. MSCI EAFE Companies - Auditor Fee Disclosure 19
IV. Proxy Contest Defenses 20
A. Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections 20
B. Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors 20
C. Cumulative Voting 20
D. Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings 20
E. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent 20
F. Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board 21
V. Tender Offer Defenses 21
A. Poison Pills 21
B. Poison Pills (Japan) 22
C. Anti-Takeover Proposals (France) 22
D. Fair Price Provisions 22
E. Greenmail 23
F. Pale Greenmail 23
G. Unequal Voting Rights 23
H. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws 23
I. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers 23
J. White Squire Placements 23
K. Protective Preference Shares 23
VI. Miscellaneous Governance Provisions 24
A. Confidential Voting 24
B. Equal Access 24
C. Bundled Proposals 25
D. Shareholder Advisory Committees 25
E. Charitable Contributions 25
F. Adjourn Meeting Requests to Solicit Additional Proxies to Approve Merger Agreement 25
G. Related-Party Transactions (France) 25
H. Related Party Transaction Auditor Reports (France) 25
I. Authority to Reduce Minimum Notice Period for Calling a Meeting (non-US Companies) 25
VII. Capital Structure 27
A. Common Stock Authorization 27
B. Capital Issuance Requests 27
C. Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends 28

 

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D. Reverse Stock Splits 28
E. Preferred Stock 29
F. Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock 29
G. Preemptive Rights 29
H. Debt Restructurings 29
I. Share Repurchase Programs 29
J. Share Repurchase Programs to Fund Stock Option Plans 30
K. Additional Share Repurchase Programs 30
L. Netherlands - Remuneration Report 30
M. Tracking Stock 31
N. “Going Dark” Transactions 31
VIII. Executive and Director Compensation 32
A. General 32
B. Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options 32
C. Director Compensation 33
D. Employee Stock Purchase Plans 33
E. OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals: 34
F. Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay 34
G. Golden and Tin Parachutes 34
H. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) 35
I. 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans 35
J. Pension Plan Income and Performance-Based Compensation 35
K. Indexed Options and Performance Vested Restricted Stock 35
L. Burn Rate 35
M. Transferable Stock Options 35
N. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERPs) 36
O. Pay-for-Superior-Performance 36
P. Executive Compensation Advisory Proposal (Say on Pay) 36
Q. Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans) 37
R. Share Buyback Holding Periods 38
S. Tax Gross-Up Proposals 38
T. Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred from Candidate Nomination Proposal 38
U. Equity Based Compensation Plans are evaluated on a case-by-case basis 39
V. Golden Coffin (Death Benefit) 39
W. Hold Till (post) Retirement 39
X. Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment and Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity: 40
Y. Compensation Issue in Non-US Companies 40
Z. Canadian Equity Compensation Plans, TSX Issuers 42
IX. State of Incorporation 43
A. Voting on State Takeover Statutes 43
B. Voting on Reincorporation Proposals 43
X. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings 44
A. Mergers and Acquisitions 44
B. Corporate Restructuring 44
C. Spin-offs 45
D. Asset Sales 45
E. Liquidations 45
F. Appraisal Rights 45
G. Changing Corporate Name 45
H. Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) 45
XI. Mutual Funds 46
XII. Corporate Governance and Conduct 46

 

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Robeco Investment Management

Proxy Voting Policies

As of March 2013

 

The Board of Directors

 

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

 

Votes on director nominees are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, examining the following factors:

 

Long-term corporate performance record relative to a market index;

 

Composition of board and key board committees;

 

Corporate governance provisions and takeover activity;

 

Nominee’s attendance at meetings;

 

Nominee’s investment in the company;

 

Whether a retired CEO sits on the board;

 

Whether the chairman is also serving as CEO;

 

Whether the nominee is an inside director and the full board serves as the audit, compensation, or nominating committee or the company does not have one of these committees; AND

 

Whether the company has failed to meet a predetermined performance test for issuers within the Russell 3000 index;

 

For issuers within the Russell 3000 index, after evaluating the company’s overall performance relative to its peers, taking into account situational circumstances including (but not limited to) changes in the board or management, and year-to-date total shareholder returns;

 

On members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting practices are identified which rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures taking into consideration the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions in determining whether negative vote recommendations are warranted.

 

If the board adopts a poison pill with a term of 12 months or less (“short-term pill”) without shareholder approval taking into account the following factors:

 

The date of the pill’s adoption relative to the date of the next meeting of shareholders – i.e. whether the company had time to put the pill on ballot for shareholder ratification given the circumstances;

 

The issuer’s governance structure and practices; and

 

The issuer’s track record of accountability to shareholders.

 

In the following situations, votes on director nominees will be WITHHELD:

 

Nominee attends less than 75% of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse;

 

Nominee implements or renews a dead-hand or modified dead-hand poison pill;

 

Nominee ignores a shareholder proposal that is approved by a majority of shares outstanding;

 

Nominee has failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders have tendered their shares;

 

Nominee is an inside director or affiliated outsider and sits on the audit, compensation, or nominating committees;

 

Nominee is an inside director or affiliated outsider and the majority of the board is not independent;

 

Nominee is an audit committee member when a company’s non-audit fees are greater than 50% of all fees paid;

 

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Nominee has enacted egregious corporate governance policies or failed to replace management as appropriate;

 

Nominee is CEO of a publicly traded company who serves on more than three public boards including his/her own board;

 

From the entire board (except new nominees) where the director(s) receive more than 50% WITHHOLD votes of those cast and the issue underlying the WITHHOLD vote has not been addressed;

 

From compensation committee members if there is a poor linkage between performance (1/3 yrs TSR) and compensation practices based on peer group comparisons;

 

From compensation committee members if they fail to submit one-time transferable stock options to shareholders for approval;

 

From compensation committee members if the company has poor compensation practices. Poor disclosure will also be considered. Poor compensation practices include, but are not limited to:

 

Egregious employment contracts including excessive severance provisions

 

Excessive perks that dominate compensation (base salary will be used as a relative measure to determine excessiveness)

 

Huge bonus payouts without justifiable performance

 

Performance metrics that are changed during the performance period

 

Egregious SERP payouts

 

New CEO with overly generous new hire package

 

Internal pay disparity

 

Poor practices (unless contractually bound) have not been remedied despite the previous application of cautionary language

 

Multi-year base salary increases guaranteed as part of an employment contract

 

Perks for former executives including car allowances and personal use of corporate aircraft

 

Excessive severance/change in control arrangements now include any new or materially amended arrangements that include provisions for the payment of excise tax gross-ups (including modified gross-ups) and/or modified single-triggers (which allow an executive to receive change-in-control severance upon voluntary resignation during a window period following the change in control);

 

Liberal change in control definition in individual contracts or equity plans which could result in payments to executives without an actual change in control occurring;

 

Tax reimbursements of any executive perquisites or other payments will be considered a poor pay practice;

 

Payment of dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned performance awards will be considered a poor practice;

 

From any nominee, with the exception of new nominees, if the company has a classified board and a continuing director is responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level;

 

In the following situations, votes on director nominees will be WITHHELD or voted AGAINST:

 

Incumbent director nominees at Russell 3000 companies, if there is a lack of accountability and oversight, along with sustained poor performance relative to their peers; and

 

Audit committee members when the company receives an Adverse Opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditors;

 

The board adopts a poison pill with a term of more than 12 months (“long-term pill”), or renews any existing pill, including any “short-term pill” (12 months or fewer), without shareholder approval. A commitment or policy that puts a newly-adopted pill to a binding shareholder vote may potentially offset an adverse vote recommendation. Review such companies with classified boards every year,

 

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and such companies with annually-elected boards at least once every three years, and vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD votes from all nominees if the company still maintains a non-shareholder-approved poison pill. This policy will apply to all companies adopting or renewing pills after the announcement of this policy (Nov. 19, 2009.)

 

The board makes a material, adverse change to an existing poison pill without shareholder approval.

 

The entire board of directors (except new nominees, who will be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis), if:

 

For 2013, the board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval by a majority of the shares outstanding the previous year; or

 

For 2013, the board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the majority of shares cast in the last year and one of the previous two years.

 

For 2014, the board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year.

 

Under extraordinary circumstances, RIM will vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors, members of a committee, or the entire board, due to:

 

Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company (including but not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; significant adverse legal judgments or settlements; hedging company stock or significant pledging of company stock

 

Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

 

Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interest of shareholders at any company.

 

RIM will vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the entire board of directors (except new nominees, who should be considered CASE-BY-CASE) if

 

The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the majority of votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-pay frequency.

 

RIM will vote CASE-BY-CASE on the entire board if:

 

The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received a plurality, but not a majority, of the votes cast at the most recent shareholder meeting at which shareholders voted on the say-on-play frequency, taking into account:

 

The board’s rationale for selecting a different frequency;

 

The company’s ownership structure and vote results;

 

Analysis of whether there are compensation concerns or a history of problematic compensation practices; and

 

The previous year’s support level on the company’s say-on-pay proposal.

 

RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Management Say-on-Pay proposal if the company’s previous say-on-pay proposal received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

 

The company’s response, including:

 

Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors regarding the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

Specific actions taken to address the issues that contributed to the low level of support;

 

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Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

 

Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

 

The company’s ownership structure; and

 

Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

 

Majority Voting for Director Elections (U.S. and Canada)

 

Shareholder proposals calling for majority voting thresholds for director elections

 

We generally vote FOR these proposals unless the company has adopted formal corporate governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and/or provide an adequate response to both new nominees as well as incumbent nominees who fail to receive a majority of votes cast.

 

Chairman and CEO are the Same Person

 

We vote FOR shareholder proposals that would require the positions of chairman and CEO to be held by different persons.

 

Majority of Independent Directors

 

We vote FOR shareholder proposals that request that the board be composed of a two-thirds majority of independent directors.

 

We vote FOR shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors.

 

Stock Ownership Requirements

 

We vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.

 

We vote FOR management and shareholder proposals requiring directors be partially or fully paid in stock.

 

Options Backdating

 

We may recommend WITHHOLDING votes from the compensation committee, depending on the severity of the practices and the subsequent corrective actions on the part of the board.

 

We will adopt a CASE-BY-CASE policy to the options backdating issue. In recommending withhold votes from the compensation committee members who oversaw the questionable options grant practices or from current compensation committee members who fail to respond to the issue proactively, we will consider several factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;

 

Length of time of options backdating;

 

Size of restatement due to options backdating;

 

Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or repricing backdated options, or recoupment of option gains on backdated grants;

 

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Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating, and creation of a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants going forward.

 

Lack of nominating committee

 

We will WITHHOLD votes from insiders and affiliated outsiders for failure to establish a formal nominating committee. Furthermore, WITHHOLD votes from insiders and affiliated outsiders on any company where the board attests that the ‘independent’ directors serve the functions of a nominating committee.

 

Term of Office

 

We vote AGAINST shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors. Term limits pose artificial and arbitrary impositions on the board and could harm shareholder interests by forcing experienced and knowledgeable directors off the board.

 

Requiring two or more nominees

 

We vote AGAINST proposals to require two or more candidates for each board seat.

 

Age Limits

 

We vote AGAINST shareholder proposals to impose a mandatory retirement age for outside directors.

 

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

 

Proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

We vote AGAINST proposals to limit or eliminate director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.

 

We vote AGAINST indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness.

 

We vote FOR only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage in cases when a director's or officer's legal defense was unsuccessful if: (a) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (b) only if the director's legal expenses would be covered.

 

Succession Planning

 

Shareholder proposal seeking the adoption of a documented CEO succession planning policy.

We will evaluate such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering the company’s current practices and the scope of the proposal.

 

Limits for directors receiving 25% Withhold Votes

 

Shareholder proposal seeking a policy that forbids any director who receives more than 25% withhold votes cast from serving on any key board committee for two years, and asks the board to find replacement directors for the committees if need be.

We will evaluate such proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering the company’s current practices and the scope of the proposal.

 

Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications

 

We will vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder resolutions seeking a director nominee candidate who possesses a particular subject matter expertise, considering:

 

The company’s board committee structure, existing subject matter expertise, and board nomination provisions relative to that of its peers;

 

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The company’s existing board and management oversight mechanisms regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

The company disclosure and performance relating to the issue for which board oversight is sought and any significant related controversies; and

 

The scope and structure of the proposal

 

Director Elections – Non-U.S. Companies

 

Canada

 

In the following situations, votes will be WITHHELD:

 

From any director on the audit or compensation committee who served as the company’s CEO or who, within the past five years, served as the company’s CFO (This policy only applies to Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) companies).;

 

From audit committee members if audit fees are not disclosed in publicly filed documents or obtainable within a reasonable period of time prior to the shareholder’s meeting;

 

From audit committee members where “other” or non-audit related fees paid to the external auditor in the most recently completed fiscal year exceeded fees paid to that firm for all audit related services. In the case of slate ballots, a vote of WITHHOLD will be applied to the entire slate. (One-time fees disclosed as “other” that are paid for corporate reorganization services will be excluded from the calculation for determining whether non-audit fees exceed audit and audit-related fees paid to the external firm);

 

The individual director has attended fewer than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings held within the past year without a valid reason for his or her absence and the company has a plurality vote standard;

 

The individual director has attended fewer than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings held within the past year without a valid reason for his or her absence and a pattern of low attendance exists based on prior years’ meeting attendance, and the company has adopted a majority vote standard.

 

Generally WITHHOLD votes from all directors nominated by slate ballot at the annual/general or annual/special shareholders’ meetings. This policy will not apply to contested director elections.

 

Votes from individual directors (and the whole slate if the slate includes such individual directors) who:

 

Are insiders on the compensation or nominating committee and the committee is not majority independent.

 

Votes from individual directors (and the whole slate if the slate includes such individual directors) who:

 

Are insiders and the entire board fulfills the role of a compensation or nominating committee and the board is not majority independent

 

RIM policies support a one-share, one-vote principle. In recognition of the substantial equity stake held by certain shareholders, on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, director nominees who are or who represent a controlling shareholder of a majority owned company, who will be designated as controlling insiders, may generally be supported under ISS' board and committee independence policies, if the company meets all of the following independence and governance criteria:

a. Individually elected directors;
b. The number of related directors should not exceed the proportion of the common shares controlled by the controlling shareholder, to a maximum of two-thirds, however if the CEO is related to the controlling shareholder, then at least two-thirds of the directors should be independent of management;

 

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c. If the CEO and chair roles are combined or the CEO is or is related to the controlling shareholder, then there should be an independent lead director and the board should have an effective and transparent process to deal with any conflicts of interest between the company, minority shareholders, and the controlling shareholder; and
d. A majority of the audit and nominating committees should be either independent directors or related directors who are independent of management. All members of the compensation committee should be independent of management, and, if the CEO is related to the controlling shareholder, no more than one member of the compensation committee should be a related director;
e. Prompt disclosure of detailed vote results following each shareholder meeting; and
f. Adoption of a majority vote standard with a director resignation policy for uncontested elections OR a public commitment to adopt a majority voting standard with a director resignation policy for uncontested elections if the controlling shareholder ceases to control 50 percent or more of the common shares.

 

RIM will also consider the following:

a. Nominating committee has process to receive and discuss suggestions from shareholders for potential director nominees; and
b. If the CEO is related to the controlling shareholder, the board's process to evaluate the performance, leadership, compensation, and succession of management should be led by independent directors.

 

RIM will also take into consideration any other concerns related the conduct of the subject director and any controversy or questionable actions on the part of the subject director that are deemed not to be in the best interests of all shareholders.

 

In the following situations, we will vote AGAINST:

 

a. We will vote AGAINST compensation committee members if the company has poor pay practices as defined above.

 

b. We will generally vote AGAINST the entire slate if individual director elections are not permitted and the company demonstrates poor pay practices as defined above.

 

c. We will generally vote AGAINST equity plans if plan is used as a vehicle for poor pay practices as defined above.

 

Europe

 

Directors’ term of office
For the markets of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland, we vote AGAINST the election or reelection of any director when their term is not disclosed or when it exceeds four years and adequate explanation for non-compliance has not been provided.

 

Executives on audit and remuneration committees
For the markets of Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, we vote AGAINST the election or reelection of any executive (as defined by RMG’S director categorization guidelines), including the CEO, who serve on the audit and/or remuneration committees. We vote AGAINST if the disclosure is too poor to determine whether an executive serves or will serve on a committee.

 

Bundling of proposal to elect directors
For the markets of France and Germany, we vote AGAINST the election or reelection of any director if the company proposes a single slate of directors.

 

Majority-independent board (i.e., greater than 50%)
For the markets of Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, we vote AGAINST the election or reelection of any non-independent director (excluding the CEO) if the proposed board is not at least 50 % independent (as defined by RMG’S director categorization guidelines). For the markets of Finland, Sweden, Ireland, and Luxembourg, we vote AGAINST non-independent directors if there is not majority independence, but only for those companies that are part of the MSCI EAFE index.

Carve Outs: For the larger German companies where 50 % of the board must consist of labor

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representatives by law, we require one-third of the total board be independent.
France: We will vote FOR a non-independent, non-executive director, provided that two conditions are satisfied: future composition of the board of at least 33 percent of independents, AND improvements in board composition (e.g. independence increase from 25 to 40 percent).

 

Disclosure of names of nominees
For all European companies that are part of the MSCI EAFE index (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Greece, and Sweden), we vote AGAINST the election or reelection of any directors when the names of the nominees are not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting.. This policy will be applied to all companies in these markets, for bundled as well as unbundled items. In the case of Italy, once the list of nominees has been disclosed, we will evaluate each nominee on a CASE-BY- CASE basis. In the case of Poland and Turkey, RIM will vote FOR the election of directors in 2013 even if nominee names are not disclosed in a timely manner. Beginning in 2014, this grace period will cease.

 

All European Markets

RIM will vote AGAINST (re)election of a combined chair/CEO at core companies. However, with the company provides assurance that the chair/CEO would only serve in the combined role on an interim basis (no more than two years), with the intent of separating the roles within a given time frame, considerations should be given to these exceptional circumstances. In this respect, the vote will be made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. In order for RIM to consider a favorable vote for an interim combined chair/CEO the company will need to provide adequate control mechanisms on the board (such as a lead independent director, a high overall level of board independence, and a high level of independence on the board’s key committees.)

 

Ireland

 

We vote AGAINST on-independent directors if the majority board is not independent, but only for companies that are constituents of ISE 20.

 

Netherlands

 

We vote AGAINST nominees when their term is not disclosed or exceeds four years and an adequate explanation for noncompliance has not been provided.

 

Canada

 

We vote CASE-BY_CASE on proposals to adopt an Advance Notice Board Policy or to adopt or amend bylaws containing or adding an advance notice requirement, giving support to those proposals that provide a reasonable framework for shareholders to nominate directors by allowing shareholders to submit director nominations as close to the meeting date as is reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory and shareholder review. The company’s deadline for notice must not be more than 65 days and not less than 30 days prior to the meeting date.

 

Australia

 

We vote AGAINST affiliated outsiders and insiders on remuneration and/or audit committees that are not majority independent.

 

Singapore

 

We vote AGAINST:

 

Election of one executive director and one substantial-shareholder nominee where independent directors represent less than one-third of the board;

 

Audit committee members who are former partners of the company’s auditor;

 

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Directors who have attended less than 75 percent of meetings, without a reasonable explanation for those absences.

 

Election or reelection of non-independent nominees (including nominees who have been a partner of the company’s auditor within the last three years or is on the audit committee of the company) if at least one-third of the board is not independent

 

Classify a director as non-independent where the director has served on the board for more than nine years and where the board either fails to provide any reason for considering the director to still be independent, or where the stated reasons raise concerns among investors as to the director’s true level of independence..

 

We will NOT vote against the election of a CEO or a company founder who is integral to the company.

 

Hong Kong

 

RIM will generally vote FOR director nominees to the board, however, we will vote AGAINST any nominee who:

 

Is classified by the company as independent, but fails to meet the RIM criteria for independence

 

Has been a partner of the company’s auditor within the last three years, and serves on the audit committee;

 

c. Had attended less than 75 percent of board meeting over the most recent two years, without a satisfactory explanation;

 

d. Is an executive director serving on the remuneration committee or nomination committee, and the committee is not majority independent; or

 

e. Is an executive director serving on the audit committee.

 

f. Classified by the company as independent but fails to meet the ISS criteria for independence. Classify a director as non-independent where the director has served on the board for more than nine years, and where the board either fails to provide any reason for considering the director to still be independent, or where the stated reasons raise concerns among investors as to the director’s true level of independence.

 

Hong Kong and Singapore: Generally vote AGAINST all members of the audit committee up for reelection if:

 

a. The non-audit fees paid to the auditor exceed audit fees without satisfactory explanation; or

 

b. The company did not disclose the audit fees and /or non-audit fees in the latest fiscal year.

 

c. Vote AGAINST director nominees who sit on a total of more than six public company boards.

 

Malaysia

 

We vote AGAINST

 

Insiders on the audit or remuneration committees;

 

The election of management nominees if the nominee is an executive director and is a member of the audit or remuneration committees.

 

Korea

 

We vote AGAINST the election of an outside director to the board or to the audit committee where that director sits on a total of more than two public company boards.

 

South Korea

 

We vote AGAINST any nominee who is a non-independent director serving on the audit committee.

 

Korea, South Korea and South Africa

 

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We vote AGAINST the reelection of any outside directors who have attended less than 75 % of board meetings.

 

South Korea, Philippines

 

We vote FOR the election of directors unless there are specific concerns about the company, the board or the nominees.

 

We vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis that shareholders cumulate their votes for the independent directors .

 

We vote AGAINST all director elections where insufficient information on nominees has been disclosed.

 

Where independent directors represent less than a majority of the board, we will vote AGAINST the following directors:

 

Executive directors who are neither the CEO nor a member of the founding family and/or the most recently appointed non-independent non-executive director who represents a substantial shareholder, where the percentage of board seats held by representatives of the substantial shareholder are disproportionate to their holdings in the company.

 

Philippines

 

Where independent directors represent less than the highest of three independent directors or 30 percent of the board, RIM will vote AGAINST the following directors:

 

An executive director with exception of the CEO; or

 

One non-executive non-independent director who represents a substantial shareholder where the number of seats held by the representatives is disproportionate to its holdings in the company.

 

Brazil

 

RIM will vote AGAINST proposals to elect directors if the post-election board is not at least 30 percent independent. This policy applies to Novo Mercado companies.

 

RIM will vote AGAINST proposals to elect directors if the post-election board is not at least 20 percent independent. This policy applies to Nivel 2 companies.

 

Austria

 

We vote AGAINST supervisory board elections if names of nominees are not disclosed, for companies that are part of the MSCI EAFE index and/or the Austrian ATX index.

 

France (MSCI EAFE Index) - Combined Chairman/CEO

 

On proposals to change the board structure from a two-tier structure to a one-tier structure with a combination of the functions of Chairman and CEO, and/or the election or the reelection of a combined Chairman and CEO:

We vote on a CASE-BY-CASE policy, accepting a combination generally only in the following cases:

 

If it is a temporary solution;

 

If his/her removal from the board would adversely impact the company’s continuing operations;

 

If the company provides compelling argumentation for combining the two functions; or

 

If the company has put a sufficiently counterbalancing governance structure in place.
A counterbalancing structure may include the following:

 

At least 50 percent of the board members are independent (one-third for companies with a majority shareholder) according to the RMG criteria;

 

No executive serves on the audit committee and no executive serves on the remuneration committee (in the financial year under review if more up-to-date information is not available);

 

The chairmen of audit, remuneration and nomination committees are independent directors; and

 

All key governance committees have a majority of independent members.

 

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If disclosure is not sufficient to determine the above, this will lead to a negative evaluation of the concerned criterion. We will apply this policy for all core companies in France. This policy will also apply for resolutions for the election or the reelection of a combined Chairman and CEO for companies of the MSCI EAFE index, which represents the world’s largest companies that are expected to be held to higher standards.

 

Censor (non-voting board member) Elections: For widely held companies, RIM will generally vote AGAINST proposals seeking shareholder approval to elect a censor, to amend bylaws to authorize the appointment of censors, or to extend the maximum number of censors to the board.

 

However, RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis when the company provides assurance that the censor would serve on a short-term basis (maximum one year) with the intent to retain the nominee before his/her election as director. In this case, consideration shall also be given to the nominee’s situation (notably overboarding or other factors of concern.)

 

In consideration of the principle that censors should be appointed on a short-term basis, RIM will vote AGAINST any proposal to renew the term of a censor or to extend the statutory term of censors.

 

For directors standing for (re)election at French companies, will take into account board appointments as censors .

 

Denmark - Discharge of Management and Board

 

We vote AGAINST proposals to abolish the authority of the general meeting to vote on discharge of the board and management since proposals to withhold discharge are regarded by international investors as an important means by which they may express serious concern of management and board action

 

Sweden - Director Elections/Labor Representatives

 

For all Swedish MSCI EAFE companies, we vote AGAINST the election of nonindependent executive directors if less than 50 percent of the shareholder-elected members are independent non-executive directors.

 

In addition, for Swedish MSCI EAFE companies with labor representatives on the board of directors, we will apply Criterion (1) above, PLUS require that at least one-third of the total board (shareholder-elected members and labor representatives) be independent non-executive directors.

 

Israel

 

For Israeli companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange, we vote AGAINST the election/reelection of non-independent directors if a given board is not majority-independent and does not have at least three external directors.

Director and Auditor Indemnification We evaluate proposals on director and officer indemnification and liability protection on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

We vote AGAINST proposals that would:

 

Eliminate entirely directors' and officers' liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care;

 

Expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to liability for acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness;

 

Expand the scope of indemnification to provide for mandatory indemnification of company officials in connection with acts that previously the company was permitted to provide indemnification for at the discretion of the company's board (i.e. "permissive indemnification") but that previously the company was not required to indemnify.

 

For Israeli companies that are listed on a U.S. stock exchange and file a Form 20-F,we will vote AGAINST if the election of non-independent directors who sit on a company’s compensation committee.

 

If the board does not have compensation committee, we will vote AGAINST the non-independent directors serving on the board.

 

We vote FOR only those proposals providing such expanded coverage in cases when a director's or officer's legal defense was unsuccessful: 1) if the director was found to have acted in good faith and in

 

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a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and 2) if only the director's legal expenses would be covered.

 

For the issue of Indemnification and Liability Agreements with D/O, which is more common than proposals to amend bylaws, resolutions are frequently proposed to permit the companies to enter into new indemnification agreements with certain officers. We SUPPORT such requests if a company’s bylaws allow indemnification to such levels as allowed for under the Companies Law

 

Japan

 

We vote AGAINST the reelection of directors who fail to attend at least 75 percent of board meetings, unless the company discloses a legitimate reason for poor attendance. The same policy will be applied to statutory auditors.

 

For listed subsidiary companies that have publicly-traded parent cos, we vote AGAINST reelection of the top executive(s) if the board, after the shareholder meeting does not include at least two independent directors.

 

For listed subsidiaries with the three-committee structure, we vote AGAINST the reappointment of nomination committee members who are insiders or affiliated outsiders, unless the board after the shareholder meeting includes at least two independent directors.

 

The firm will not vote AGAINST the reelection of executives as long as the board includes at least one independent director.

 

We vote AGAINST the top executive at listed companies that have controlling shareholders, where the board after the shareholder meeting does not include at least two independent directors based on ISS' independence criteria for Japan.

 

For companies with a three-committee structure, RIM will vote AGAINST outside director nominees who are regarded as non-independent. However, if a majority of the directors on the board after the shareholder meeting are independent outsiders, vote FOR the appointment of affiliated outsiders

 

Vote AGAINST the top executive of a Japanese company if the board does not include at least one outside director.

 

Germany

 

For core companies with employee representatives on supervisory board: We vote AGAINST any non-independent director if less than one-third of the supervisory board is independent.

 

For core companies without employee representatives: We vote AGAINST any non-independent director if less than one-half of the supervisory board is independent.

 

We vote AGAINST supervisory board nominees in they hold more than a total of five supervisory board or foreign board of director seats and serve in an executive role at another company.

 

Spain

 

We vote AGAINST non-independent directors (excluding the CEO) for all core companies where the board is not at least one-third independent.

 

We vote AGAINST the routine election and reelection of directors if they are bundled under a single voting item.

 

United Kingdom

 

We consider on a CASE-BY-CASE basis the re-election of the Chairman of the board. In situations where he or she has direct responsibility for failure to comply with (or to explain satisfactorily) the Code, we vote ABSTAIN, or, if such an option is unavailable, we vote CONTENTIOUS FOR, or AGAINST.

 

Germany, U.K., The Netherlands

 

We will generally vote AGAINST the election or reelection of a former CEO as chairman to the supervisory board or the board of directors, unless:

 

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There are compelling reasons that justify the election or re-election of a former CEO as chairman;

 

The former CEO is proposed to become the board’s chairman only on an interim or temporary basis;

 

The former CEO is proposed to be elected as the board’s chairman for the first time after a reasonable cooling-off period; or

 

The board chairman will not receive a level of compensation comparable to the company’s executives nor assume executive functions in markets where this is applicable.

 

Latin America, Turkey, Indonesia

 

WE will vote AGAINST election of directors if the name of the nominee is not disclosed in a timely manner prior to the meeting. This is only for each respective market’s main blue chip (large cap) index.

 

Russia

 

WE will vote AGAINST proposals to elect directors, if names of nominees are not disclosed.

 

Taiwan

 

WE will vote AGAINST the election of directors if the names or shareholder ID numbers are not disclosed.

 

India

 

RIM votes AGAINST all non-independent director nominees (other than a CEO/managing director, executive chairman, or company founder who is deemed integral to the company) where independent directors represent less than one-third of the board (if the chairman is a non-executive) or one-half of the board (if the chairman is an executive director or a promoter director.) Austria:

 

We will vote AGAINST the election or reelection of any non-independent directors (excluding the CEO) if the proposed board is not at least 50-percent independent (as defined by ISS' director categorization guidelines). If a nominee cannot be categorized, RIM will assume that person is non-independent and include that nominee in the calculation. The policy will apply only to core companies. For core companies where the board must include labor representatives by law, RIM will require that one-third of the total board be independent.

 

Finland:

 

As it is market practice in Finland to have non-board members that are representatives of major shareholders serving on the nominating committee, we will FOR proposals to elect a nominating committee consisting of mainly non-board members, but advocate disclosure of the names of the proposed candidates to the committee in the meeting notice.

 

We will also vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for disclosure of the names of the proposed candidates at the meeting, as well as the inclusion of a representative of minority shareholders in the committee.

 

27. South Africa:

 

We will vote FOR the reelection of directors unless:

 

a. Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;

 

b. There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;

 

c. There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;

 

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d. There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests;

 

e. The board fails to meet minimum governance standards;

 

f. There are specific concerns about the individual nominee, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities;

 

g. Repeated absences (less than 75 percent attendance) at board meetings have not been explained; or

 

h. Elections are bundled.

 

Additional factors resulting from recent changes in local code of best practice include:

 

a. The director is an executive who serves on one of the key board committees (audit, compensation, nominations);

 

b. The director combines the roles of chair and CEO and the company has not provided an adequate explanation;

 

c. The director is the former CEO who has been appointed as chair;

 

d. The director is a non-independent NED who serves on the audit committee;

 

e. The director is a non-independent NED who serves on the compensation or nomination committee and there is not a majority of independent NEDs on the committee. However, such a consideration should take into account the potential implications for the board's black economic empowerment (BEE) credentials;

 

f. The director is a non-independent NED and the majority of NEDs on the board are not independent. However, such a consideration should take into account the potential implications for the board's black economic empowerment (BEE) credentials;

 

We will vote FOR the reelection of the audit committee and/or audit committee members unless:

 

The committee includes one or more non-independent NEDs;

 

The audit committee member is a non-independent NED;

 

Members of the committee do not meet the further minimum requirements for audit committee membership to be outlined by the South African government;

 

There are serious concerns about the accounts presented, the audit procedures used, or some other feature for which the audit committee has responsibility

 

28. Tax Havens

 

For US companies we apply the US guidelines.

 

For foreign private issuers, we vote AGAINST affiliated outsiders on the audit committee.

 

Truly foreign companies that do not have a U.S. listing will be evaluated under the corporate governance standards of their home market.

 

For uniquely structured shipping companies we vote AGAINST executive nominees when the company has not established a compensation committee when i) the company does not pay any compensation to its executive officers; ii) any compensation is paid by a third party under a contract with the company.

 

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We vote AGAINST affiliated outsider directors on the audit, compensation, and nominating committees.

 

We vote AGAINST inside directors and affiliated outside directors for foreign private issuers that trade exclusively in the United States but fail to establish a majority independent board.

 

II.        Proxy Contests

 

Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

 

Votes in a contested election of directors are evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, considering the following factors:

 

Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;

 

Management's track record;

 

Background to the proxy contest;

 

Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);

 

Evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and

 

Stock ownership positions.

 

Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses

 

We vote AGAINST proposals to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest.

 

III.        Auditors

 

A. Ratifying Auditors

 

1. Proposals to ratify auditors are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

2. We vote AGAINST the ratification of auditors and audit committee members when the company’s non-audit fees (“other”) are excessive. In circumstances where “other” fees are related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are determined to be an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.

Audit Fees = statutory audit fees + audit related fees + permissible tax services (this excludes tax strategy)

Non-Audit Fees = other fees (ex. consulting)

The formula used to determine if the non-audit fees are excessive is as follows:

Non-audit (“other”) fees > (audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation fees)

 

3. We vote AGAINST the ratification of auditors if there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

 

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4. We WITHHOLD votes from audit committee members when the company’s non-audit fees (ex. consulting) are greater than 50% of total fees paid to the auditor. We may take action against members of an audit committee in situations where there is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

 

5. We WITHHOLD votes from audit committee members when auditor ratification is not included on the proxy ballot.

 

B. Italy - Director and Auditor Indemnification

 

Proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and auditors

 

1. Votes are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis to indemnify directors and officers, and we vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify external auditors.

 

2. We vote FOR the indemnification of internal auditors, unless the costs associated with the approval are not disclosed.

 

C. Austria, Greece, Portugal and Spain:

 

We vote FOR the reelection of auditors and /or proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees, unless:

 

1. There are serious concerns about the procedures used by the auditor;

 

2. There is reason to believe that the auditor has rendered an opinion, which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

 

3. External auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the company;

 

4. Name of the proposed auditors has not been published;

 

5. The auditors are being changed without explanation; or

 

6. Fees for non-audit services exceed standard annual audit-related fees.

 

D. Hong Kong, Singapore

 

1. Vote FOR proposals to (re)appoint auditors and authorize the board to fix their remuneration, unless:

 

a. There are serious concerns about the accounts presented or the audit procedures used;

 

b. The auditor is being changed without explanation; or

 

c. The non-audit fees exceed the audit fees paid to the external auditor in the latest fiscal year without satisfactory explanation.

 

E. MSCI EAFE Companies - Auditor Fee Disclosure

 

1. We vote FOR auditor ratification and/or approval of auditors’ fees, unless: Auditors’ fees for the previous fiscal year are not disclosed and broken down into at least audit and non-audit fees.

 

2. The fees must be disclosed in a publicly available source, such as the annual report or company Web site. If approval of auditors’ fees and auditor ratification are two separate

 

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voting items, a vote recommendation of AGAINST would apply only to the fees, not to the auditor ratification.

 

IV.          Proxy Contest Defenses

 

A. Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections

 

1. We vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board.

 

2. We vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

B. Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors

 

1. We vote AGAINST proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

 

2. We vote FOR proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.

 

3. We vote AGAINST proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

 

4. We vote FOR proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

C. Cumulative Voting

 

1. We vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

 

2. We generally vote FOR proposals to restore or permit cumulative voting unless there are compelling reasons to recommend AGAINST the proposal, such as:

 

a. the presence of a majority threshold voting standard with a carve-out for plurality in situations where there are more nominees than seats, and a director resignation policy to address failed elections;

 

b. a proxy access provision in the company’s bylaws, or a similar structure that allows shareholders to nominate directors to the company’s ballot

 

3. We vote FOR proposals for cumulative voting at controlled companies (insider voting power > 50%).

 

D. Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

 

1. We vote AGAINST proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

 

2. We vote FOR proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

 

E. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

 

We will generally vote AGAINST management and shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders' ability to act by written consent.

 

Generally vote FOR management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, taking into account the following factors:

 

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Shareholders' current right to act by written consent;

 

The consent threshold;

 

The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

 

Investor ownership structure; and

 

Shareholder support of, and management's response to, previous shareholder proposals.

 

RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on shareholder proposals if, in addition to the considerations above, the company has the following governance and antitakeover provisions:

 

An unfettered 1 right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold;

 

A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;

 

No non-shareholder-approved pill; and

 

An annually elected board.

 

F. Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board

 

1. We vote FOR proposals that seek to fix the size of the board.

 

2. We vote AGAINST proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

 

3. We vote AGAINST proposals seeking to amend the company’s board size to fewer than five seats or more than fifteen seats.

 

V.         Tender Offer Defenses

 

A. Poison Pills

 

1. We generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification unless:

 

a. A shareholder-approved poison pill is in place.

 

b. The company has adopted a policy specifying that the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either:

 

i. Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan, or

 

ii. The board determines that it is in the best interest of shareholders to adopt a pill without the delay of seeking shareholder approval, in which the pill will be put to a vote within 12 months of adoption or it will expire.

 

2. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to redeem a company's poison pill.

 

3. We vote AGAINST management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

 

4. We will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals to adopt a poison pill or protective amendment to preserve a company’s net operating losses based on the following criteria:

 

a. The trigger (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent);

 


1 "Unfettered" means no restrictions on agenda items, no restrictions on the number of shareholders who can group together to reach the 10 percent threshold, and only reasonable limits on when a meeting can be called: no greater than 30 days after the last annual meeting and no greater than 90 prior to the next annual meeting.

 

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b. The value of the NOLs;

 

c. The term;

 

d. Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, causing expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs); and other factors that may be applicable.

 

e. The company’s existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and

 

f. Any other factors that may be applicable.

 

B. Poison Pills (Japan)

 

We vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and will only SUPPORT resolutions if:

 

1. The decision to trigger the pill is made after an evaluation of the takeover offer by a committee whose members are all independent of management.

 

2. The pill will not be triggered unless the potential acquirer has purchased a stake of at least 20% of issued share capital.

 

3. The effective duration of the poison pill is for a maximum of three years.

 

4. The board includes at least 20% (but no fewer than two) independent directors, and the directors are subject to annual election by shareholders.

 

5. The company has disclosed under what circumstances it expects to make use of the authorization to issue warrants and has disclosed what steps it is taking to address the vulnerability to a takeover by enhancing shareholder value.

 

6. There are no other protective or entrenchment tools.

 

7. The company releases its proxy circular, with details of the poison pill proposal, at least three weeks prior to the meeting.

 

C. Anti-Takeover Proposals (France)

 

We vote AGAINST all anti-takeover proposals unless they are structured in such a way that they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.

 

D. Fair Price Provisions

 

1. We vote proposals to adopt fair price provisions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, evaluating factors such as the vote required to approve the proposed acquisition, the vote required to repeal the fair price provision, and the mechanism for determining the fair price.

 

2. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

 

E. Greenmail

 

1. We vote FOR proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail payments.

 

2. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis anti-greenmail proposal when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

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F. Pale Greenmail

 

We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis restructuring plans that involve the payment of pale greenmail.

 

G. Unequal Voting Rights

 

1. We vote AGAINST dual class exchange offers.

 

2. We vote AGAINST dual class recapitalizations.

 

H. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws

 

1. We vote AGAINST management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

 

2. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments. However for companies with shareholder(s) who have significant ownership levels, we vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, taking into account the following criteria:

 

a. Ownership structure;

 

b. Quorum requirements; and

 

c. Supermajority vote requirements.

 

I. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers

 

1. We vote AGAINST management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

2. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

J. White Squire Placements

 

We vote FOR shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues for other than general corporate purposes.

 

K. Protective Preference Shares

 

We evaluate these proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and will only support resolutions if:

 

1. The supervisory board needs to approve an issuance of shares while the supervisory board is independent within the meaning of RMG’S categorization rules and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.

 

2. No call/put option agreement exists between the company and the foundation.

 

3. There is a qualifying offer clause or there are annual management and supervisory board elections.

 

4. The issuance authority is for a maximum of 18 months.

 

5. The board of the company-friendly foundation is independent.

 

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6. The company has disclosed under what circumstances it expects to make use of the possibility to issue preference shares.

 

7. There are no priority shares or other egregious protective or entrenchment tools.

 

8. The company releases its proxy circular, with details of the poison pill proposal, at least three weeks prior to the meeting.

 

9. Art 2:359c Civil Code of the legislative proposal has been implemented.

 

VI.        Miscellaneous Governance Provisions

 

A. Confidential Voting

 

1. We vote FOR shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, to use independent tabulators, and to use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

 

2. We vote FOR management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

 

B. Equal Access

 

RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals to enact proxy access, taking into account, among other factors:

 

1. Company-specific factors; and

 

2. Proposal-specific factors, including:

 

a. The ownership thresholds proposed in the resolution (i.e. percentage and duration);

 

b. The maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year; and

 

c. The method of determining which nominations should appear on the ballot if multiple shareholders submit nominations. .

 

C. Bundled Proposals

 

We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis bundled or "conditioned" proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders' best interests, we vote AGAINST the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we SUPPORT such proposals.

 

D. Shareholder Advisory Committees

 

We vote AGAINST proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee.

 

E. Charitable Contributions

 

We vote AGAINST shareholder proposals to eliminate, direct or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.

 

F. Adjourn Meeting Requests to Solicit Additional Proxies to Approve Merger Agreement

 

We will vote FOR this when:

 

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1. We support the underlying merger proposal

 

2. The company provides a compelling reason and

 

3. The authority is limited to adjournment proposals requesting the authority to adjourn solely to solicit proxies to approve a transaction that we support.

 

G. Related-Party Transactions (France)

 

Management proposals to approve the special auditor’s report regarding regulated agreements

 

1. We evaluate these proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis taking into consideration the individuals concerned in the agreement, detailed content of the agreement, and convened remuneration.

 

2. We vote AGAINST if the report is not available 21 days prior to the meeting date, or if the report contains an agreement between a non-executive director and the company for the provision of consulting services.

 

3. We vote FOR if the report is not available 21 days prior to the meeting date, but the resolution states that there are none.

 

H. Related Party Transaction Auditor Reports (France)

 

We will evaluate on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering 1) adequate disclosure, 2) sufficient justification on apparently unrelated transactions, 3) fairness option (if applicable), and 4) any other relevant information.

 

I. Related Party Transactions (Malaysia)

 

RIM will vote AGAINST a related-party transaction if:

 

· A director who is classified by the company as independent has a vested interest in the business transaction AND

 

· The value of the transaction exceeds MYR 250,000. In addition, directors involved in related party transaction in excess of MYR 250,000 will be classified as non-independent.

 

J. Financial Assistance Authorities (South Africa)

 

Generally vote FOR a general authority to provide financial assistance, unless:

 

· As part of the authority, the company requests a general authority to provide financial assistance to directors, and this is not limited to participation in share incentive schemes; and/or

 

· As part of the authority, the company seeks approval to provide financial assistance “to any person.”

 

K. Authority to Reduce Minimum Notice Period for Calling a Meeting (non-US Companies)

 

Central and Eastern Europe

 

We will vote proposals to reduce minimum notice period for calling a meeting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

Generally, approve “enabling” authority proposal on the basis that RIM would typically expect companies to call EGMs/GMs using a notice period of less than 21 days only in limited circumstances where a shorter notice period will be to the advantage of shareholders as a whole. By definition, EGMs being regular meetings of the company, should not merit a notice period of less than 21 days.

In a market where local legislation permits EGM/GM to be called at no less than 14-day’s notice, RMG will generally support the proposal if the company discloses that eh shorter notice period of between 20 and 14 days would not be used as a routine matter for such meetings buy only when the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting. Where the proposal at a give EGM/GM is not time-sensitive, RIM would not typically expect a

 

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company to invoke the shorter notice notwithstanding any prior approval of the enabling authority proposal by shareholders.

With the exception of the first AGM at which approval of the enabling authority is sought, when evaluating an enabling authority proposal, RIM will consider the company’s use of shorter notice periods in the preceding year to ensure that such periods were invoked solely in connection with genuinely time-sensitive matters. Where the company has not done so, and fails to provide a clear explanation, we will consider voting AGAINST the enabling authority for the coming year.

 

J. Exclusive Venue Proposals (Mgmt proposals seeking exclusive jurisdiction for resolution of disputes)

 

RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on exclusive venue proposals taking into account:

 

1. Whether the company has been materially harmed by shareholder litigation outside its jurisdiction of incorporation, based on disclosure in the company’s proxy statement; and

 

2. whether the company has the following good governance features:

 

a. an annually elected board;

 

b. a majority vote standard in uncontested director elections; and

 

c. the absence of a poison pill, unless the pill was approved by shareholders.

 

VII.         Capital Structure

 

A. Common Stock Authorization

 

1. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue.

 

2. We vote AGAINST proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of stock that has superior voting rights in companies that have dual-class capitalization structures.

 

3. We vote AGAINST proposals which request increases in the number of authorized shares over a level 50 % above currently authorized shares, after taking into account any stock split or financing activity, without specific reasons.

 

B. Capital Issuance Requests

 

1. General issuance requests under both authorized and conditional capital systems allow companies to issue shares to raise funds for general financing purposes. Issuances can be carried out with or without preemptive rights. Corporate law in many countries recognizes preemptive rights and requires shareholder approval for the disapplication of such rights.

 

a. We vote FOR general issuance requests with preemptive rights for up to 50% of a company’s outstanding capital.

 

b. We vote FOR general issuance requests without preemptive rights for up to 10% of a company’s outstanding capital.

 

c. We vote AGAINST global company issuances without preemptive rights over 10% of a company’s outstanding capital.

 

2. Specific issuance requests will be judged on their individual merits.

 

3. Protective Preference Shares (Netherlands)
Management proposals to approve protective preference shares to company-friendly foundations:

 

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We will evaluate these proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and will only support resolutions if:

 

a. The supervisory board needs to approve an issuance of shares while the supervisory board is independent within the meaning of RMG’S categorization rules and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.

 

b. No call/put option agreement exists between the company and the foundation.

 

c. There is a qualifying offer clause or there are annual management and supervisory board elections.

 

d. The issuance authority is for a maximum of 18 months.

 

e. The board of the company-friendly foundation is independent.

 

f. The company has disclosed under what circumstances it expects to make use of the possibility to issue preference shares.

 

g. There are no priority shares or other egregious protective or entrenchment tools.

 

h. The company releases its proxy circular, with details of the poison pill proposal, at least three weeks prior to the meeting.

 

i. Art 2:359c Civil Code of the legislative proposal has been implemented.

 

4. U.K and Netherlands
We will vote FOR issuance requests only if share issuance periods are limited to 18 months.

 

5. South Africa

 

a. We will vote FOR a general Authority to place authorized but unissued shares under the control of the directors unless:

 

i. The authority is over a number of shares equivalent to more than 10% of the current issued share capital.

 

ii. The authority would allow shares to be used for share incentive scheme purposes and the underlying scheme(s) raises concerns.

 

iii. The company used the authority during the previous year in a manner deemed not to be in shareholders’ best interests.

 

b. We will vote FOR a general authority to issue shares for cash unless:

 

i. The authority is over a number of shares equivalent to more than 10% of the current issued share capital.

 

ii. The company used the authority during the previous year in a manner deemed not to be in shareholder’s interest.

 

6. Taiwan

 

Generally vote FOR general mandate for public share issuance if the issue size is no more than 20% of the existing share capital or if the mandate includes a private placement as one of the financing channels if the resulting dilution rate is no more than 10%.

We vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on requests to issue shares for a specific purpose such as the financing of a particular project, an acquisition or a merger.

 

7. France
We will vote FOR general issuance requests with or without preemptive rights but with a binding “priority right” for a maximum of 50% over currently issued capital.

 

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C. Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

 

We vote FOR management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the increase in authorized shares would not result in an excessive number of shares available for issuance given a company’s industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.

 

D. Reverse Stock Splits

 

1. We vote FOR management proposals to implement a reverse stock split when the number of shares will be proportionately reduced to avoid delisting.

 

2. We vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to implement a reverse stock split that do not proportionately reduce the number of shares authorized for issue.

 

E. Preferred Stock

 

1. We vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock).

 

2. We vote FOR proposals to create blank check preferred stock in cases when the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense.

 

3. We vote FOR proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies that the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

 

4. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE BASIS proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred shares after analyzing the number of preferred shares available for issue given a company’s industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.

 

F. Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock

 

We vote FOR management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

 

G. Preemptive Rights

 

1. We vote FOR proposals to create preemptive rights.

 

2. We vote AGAINST proposals to eliminate preemptive rights.

 

H. Debt Restructurings

 

We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan. We consider the following issues:

 

1. Dilution: How much will ownership interest of existing shareholders be reduced, and how extreme will dilution to any future earnings be?

 

2. Change in Control: Will the transaction result in a change in control of the company?

 

3. Bankruptcy: Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructurings unless there are clear signs of self-dealing or other abuses.

 

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I. Share Repurchase Programs

 

1. We will generally vote FOR market repurchase authorities/share repurchase programs provided that the proposal meets the following parameters:

 

a. Maximum volume: 10 percent for market repurchase within any single authority (Carve out: 15 percent in the U.K.) and 10 percent of outstanding shares to be kept in treasury (“on the shelf”);

 

b. Duration does not exceed 18 months. For company’s who operate in markets that do not specify a maximum duration or durations last beyond 18 months. We will assess their historic practices.

 

2. Vote AGAINST proposals where:

 

a. The repurchase can be used for takeover defenses;

 

b. There is clear evidence of abuse;

 

c. There is no safeguard against selective buybacks;

 

d. Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

 

3. Consider Case-by-Case if these conditions are met:

 

a. The overall balance of the proposed plan seems to be clearly in shareholders’ interests;

 

b. The plan still respects the 10 percent maximum of shares to be kept in treasury.

 

J. Share Repurchase Programs to Fund Stock Option Plans

 

1. Spain

 

We vote AGAINST proposals to repurchase shares in connection with stock option plans when no information associated with the plan is available prior to the general meeting. However, we will maintain our stance on routine repurchases if it is disclosed that there is no connection.

 

2. Portugal

 

We will consider this item on a CASE-BY-CASE basis and will take into consideration whether information associated with the plan is available prior to the general meeting, and if there is any improvement in disclosure around option plans.

 

K. Additional Share Repurchase Programs

 

1. Denmark

 

Repurchase of shares in lieu of dividends – We will consider this item on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering tax benefits and cost savings.

 

2. Germany and Italy

 

Repurchase shares using put and call options – We will vote FOR provided the company details:

 

a. Authorization is limited to 18 months

 

b. The number of shares that would be purchased with call options and/or sold with put options is limited to a max of 5% of TSO

 

c. An experienced financial institution is responsible for the trading

 

d. The company has a clean track record regarding repurchases.

 

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L. Netherlands - Remuneration Report

 

Management is required to put its remuneration policy up for a binding shareholder vote. We will evaluate this item using principles of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.

Netherlands - Protective Preference Shares: Proposals to approve protective preference shares

We vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. In general, we vote FOR protective preference shares (PPS) only if:

 

1. The supervisory board needs to approve an issuance of shares whilst the supervisory board is independent within the meaning of RMG’s categorization rules and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (i.e. a maximum of one member can be non-independent);

 

2. No call / put option agreement exists between the company and a foundation for the issuance of PPS;

 

3. The issuance authority is for a maximum of 18 months;

 

4. The board of the company friendly foundation is fully independent;

 

5. There are no priority shares or other egregious protective or entrenchment tools;

 

6. The company states specifically that the issue of PPS is not meant to block a takeover, but will only be used to investigate alternative bids or to negotiate a better deal;

 

7. The foundation buying the PPS does not have as a statutory goal to block a takeover;

 

8. The PPS will be outstanding for a period of maximum 6 months (an EGM must be called to determine the continued use of such shares after this period)

 

M. Tracking Stock

 

We vote on the creation of tracking stock on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, weighing the strategic value of the transaction AGAINST such factors as:

 

1. Adverse governance charges

 

2. Excessive increases in authorized capital stock

 

3. Unfair method of distribution

 

4. Diminution of voting rights

 

5. Adverse conversion features

 

6. Negative impact on stock option plans

 

7. Other alternatives such as spinoff

 

N. “Going Dark” Transactions

 

We vote these proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, determining whether the transaction enhances shareholder value by giving consideration to:

 

1. Whether the company has attained benefits from being publicly traded.

 

2. Cash-out value

 

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3. Balanced interests of continuing vs. cashed-out shareholders

 

4. Market reaction to public announcement of transaction

 

VIII. Executive and Director Compensation

 

A. General

 

1. Votes with respect to compensation plans are determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

2. We vote AGAINST plans that contain:

 

a. Voting power dilution greater than 10%

 

b. Plans that provide too much discretion to directors

 

c. Plans that reflect exercise price of less than 100% of market value. (Note: For broad-based employee plans, we will accept 15% discount)

 

d. Plans that allow the repricing of underwater stock options without shareholder approval

 

e. Plans that lack option expensing

 

f. Canada Specific:

 

i. The total cost of the company’s equity plans is unreasonable – Dilution and Burn Rate; where the cost of the plan cannot be calculated due to lack of relevant historical data, OR if the historic burn rate for all company plans has been more than 2% per year. If equity has been granted as part of the resolution subject to shareholder approval and the grants made exceed 2% OS;

 

ii. Plan Amendment Provisions that do not meet established guidelines;

 

iii. Non-employee Director participate is discretionary or unreasonable;

 

iv. There is a disconnect between CEO pay and the company’s performance

 

v. The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options without shareholder approval

 

vi. The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices.

 

g. France-specific: RIM will generally vote FOR equity-based compensation proposals taking into account the following factors:

 

i. The volume of awards transferred to participants must not be excessive; the potential volume of fully diluted issued share capital from equity-based compensation plans must not exceed the following guidelines:

 

   o The shares reserved for all share plans may not exceed 5% of a company’s issued share capital, except in the case of a high-growth company or particularly well-designed plan, in which case dilution of between 5 and 10% is allowed.

 

ii. The plan must be sufficiently long-term in nature/structure; minimum vesting of 3 years or more; and

 

iii. The awards must be granted at market price.

 

B. Management Proposals Seeking Approval to Reprice Options

 

We vote on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

C. Director Compensation

 

We vote on stock-based plans for directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

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D. Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

1. We vote on qualified employee stock purchase plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

2. We vote on non-qualified employee stock purchase plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis but will APPROVE plans considering the following criteria:

 

a. Broad-based participation (all employees excluding individuals with 5% or more of beneficial ownership)

 

b. Limits on employee contribution, either fixed dollar or percentage of salary

 

c. Company matching contribution up to 25%

 

d. No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company matching contribution

 

3. Canada

 

RIM will generally vote FOR broadly based (preferably all employees of the company with the exclusion of individuals with 5 percent or more beneficial ownership of the company) employee stock purchase plans where the following apply:

 

a. Reasonable limit on employee contribution (may be expressed as a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of base salary excluding bonus, commissions and special compensation);

 

b. Employer contribution of up to 25% of employee contribution and no purchase price discount or employer contribution of more than 25% of employee contribution and SVT cost of the company’s equity plans is within the allowable cap for the company;

 

c. Purchase price is at least 80% of fair market value with no employer contribution;

 

d. Potential dilution together with all other equity-based plans is 10% of outstanding common shares for less; and

 

e. Plan Amendment Provision requires shareholder approval for amendments to:

 

i. The number of shares reserved for the plan;

 

ii. The allowable purchase price discount;

 

iii. The employer matching contribution amount.

 

Treasury-funded ESPPs, as well as market purchase funded ESPPs requesting shareholder approval, will be considered to be incentive-based compensation if the employer match is greater than 25%. RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis taking into account the following factors:

 

a. Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) cost of the plan;

 

b. Eligibility;

 

c. Administration;

 

d. The company’s other equity-based compensation plans and benefit programs, in particular pensions.

 

E. OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals:

 

1. Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grants or Amend Administrative Features

 

We vote FOR plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.

 

2. Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals

 

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a. We vote FOR amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.

 

b. We vote FOR plans that support full disclosure and linking compensation to performance goals that impact the long-term performance of the firm (e.g. compliance with environmental/EPA regulations, labor supplier standards or EEOC laws).

 

3. Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions under OBRA

 

We evaluate votes on amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

4. Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans

 

a. We vote on cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

b. We generally vote AGAINST plans with excessive awards ($2 million cap).

 

5. Independent Outsiders

 

We will vote AGAINST proposals if the compensation committee does not fully consist of independent outsiders, as defined in our definition of director independence.

 

F. Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay

 

1. We generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information.

 

2. We vote AGAINST all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.

 

G. Golden and Tin Parachutes

 

1. We vote FOR shareholder proposals to require golden and tin parachutes to be submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

2. We vote AGAINST golden parachutes.

 

3. Voting on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on Golden Parachute proposals, including consideration of existing change in control arrangements maintained with named executive officers rather than focusing primarily on new or extended arrangements.

 

a. Features that may result in an AGAINST recommendation include one or more of the following, depending on the number, magnitude, and/or timing of issues(s):

 

b. Single or modified single trigger cash severance;

 

c. Single trigger acceleration of unvested equity awards;

 

d. Excessive cash severance (>3x base salary and bonus);

 

e. Excise tax gross ups triggered and payable (as opposed to a provision to provide excise tax gross ups);

 

f. Excessive golden parachute payments (on an absolute basis or as percentage of transaction equity value); or

 

g. Recent amendments that incorporate any problematic features (such as those above) or recent actions (such as extraordinary equity grants) that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; or

 

h. The company’s assertion that a proposed transaction is conditions on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote.

 

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4.

 

5. .

 

H. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

 

We vote FOR proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is "excessive" (i.e., generally greater than 5% of outstanding shares).

 

I. 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

 

We vote FOR proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

J. Pension Plan Income and Performance-Based Compensation

 

Generally we vote FOR proposals to exclude earnings on assets of company sponsored pension plans in determining executive and director compensation. Our position generally does not view the following factors as relevant: 1) the amount of pension plan earnings, and 2) the percentage, if any, such pension plan earnings contribute to the company’s pre-tax earnings.

 

K. Indexed Options and Performance Vested Restricted Stock

 

We generally vote FOR indexed options and performance vested restricted stock.

 

L. Burn Rate

 

We vote AGAINST equity plans that have high average three-year burn rate defined as 1) the company’s most recent three-year burn rate that exceeds one standard deviation of its GICS segmented by Russell 3000 index and non-Russell 3000 Index, OR 2) the company’s most recent three-year burn rate that exceeds 2% of common shares outstanding. For companies that grant both full value awards and stock options to their employees, we shall apply a premium on full value awards for the past three fiscal years.

 

M. Transferable Stock Options

 

1. We will generally vote FOR TSO awards within a new equity plan if the total cost of the company’s equity plans is less than the company’s allowable cap, assuming all other conditions have been met to receive a FOR recommendation. The TSO structure must be disclosed and amendments to existing plans should make clear that only options granted post-amendment shall be transferable.

 

2. One-time transfers will be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to the following:

 

a. Executive officers and non-employee directors should be excluded from participating.

 

b. Stock options must be purchased by third-party financial institutions at a discount to their fair value using an appropriate financial model.

 

There should be a two-year minimum holding period for sale proceeds (cash or stock) for all participants.

 

N. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERPs)

 

We evaluate on a CASE-BY-CASE basis Shareholder proposal to limit ‘covered compensation’ under their SERP plan to no more than 100% of a senior executive’s salary, considering the company’s current SERP plan.

 

O. Pay-for-Superior-Performance

 

We evaluate Shareholder proposals to establish a pay-for-superior-performance standard on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering the company’s current pay-for-performance practices.

 

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P. Executive Compensation Advisory Proposal (Say on Pay)

 

1. RIM will vote FOR annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies’ executive pay programs.

 

2. We evaluate shareholder proposals to ratify the compensation of the company’s named executive officers (NEOs) on an annual basis on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering the following global principles:

 

a. Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors: the linkage between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;

 

b. Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure.” This principle addresses the use and appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;

 

c. Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g., including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);

 

d. Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;

 

e. Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.

 

f. Evaluation of performance metrics in short-term and long-term plans, as discussed and explained in the Compensation Discussion & Analysis. Consider the measures, goal, and target awards reported by the company for executives’ short and long-term incentive awards; disclosure, explanation of their alignment with the company’s business strategy, and whether goals appear to be sufficiently challenging in relation to resulting payouts;

 

g. Evaluation of peer group benchmarking used to set target pay or award opportunities. Consider the rationale stated by the company for constituents in its pay benchmarking peer group, as well as the benchmark targets it uses to set or validate executives’ pay to ascertain whether the benchmarking process is sound or may result in pay “ratcheting” due to inappropriate peer group constituents or targeting; and

 

h. Balance of performance based versus non-performance based pay. Consider the ratio of performance based (not including plain vanilla stock options) vs. non-performance based pay elements reported for the CEO latest reported fiscal year compensation especially in conjunction with concerns about other factors such as performance metrics/goals, benchmarking practices, and pay-for-performance disconnects.

 

3. RIM will vote AGAINST management say on pay proposals, AGAINST/WITHHOLD on compensation committee members (or, for rare cases, where the full board is deemed responsible, all directors including the CEO,) and/or AGAINST an equity-based incentive plan proposal if: :

 

a. There is a misalignment between CEO pay and company;

 

b. The company maintains problematic pay practices;

 

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c. The board exhibits poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

 

Q. Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans)

 

We generally vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for certain principles regarding the use of pre-arranged trading plans (10b5-1 plans) for executives. These principles include:

 

1. Adoption, amendment, or termination of a 10b5-1 Plan must be disclosed within two business days in a Form 8-K

 

2. Amendment or early termination of a 10b5-1 Plan is allowed only under extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the board

 

3. Ninety days must elapse between adoption or amendment of a 10b5-1 Plan and initial trading under the plan

 

4. Reports on Form 4 must identify transactions made pursuant to a 10b5-1 Plan. An executive may not trade in company stock outside the 10b5-1 Plan.

 

5. Trades under a 10b5-1 Plan must be handled by a broker who does not handle other securities transactions for the executive

 

R. Share Buyback Holding Periods

 

We will generally vote FOR market repurchase authorities (share repurchase programs) if the terms comply with the following criteria:

 

1. A repurchase limit of up to 10% of outstanding issued share capital (15% in UK/Ireland);

 

2. A holding limit of up to 10% of issued share capital in treasury; and

 

3. A duration of no more than 5 years, or such lower threshold as may be set by applicable law, regulation or code of governance best practice.

 

Authorities to repurchase shares in excess of the 10% repurchase limit will be assessed on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. We will support such share repurchase authorities under special circumstances, which are required to be publicly disclosed by the company, provided that, on balance, the proposal is in shareholder’s interest. In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

4. A holding limit of up to 10% of a company’s issued share capital in treasury; and

 

5. A duration of no more than 18 months.

 

In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, we will evaluate the proposal based on the company’s historical practice. However, RIM expects companies to disclose such limits and, in the future, may vote AGAINST companies that fail to do so In such cases, the authority must comply with the following criteria:

 

6. A holding limit of up to 10% of a company’s issued share capital in treasure; and

 

7. A duration of no more than 18 months.

 

In addition we vote AGAINST any proposal where:

 

8. The repurchase can be used for takeover defenses;

 

9. There is clear evidence of abuse;

 

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10. There is no safeguard against selective buybacks; and/or

 

11. Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.

 

S. Tax Gross-Up Proposals

 

We vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for companies to adopt a policy of not providing tax gross-up payments to executives, except in situations where gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company, such as a relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy.

 

T. Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred from Candidate Nomination Proposal

 

We evaluate Shareholder proposals to amend the company’s bylaws to provide for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with nominating one or more candidates in a contested election of directors to the corporation’s board of directors on a CASE-BY-CASE basis considering the company’s current reimbursement practices.

 

U. Equity Based Compensation Plans are evaluated on a case-by-case basis

 

We will vote AGAINST equity plan proposals if any of the following apply:

 

1. The total cost of the company’s equity plans is unreasonable;

 

2. The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options/stock appreciate rights (SARs) without prior shareholder approval;

 

3. The CEO is a participant in the proposed equity-based compensation plan and there is a disconnect between CEO pay and the company’s performance where over 50 percent of the year-over-year increase is attributed to equity awards;

 

4. The company’s three year burn rate exceeds the greater of 2% and the mean plus one standard deviation of its industry group;

 

5. The plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even though an actual change in control may not occur (e.g., upon shareholder approval of a transaction or the announcement of a tender offer); or

 

6. The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices;

 

7. The company has a liberal definition of change-in-control.

 

V. Golden Coffin (Death Benefit)

 

We generally vote FOR proposals calling companies to adopt a policy of obtaining shareholder approval for any future agreements and corporate policies that could oblige the company to make payments or awards following the death of a senior executive in the form of unearned salary or bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards made in lieu of compensation. This would not apply to any benefit programs or equity plan proposals that the broad-based employee population is eligible.

 

W. Hold Till (post) Retirement

 

We vote on a CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring Named Executive Officers to retain 75% of the shares acquired through compensation plans while employed and/or for two years following the termination of their employment, and to report to shareholders regarding this policy.

The following factors will be taken into account:

 

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1. Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership requirements in place. These should consist of:

 

a. Rigorous stock ownership guidelines, or

 

b. A holding period requirement coupled with a significant long-term ownership requirement, or

 

c. A meaningful retention ratio,

 

2. Actual officer stock ownership and the degree to which it meets or exceeds the proponent’s suggested holding period/retention ratio or the company’s own stock ownership or retention requirements.

 

3. Problematic pay practices, current and past, which may promote a short-term versus a long-term focus.

 

X. Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment and Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity:

 

We will evaluate such proposals on a Case-by-Case basis.

Change-in-control payouts without loss of job or substantial diminution of job duties (single-triggered) are considered poor pay practices under policy, and may even result in withheld votes from compensation committee members. The second component of this proposal – related to the elimination of accelerated vesting – requires more careful consideration. The following factors will be taken into regarding this policy:

 

1. The company’s current treatment of equity in change-of-control situations (i.e. is it double triggered, does it allow for the assumption of equity by acquiring company, the treatment of performance shares.

 

2. Current employment agreements, including potential poor pay practices such as gross-ups embedded in those agreements.

 

Y. Compensation Issue in Non-US Companies

 

1. Finland - Stock Options

 

a. We vote AGAINST these proposals; however, an exception will be made if a company proposes to reduce the strike price by the amount of future special dividends only.

 

b. We vote FOR proposals that provide proportionate adjustments to outstanding awards as a result of a special cash dividend or any other future distribution of assets other than a normal cash dividend.

 

2. Germany - Remuneration Disclosure

 

We vote AGAINST management proposals authorizing the board not to disclose remuneration schemes for five years

 

3. Sweden - Remuneration Report

 

We vote AGAINST management proposals to approve the remuneration report if:

 

a. The potential dilution from equity-based compensation plans exceeds RMG guidelines.

 

b. Restricted stock plans and matching share plans do not include sufficiently challenging performance criteria and vesting periods.

 

c. The remuneration report was not made available to shareholders in a timely manner.

 

d. Other concerns exist with respect to the disclosure or structure of the bonus or other aspects of the remuneration policy.

 

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4. Sweden, Norway - Matching Share Plans

 

We will evaluate such plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

a. For every matching share plan, RMG will require a holding period.

 

b. For plans without performance criteria, the shares must be purchased at market price.

 

c. For broad-based plans directed at all employees, RMG accepts a 1:1 arrangement - that no more than one free share will be awarded for every share purchased at market value. . ..

 

d. For plans directed at executives, we require that sufficiently challenging performance criteria are attached to the plan. Higher discounts demand proportionally higher performance criteria.

 

e. The dilution of the plan when combined with the dilution from any other proposed or outstanding employee stock matching plans must comply with RMG’S guidelines.

 

5. Australia

 

We will vote AGAINST resolutions seeking approval of termination payments for executives in excess of statutory maximum except where there is clear evidence that the termination payment would provide a benefit to shareholders.

We vote FOR the provision of termination benefits under the plan in excess of 12 months’ base salary, if the approval is for three years or fewer and no vesting is permitted without satisfaction of sufficiently demanding performance hurdles.

 

6. Japan

 

RIM will vote AGAINST retirement bonuses if the recipients include outsiders, or include those who can be held responsible for corporate scandal or poor financial performance which has led to shareholder value destruction. (However, in rare occasions, RIM may support payment to outsiders on a case-by-case basis, if the individual amount is disclosed and the amount is not excessive.) In addition, RIM opposes the payments if neither the individual payments nor the aggregate amount of the payments is disclosed.

 

RIM will vote AGAINST special payments in connection with abolition of retirement bonus system if the recipients include outsiders, or include those who can be held responsible for corporate scandal or poor financial performance which has led to shareholder value destruction. (However, in rare occasions, RIM may support payment to outsiders on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, if the individual amount is disclosed and the amount is not excessive.) In addition, RIM will vote AGAINST the payments if neither the individual payments nor the aggregate amount of the payments is disclosed.

 

Among other conditions, RIM will vote AGAINST deep discount options if disclosed performance conditions are not attached. In the absence of such conditions, a vesting period of at least three years will be required to support such options

 

7. Nordic Markets

 

We will vote AGAINST stock option plans in Nordic markets if evidence is found that they contain provisions that may result in a disconnect between shareholder value and employee/executive rewards. This includes one or more of the following:

 

a. Adjusting the strike price for future ordinary dividends AND including expected dividend yield above zero percent when determining the number of options awarded under the plan;

 

b. Having significantly higher expected dividends than actual historical dividends;

 

c. Favorably adjusting the terms of existing options plans without valid reason;

 

d. Any other provisions or performance measures that result in undue award.

 

We will generally vote AGAINST if the increase in share capital is more than 5 percent for mature companies and 10 percent for growth companies.

 

8. Italy

 

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We will vote FOR any equity-based compensation plan provided they meet the following:

 

a. The shares reserved for all share plans may not exceed 5 percent of a company's issued share capital, except in the case of high-growth companies or particularly well-designed plans, in which case we allow dilution of between 5 and 10 percent: in this case, we will need to have performance conditions attached to the plans which should be acceptable regarding the RMG criteria (“challenging criteria”);

 

b. The options for management are granted without a discount;

 

c. An executive director is part of the remuneration committee; or

 

d. The company has no remuneration committee and has executive members within the board.

 

* RIM may apply a carve-out in the case of well designed plans.*

 

9. China

 

We vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to approve a restricted stock scheme. A restricted stock plan will not be supported if:

 

a. The grant price of the restricted shares is less than 50% of the average price of the company’s shares during the 20 trading days prior to the pricing reference date;

 

b. The maximum dilution level for the scheme exceeds RIM guidelines of 5% of issued capital for a mature company and 10% for a growth company. RIM will support plans at mature companies with dilution levels up to 10% if the plan includes other positive features such as challenging performance criteria and meaningful vesting periods.

 

c. Directors eligible to receive restricted shares under the scheme are involved in the administration of the scheme; or

 

d. The company fails to set challenging performance hurdles for unlocking the restricted shares compared with its historical financial performance or the industry benchmarks.

 

We vote AGAINST a restricted stock scheme if the scheme is proposed in the second half of the year and the measurement of the company’s financial performance starts from the same year, as the company’s financial performance has been largely determined for that particular year.

 

10. Japan - Director Stock Options

 

We vote FOR “evergreen” director option plans as long as the contemplated level of annual dilution is less than 0.5%; so that it would take more than 10 years of grants for dilution to exceed our guidelines. (Where the company has outstanding options from other plans, or proposes to grant additional options to employees below board level, these must be factored into the calculation.)

 

Z. Canadian Equity Compensation Plans, TSX Issuers

 

1. Change-in-Control Provisions

 

Where approval of a CIC provision is sought as part of a bundled proposal, RMG Canada may recommend a vote AGAINST the entire bundled proposal due to an unacceptable CIC provision.

 

2. Amendment Procedures

 

We generally vote AGAINST the approval of proposed Amendment Procedures that do not require shareholder approval for the following types of amendments under any security based compensation arrangement, whether or not such approval is required under current regulatory rules:

 

a. Any increase in the number (or percentage in the case of rolling plans) of shares reserved;

 

b. Any reduction in exercise price or cancellation and reissue of options;

 

c. Any amendment that extends the term of an award beyond the original expiry;

 

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d. Amendments to eligible participants that may permit the introduction or reintroduction of non-employee directors on a discretionary basis;

 

e. Any amendment which would permit equity based awards granted under the Plan may be transferable or assignable other than for normal estate settlement purposes

 

3. Employee Share Purchase Plans, Amendment procedures

 

We generally vote AGAINST proposals to approve Share Purchase Plan Amendment Procedures if discretion is given to amend any of the following acceptable criteria:

 

a. Limit on employee contribution (expressed as a percentage of base salary excluding bonus, commissions and special compensation);

 

b. Purchase price is at least 80 percent of fair market value with no employer contribution; OR

 

c. No discount purchase price with maximum employer contribution of up to 20% of employee contribution

 

d. Offering period is 27 months or less; and

 

e. Potential dilution together with all other equity-based plans is ten percent of outstanding common shares or less.

 

If shareholder approval is sought for a new Share Purchase Plan, the above criteria must apply and not be subject to future amendment under Plan amendment provisions without further shareholder approval or we will generally vote AGAINST approval of the Plan.

 

IX.        State of Incorporation

 

A. Voting on State Takeover Statutes

 

We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).

 

B. Voting on Reincorporation Proposals

 

Proposals to change a company's state of incorporation are examined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

1. Canada

 

a. RIM will generally vote FOR proposals to amend or replace articles of incorporation or bylaws if:

 

The purpose of the amendment is to clarify ambiguity, reflect changes in corporate law, streamline years of amendments, or other “housekeeping” amendments; and

 

The bylaws as amended will not result in any of the unacceptable governance provisions set out in the following paragraph.

 

b. RIM will generally vote FOR proposals to adopt or amend articles/bylaws unless the resulting document contains any of the following:

 

The quorum for a meeting of shareholders is set below two persons holding 25 percent of the eligible vote (this may be reduced in the case of a small company where it clearly has difficulty achieving quorum at a higher level, but we oppose any quorum below 10 percent);

 

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The quorum for a meeting of directors is less than 50 percent of the number of directors;

 

The chair of the board has a casting vote in the event of a deadlock at a meeting of directors;

 

An alternate director provision that permits a director to appoint another person to serve as an alternate director to attend board or committee meetings in place of the duly elected director; and

 

The proposed articles/bylaws raise other corporate governance concerns, such as granting blanket authority to the board with regard to capital authorizations or alteration of capital structure without shareholder approval

 

X.        Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

 

A. Mergers and Acquisitions

 

Votes on mergers and acquisitions are considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, taking into account at least the following:

 

1. Anticipated financial and operating benefits;

 

2. Offer price (cost vs. premium);

 

3. Prospects of the combined companies;

 

4. How the deal was negotiated;

 

5. Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights;

 

6. Change-in-control payments to executive officers and possible conflicts of interest; and

 

7. Potential legal or environmental liability risks associated with the target firm

 

B. Corporate Restructuring

 

Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including minority squeezeouts, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, liquidations, and asset sales are considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.

 

C. Spin-offs

 

Votes on spin-offs are considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis depending on the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

 

D. Asset Sales

 

Votes on asset sales are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis after considering the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.

 

E. Liquidations

 

Votes on liquidations are made on a CASE-BY-CASE basis after reviewing management's efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

 

F. Appraisal Rights

 

We vote FOR proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

 

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G. Changing Corporate Name

 

We vote FOR changing the corporate name.

 

H. Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs)

 

We will consider on a Case-by-Case the following measures for SPACs:

 

1. Valuation, Market reaction,

 

2. Deal timing,

 

3. Negotiations and process,

 

4. Conflicts of interest,

 

5. Voting agreements, and

 

6. Governance.

 

I. Loan Guarantee Requests (Non US companies)

 

Companies often provide loan guarantees for subsidiaries, affiliates and related parties. Such requests will be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. Generally, RIM will vote AGAINST the provision when:

 

· The identity receiving the guarantee is not disclosed;

 

· The guarantee is being provided to a director, executive, parent company or affiliated entities where the company has no direct or indirect equity ownership; or

 

· the guarantee is provided to an entity in which the company’s ownership stake is less than 75%; and such guarantee is not proportionate to the company’s equity stake or other parties have not provided a counter guarantee.

 

RIM will generally vote FOR such request provided that there are no significant concerns regarding the entity receiving the guarantee, the relationship between the listed company and the entity receiving the guarantee, the purpose of the guarantee, or the terms of the guarantee agreement.

 

XI.          Mutual Funds

 

A. Business Development Companies

 

RIM will vote FOR proposals authorizing the board to issue shares below Net Asset Value (NAV) if:

 

1. The proposal to allow share issuances below NAV has an expiration date that is less than one year from the date shareholders approve the underlying proposal as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

2. a majority of the independent directors who have no financial interest in the sale have made a determination as to whether such sale would be in the best interest of the company and its shareholders prior to selling shares below NAV; and

 

3. the company has demonstrated responsible past use of share issuances by either:

 

a. Outperforming peers in its 8-digit GICS group as measured by one and three year median TSRs; or

 

b. Providing disclosure that its past share issuances were priced at levels that resulted in only small or moderate discounts to NAV and economic dilution to existing non-participating shareholders.

 

B. Multimanaged Funds/Subadvisers:

 

RIM will vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the board to hire or terminate subadvisers without shareholder approval if the investment adviser currently employs only one subadviser.

 

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XII.        Corporate Governance and Conduct

 

In general, we support shareholder proposals that promote good corporate citizenship while enhancing long-term shareholder value. Proposals that present an egregious economic impact will not be supported.

 

1. We SUPPORT the adoption of labor standards and codes of conduct for foreign and domestic suppliers as ways to protect brands and manage risk.

 

2. We SUPPORT reporting on countries with human rights abuses as ways to protect and manage risk.

 

3. We SUPPORT CERES Principles, environmental reporting and MacBride Principles.

 

4. We SUPPORT high-performance workplace standards.

 

5. We SUPPORT fair lending guidelines and disclosure at financial companies.

 

6. We SUPPORT reporting on equal opportunity and diversity.

 

7. We OPPOSE resolutions that would fundamentally affect company performance and competitive increase of shareholder value.

 

8. We OPPOSE shareholder proposals requesting the adoption of specific charter language regarding board diversity unless the company fails to publicly disclose existing equal opportunity or nondiscrimination policies.

 

9. We OPPOSE shareholder proposals for reports outlining potential environmental damage from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) unless: a) new legislation is adopted allowing development and drilling in the ANWR; b) the company intends to pursue operations in the ANWR, c) the company does not currently disclose an environmental risk report for their operations in the ANWR.

 

10. We OPPOSE shareholder proposals requesting a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions unless the company significantly lags behind industry standards or has been the subject of recent, substantial controversy on this issue.

 

11. We OPPOSE shareholder proposals on investing in renewable energy sources.

 

12. We review proposals requesting information on a company’s lobbying activities, including direct lobbying as well as grassroots lobbying activities on a CASE-BY-CASE basis taking into account; a) recent significant controversy. fines or litigation related to public policy activities, b) the current level of disclosure of relevant policies and oversight mechanisms; and c)the impact the policy issue may have on company’s business.

 

13. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals requesting a company report on its energy efficiency policies, considering: a) the current level of disclosure related to energy efficiency policies, initiatives, and performance measures; b) level of participation in voluntary efficiency programs; c) compliance with applicable legislation and regulations; d) the company’s policies and initiatives relative to industry peers; and e) the cost associated with the proposed initiative.

 

14. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE basis proposals requesting disclosure and implementation of internet privacy and censorship policies and procedures, considering: a) the level of disclosure of policies relating to privacy, freedom of speech, internet censorship and government monitoring; b) dialogue with governments and/or relevant groups; c) scope of

 

C- 52
 

 

involvement and investment in markets that maintain government censorship or internet monitoring; d) market-specific laws or regulations applicable to this issue that may be imposed on the company; e) level of controversy or litigation related to the company’s international human rights policies; and f) the cost associated with the proposed initiative.

 

15. We generally vote FOR proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s (natural gas) hydraulic fracturing operations, including measures the company has taken to manage and mitigate the potential community and environmental impacts of those operations, considering: a) the company’s current level of disclosure of relevant policies and oversight mechanisms; b) the company’s current level of such disclosure relative to its industry peers; c) potential relevant local, state, or national regulatory developments; and d) controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company’s hydraulic fracturing operations.

 

16. We will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals requesting company reports on, or to adopt a new policy on, water-related risks and concerns, taking into account: a) the company’s current disclosure of relevant policies, initiatives, oversight mechanisms, and water usage metrics; b) whether or not the company’s existing water-related policies and practices are consistent with relevant internationally recognized standards and national/local regulations; c) the potential financial impact or risk to the company associated with water-related concerns or issues; and d) recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding water use by the company and its suppliers.

 

17. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE requests for the company to review and report on the financial and reputation risks associated with operations in “high risk” markets, such as a terrorism-sponsoring state or otherwise, taking into account: a) the nature, purpose, and scope of the operations and business involved that could be affected by social or political disruption; b) current disclosure of applicable risk assessment(s) and risk management procedures; c) compliance with US sanctions and laws; d) consideration of other international policies, standards, and laws; e) recent involvement in significant controversies or violations in "high risk" markets; and f) the cost associated with the initiative.

 

18. We SUPPORT proposals requesting company reporting on its policies, initiatives/procedures and oversight mechanisms related to toxic materials, including certain product line toxicities, and/or product safety in its supply chain, UNLESS: a) the company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such as a Supplier Code of Conduct and/or a sustainability report; or b) the company is in compliance with all applicable regulations and guidelines; or c) there is no existence of significant violations and/or fines related to toxic materials.

 

19. We review on a CASE-BY-CASE requests for workplace safety reports, including reports on accident risks reduction efforts taking into account; a) a) the nature of the company’s business specifically regarding company and employee exposure to health and safety risks; b) level of existing disclosure of its workplace health and safety performance data, health and safety management policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms; c) existence of recent, significant violations, fines, or controversy related to workplace health and safety ; and d) the company’s workplace health and safety performance relative to industry peers.

 

20. Establishment of Board Committees on Social Issues: Shareholder proposals requesting companies establish new standing board committees on social issues.

 

We will generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting a company establish new standing board committees on social issues considering:

 

C- 53
 

 

a. Existing oversight mechanisms (including current committee structure) regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

b. Level of disclosure regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

c. Company performance related to the issue for which board oversight is sought;

 

d. Board committee structure compared to that of other companies in its industry sector; and/or

 

e. The scope and structure of the proposal.

 

21. Genetically Modified Ingredients (GMO):

 

a. Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking suppliers, genetic research companies, restaurants and food retail companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products and/or eliminate GE ingredients. The cost of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients may not be commensurate with the benefits to shareholders and is an issue better left to regulators.

 

b. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals asking for a report on the feasibility of labeling products containing GE ingredients taking into account:

 

i. The company's business and the proportion of it affected by the resolution;

 

ii. The quality of the company’s disclosure on GE product labeling, related voluntary initiatives, and how this disclosure compares with industry peer disclosure; and

 

iii. Company’s current disclosure on the feasibility of GE product labeling, including information on the related costs.

 

c. Generally vote AGAINST proposals seeking a report on the social, health, and environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Studies of this sort are better undertaken by regulators and the scientific community.

 

d. Generally vote AGAINST proposals to completely phase out GE ingredients from the company's products or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the company’s products. Such resolutions presuppose that there are proven health risks to GE ingredients

 

22. Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Domestic Partner Benefits

 

a. We will generally vote FOR proposals seeking to amend a company’s EEO statement or diversity policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, unless the change would result in excessive costs for the company.

 

b. We will generally vote AGAINST proposals to extend company benefits to or eliminating benefits from domestic partners.

 

23. Equality of Opportunity: shareholder proposal requesting companies disclose their EEO-1 data

 

We will generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company disclose its diversity policies, initiatives, comprehensive diversity data, and EEO-1 data unless:

 

a. The company publicly discloses its comprehensive equal opportunity policies and initiatives;

 

b. The company already publicly discloses comprehensive workforce diversity data; and

 

c. The company has no recent significant EEO-related violations or litigation.

 

24. Political contributions and Trade Associations: Shareholder proposals calling for company to confirm political nonpartisanship, increase disclosure on political contributions and trade association spending and bar political contributions.

 

a. RIM will generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace so long as:

 

C- 54
 

 

i. There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the company’s political contributions or trade association spending; and

 

ii. The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibits coercion.

 

b. RIM will vote AGAINST proposals to publish in newspapers and public media the company’s political contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders.

 

c. RIM will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals to improve the disclosure of a company’s political contributions and trade association spending considering:

 

i. Recent significant controversy or litigation related to the company’s political contributions or governmental affairs; and

 

ii. The public availability of a company policy on political contributions and trade association spending including information on the types of organizations supported, the business rationale for supporting these organization, and the oversight and compliance procedure related to such expenditures of corporate assets.

 

d. RIM will vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions.

 

e. RIM will vote AGAINST proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company.

 

26. Recycling: We will vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals to report on an existing recycling program, or adopt a new recycling program, taking into account: a) the nature of the company’s business; b) the current level of disclosure of the company’s existing related programs; c) the timetable prescribed by the proposal and the costs and methods of program implementation; d) the ability of the company to address the issues raised in the proposal; and e) the company’s recycling programs compared with the similar programs of its industry peers.

 

END

 

C- 55
 

 
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits.

 

99.(a)   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a) to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(a).1   Amendment dated June 24, 2005 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding change of address of principal place of business. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).1 to post-effective amendment no. 100 filed on February 14, 2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000179.
     
99.(a).2   Amendment dated December 28, 2006 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 to reflect the change of name of John Hancock Large Cap Intrinsic Value Fund to John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).3 to post-effective amendment no. 101 filed on March 1, 2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000217.
     
99.(a).3   Amendment of Section 5.11 and Establishment and Designation of Class NAV Shares of Beneficial Interest for John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund; and Redesignation of Class R Shares of Beneficial Interest of the Registrant as Class R1 Shares for John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund dated February 12, 2007 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).4 to post-effective amendment no. 103 filed on April 24, 2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000344.
     
99.(a).4   Amendment of Section 5.11 and Establishment and Designation of Class NAV Shares of Beneficial Interest dated June 22, 2007 for John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).5 to post-effective amendment no. 105 filed on June 25, 2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000469.
     
99.(a).5   Amendment of Section 5.11 and Establishment and Designation of Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares dated June 10, 2008 for John Hancock Balanced Fund to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).6 to post-effective amendment no. 109 filed on June 13, 2008, accession number 0000950135-08-004368.
     
99.(a).6   Amendment of Section 5.11 and Establishment of Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares for John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund dated May 7, 2009 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).6 to post-effective amendment no. 112 filed on May 15, 2009, accession number 0000950135-09-004071.
     

 

   
 

 

99.(a).7   Amendment dated April 17, 2009 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding amendment and restatement of Section 8.4. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).7 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(a).8   Amendment of Section 5.11 and Abolition of Class R and Class R2 Shares of Beneficial Interest of Balanced Fund and Abolition of Class R1 shares of Beneficial Interest of Sovereign Investors Fund dated March 12, 2010 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).8 to post-effective amendment no. 115 filed on February 24, 2011, accession number 0000950123-11-017991.
     
99.(a).9   Certificate dated August 4, 2011 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding establishment and designation of Class R6 shares relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund, John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund, John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).9 to post-effective amendment no. 117 filed on August 30, 2011, accession number 0000950123-11-081283.
     
99.(a).10   Certificate dated January 20, 2012 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding establishment and designation of Class R2 shares relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund and John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).10 to post-effective amendment no. 119 filed on February 28, 2012, accession number 0000950123-12-003596.
     
99.(a).11   Certificate dated January 18, 2013 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding abolition of Class R6 shares relating to John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).11 to post-effective amendment no. 121 filed on February 27, 2013, accession number 0000950123-13-001354 .
     
99.(a).12   Certificate dated December 18, 2013 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding establishment and designation of Class A, Class I and Class NAV relating to John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund, Class A, Class I, Class NAV and Class R6 relating to John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and Class A, Class I, Class NAV and Class R6 relating to John Hancock Seaport Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).12 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(a).13   Certificate dated [__________, 2014] to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding establishment and designation of Class A, Class C, Class I, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 and Class R6 relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and Class A, Class C, Class I, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5

 

   
 

 

    and Class R6 relating to John Hancock Value Equity Fund. – [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(b)   Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(b) to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(b).1   Amendment dated March 11, 2008 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).1 to post-effective amendment no. 111 filed on February 27, 2009, accession number 0000950135-09-001332.
     
99.(b).2   Amendment dated June 9, 2009 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).2 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(b).3   Amendment dated August 31, 2010 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).4 to post-effective amendment no. 115 filed on February 24, 2011, accession number 0000950123-11-017991.
     
99.(c)   Instruments Defining Rights of Securities Holders.  See exhibits 99.(a) and 99.(b).
     
99.(d)   Investment Advisory Contracts.  Investment Management Contract dated December 22, 1994 (the “Investment Management Contract”) between the Registrant and John Hancock Advisers, LLC (formerly, John Hancock Advisers, Inc.) relating to John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(5).(a) to post-effective amendment no. 73 filed on May 10, 1995, accession number 0000950135-95-001122.
     
99.(d).1   Amendment dated July 1, 2005 to Investment Management Contract. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).4 to post-effective amendment no. 99 filed on March 1, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000157
     
99.(d).2   Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009 (“Advisory Agreement”) between the Registrant and John Hancock Advisers, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund, John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).2 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(d).3   Amendment dated as of June 1, 2012 to the Advisory Agreement relating to John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).3 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.
     
99.(d).4   Amendment dated as of July 1, 2013 to the Advisory Agreement relating to John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).4 to post-

 

   
 

 

    effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.
     
99.(d).5   Amendment dated as of December 18, 2013 to the Advisory Agreement relating to John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund, John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and John Hancock Seaport Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).3 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(d).6   Amendment dated as of [___________, 2014] to the Advisory Agreement relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. – [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(d).7   Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 31, 2005 (“Sub-Advisory Agreement”) among the Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and Sovereign Asset Management LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund (formerly, John Hancock Large Cap Intrinsic Value Fund), John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund, John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).8 to post-effective amendment no. 100 filed on February 14, 2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000179.
     
99.(d).8   Amendment dated June 28, 2007 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.) LLC (formerly, Sovereign Asset Management LLC) relating to John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund (formerly, John Hancock Large Cap Intrinsic Value Fund). – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).9 to post-effective amendment no. 107 filed on April 25, 2008, accession number 0000950135-08-002850.
     
99.(d).9  

Amendment dated as of June 1, 2012 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC) (formerly, Sovereign Asset Management, LLC) relating to John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).8 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.

     
99.(d).10  

Amendment dated as of May 17, 2013 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC) (formerly, MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.) LLC) relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund, John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund, John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).9 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.

 

   
 

 

99.(d).11  

Amendment dated as of July 1, 2013 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC) (formerly, Sovereign Asset Management, LLC) dated July 1, 2009 relating to John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).10 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.

 

99.(d).12   Amendment dated as of December 18, 2013 to the Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC) (formerly, MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.) LLC) relating to John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).6 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(d).13   Sub-Advisory Agreement dated as of December 18, 2013 between John Hancock Advisers, LLC and Wellington Management Company, LLP relating to John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and John Hancock Seaport Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).7 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(d).14   Sub-Advisory Agreement dated as of [__________, 2014] between John Hancock Advisers, LLC and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(e)   Underwriting Contracts.  Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 1991 (“Distribution Agreement”) between John Hancock Funds, Inc. (formerly, John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc. and currently known as John Hancock Funds, LLC) and the Registrant. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(e) to post-effective amendment no. 97 filed on December 15, 2004, accession number 0001010521-04-000305.
     
99.(e).1   Amendment dated December 2, 1996 to Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Sovereign Balanced Fund and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.B6.3 to post-effective amendment no. 78 filed on February 27, 1997, accession number 0001010521-97-000228.
     
99.(e).2   Amendment dated February 28, 2005 to Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Large Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(e).5 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(e).3   Amendment dated February 28, 2005 to Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(e).4 to post-effective

 

   
 

 

    amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(e).4   Amendment dated as of December 18, 2013 to Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund, John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and John Hancock Seaport Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(e).4 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(e).5   Amendment dated [__________, 2014] to Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. – [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(f)   Not Applicable.
     
99.(g)   Custodian Agreement.  Master Custodian Agreement dated September 10, 2008 among John Hancock Mutual Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(g).1 to post-effective amendment no. 111 filed on February 27, 2009, accession number 0000950135-09-001332.
     
99.(h)   Other Material Contracts.  Accounting and Legal Services Agreement dated January 1, 1996 between John Hancock Mutual Funds and John Hancock Advisers, LLC relating to John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).6 to post-effective amendment no. 99 filed on March 1, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000157.
     
99.(h).1   Class A Service Agreement dated February 1, 2000 among Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., the Distributor, and John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. relating to John Hancock Large Cap Value Fund – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a) to post-effective amendment no. 87 filed on December 22, 2000, accession number 0001010521-00-000496.
     
99.(h).2   Amendment dated March 8, 2005 to Accounting and Legal Services Agreement dated January 1, 1996 relating to John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).7 to post-effective amendment no. 99 filed on March 1, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000157.
     
 99.(h).3   Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 1, 2013 (“Restated Transfer Agency Agreement”) between John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.  – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).5 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(h).4  

Amendment dated October 1, 2013 to the Restated Transfer Agency Agreement. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).6 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on

 

   
 

 

    December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(h).5   Amendment dated as of December 18, 2013 to the Restated Transfer Agency Agreement relating to John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund, John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and John Hancock Seaport Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).7 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(h).6   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to the Restated Transfer Agency Agreement relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(h).7   Service Agreement dated January 1, 2014 between John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Mutual Funds relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund, John Hancock Seaport Fund, John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund, John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund, and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).6 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.
     
99.(h).8   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to the Service Agreement relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(h).9   Expense Limitation Letter Agreement and Voluntary Expense Limitation Notice dated December 18, 2013 between the Registrant and John Hancock Advisers, LLC. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).7 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.
     
99.(h).10   Chief Compliance Officer Services Agreement dated March 10, 2009 by and among the Registrant, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer.  –  previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).7 to post-effective amendment no. 115 filed on February 24, 2011, accession number 0000950123-11-017991.
     
99.(i)   Legal Opinion. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(i) to post-effective amendment no. 108 filed on April 25, 2008, accession number 0000950135-08-002850.
     
99.(i).1   Legal Opinion dated August 30, 2011 related to Class R6 shares.   previously filed as exhibit 99.(i).1 to post-effective amendment no. 117 filed on August 30, 2011, accession number 0000950123-11-081283.
     
99.(i).2   Legal Opinion dated February 27, 2012 related to Class R2 shares.  –  previously filed as exhibit 99.(i).2 to post-effective amendment no. 119 filed on February 28, 2012, accession number 0000950123-12-003596.

 

   
 

     
99.(i).3   Legal Opinion dated December 19, 2013 related to: Class A, Class I and Class NAV shares of John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund; Class A, Class I, Class NAV and Class R6 shares of John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund; and Class A, Class I, Class NAV and Class R6 shares of John Hancock Seaport Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(i).3 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(i).4   Legal Opinion dated March 14, 2014 related to Class C shares of John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and John Hancock Seaport Fund. –  previously filed as exhibit 99.(i).4 to post-effective amendment no. 127 filed on March 14, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001049.
     
99.(i).5  

Legal Opinion dated March 28, 2014 related to Class A, Class C, Class I, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 and Class R6 shares of John Hancock Value Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(i).5 to post-effective amendment no. 129 filed on March 28, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001269.

 

99.(i).6  

Legal Opinion dated April 4, 2014 related to Class A, Class C, Class I, Class NAV, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 and Class R6 shares of John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund. – FILED HEREWITH.

 

99.(j)   Not Applicable.
     
99.(k)   Not Applicable.
     
99.(l)   Not Applicable.
     
99.(m)   Plans of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 . Class A Distribution Plan dated December 22, 1994 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.15A to post-effective amendment no. 73, filed on May 10, 1995, accession number 0000950135-95-001122.
     
99.(m).1   Class B Distribution Plan dated December 22, 1994 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.15B to post-effective amendment no. 73, filed on May 10, 1995, accession number 0000950135-95-001122.
     
99.(m).2   Class B Distribution Plan dated December 2, 1996 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund. – previous filed as exhibit 99.B15.5 to post-effective amendment no. 78, filed on February 27, 1997, accession number 0001010521-97-000228.
     
99.(m).3   Class C Distribution Plan dated May 1, 1998 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. –

 

   
 

 

    previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).3 to post-effective amendment no. 129 filed on March 28, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001269.
     
99.(m).4   Class C Distribution Plan dated May 1, 1999 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).5 to post-effective amendment no. 82, filed on July 15, 1998, accession number 0001010521-98-000292.
     
99.(m).5   Class A Distribution Plan dated February 28, 2005 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).7 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(m).6   Class B Distribution Plan dated February 28, 2005 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).7 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(m).7   Class C Distribution Plan dated February 28, 2005 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).7 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(m).8   Class A Distribution Plan dated February 28, 2005 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).8 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(m).9   Class B Distribution Plan dated February 28, 2005 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).8 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(m).10   Class C Distribution Plan dated February 28, 2005 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).8 to post-effective amendment no. 98 filed on May 2, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000151.
     
99.(m).11   Class R1 Service Plan dated May 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).3 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(m).12   Class R3 Service Plan dated May 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).3 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-

 

   
 

 

    09-071584.
     
99.(m).13   Class R4 Service Plan dated May 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).3 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(m).14   Class R5 Service Plan dated May 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).3 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(m).15   Class A Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).4 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(m).16   Amendment dated as of December 18, 2013 to Class A Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund, John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund and John Hancock Seaport Fund. –  previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).4 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(m).17   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class A Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(m).18   Class B Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).5 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
     
99.(m).19   Class C Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).5 to post-effective amendment no. 113 filed on December 17, 2009, accession number 0000950123-09-071584.
99.(m).20   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class C Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(m).21   Class R1 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John

 

   
 

 

    Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund, and John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).21 to post-effective amendment no. 129 filed on March 28, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001269.
     
99.(m).22   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class R1 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(m).23   Class R3 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund and John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).23 to post-effective amendment no. 129 filed on March 28, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001269 .
     
99.(m).24   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class R3 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(m).25   Class R4 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund and John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).25 to post-effective amendment no. 129 filed on March 28, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001269 .
     
99.(m).26  

Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class R4 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].

 

99.(m).27   Class R5 Distribution Plan dated July 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund and John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).27 to post-effective amendment no. 129 filed on March 28, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-001269 .
     
99.(m).28  

Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class R5 Distribution Plan dated May 1, 2009 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].

 

99.(m).29   Class R2 Distribution Plan dated December 6, 2011 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund and John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously

 

   
 

 

    filed as exhibit 99.(m).7 to post-effective amendment no. 119 filed on February 28, 2012, accession number 0000950123-12-003596.
     
99.(m).30  

Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class R2 Distribution Plan dated December 6, 2011 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].

 

     
99.(m).31   Class R2 Service Plan dated December 6, 2011 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Balanced Fund, John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund and John Hancock Large Cap Equity Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).8 to post-effective amendment no. 119 filed on February 28, 2012, accession number 0000950123-12-003596.
     
99.(m).32   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to Class R2 Service Plan dated December 6, 2011 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(m).33   Rule 12b-1 Fee Waiver Letter Agreement dated December 18, 2013 between the Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC. –  previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).10 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.
     
99.(n)   Rule 18f-3 Plan. Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 dated December 6, 2011, as amended June 26, 2013 (“18f-3 Plan”), for certain John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(n) to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.
     
99.(n).1   Amendment dated as of December 18, 2013 to 18f-3 Plan relating to John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund, John Hancock Seaport Fund and John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(n).2 to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.
     
99.(n).2   Amendment dated as of [__________, 2014] to 18f-3 Plan relating to John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund and John Hancock Value Equity Fund. - [To Be Filed by Amendment].
     
99.(o)   Not Applicable.
     
99.(p)   Codes of Ethics.  Code of Ethics dated January 1, 2008 (as revised January 1, 2013) of John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, John Hancock Distributors, LLC, and each open-end and closed-end fund advised by a John Hancock advisor. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(p) to post-effective amendment no. 121 filed on February 27, 2013,

 

   
 

    accession number 0000950123-13-001354.
     
99.(p).1   Code of Ethics dated as of January 5, 2012 of John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC) (formerly, MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.) LLC). — previously filed as exhibit 99.(p).1 to post-effective amendment no. 121 filed on February 27, 2013, accession number 0000950123-13-001354 .
     

99.(p).2

 

 

Code of Ethics dated April 1, 2010 of Wellington Management Company, LLP. — previously filed as exhibit 99.(p).2 to post-effective amendment no. 126 filed on December 18, 2013, accession number 0001133228-13-005026.

     
99.(p).3   Code of Ethics dated [               ] of Robeco Investment Management, Inc. — [To be filed by Amendment].
     
99.(q)   Power of Attorney dated December 18, 2013 — previously filed as exhibit 99.(q) to post-effective amendment no. 124 filed on February 26, 2014, accession number 0001133228-14-000824.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant.

 

John Hancock Advisers, LLC is the Advisor to the Registrant. The Advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”), a publicly traded company based in Toronto, Canada. A corporate organization list is set forth below.

 

 

 
 

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

 

Indemnification provisions relating to Registrant’s Trustees, officers, employees and agents are set forth in Article IV of Registrant’s Declaration of Trust included as Exhibit (a) herein.

 

Under Section 12 of the Distribution Agreement, John Hancock Funds, LLC has agreed to indemnify Registrant and its Trustees, officers and controlling persons against claims arising out of certain acts and statements of John Hancock Funds.

 

Section 9(a) of the By-Laws of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) (the “Insurance Company”) provides, in effect, that the Insurance Company will, subject to limitations of law, indemnify each present and former director, officer and employee of the Insurance Company who serves as a Trustee or officer of Registrant at the direction or request of the Insurance Company against litigation expenses and liabilities incurred while acting as such, except that such indemnification does not cover any expense or liability incurred or imposed in connection with any matter as to which such person shall be finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Insurance Company. In addition, no such person will be indemnified by the Insurance Company in respect of any final adjudication unless such settlement shall have been approved as in the best interests of the Insurance Company either by vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting composed of directors who have no interest in the outcome of such vote, or by vote of the policyholders. The Insurance

 

Company may pay expenses incurred in defending an action or claim in advance of its final disposition, but only upon receipt of an undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment if he should be determined not to be entitled to indemnification.

 

Article V of the Limited Liability Company Agreement of John Hancock Advisers, LLC provides as follows:

 

“Section 5.06. Indemnity and Exculpation.

 

(a) No Indemnitee, and no shareholder, director, officer, member, manager, partner, agent, representative, employee or Affiliate of an Indemnitee, shall have any liability to the Company or to any Member for any loss suffered by the Company (or the Corporation) which arises out of any action or inaction by such Indemnitee with respect to the Company (or the Corporation) if such Indemnitee so acted or omitted to act (i) in the good faith (A) belief that such course of conduct was in, or was not opposed to, the best interests of the Company (or the Corporation), or (B) reliance on the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) such course of conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

 

(b) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a Director or Officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Company (or previously at the request of the Corporation), as a director, officer, manager or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with such action, suitor proceeding and any appeal therefrom.

 

(c) As a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified, the Indemnitee must notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving him for which indemnity hereunder will or could be sought. With respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Company is so notified, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee.

 

(d) In the event that the Company does not assume the defense of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Company receives notice under this Section 5.06, the Company shall pay in advance of the final disposition of such matter any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding or investigation or any appeal therefrom; provided,

 

 
 

 

however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Section 5.06, which undertaking shall be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnitee to make such repayment; and further provided that no such advancement of expenses shall be made if it is determined that (i) the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, or (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

 

(e) The Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless the initiation thereof was approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee to the extent such Indemnitee is reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, and in the event the Company makes any indemnification payments to an Indemnitee and such Indemnitee is subsequently reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such indemnification payments to the Company to the extent of such insurance reimbursement.

 

(f) All determinations hereunder as to the entitlement of an Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made in each instance by (a) a majority vote of the Directors consisting of persons who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question (“Disinterested Directors”), whether or not a quorum, (b) a majority vote of a quorum of the outstanding Common Shares, which quorum shall consist of Members who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question, (c) independent legal counsel (who may, to the extent permitted by law, be regular legal counsel to the Company), or (d) a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(g) The indemnification rights provided in this Section 5.06 (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of Members or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, and (ii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Indemnitees. The Company may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of Directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the Company or other persons serving the Company and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Section 5.06. Any indemnification to be provided hereunder may be provided although the person to be indemnified is no longer a Director or Officer.”

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisors.

 

See “Fund Details” in the Prospectuses and “Investment Advisory and Other Services” in the Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the business of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Advisor”) and Robeco Investment Management, Inc.


 
 

 

(the “Subadvisor”). For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each director, officer or partner of the Advisor and of the Subadvisor, reference is made to the respective Form ADV, as amended, filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 file number for the Advisor is 801-8124, the file number for John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC is 801-42033 and the file number for Robeco Investment Management, Inc. is 801-61786.

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters.

 

(a) John Hancock Funds, LLC acts as principal underwriter for Registrant and also serves as principal underwriter or distributor of shares for John Hancock Bond Trust, John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund, John Hancock Capital Series, John Hancock Current Interest, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III, John Hancock Investment Trust II, John Hancock Investment Trust III, John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust, John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund and John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series Fund.

 

(b) The following table presents certain information with respect to each director and officer of John Hancock Funds, LLC. The principal business address of each director or officer is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

 

NAME

 

 

POSTIONS AND OFFICES WITH

THE UNDERWRITER

 

POSITIONS AND OFFICES
WITH THE REGISTRANT

 

Andrew G. Arnott

 

Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

President

Leo Zerilli

 

Director

 

Senior Vice President, Investments

Jeff Duckworth

 

Director and Senior Vice President None

John J. Danello

 

Senior Vice President Senior Vice President

Thomas M. Kinzler

 

Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Jeffrey H. Long

 

Chief Financial Officer

None

 

Michael Mahoney

 

Chief Compliance Officer None

Steven Moore

 

Senior Vice President and Treasurer

 

None

Kris Ramdial

 

Vice President, Treasury None

Kelly A. Conway

Assistant Treasurer None

 

 
 

 

Steven B. Sunnerberg

 

Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

Tracy K. Lannigan

Assistant Secretary

None 

 

(c) None.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of Registrant’s custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, and its transfer agent, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P.O. Box 55913, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5913, with the exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents which are in the possession and custody of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Advisor”), 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, John Hancock Asset Management, a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, 197 Clarendon Street, Boston Massachusetts, 02116, and Robeco Investment Management, Inc., One Beacon Street, 30th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (the “Subadvisor”). Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment advisors are in the custody and possession of the Advisor and the Subadvisor.

 

Item 34. Management Services.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings.

 

Not Applicable.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 4 th day of April, 2014.

 

John Hancock Investment Trust

 

By: /s/ Andrew G. Arnott               

Name: Andrew G. Arnott

Title: President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  Title   Date
         
/s/ Andrew G. Arnott   President   April 4, 2014
Andrew G. Arnott        
         
/s/ Charles A. Rizzo   Chief Financial Officer   April 4, 2014
Charles A. Rizzo   (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)    
         
/s/ Charles L. Bardelis *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Charles L. Bardelis        
         
/s/ Craig Bromley*   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Craig Bromley        
         
/s/ Peter S. Burgess *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Peter S. Burgess        
         
/s/ William H. Cunningham *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
William H. Cunningham        
         
/s/ Grace K. Fey *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Grace K. Fey        
         
/s/ Theron S. Hoffman *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Theron S. Hoffman        
         
/s/ Deborah C. Jackson*   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Deborah C. Jackson        
         
/s/ Hassell H. McClellan *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Hassell H. McClellan        
         
/s/ James M. Oates *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
James M. Oates        
         
/s/ Steven R. Pruchansky*   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Steven R. Pruchansky        

 

 
 

 

Signature

  Title   Date
         
/s/ Gregory A. Russo *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Gregory A. Russo        
         
/s/ Warren A. Thomson *   Trustee   April 4, 2014
Warren A. Thomson        
         

*By: Power of Attorney

       
         
         

By: /s/ Nicholas J. Kolokithas               

Nicholas J. Kolokithas

      April 4, 2014
Attorney-in-Fact        
* Pursuant to Power of Attorney filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 126 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on February 26, 2014.        

 

 
 

 

Exhibit Index

 

99.(i).6 Legal Opinion dated April 4, 2014.

 

 

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