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| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 1 |
| 2 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 3 |
| 4 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 5 |
Average annual total returns (%) | Cumulative total returns (%) | ||||
1-Year | 5-Year | 10-Year | 5-year | 10-Year | |
| At Net asset value | 11.01 | 10.51 | 8.04 | 64.80 | 116.79 |
| At Market price | 9.60 | 9.46 | 8.38 | 57.16 | 123.63 |
| S&P 500 Index | 21.45 | 17.64 | 14.64 | 125.31 | 291.96 |
| Primary Blended Benchmark | 8.49 | 5.77 | 6.75 | 32.36 | 92.18 |
| Secondary Blended Benchmark | 7.67 | 5.55 | 6.54 | 31.00 | 88.34 |
| 6 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 7 |
Shares | Value | ||||
Common stocks 65.6% (42.7% of Total investments) | $451,470,920 | ||||
| (Cost $364,618,117) | |||||
Communication services 6.2% | 42,954,767 | ||||
Diversified telecommunication services 6.2% | |||||
| AT&T, Inc. (A) | 724,919 | 17,941,745 | |||
| Verizon Communications, Inc. (A) | 629,417 | 25,013,022 | |||
Consumer staples 1.3% | 8,731,965 | ||||
Tobacco 1.3% | |||||
| Philip Morris International, Inc. (A) | 60,500 | 8,731,965 | |||
Energy 10.1% | 69,916,104 | ||||
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 10.1% | |||||
| BP PLC, ADR | 560,950 | 19,706,174 | |||
| Enbridge, Inc. | 281,200 | 13,109,544 | |||
| Kinder Morgan, Inc. (A) | 709,001 | 18,568,736 | |||
| ONEOK, Inc. (A) | 100,500 | 6,733,500 | |||
| South Bow Corp. | 455,000 | 11,798,150 | |||
Financials 1.0% | 6,723,557 | ||||
Banks 1.0% | |||||
| Columbia Banking System, Inc. (A) | 250,879 | 6,723,557 | |||
Materials 1.5% | 10,213,100 | ||||
Chemicals 0.6% | |||||
| LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A (A) | 95,000 | 4,409,900 | |||
Metals and mining 0.9% | |||||
| Vale SA, ADR (A)(B) | 480,000 | 5,803,200 | |||
Real estate 1.4% | 9,473,100 | ||||
Specialized REITs 1.4% | |||||
| Crown Castle, Inc. (A) | 105,000 | 9,473,100 | |||
Utilities 44.1% | 303,458,327 | ||||
Electric utilities 25.4% | |||||
| American Electric Power Company, Inc. (A) | 140,000 | 16,836,400 | |||
| Duke Energy Corp. (A) | 167,000 | 20,758,100 | |||
| Entergy Corp. (A) | 175,000 | 16,815,750 | |||
| Evergy, Inc. (A) | 230,000 | 17,666,300 | |||
| Eversource Energy (A) | 217,033 | 16,019,206 | |||
| Exelon Corp. (A) | 230,000 | 10,607,600 | |||
| FirstEnergy Corp. (A) | 385,000 | 17,644,550 | |||
| NextEra Energy, Inc. (A) | 59,446 | 4,838,904 | |||
| OGE Energy Corp. (A) | 405,000 | 17,876,700 | |||
| 8 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Shares | Value | ||||
Utilities (continued) | |||||
Electric utilities (continued) | |||||
| Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (A) | 70,000 | $6,196,400 | |||
| PPL Corp. (A) | 465,000 | 16,981,800 | |||
| The Southern Company (A) | 130,000 | 12,225,200 | |||
Gas utilities 3.8% | |||||
| Spire, Inc. (A) | 185,000 | 15,984,000 | |||
| UGI Corp. (A) | 310,000 | 10,363,300 | |||
Independent power and renewable electricity producers 1.4% | |||||
| The AES Corp. (A) | 710,086 | 9,848,893 | |||
Multi-utilities 13.5% | |||||
| Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. | 1,547,596 | 8,635,586 | |||
| Dominion Energy, Inc. (A) | 268,800 | 15,775,872 | |||
| DTE Energy Company (A) | 105,000 | 14,231,700 | |||
| National Grid PLC, ADR (A)(B) | 199,166 | 14,987,242 | |||
| NiSource, Inc. (A) | 230,000 | 9,685,300 | |||
| Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (A) | 200,000 | 16,112,000 | |||
| Sempra (A) | 145,394 | 13,367,524 | |||
Preferred securities (C) 45.0% (29.3% of Total investments) | $309,536,022 | ||||
| (Cost $316,142,671) | |||||
Communication services 0.3% | 1,686,957 | ||||
Wireless telecommunication services 0.3% | |||||
| Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc., 5.500% (A) | 28,800 | 527,040 | |||
| Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc., 6.250% (A) | 54,025 | 1,159,917 | |||
Financials 33.4% | 229,881,783 | ||||
Banks 14.0% | |||||
| Bank of America Corp., 5.000% (A) | 123,825 | 2,643,664 | |||
| Bank of America Corp., 7.250% | 6,000 | 7,566,000 | |||
| Citizens Financial Group, Inc., 6.500% (6.500% 10-6-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.629%) (A) | 202,650 | 5,141,231 | |||
| Citizens Financial Group, Inc., 7.375% (A) | 333,425 | 8,805,754 | |||
| Comerica, Inc., 6.875% (6.875% to 10-1-30, then 5 Year CMT + 3.125%) (A) | 269,250 | 6,908,955 | |||
| Fulton Financial Corp., 5.125% (A) | 197,400 | 3,872,988 | |||
| Huntington Bancshares, Inc., 6.875% (6.875% to 4-15-28, then 5 Year CMT + 2.704%) (A) | 261,075 | 6,704,406 | |||
| KeyCorp, 5.650% (A) | 98,925 | 2,218,888 | |||
| KeyCorp, 6.125% (6.125% to 12-15-26, then 3 month CME Term SOFR + 4.154%) (A) | 71,731 | 1,783,950 | |||
| KeyCorp, 6.200% (6.200% to 12-15-27, then 5 Year CMT + 3.132%) (A) | 134,275 | 3,364,932 | |||
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 9 |
Shares | Value | ||||
Financials (continued) | |||||
Banks (continued) | |||||
| M&T Bank Corp., 6.350% | 234,850 | $5,857,159 | |||
| M&T Bank Corp., 7.500% (A) | 315,000 | 8,379,000 | |||
| Regions Financial Corp., 4.450% (A) | 74,078 | 1,340,812 | |||
| Synovus Financial Corp., 7.467% (3 month CME Term SOFR + 3.614%) (A)(D) | 74,850 | 1,901,939 | |||
| Synovus Financial Corp., 8.397% (5 Year CMT + 4.127%) (A)(D) | 305,500 | 8,028,540 | |||
| UMB Financial Corp., 7.750% (7.750% to 7-15-30, then 5 Year CMT + 3.743%) (A) | 170,975 | 4,616,325 | |||
| Wells Fargo & Company, 7.500% | 14,000 | 17,321,500 | |||
Capital markets 7.4% | |||||
| Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 6.750% (A) | 309,200 | 7,550,664 | |||
| Brookfield Finance, Inc., 4.625% (A) | 170,000 | 2,748,900 | |||
| Carlyle Finance LLC, 4.625% (A) | 53,575 | 948,278 | |||
| KKR & Company, Inc., 6.250% | 57,950 | 2,840,709 | |||
| Morgan Stanley, 6.375% (A) | 344,227 | 8,657,309 | |||
| Morgan Stanley, 6.500% (A) | 238,025 | 6,095,820 | |||
| Morgan Stanley, 6.625% (A) | 145,050 | 3,794,508 | |||
| Morgan Stanley, 7.125% (A) | 190,075 | 4,862,119 | |||
| The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., 6.150% (6.150% to 3-20-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.161%) | 188,575 | 4,857,692 | |||
| TPG Operating Group II LP, 6.950% (A) | 339,525 | 8,732,583 | |||
Consumer finance 1.6% | |||||
| Capital One Financial Corp., 5.000% (A) | 124,350 | 2,469,591 | |||
| Synchrony Financial, 8.250% (8.250% to 5-15-29, then 5 Year CMT + 4.044%) (A) | 325,825 | 8,605,038 | |||
Financial services 2.7% | |||||
| Apollo Global Management, Inc., 7.625% (7.625% to 12-15-28, then 5 Year CMT + 3.226%) (A) | 359,686 | 9,423,773 | |||
| Corebridge Financial, Inc., 6.375% (A) | 269,250 | 6,677,400 | |||
| Jackson Financial, Inc., 8.000% (8.000% to 3-30-28, then 5 Year CMT + 3.728%) (A) | 82,075 | 2,158,573 | |||
Insurance 7.7% | |||||
| American National Group, Inc., 7.375% | 329,750 | 8,392,138 | |||
| Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd., 7.000% (A) | 230,150 | 5,792,876 | |||
| Athene Holding, Ltd., 6.350% (6.350% to 6-30-29, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.253%) (A) | 349,213 | 8,712,864 | |||
| Brighthouse Financial, Inc., 6.600% (A) | 105,485 | 1,616,030 | |||
| Enstar Group, Ltd., 7.000% (7.000% to 9-1-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.015%) | 55,875 | 1,341,000 | |||
| F&G Annuities & Life, Inc., 7.300% | 246,050 | 5,932,266 | |||
| F&G Annuities & Life, Inc., 7.950% | 300,100 | 7,838,612 | |||
| 10 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Shares | Value | ||||
Financials (continued) | |||||
Insurance (continued) | |||||
| Lincoln National Corp., 9.000% (A) | 330,275 | $8,947,150 | |||
| The Allstate Corp., 7.375% (A) | 166,975 | 4,429,847 | |||
Utilities 11.3% | 77,967,282 | ||||
Electric utilities 8.5% | |||||
| Duke Energy Corp., 5.750% (A) | 199,700 | 5,000,488 | |||
| NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., 6.500% (A) | 285,000 | 7,293,150 | |||
| NextEra Energy, Inc., 7.234% | 114,000 | 5,575,740 | |||
| NSTAR Electric Company, 4.250% (A) | 13,347 | 965,789 | |||
| NSTAR Electric Company, 4.780% (A) | 100,000 | 7,912,000 | |||
| SCE Trust II, 5.100% (A) | 536,770 | 8,808,396 | |||
| SCE Trust VI, 5.000% (A) | 166,130 | 2,719,548 | |||
| SCE Trust VII, 7.500% (A) | 400,000 | 9,348,000 | |||
| SCE Trust VIII, 6.950% (A) | 217,275 | 4,780,050 | |||
| Union Electric Company, 3.700% (A) | 12,262 | 745,775 | |||
| Xcel Energy, Inc., 6.250% (A) | 228,250 | 5,706,250 | |||
Gas utilities 0.7% | |||||
| Spire, Inc., 5.900% (A) | 183,775 | 4,500,650 | |||
Multi-utilities 2.1% | |||||
| Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., 8.161% (3 month CME Term SOFR + 4.272% to 7-1-29, then 3 month CME Term SOFR + 4.522% to 7-1-49, then 3 month CME Term SOFR + 5.272%) (D) | 200,350 | 5,130,964 | |||
| DTE Energy Company, 6.250% (A) | 336,475 | 8,458,982 | |||
| Sempra, 5.750% (A) | 45,000 | 1,021,500 | |||
Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
Corporate bonds 41.4% (26.9% of Total investments) | $284,990,971 | ||||
| (Cost $275,963,666) | |||||
Communication services 0.9% | 5,946,825 | ||||
Diversified telecommunication services 0.9% | |||||
| TELUS Corp. (7.000% to 10-15-35, then 5 Year CMT + 2.709%) | 7.000 | 10-15-55 | 5,575,000 | 5,946,825 | |
Consumer discretionary 0.7% | 4,799,750 | ||||
Automobiles 0.7% | |||||
| General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (6.500% to 9-30-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.436%) (E) | 6.500 | 09-30-28 | 4,796,000 | 4,799,750 | |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 11 |
Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
Energy 3.0% | $20,722,930 | ||||
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 3.0% | |||||
| Enbridge, Inc. (7.200% to 6-27-34, then 5 Year CMT + 2.970%) | 7.200 | 06-27-54 | 3,525,000 | 3,764,792 | |
| Enbridge, Inc. (7.375% to 1-15-28, then 5 Year CMT + 3.708% to 1-15-33, then 5 Year CMT + 3.958% to 1-15-48, then 5 Year CMT + 4.708%) | 7.375 | 01-15-83 | 3,304,000 | 3,404,765 | |
| Enbridge, Inc. (8.500% to 1-15-34, then 5 Year CMT + 4.431% to 1-15-54, then 5 Year CMT + 5.181%) | 8.500 | 01-15-84 | 3,130,000 | 3,598,674 | |
| Energy Transfer LP (6.750% to 2-15-36, then 5 Year CMT + 2.475%) | 6.750 | 02-15-56 | 5,645,000 | 5,662,488 | |
| Phillips 66 Company (6.200% to 3-15-36, then 5 Year CMT + 2.166%) | 6.200 | 03-15-56 | 4,250,000 | 4,292,211 | |
Financials 30.1% | 207,221,210 | ||||
Banks 21.4% | |||||
| Bank of America Corp. (5.875% to 3-15-28, then 3 month CME Term SOFR + 3.193%) (A)(B)(E) | 5.875 | 03-15-28 | 3,350,000 | 3,385,986 | |
| Bank of America Corp. (6.125% to 4-27-27, then 5 Year CMT + 3.231%) (A)(E) | 6.125 | 04-27-27 | 11,000,000 | 11,130,119 | |
| Bank of America Corp. (6.250% to 7-26-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.351%) (E) | 6.250 | 07-26-30 | 3,550,000 | 3,611,131 | |
| Bank of America Corp. (6.625% to 5-1-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.684%) (A)(E) | 6.625 | 05-01-30 | 7,513,000 | 7,821,033 | |
| Bank of Montreal (6.875% to 11-26-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.976%) (A) | 6.875 | 11-26-85 | 6,525,000 | 6,728,847 | |
| Citigroup, Inc. (6.875% to 8-15-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.890%) (E) | 6.875 | 08-15-30 | 5,400,000 | 5,564,020 | |
| Citigroup, Inc. (6.950% to 2-15-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.726%) (E) | 6.950 | 02-15-30 | 4,175,000 | 4,294,889 | |
| Citigroup, Inc. (7.375% to 5-15-28, then 5 Year CMT + 3.209%) (E) | 7.375 | 05-15-28 | 8,095,000 | 8,387,068 | |
| Citigroup, Inc. (7.625% to 11-15-28, then 5 Year CMT + 3.211%) (E) | 7.625 | 11-15-28 | 10,225,000 | 10,698,418 | |
| Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (3 month CME Term SOFR + 3.265%) (D)(E) | 7.199 | 01-06-26 | 18,000,000 | 17,932,491 | |
| Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (3 month CME Term SOFR + 3.419%) (D)(E) | 7.353 | 01-06-26 | 5,285,000 | 5,251,150 | |
| CoBank ACB (6.450% to 10-1-27, then 5 Year CMT + 3.487%) (E) | 6.450 | 10-01-27 | 5,000,000 | 5,010,785 | |
| CoBank ACB (7.250% to 7-1-29, then 5 Year CMT + 2.880%) (E) | 7.250 | 07-01-29 | 4,300,000 | 4,395,095 | |
| Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (6.250% to 10-15-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.653%) (E) | 6.250 | 10-15-30 | 3,925,000 | 3,888,152 | |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. (6.875% to 6-1-29, then 5 Year CMT + 2.737%) (A)(B)(E) | 6.875 | 06-01-29 | 6,445,000 | 6,790,098 | |
| 12 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
Financials (continued) | |||||
Banks (continued) | |||||
| The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (6.000% to 5-15-27, then 5 Year CMT + 3.000%) (A)(B)(E) | 6.000 | 05-15-27 | 7,285,000 | $7,325,439 | |
| The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (6.200% to 9-15-27, then 5 Year CMT + 3.238%) (A)(E) | 6.200 | 09-15-27 | 12,680,000 | 12,884,706 | |
| The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (6.250% to 3-15-30, then 7 Year CMT + 2.808%) (A)(B)(E) | 6.250 | 03-15-30 | 6,100,000 | 6,258,984 | |
| Wells Fargo & Company (6.850% to 9-15-29, then 5 Year CMT + 2.767%) (E) | 6.850 | 09-15-29 | 5,350,000 | 5,618,854 | |
| Wells Fargo & Company (7.625% to 9-15-28, then 5 Year CMT + 3.606%) (E) | 7.625 | 09-15-28 | 9,301,000 | 9,928,250 | |
Capital markets 4.5% | |||||
| State Street Corp. (6.700% to 3-15-29, then 5 Year CMT + 2.613%) (E) | 6.700 | 03-15-29 | 4,332,000 | 4,503,053 | |
| The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (6.300% to 3-20-30, then 5 Year CMT + 2.297%) (A)(B)(E) | 6.300 | 03-20-30 | 5,142,000 | 5,296,045 | |
| The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (7.500% to 2-10-29, then 5 Year CMT + 3.156%) (E) | 7.500 | 02-10-29 | 12,857,000 | 13,640,866 | |
| The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (7.500% to 5-10-29, then 5 Year CMT + 2.809%) (E) | 7.500 | 05-10-29 | 7,308,000 | 7,744,814 | |
Insurance 4.2% | |||||
| Athene Holding, Ltd. (6.625% to 10-15-34, then 5 Year CMT + 2.607%) | 6.625 | 10-15-54 | 3,400,000 | 3,386,065 | |
| Global Atlantic Financial Company (7.950% to 10-15-29, then 5 Year CMT + 3.608%) (F) | 7.950 | 10-15-54 | 6,000,000 | 6,272,964 | |
| SBL Holdings, Inc. (6.500% to 11-13-26, then 5 Year CMT + 5.620%) (E)(F) | 6.500 | 11-13-26 | 10,000,000 | 9,603,541 | |
| SBL Holdings, Inc. (9.508% to 5-13-30, then 5 Year CMT + 5.580%) (E)(F) | 9.508 | 05-13-30 | 9,549,000 | 9,868,347 | |
Health care 0.7% | 4,606,995 | ||||
Health care equipment and supplies 0.7% | |||||
| Dentsply Sirona, Inc. (8.375% to 9-12-30, then 5 Year CMT + 4.379%) | 8.375 | 09-12-55 | 4,474,000 | 4,606,995 | |
Real estate 0.7% | 5,131,105 | ||||
Residential REITs 0.7% | |||||
| BW Real Estate, Inc. (9.500% to 3-30-30, then 5 Year CMT + 5.402%) (E)(F) | 9.500 | 03-30-30 | 5,000,000 | 5,131,105 | |
Utilities 5.3% | 36,562,156 | ||||
Electric utilities 2.6% | |||||
| Alliant Energy Corp. (5.750% to 4-1-31, then 5 Year CMT + 2.077%) | 5.750 | 04-01-56 | 5,707,000 | 5,726,347 | |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 13 |
Rate (%) |
Maturity date |
Par value^ |
Value |
||
Utilities (continued) |
|||||
Electric utilities (continued) |
|||||
| American Electric Power Company, Inc. (6.050% to 3-15-36, then 5 Year CMT + 1.940%) | 6.050 | 03-15-56 | 2,106,000 | $2,132,736 | |
| Edison International (5.000% to 3-15-27, then 5 Year CMT + 3.901% to 3-15-32, then 5 Year CMT + 4.151% to 3-15-47, then 5 Year CMT + 4.901%) (E) | 5.000 | 12-15-26 | 4,601,000 | 4,487,594 | |
| Entergy Corp. (7.125% to 12-1-29, then 5 Year CMT + 2.670%) (A) | 7.125 | 12-01-54 | 5,600,000 | 5,883,433 | |
Gas utilities 1.1% |
|||||
| Northwest Natural Holding Company (7.000% to 9-15-35, then 5 Year CMT + 2.701%) (A) | 7.000 | 09-15-55 | 7,225,000 | 7,528,927 | |
Multi-utilities 1.6% |
|||||
| CMS Energy Corp. (6.500% to 6-1-35, then 5 Year CMT + 1.961%) | 6.500 | 06-01-55 | 6,010,000 | 6,252,534 | |
| Dominion Energy, Inc. (6.200% to 2-15-36, then 5 Year CMT + 2.006%) | 6.200 | 02-15-56 | 4,500,000 | 4,550,585 | |
Capital preferred securities (G) 1.2% (0.7% of Total investments) |
$7,841,997 |
||||
| (Cost $9,141,705) | |||||
Financials 1.2% |
7,841,997 |
||||
Insurance 1.2% |
|||||
| MetLife Capital Trust IV (7.875% to 12-15-37, then 3 month CME Term SOFR + 4.222%) (A)(F) | 7.875 | 12-15-37 | 6,990,000 | 7,841,997 | |
U.S. Government and Agency obligations 0.5% (0.4% of Total investments) |
$3,680,241 |
||||
| (Cost $3,533,000) | |||||
U.S. Government Agency 0.5% |
3,680,241 |
||||
| Farm Credit Bank of Texas Bond (7.000% to 9-15-30, then 5 Year CMT + 3.010%) (E) |
7.000 | 09-15-30 | 3,533,000 | 3,680,241 | |
Yield (%) |
Shares |
Value |
|||
Short-term investments 0.0% (0.0% of Total investments) |
$114,923 |
||||
| (Cost $114,923) | |||||
Short-term funds 0.0% |
114,923 |
||||
| John Hancock Collateral Trust (H) | 3.9239(I) | 11,488 | 114,923 | ||
Total investments (Cost $969,514,082) 153.7% |
$1,057,635,074 |
||||
Other assets and liabilities, net (53.7%) |
(369,378,332) |
||||
Total net assets 100.0% |
$688,256,742 |
||||
| The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund unless otherwise indicated. | |
| ^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. |
| 14 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Security Abbreviations and Legend |
|
| ADR | American Depositary Receipt |
| CME | CME Group Published Rates |
| CMT | Constant Maturity Treasury |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| (A) | All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the Liquidity Agreement. Total collateral value at 10-31-25 was $693,303,920. |
| (B) | All or a portion of this security is on loan as of 10-31-25, and is a component of the fund’s leverage under the Liquidity Agreement. The value of securities on loan amounted to $19,628,909. |
| (C) | Includes preferred stocks and hybrid securities with characteristics of both equity and debt that pay dividends on a periodic basis. |
| (D) | Variable rate obligation. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end. |
| (E) | Perpetual bonds have no stated maturity date. Date shown as maturity date is next call date. |
| (F) | This security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from |
| (G) | Includes hybrid securities with characteristics of both equity and debt that trade with, and pay, interest income. |
| (H) | Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. |
| (I) | The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 10-31-25. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND |
15 |
Interest rate swaps |
||||||||||
Counterparty (OTC)/ Centrally cleared |
Notional amount |
Currency |
Payments made |
Payments received |
Fixed payment frequency |
Floating payment frequency |
Maturity date |
Unamortized upfront payment paid (received) |
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
Value |
| Centrally cleared | 187,000,000 | USD | Fixed 3.662% | USD SOFR Compounded OIS (a) |
Semi-Annual | Quarterly | May 2026 | — | $(1,357,312) | $(1,357,312) |
| Centrally cleared | 93,000,000 | USD | Fixed 3.473% | USD SOFR Compounded OIS (a) |
Semi-Annual | Quarterly | May 2026 | — | (475,731) | (475,731) |
| Centrally cleared | 46,850,000 | USD | Fixed 3.817% | USD SOFR Compounded OIS (a) |
Semi-Annual | Quarterly | Dec 2026 | — | (615,850) | (615,850) |
— |
$(2,448,893) |
$(2,448,893) |
||||||||
(a) |
At |
Derivatives Currency Abbreviations |
|
| USD | U.S. Dollar |
Derivatives Abbreviations |
|
| OIS | Overnight Index Swap |
| OTC | Over-the-counter |
| SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| 16 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Assets |
|
| Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $969,399,159) | $1,057,520,151 |
| Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $114,923) | 114,923 |
Total investments, at value (Cost $969,514,082) |
1,057,635,074 |
| Receivable for centrally cleared swaps | 1,036,253 |
| Dividends and interest receivable | 5,116,487 |
| Other assets | 232,780 |
Total assets |
1,064,020,594 |
Liabilities |
|
| Due to custodian | 146,277 |
| Liquidity agreement | 373,700,000 |
| Interest payable | 1,540,580 |
| Payable to affiliates | |
| Administrative services fees | 91,010 |
| Trustees’ fees | 404 |
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 285,581 |
Total liabilities |
375,763,852 |
Net assets |
$688,256,742 |
Net assets consist of |
|
| Paid-in capital | $600,857,248 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 87,399,494 |
Net assets |
$688,256,742 |
Net asset value per share |
|
| Based on 49,185,225 shares of beneficial interest outstanding - unlimited number of shares authorized with |
$13.99 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND |
17 |
Investment income | |
| Dividends | $39,619,633 |
| Interest | 19,262,646 |
| Dividends from affiliated investments | 273,669 |
| Less foreign taxes withheld | (344,871) |
Total investment income | 58,811,077 |
Expenses | |
| Investment management fees | 8,205,315 |
| Interest expense | 19,090,050 |
| Administrative services fees | 1,044,380 |
| Transfer agent fees | 96,853 |
| Trustees’ fees | 53,481 |
| Custodian fees | 85,806 |
| Printing and postage | 95,669 |
| Professional fees | 309,958 |
| Stock exchange listing fees | 47,868 |
| Other | 31,591 |
Total expenses | 29,060,971 |
| Less expense reductions | (92,671) |
Net expenses | 28,968,300 |
Net investment income | 29,842,777 |
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) | |
Net realized gain (loss) on | |
| Unaffiliated investments and foreign currency transactions | 16,307,603 |
| Affiliated investments | (897) |
| Swap contracts | 3,117,490 |
19,424,196 | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of | |
| Unaffiliated investments | 21,399,013 |
| Affiliated investments | 71 |
| Swap contracts | (2,196,642) |
19,202,442 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 38,626,638 |
Increase in net assets from operations | $68,469,415 |
| 18 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Year ended 10-31-25 | Year ended 10-31-24 | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets | ||
From operations | ||
| Net investment income | $29,842,777 | $25,352,245 |
| Net realized gain | 19,424,196 | 26,058,018 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 19,202,442 | 145,166,786 |
Increase in net assets resulting from operations | 68,469,415 | 196,577,049 |
Distributions to shareholders | ||
| From earnings | (48,693,374) | (48,693,374) |
Total distributions | (48,693,374) | (48,693,374) |
Total increase | 19,776,041 | 147,883,675 |
Net assets | ||
| Beginning of year | 668,480,701 | 520,597,026 |
End of year | $688,256,742 | $668,480,701 |
Share activity | ||
Shares outstanding | ||
| Beginning of year | 49,185,225 | 49,185,225 |
End of year | 49,185,225 | 49,185,225 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 19 |
Cash flows from operating activities | |
| Net increase in net assets from operations | $68,469,415 |
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | |
| Long-term investments purchased | (248,661,633) |
| Long-term investments sold | 262,140,380 |
| Net purchases and sales of short-term investments | 1,309,241 |
| Net amortization (accretion) of premium (discount) | 270,131 |
| (Increase) Decrease in assets: | |
| Receivable for centrally cleared swaps | 2,801,105 |
| Dividends and interest receivable | (13,989) |
| Other assets | 6,408 |
| Increase (Decrease) in liabilities: | |
| Interest payable | (238,958) |
| Payable to affiliates | 2,144 |
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 9,078 |
| Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on: | |
| Investments | (21,399,084) |
| Net realized (gain) loss on: | |
| Investments | (16,305,362) |
| Proceeds received as return of capital | 158,221 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $48,547,097 |
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | |
| Distributions to shareholders | $(48,693,374) |
| Increase in due to custodian | 146,277 |
Net cash used in financing activities | $(48,547,097) |
Cash at beginning of year | — |
Cash at end of year | — |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |
Cash paid for interest | $(19,329,008) |
| 20 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Period ended | 10-31-25 | 10-31-24 | 10-31-23 | 10-31-22 | 10-31-21 |
Per share operating performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $13.59 | $10.58 | $12.60 | $14.88 | $12.84 |
| Net investment income 1 | 0.61 | 0.52 | 0.48 | 0.72 | 0.83 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 0.78 | 3.48 | (1.39) | (1.83) | 2.40 |
Total from investment operations | 1.39 | 4.00 | (0.91) | (1.11) | 3.23 |
Less distributions | |||||
| From net investment income | (0.99) | (0.99) | (0.98) | (1.17) | (1.17) |
| From net realized gain | — | — | — | — | (0.02) |
| From tax return of capital | — | — | (0.13) | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.99) | (0.99) | (1.11) | (1.17) | (1.19) |
| Premium from shares sold through shelf offering | — | — | — 2 | — 2 | — |
Net asset value, end of period | $13.99 | $13.59 | $10.58 | $12.60 | $14.88 |
Per share market value, end of period | $13.04 | $12.83 | $9.57 | $13.99 | $17.27 |
Total return at net asset value (%) 3,4 | 11.01 | 39.63 | (7.65) | (8.30) | 25.56 |
Total return at market value (%) 3 | 9.60 | 45.73 | (24.77) | (12.28) | 49.09 |
Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $688 | $668 | $521 | $619 | $726 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | |||||
| Expenses before reductions | 4.33 | 5.26 | 5.07 | 2.42 | 1.82 |
| Expenses including reductions 5 | 4.32 | 5.25 | 5.06 | 2.41 | 1.81 |
| Net investment income | 4.45 | 4.17 | 3.93 | 5.08 | 5.78 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 24 | 27 | 26 | 16 | 17 |
Senior securities | |||||
| Total debt outstanding end of period (in millions) | $374 | $374 | $374 | $374 | $374 |
| Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt 6 | $2,842 | $2,789 | $2,393 | $2,655 | $2,943 |
1 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
2 | Less than $0.005 per share. |
3 | Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the fund’s net asset value during each period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure assumes that distributions from income, capital gains and tax return of capital, if any, were reinvested. |
4 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
5 | Expenses including reductions excluding interest expense were 1.47%, 1.52%, 1.54%, 1.39% and 1.41% for the periods ended 10-31-25, 10-31-24, 10-31-23, 10-31-22 and 10-31-21, respectively. |
6 | Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowings of the fund outstanding at period end (Note 8). As debt outstanding changes, the level of invested assets may change accordingly. Asset coverage ratio provides a measure of leverage. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | 21 |
| 22 | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | ANNUAL REPORT |
Total value at 10-31-25 | Level 1 quoted price | Level 2 significant observable inputs | Level 3 significant unobservable inputs | |
Investments in securities: | ||||
Assets | ||||
Common stocks | $451,470,920 | $451,470,920 | — | — |
Preferred securities | ||||
| Communication services | 1,686,957 | 1,686,957 | — | — |
| Financials | 229,881,783 | 229,881,783 | — | — |
| Utilities | 77,967,282 | 69,309,507 | $8,657,775 | — |
Corporate bonds | 284,990,971 | — | 284,990,971 | — |
Capital preferred securities | 7,841,997 | — | 7,841,997 | — |
U.S. Government and Agency obligations | 3,680,241 | — | 3,680,241 | — |
Short-term investments | 114,923 | 114,923 | — | — |
Total investments in securities | $1,057,635,074 | $752,464,090 | $305,170,984 | — |
Derivatives: | ||||
Liabilities | ||||
| Swap contracts | $(2,448,893) | — | $(2,448,893) | — |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | 23 |
| 24 | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | ANNUAL REPORT |
October 31, 2025 | October 31, 2024 | |
| Ordinary income | $39,799,668 | $34,129,121 |
| Long-term capital gains | 8,893,706 | 14,564,253 |
Total | $48,693,374 | $48,693,374 |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | 25 |
1 | Reflects cumulative value of swap contracts. Receivable/payable for centrally cleared swaps, which includes value and margin, are shown separately on the Statement of assets and liabilities. |
Statement of operations location - Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
Risk | Swap contracts |
| Interest rate | $3,117,490 |
| 26 | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | ANNUAL REPORT |
Statement of operations location - Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
Risk | Swap contracts |
| Interest rate | $(2,196,642) |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | 27 |
| • | the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and market price of shares; |
| • | fluctuations in the interest rate paid for the use of the LA; |
| • | increased operating costs, which may reduce the fund’s total return; |
| • | the potential for a decline in the value of an investment acquired through leverage, while the fund’s obligations under such leverage remains fixed; and |
| • | the fund is more likely to have to sell securities in a volatile market in order to meet asset coverage or other debt compliance requirements. |
| 28 | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | 29 |
Dividends and distributions | |||||||||
Affiliate | Ending share amount | Beginning value | Cost of purchases | Proceeds from shares sold | Realized gain (loss) | Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | Income distributions received | Capital gain distributions received | Ending value |
| John Hancock Collateral Trust | 11,488 | $1,424,990 | $210,242,178 | $(211,551,419) | $(897) | $71 | $273,669 | — | $114,923 |
| 30 | JOHN HANCOCK Premium Dividend Fund | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 31 |
| 32 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 33 |
| 34 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 35 |
| 36 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 37 |
| Payment Date | Income Distributions |
| November 29, 2024 | $0.0825 |
| December 31, 2024 | 0.0825 |
| January 31, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| February 28, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| March 31, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| April 30, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| May 30, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| June 30, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| July 31, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| August 29, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| September 30, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| October 31, 2025 | 0.0825 |
| Total | $0.9900 |
| 38 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 39 |
Period ended | 10-31-20 | 10-31-19 | 10-31-18 | 10-31-17 | 10-31-16 |
Per share operating performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $15.74 | $14.33 | $15.95 | $16.17 | $15.14 |
| Net investment income 1 | 0.83 | 0.72 | 0.85 | 1.11 | 0.98 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (2.53) | 1.89 | (0.77) | 0.14 | 1.16 |
Total from investment operations | (1.70) | 2.61 | 0.08 | 1.25 | 2.14 |
Less distributions | |||||
| From net investment income | (1.17) | (1.17) | (1.17) | (1.17) | (0.97) |
| From realized gains | (0.03) | (0.03) | (0.53) | (0.30) | (0.14) |
Total distributions | (1.20) | (1.20) | (1.70) | (1.47) | (1.11) |
| Anti-dilutive impact of repurchase plan | — | — | — | — | — 2, 3 |
Net asset value, end of period | $12.84 | $15.74 | $14.33 | $15.95 | $16.17 |
Per share market value, end of the period | $12.55 | $17.69 | $15.65 | $16.97 | $14.96 |
Total return at net asset value (%) 4, 5 | (10.89) | 18.52 | 0.19 | 8.26 | 14.83 |
Total return at market value (%) 4 | (22.55) | 22.04 | 2.84 | 24.50 | 17.58 |
Ratio and Supplemental data | |||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $625 | $764 | $695 | $771 | $781 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | |||||
| Expenses before reductions | 2.32 | 3.01 | 2.80 | 2.28 | 1.95 |
| Expenses including reductions 6 | 2.31 | 3.00 | 2.79 | 2.27 | 1.94 |
| Net investment income | 6.07 | 4.79 | 5.75 | 7.00 | 6.14 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 24 | 18 | 24 | 14 | 19 |
Senior Securities | |||||
| Total debt outstanding end of period (in millions) | $374 | $384 | $384 | $384 | $384 |
| Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt 7 | $2,672 | $2,992 | $2,811 | $3,009 | $3,035 |
| 1 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 2 | Less than $0.005 per share. |
| 3 | The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $13.27 for 105,700 shares for the period ended 10-31-16. |
| 4 | Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the fund’s net asset value during each period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. |
| 5 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 6 | Expenses including reductions excluding interest expense were 1.48%, 1.41%, 1.44%, 1.45% and 1.40% for the periods ended 10-31-20, 10-31-19, 10-31-18, 10-31-17 and 10-31-16, respectively. |
| 7 | Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowings of the fund outstanding at period end (Note 8). As debt outstanding changes, the level of |
| 40 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
Shareholder Transaction Expenses | |
| Sales load (as a percentage of offering price) 1 | —% |
| Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price) 1 | —% |
| Dividend Reinvestment Plan fees 2 | None |
| 1 | If common shares are sold to or through underwriters, the fund’s prospectus will set forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses. |
| 2 | Participants in the fund’s dividend reinvestment plan do not pay brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the fund. However, whenever common shares |
| 3 | See "Note 5 – Fees and transactions with affiliates.” |
| 4 | The fund uses leverage by borrowing under a liquidity agreement. “Interest payments on borrowed funds” includes all interest paid in connection with outstanding loans. |
| 5 | The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
| Total Expenses | $43 | $131 | $220 | $448 |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 41 |
Market Price | NAV per Share on Data of Market Price High and Low | Premium/(Discount) on Date of Market Price High and Low | ||||
Fiscal Quarter Ended | High | Low | High | Low | High | Low |
| January 31, 2024 | 11.08 | 9.83 | 11.69 | 10.67 | -5.22% | -7.87% |
| April 30, 2024 | 11.84 | 10.71 | 12.08 | 11.51 | -1.99% | -6.95% |
| July 31, 2024 | 12.37 | 11.23 | 12.92 | 12.33 | -4.26% | -8.92% |
| October 31, 2024 | 13.54 | 11.87 | 13.83 | 12.61 | -2.10% | -5.87% |
| January 31, 2025 | 13.23 | 12.01 | 14.03 | 13.02 | -5.70% | -7.76% |
| April 30, 2025 | 13.08 | 11.70 | 13.81 | 12.71 | -5.29% | -7.95% |
| July 31, 2025 | 13.36 | 12.51 | 13.65 | 13.21 | -2.12% | -5.30% |
| October 31, 2025 | 13.48 | 13.01 | 14.27 | 14.04 | -5.54% | -7.34% |
| 42 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 43 |
| 44 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| (a) | the skills and competency with which the Advisor has in the past managed the fund’s affairs and its subadvisory relationship, the Advisor’s oversight and monitoring of the Subadvisor’s investment |
| (b) | the background, qualifications and skills of the Advisor’s personnel; |
| (c) | the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures and its responsiveness to regulatory changes and fund industry developments; |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 45 |
| (d) | the Advisor’s administrative capabilities, including its ability to supervise the other service providers for the fund, as well as the Advisor’s oversight of any securities lending activity, its |
| (e) | the financial condition of the Advisor and whether it has the financial wherewithal to provide a high level and quality of services to the fund; |
| (f) | the Advisor’s initiatives intended to improve various aspects of the fund’s operations and investor experience with the fund; and |
| (g) | the Advisor’s reputation and experience in serving as an investment advisor to the fund and the benefit to shareholders of investing in funds that are part of a family of funds offering a variety |
| (a) | reviewed information prepared by management regarding the fund’s performance; |
| (b) | considered the comparative performance of an applicable benchmark index; |
| (c) | considered the performance of comparable funds, if any, as included in the report prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data; |
| (d) | took into account the Advisor’s analysis of the fund’s performance; and |
| (e) | considered the fund’s share performance and premium/discount information. |
| 46 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| (a) | reviewed financial information of the Advisor; |
| (b) | reviewed and considered information presented by the Advisor regarding the net profitability to the Advisor and its affiliates with respect to the fund; |
| (c) | received and reviewed profitability information with respect to the John Hancock Fund Complex as a whole and with respect to the fund; |
| (d) | received information with respect to the Advisor’s allocation methodologies used in preparing the profitability data and considered that the advisor hired an independent third-party consultant to provide an |
| (e) | considered that the Advisor also provides administrative services to the fund on a cost basis pursuant to an administrative services agreement; |
| (f) | noted that the fund’s Subadvisor is an affiliate of the Advisor; |
| (g) | noted that the Advisor also derives reputational and other indirect benefits from providing advisory services to the fund; |
| (h) | noted that the subadvisory fees for the fund are paid by the Advisor; |
| (i) | considered the Advisor’s ongoing costs and expenditures necessary to improve services, meet new regulatory and compliance requirements, and adapt to other challenges impacting the fund industry; and |
| (j) | considered that the Advisor should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to the fund and the risks it assumes as Advisor, including |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 47 |
| (1) | information relating to the Subadvisor’s business, including current subadvisory services to the fund (and other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex); |
| (2) | the historical and current performance of the fund and comparative performance information relating to an applicable benchmark index and comparable funds; and |
| (3) | the subadvisory fee for the fund and to the extent available, comparable fee information prepared by an independent third party provider of fund data. |
| 48 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| (1) | the Subadvisor has extensive experience and demonstrated skills as a manager; |
| (2) | the fund’s performance, based on net asset value, has generally been in line with or outperformed the historical performance of comparable funds and the fund’s benchmark; and |
| (3) | the subadvisory fees are reasonable in relation to the level and quality of services being provided under the Subadvisory Agreement. |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 49 |
Independent Trustees | ||
Name, year of birth Position(s) held with fund Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years | Trustee of the Trust since 1 | Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee |
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 | 2012 | 179 |
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board | ||
| Trustee of Berklee College of Music (since 2022); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (2008-2020); Director, The Barnes Group (2010-2021); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex. | ||
William K. Bacic, 4 Born: 1956 | 2024 | 172 |
Trustee | ||
| Director, Audit Committee Chairman, and Risk Committee Member, DWS USA Corp. (formerly, Deutsche Asset Management) (2018-2024); Senior Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (1978-retired 2017, including prior positions), specializing in the investment management industry. Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2024). | ||
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 | 2015 | 172 |
Trustee | ||
| Board Member, United of Omaha Life Insurance Company (since 2022); Board Member, Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. (since 2022); Foresters Financial, Chief Executive Officer (2018–2022) and board member (2017–2022); Manulife Financial and John Hancock, more than 20 years, retiring in 2012 as Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock and Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial. Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005–2014 and since 2015). | ||
William H. Cunningham, 4 Born: 1944 | 1994 | 176 |
Trustee | ||
| Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Chairman of the Board, Nuclein (since 2020); Director, Southwest Airlines (2000-2024). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986). | ||
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 | 2012 | 179 |
Trustee | ||
| Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988–2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008). |
| 50 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
Independent Trustees (continued) | ||
Name, year of birth Position(s) held with fund Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years | Trustee of the Trust since 1 | Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee |
Dean C. Garfield, Born: 1968 | 2022 | 172 |
Trustee | ||
| Senior Vice-President, TKO Group (a premier sports and live entertainment company) (since 2025); Vice President, Netflix, Inc. (2019-2024); President & Chief Executive Officer, Information Technology Industry Council (2009–2019); NYU School of Law Board of Trustees (since 2021); Member, U.S. Department of Transportation, Advisory Committee on Automation (since 2021); President of the United States Trade Advisory Council (2010–2018); Board Member, College for Every Student (2017–2021); Board Member, The Seed School of Washington, D.C. (2012–2017); Advisory Board Member of the Block Center for Technology and Society (since 2019). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2022). | ||
Christine L. Hurtsellers, 2 Born: 1963 | 2025 | 172 |
Trustee | ||
| Director, Investment Committee Chair, Chariot Re (since 2025); Board Counselor, UNICEF USA (since 2018); Board Counselor, The Carter Center (since 2010); Voya Financial, Inc., Chief Executive Officer, Voya Investment Management (2016-2024), Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income (2009-2016); Board Governor, Investment Company Institute (2019-2024); Director, Pomona Capital, (2018-2024); Former Member, US Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, (2014-2022). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2025). | ||
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 | 2008 | 175 |
Trustee | ||
| President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2011-2023); Board of Directors, Amwell Corporation (since 2020); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women’s Forum (2018-2020); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (2015-2020); 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 Boston Stock Exchange (2002–2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007–2011). Trustee (since 2008) and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2025) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex. | ||
Noni Ellison McKee, Born: 1971 | 2022 | 172 |
Trustee | ||
| Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Tractor Supply Company (rural lifestyle retailer) (since 2021); General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary, Carestream Dental, L.L.C. (2017–2021); Associate General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (global industrial supplier) (2015–2017); Board Member, Goodwill of North Georgia, 2018 (FY2019)–2020 (FY2021); Board Member, Howard University School of Law Board of Visitors (since 2021); Board Member, University of Chicago Law School Board of Visitors (since 2016); Board member, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation Board (2021–2023), Board Member, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (since 2024). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2022). |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 51 |
Independent Trustees (continued) | ||
Name, year of birth Position(s) held with fund Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years | Trustee of the Trust since 1 | Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee |
Kenneth J. Phelan, 2 Born: 1959 | 2025 | 172 |
| Trustee | ||
| Director, Audit, Finance & Social Responsibility Committees member, Adtalem Global Education Inc. (since 2020); Director, Risk Oversight Chair, Executive, Human Resources & Compensation Committees member, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (since 2019); Senior Advisor, Oliver Wyman, Inc. (since 2019); Chief Risk Officer, U.S. Department of the Treasury (2014-2019). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2025). | ||
Frances G. Rathke, 4 Born: 1960 | 2020 | 172 |
| Trustee | ||
| Director, Audit Committee Chair, Oatly Group AB (plant-based drink company) (since 2021); Director, Audit Committee Chair and Compensation Committee Member, Green Mountain Power Corporation (since 2016); Director, Flynn Center for Performing Arts (since 2016); Director and Audit Committee Chair, Planet Fitness (since 2016); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (2003-retired 2015). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2020). | ||
Thomas R. Wright, Born: 1961 | 2024 | 172 |
| Trustee | ||
| Chief Operating Officer, JMP Securities (2020-2023); Director of Equities, JMP Securities (2013-2023); Executive Committee Member, JMP Group (2013-2023); Global Head of Trading, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. (2004-2012); and Head of European Equity Trading and Salestrading, Merrill, Lynch & Co (2003-2004); Head of US Equity Cash Trading and Salestrading, Merrill Lynch & Co (1998-2002). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2024). |
Non-Independent Trustees 5 | ||
Name, year of birth Position(s) held with fund Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years | Trustee of the Trust since 1 | Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee |
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 | 2017 | 176 |
Non-Independent Trustee | ||
| Global Head of Institutional for Manulife (since 2025); Global Head of Retail for Manulife (2022-2025); Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (2018-2023); Director and Chairman, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (2005-2023, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2006-2023, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (2004-2023, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017). | ||
| 52 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
Non-Independent Trustees 5 (continued) | ||
Name, year of birth Position(s) held with fund Principal occupation(s) and other directorships during past 5 years | Trustee of the Trust since 1 | Number of John Hancock funds overseen by Trustee |
Kristie M. Feinberg, 3 Born: 1975 | 2023 | 172 |
Non-Independent Trustee and President (Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Head of Retail, Manulife Investment Management (since 2025); Head of Wealth & Asset Management, U.S. and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (2023–2025); Director and Chairman, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2023); Director and Chairman, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2023); Director and Chairman, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2023); CFO and Global Head of Strategy, Manulife Investment Management (2021–2023, including prior positions); CFO Americas & Global Head of Treasury, Invesco, Ltd., Invesco US (2019–2020, including prior positions); Senior Vice President, Corporate Treasurer and Business Controller, Oppenheimer Funds (2001–2019, including prior positions); President (Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2023, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2025). | ||
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 53 |
Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued) | |
Name, year of birth Position(s) held with fund Principal occupation(s) during past 5 years | Current Position(s) with the Trust since |
Trevor Swanberg, Born: 1979 | 2020 |
Chief Compliance Officer | |
| Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2020); Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2019–2020); Assistant Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2016–2019); Vice President, State Street Global Advisors (2015–2016); Chief Compliance Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2016, including prior positions). | |
1 | Mr. Boyle, Dr. Cunningham, Ms. Fey, Mr. Lorentz, and Dr. McClellan serve as Trustees for a term expiring in 2026; Mr. Bacic, Ms. Ellison McKee, Ms Rathke and Mr. Wright serve as Trustees for a term expiring in 2027; Mr. Garfield, Ms. Jackson and Mr. Arnott to serve for a three-year term ending at the 2028 Shareholder Meeting. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to date listed in the table. |
2 | Serves as Trustee effective November 12, 2025. |
3 | Serves as Non-Independent Trustee effective June 30, 2025. |
4 | Member of the Audit Committee. |
5 | The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain of its affiliates. |
| 54 | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | ANNUAL REPORT |
| ANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND | 55 |
| MF4946988 | P2A 10/25 |
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
As of the end of the year, October 31, 2025, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (respectively, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer, the "Covered Officers"). A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Frances G. Rathke and William K. Bacic are audit committee financial experts and are "independent", pursuant to general instructions on Form N-CSR Item 3.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements amounted to $49,690 and $49,472 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2024, respectively. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant's audit committee.
(b) Audit-Related Services
Audit-related fees for assurance and related services by the principal accountant are billed to the registrant or to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser ("control affiliates") that provides ongoing services to the registrant. The nature of the services provided was related to a software licensing fee. Amounts billed to the registrant were $12 and $0 for fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2024, respectively.
(c) Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning ("tax fees") amounted to $4,382 and $4,382 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2024, respectively. The nature of the services comprising the tax fees was the review of the registrant's tax returns and tax distribution requirements. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant's audit committee.
(d) All Other Fees
Other fees amounted to $0 and $369 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and October 31, 2024, respectively. The nature of the services comprising all other fees is advisory services provided to the investment manager. These fees were approved by the registrant's audit committee.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The registrant's Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (the "Auditor") relating to the operations or financial reporting of the funds. Prior to the commencement of any audit or non-audit services to a fund, the Audit Committee reviews the services to determine whether they are appropriate and permissible under applicable law.
The registrant's Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures to, among other purposes, provide a framework for the Committee's consideration of audit-related and non-audit services by the Auditor. The policies and procedures require that any audit- related and non-audit service provided by the Auditor and any non-audit service provided by the Auditor to a fund service provider that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a fund are subject to approval by the Audit Committee before such service is provided. Audit-related services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $25,000 per instance/per fund are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Tax services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $30,000 per instance/per fund are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
All audit services, as well as the audit-related and non-audit services that are expected to exceed the amounts stated above, must be approved in advance of provision of the service by formal resolution of the Audit Committee. At the regularly scheduled Audit Committee meetings, the Committee reviews a report summarizing the services, including fees, provided by the Auditor.
(e)(2) Services approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X
Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees
There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f)According to the registrant's principal accountant for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, the percentage of hours spent on the audit of the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons who were not full-time, permanent employees of principal accountant was less than 50%.
(g)The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant and rendered to the registrant's control affiliates were $758,398 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025 and $1,027,920 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024.
(h)The audit committee of the registrant has considered the non-audit services provided by the registrant's principal accountant to the control affiliates and has determined that the services that were not pre-approved are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
(i)Not applicable.
(j)Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee comprised of independent trustees. The members of the audit committee are as follows:
Frances G. Rathke – Chairperson
William H. Cunningham
William K. Bacic
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
(a)Refer to information included in Item 1.
(b)Not applicable.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PROXY DISCLOSURE FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Information included in Item 7, if applicable.
ITEM 10. REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT.
Information included in Item 1, if applicable.
ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
See attached exhibit "Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures".
ITEM 13. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Information about the portfolio managers
Management Biographies
Below is a list of the Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (“Manulife IM (US)”) portfolio managers who share joint responsibility for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund. It provides a brief summary of their business careers over the past five years. The information provided is as of the filing date of this N-CSR.
Joseph H. Bozoyan, CFA
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager
Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC since 2015
Began business career in 1993
Managed the Fund since 2015
James Gearhart, CFA
Managing Director and Portfolio Manager
Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC since 2022
Managed the Fund since 2022
Began business career in 2011
Other Accounts the Portfolio Managers are Managing
The table below indicates, for each portfolio manager, information about the accounts over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of October 31, 2025. For purposes of the table, “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” may include investment partnerships and group trusts, and “Other Accounts” may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts.
|
|
|
Registered Investment |
|
Other Pooled |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Companies |
|
Investment Vehicles |
|
Other Accounts |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Total |
|
Number |
|
Total |
|
Number |
|
Total |
|
|
|
of |
|
Assets |
|
of |
|
Assets |
|
of |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
Accounts |
|
$Million |
|
Accounts |
|
$Million |
|
Accounts |
|
$Million |
|
Joseph H. |
|
5 |
|
3,452 |
|
7 |
|
842 |
|
1 |
|
38 |
|
Bozoyan, CFA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James |
|
8 |
|
5,326 |
|
15 |
|
3,313 |
|
1 |
|
38 |
|
Gearhart, CFA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number and value of accounts within the total accounts that are subject to a performance-based advisory fee: 0
Conflicts of Interest. When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, the Fund does not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio manager’s responsibility for the management of the Fund as well as one or more other accounts. The Advisor and Subadvisor have adopted procedures that are intended to monitor compliance with the policies referred to
in the following paragraphs. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interests are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another. The Advisor and Subadvisor have structured their compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts of interests. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below.
•A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings and private placements. If, for example, an initial public offering that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did not receive an allocation on the initial public offering. The Subadvisor has policies that require a portfolio manager to allocate such investment opportunities in an equitable manner and generally to allocate such investments proportionately among all accounts with similar investment objectives.
•A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same security for more than one account, the policies of the Subadvisor generally require that such trades be “bunched,” which means that the trades for the individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, the Subadvisor will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client.
•A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager’s compensation is tied to the performance of that account rather than all accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager’s bonus achieve the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if the Subadvisor receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio manager’s compensation. The investment performance on specific accounts is not a factor in determining the portfolio manager’s compensation. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below. Neither the Advisor nor the Subadvisor receives a performance-based fee with respect to any of the accounts managed by the portfolio managers.
•A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager held an interest. The Subadvisor imposes certain trading restrictions and reporting requirements for accounts in which a portfolio manager or certain family members have a personal interest in order to confirm that such accounts are not favored over other accounts.
•If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest may arise. For example, if a portfolio manager purchases a security for one account and sells the same security short for another account, such trading pattern could disadvantage either the account that is long or short. In making portfolio manager assignments, the Subadvisor seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increase the holding in such security.
Compensation of Portfolio Managers. The Subadvisor has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers and others involved in the investment process that is applied systematically among investment professionals. At the Subadvisor, the structure of compensation of investment professionals is currently composed of the following basic components: base salary and short-and long-term incentives. The following describes each component of the compensation package for the individuals identified as a portfolio manager for the Funds.
•Base salary. Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. The Subadvisor seeks to set compensation at market rates, taking into account the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional.
•Incentives. Only investment professionals are eligible to participate in the short-and long-term incentive plan. Under the plan, investment professionals are eligible for an annual cash award. The plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the investment professional achieving superior investment performance and aligns the financial incentives of the Subadvisor and the investment professional. Any bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be well in excess of base salary. Payout of a portion of this bonus may be deferred for up to five years. While the amount of any bonus is discretionary, the following factors are generally used in determining bonuses under the plan:
•Investment Performance: The investment performance of all accounts managed by the investment professional over one, three and five-year periods are considered, and no specific benchmark is used to measure performance. With respect to fixed income accounts, relative yields are also used to measure performance.
•Financial Performance: The profitability of the Subadvisor and its parent company are also considered in determining bonus awards.
•Non-Investment Performance: To a lesser extent, intangible contributions, including the investment professional’s support of client service and sales activities, new fund/strategy idea generation, professional growth and development, and management, where applicable, are also evaluated when determining bonus awards.
•In addition to the above, compensation may also include a revenue component for an investment team derived from a number of factors including, but not limited to, client assets under management, investment performance, and firm metrics.
•Manulife Equity Awards. A limited number of senior investment professionals may receive options to purchase shares of Manulife Financial stock. Generally, such option would permit the investment professional to purchase a set amount of stock at the market price on the date of grant. The option can be exercised for a set period (normally a number of years or until termination of employment) and the investment professional would exercise the option if the market value of Manulife Financial stock increases. Some investment professionals may receive restricted stock grants, where the investment professional is entitled to receive the stock at no or nominal cost, provided that the stock is forgone if the investment professional’s employment is terminated prior to a vesting date.
•Deferred Incentives. Investment professionals may receive deferred incentives which are fully invested in strategies managed by the team/individuals as well as other Manulife Asset Management strategies.
The Subadvisor also permits investment professionals to participate on a voluntary basis in a deferred compensation plan, under which the investment professional may elect on an annual basis to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation until retirement. Participation in the plan is voluntary.
Share Ownership by Portfolio Managers. The following table indicates as of October 31, 2025, the value of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund.
|
|
Range of Beneficial |
|
|
Ownership in the |
|
Portfolio Manager |
Fund |
|
Joseph H. Bozoyan, CFA |
$10,001 - $50,000 |
|
James Gearhart, CFA |
None |
ITEM 14. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
(a)Not applicable.
REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum |
|
|
|
|
Total number of |
number of shares |
|
|
Total number of |
Average price per |
shares purchased |
that may yet be |
|
|
as part of publicly |
purchased under |
||
|
Period |
shares purchased |
share |
announced plans* |
the plans* |
|
Nov-24 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Dec-24 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Jan-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Feb-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Mar-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Apr-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
May-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Jun-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Jul-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Aug-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Sep-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Oct-25 |
- |
- |
- |
4,918,523 |
|
Total |
- |
- |
- |
|
* On December 17, 2014, the Board of Trustees approved a share repurchase program, which is subsequently reviewed by the Board of Trustees each year in December. Under the share repurchase program, the Fund may purchase in the open market, up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2024. The current share repurchase plan will remain in effect between January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
ITEM 15. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
No material changes.
ITEM 16. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a)Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
(b)There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 17. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
The Fund did not participate directly in securities lending activities. See Note 8 to financial statements in Item 1.
ITEM 18. RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION.
Not applicable.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS.
(a)(1) Code of Ethics for Covered Officers is attached.
(a)(2) Not applicable.
(c)(1) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are attached.
(d) Exhibit 99. CONSENT - Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
|
By: |
/s/ Kristie M. Feinberg |
|
|
------------------------------ |
|
|
Kristie M. Feinberg |
|
|
President, |
|
|
Principal Executive Officer |
|
Date: |
December 11, 2025 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
By: |
/s/ Kristie M. Feinberg |
|
|
------------------------------ |
|
|
Kristie M. Feinberg |
|
|
President, |
|
|
Principal Executive Officer |
|
Date: |
December 11, 2025 |
|
By: |
/s/ Fernando A. Silva |
|
|
--------------------------- |
|
|
Fernando A. Silva |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, |
|
|
Principal Financial Officer |
|
Date: |
December 11, 2025 |
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS II
JOHN HANCOCK EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST
SARBANES-OXLEY CODE OF ETHICS
FOR
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE, PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER & TREASURER
I.Covered Officers/Purpose of the Code
This code of ethics (this “Code”) for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds1, and John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and, each a registered management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), which may issue shares in separate and distinct series (each investment company and series thereunder to be hereinafter referred to as a “Fund”), applies to each Fund’s Principal Executive Officer (“President”), Principal Financial Officer (“Chief Financial Officer”) and Treasurer (“Treasurer”) (the “Covered Officers” as set forth in Exhibit A) for the purpose of promoting:
➢honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
➢full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Fund;
➢compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;
➢the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and
➢accountability for adherence to the Code.
1John Hancock Funds includes the following trusts: John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund; John Hancock Bond Trust; John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund; John Hancock Capital Series; John Hancock Funds III; John Hancock Income Securities Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust II; John Hancock Investors Trust; John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust; John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund ; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III; John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund; John Hancock Strategic Series; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund; John Hancock Hedged Equity and Income Fund; and John Hancock Collateral Trust.
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Each of the Covered Officers should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.
II.Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest Overview
A “conflict of interest” occurs when a Covered Officer’s private interest interferes with the interests of, or his service to, the Fund. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his position with the Fund. Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between the Covered Officers and the Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of their status as “affiliated persons” of the Fund. Each of the Covered Officers is an officer or employee of the investment adviser or a service provider (“Service Provider”) to the Fund. The Fund’s, the investment adviser’s and the Service Provider’s compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.
Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Fund, for the investment adviser or for the Service Provider), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on the investment adviser, the Service Provider and the Fund. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Thus, if such participation is performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, it will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Fund’s Board of Trustees/Directors (the “Board”) that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more other investment companies covered by other Codes.
Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but the Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of the Fund.
* |
* |
* |
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Each Covered Officer must:
➢not use his/her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund;
➢not cause the Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than for the benefit of the Fund; and
➢not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Fund to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions.
Additionally, conflicts of interest may arise in other situations, the propriety of which may be discussed, if material, with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Examples of these include:
➢serve as a director/trustee on the board of any public or private company;
➢the receipt of any non-nominal gifts;
➢the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety (or other formulation as the Fund already uses in another code of conduct);
➢any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Fund’s service providers, other than its investment adviser, any sub-adviser, principal underwriter, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; and
➢a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.
III.Disclosure & Compliance
➢Each Covered Officer should familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Fund;
➢Each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Fund to others, whether within or outside the Fund, including to the Fund’s directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self- regulatory organizations;
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➢Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his/her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Fund and the Fund’s adviser or any sub-adviser with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; and
➢It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
IV. Reporting & Accountability
Each Covered Officer must:
➢upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming an Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Fund’s CCO that he/she has received, read, and understands the Code;
➢annually thereafter affirm to the Fund’s CCO that he/she has complied with the requirements of the Code;
➢not retaliate against any employee or Covered Officer or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith;
➢notify the Fund’s CCO promptly if he/she knows of any violation of this Code (Note: failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code); and
➢report at least annually any change in his/her affiliations from the prior year.
The Fund’s CCO is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by the Principal Executive Officer will be considered by the Fund’s Board or the Compliance Committee thereof (the “Committee”).
The Fund will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:
➢the Fund’s CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him/her;
➢if, after such investigation, the CCO believes that no violation has occurred, the CCO is not required to take any further action;
➢any matter that the CCO believes is a violation will be reported to the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee;
➢if the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, the Board, either upon its determination of a violation or upon
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recommendation of the Compliance Committee, if applicable, will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the Service Provider or the investment adviser or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Registrant’s Executive Officer;
➢the Board, or if applicable the Compliance Committee, will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and
➢any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.
V.Other Policies & Procedures
This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Fund for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, any sub- adviser, principal underwriter or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Fund’s and its investment adviser’s codes of ethics under Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, respectively, are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others and are not part of this Code.
VI. Amendments
Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Fund’s Board, including a majority of independent directors.
VII. Confidentiality
All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Fund’s Board and its counsel, the investment adviser and the relevant Service Providers.
VIII. Internal Use
The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Fund and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Fund, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.
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Exhibit A
Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics
(As of December 31, 2024)
John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust
➢Principal Executive Officer and President – Kristie Feinberg
➢Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Fernando Silva
➢Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone
John Hancock Funds
➢Principal Executive Officer and President – Kristie Feinberg
➢Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Fernando Silva
➢Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone
John Hancock Funds II
➢Principal Executive Officer and President – Kristie Feinberg
➢Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Fernando Silva
➢Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone
John Hancock Exchange-Traded Trust
➢Principal Executive Officer and President – Kristie Feinberg
➢Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Fernando Silva
➢Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone
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CERTIFICATION
I, Kristie M. Feinberg, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 11, 2025
/s/ Kristie M. Feinberg Kristie M. Feinberg
President, Principal Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION
I, Fernando A. Silva, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 11, 2025
/s/ Fernando A. Silva Fernando A. Silva
Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
In connection with the attached Report of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (the “registrant”) on Form N-CSR to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), each of the undersigned officers of the registrant does hereby certify that, to the best of such officer's knowledge:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.
/s/ Kristie M. Feinberg
--------------------------------
Kristie M. Feinberg
President, Principal Executive Officer
Dated: December 11, 2025
/s/ Fernando A. Silva
-------------------------------
Fernando A. Silva
Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer
Dated: December 11, 2025
A signed original of this written statement, required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
*These certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and are not being filed as part of this Form N-CSR or as a separate disclosure document.
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05E: Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for the AdviserGeneral Compliance Policies for Trust & AdviserSection 5: Fiduciary Standards & Affiliated Persons IssuesApplies toAdviserRisk ThemeProxy VotingPolicy OwnerJim InterranteEffective Date06-30-2025
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Overview |
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The SEC adopted Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act, which requires investment advisers with voting authority to adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the investment adviser votes client securities in the best interest of clients. The procedures must include how the investment adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between the interests of the investment adviser and those of its clients. The Advisers are registered investment advisers under the Advisers Act and serve as the investment advisers to the John Hancock Funds. The Advisers generally retain 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 Advisers may elect to manage directly the assets of a Fund, including voting proxies with respect to such Fund’s portfolio securities, or a Fund’s Board may otherwise delegate to the Advisers authority to vote such proxies. John Hancock Investment Management LLC (“JHIM”) also provides discretionary and non-discretionary advice to clients using model portfolios in a variety of investment styles (“Model Portfolios”). However, JHIM does not vote proxies for securities held in any non-discretionary accounts managed using the Model Portfolios. 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.
Firms are required by Advisers Act Rule 204-2(c)(2) to maintain records of their voting policies and procedures, a copy of each proxy statement that the investment adviser receives regarding client securities, a record of each vote cast by the investment adviser on behalf of a client, a copy of any document created by the investment adviser that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies on behalf of a client, and a copy of each written client request for information on how the adviser voted proxies on behalf of the client, as well as a copy of any written response by the investment adviser to any written or oral client request for information on how the adviser voted that client’s proxies.
Investment companies must disclose information about the policies and procedures used to vote proxies on the investment company’s portfolio securities and must file the fund’s entire proxy voting record with the SEC annually on Form N-PX.
Advisers that are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) are required by Exchange Act Rule 14Ad-1 to file Form N-PX annually to report how they voted proxies regarding certain executive compensation matters (known as “say-on-pay” matters). However, an Adviser that has a disclosed policy of not voting proxies, and that did not in fact vote during the reporting period, must only complete a notice report filing on Form N-PX marking the appropriate box on the cover page to confirm these facts.
Pursuant thereto, the Advisers have adopted and implemented these proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Proxy Procedures”).
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Regulatory Requirement |
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Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act and Rule 14Ad-1 under the Exchange Act |
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Key Contacts |
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Global Manager Research Proxy Voting Committee |
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Escalation/Reporting Violations |
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All John Hancock employees are required to report any known or suspected violation of this policy to the CCO of the Funds. |
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Related Policies and Procedures |
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Trust Proxy Voting Policy |
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Version History |
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Date |
Effective Date |
Approving Party |
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1 |
01-01-2012 |
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2 |
02-01-2015 |
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3 |
Sept. 2015 |
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4 |
05-01-2017 |
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5 |
12-01-2019 |
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6 |
08-20-2024 |
CCO |
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7 |
06-30-2025 |
Proxy Voting Committee |
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Notification of Sources of Distribution
This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on May 1, 2025, and payable on May 30, 2025. No action is required on your part.
Distribution Period: |
May 2025 |
Distribution Amount Per Common Share: |
$0.0825 |
The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable May 30, 2025, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
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For the fiscal year-to-date period |
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For the period 05/01/2025-05/31/2025 |
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11/1/2024-05/31/2025 1 |
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% Breakdown |
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% Breakdown |
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of the Total |
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Current |
of the Current |
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Total Cumulative |
Cumulative |
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Source |
Distribution ($) |
Distribution |
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Distributions ($) |
Distributions |
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Net Investment Income |
0.0701 |
85% |
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0.3817 |
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66% |
Net Realized Short- |
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Term Capital Gains |
0.0124 |
15% |
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0.0822 |
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14% |
Net Realized Long- |
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Term Capital Gains |
0.0000 |
0% |
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0.0210 |
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4% |
Return of Capital or |
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Other Capital |
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Source |
0.0000 |
0% |
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0.0926 |
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16% |
Total per common |
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share |
0.0825 |
100% |
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0.5775 |
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100% |
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Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on April 30, 2025 |
10.88% |
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Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of April 30, 2025 |
7.42% |
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Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through April 30, 2025 |
2.06% |
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Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of April |
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30, 2025 |
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4.33% |
1The Fund’s current fiscal year began on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2025.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s managed distribution plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.”
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The Fund has declared the May 2025 distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Notification of Sources of Distribution
This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on June 2, 2025, and payable on June 30, 2025. No action is required on your part.
Distribution Period: |
June 2025 |
Distribution Amount Per Common Share: |
$0.0825 |
The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable June 30, 2025, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
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For the fiscal year-to-date period |
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For the period 06/01/2025-06/30/2025 |
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11/1/2024-06/30/2025 1 |
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% Breakdown |
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% Breakdown |
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of the Total |
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Current |
of the Current |
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Total Cumulative |
Cumulative |
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Source |
Distribution ($) |
Distribution |
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Distributions ($) |
Distributions |
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Net Investment Income |
0.0614 |
74% |
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0.4447 |
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67% |
Net Realized Short- |
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Term Capital Gains |
0.0146 |
18% |
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0.1049 |
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16% |
Net Realized Long- |
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Term Capital Gains |
0.0065 |
8% |
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0.0447 |
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7% |
Return of Capital or |
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Other Capital |
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Source |
0.0000 |
0% |
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0.0657 |
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10% |
Total per common |
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share |
0.0825 |
100% |
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0.6600 |
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100% |
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Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on May 31, 2025 |
10.17% |
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Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of May 31, 2025 |
7.34% |
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Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through May 31, 2025 |
3.77% |
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Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of May |
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31, 2025 |
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4.89% |
1The Fund’s current fiscal year began on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2025.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s managed distribution plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.”
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The Fund has declared the June 2025 distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Notification of Sources of Distribution
This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on July 1, 2025, and payable on July 31, 2025. No action is required on your part.
Distribution Period: |
July 2025 |
Distribution Amount Per Common Share: |
$0.0825 |
The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable July 31, 2025, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
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For the fiscal year-to-date period |
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For the period 07/01/2025-07/31/2025 |
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11/1/2024-07/31/2025 1 |
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% Breakdown |
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% Breakdown |
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of the Total |
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Current |
of the Current |
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Total Cumulative |
Cumulative |
|
Source |
Distribution ($) |
Distribution |
|
Distributions ($) |
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
0.0233 |
28% |
|
0.4685 |
|
63% |
Net Realized Short- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0022 |
3% |
|
0.1087 |
|
15% |
Net Realized Long- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0040 |
5% |
|
0.0508 |
|
7% |
Return of Capital or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source |
0.0530 |
64% |
|
0.1145 |
|
15% |
Total per common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
share |
0.0825 |
100% |
|
0.7425 |
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on June 30, 2025 |
11.07% |
|||||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of June 30, 2025 |
7.28% |
|||||
Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through June 30, 2025 |
5.27% |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of June |
|
|||||
30, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.46% |
1The Fund’s current fiscal year began on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2025.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s managed distribution plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.”
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The Fund has declared the July 2025 distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Notification of Sources of Distribution
This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on August 1, 2025, and payable on August 29, 2025. No action is required on your part.
Distribution Period: |
August 2025 |
Distribution Amount Per Common Share: |
$0.0825 |
The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable August 29, 2025, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year-to-date period |
||
|
For the period 08/01/2025-08/31/2025 |
|
11/1/2024-08/31/2025 1 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Breakdown |
|
|
% Breakdown |
|
|
|
of the Total |
|
Current |
of the Current |
|
Total Cumulative |
Cumulative |
|
Source |
Distribution ($) |
Distribution |
|
Distributions ($) |
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
0.0653 |
79% |
|
0.5330 |
|
65% |
Net Realized Short- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0009 |
1% |
|
0.1100 |
|
13% |
Net Realized Long- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0090 |
11% |
|
0.0802 |
|
10% |
Return of Capital or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source |
0.0073 |
9% |
|
0.1018 |
|
12% |
Total per common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
share |
0.0825 |
100% |
|
0.8250 |
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on July 31, 2025 |
10.55% |
|||||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July 31, 2025 |
7.12% |
|||||
Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through July 31, 2025 |
8.26% |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of July |
|
|||||
31, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.94% |
1The Fund’s current fiscal year began on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2025.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s managed distribution plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.”
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The Fund has declared the August 2025 distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Notification of Sources of Distribution
This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 2, 2025, and payable on September 30, 2025. No action is required on your part.
Distribution Period: |
September 2025 |
Distribution Amount Per Common Share: |
$0.0825 |
The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 30, 2025, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year-to-date period |
||
|
For the period 09/01/2025-09/30/2025 |
|
11/1/2024-09/30/2025 1 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Breakdown |
|
|
% Breakdown |
|
|
|
of the Total |
|
Current |
of the Current |
|
Total Cumulative |
Cumulative |
|
Source |
Distribution ($) |
Distribution |
|
Distributions ($) |
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
0.0695 |
84% |
|
0.6011 |
|
66% |
Net Realized Short- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0000 |
0% |
|
0.1825 |
|
20% |
Net Realized Long- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0000 |
0% |
|
0.1003 |
|
11% |
Return of Capital or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source |
0.0130 |
16% |
|
0.0236 |
|
3% |
Total per common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
share |
0.0825 |
100% |
|
0.9075 |
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2025 |
10.49% |
|||||
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2025 |
7.08% |
|||||
Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2025 |
9.63% |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of |
|
|||||
August 31, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.49% |
1The Fund’s current fiscal year began on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2025.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s managed distribution plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.”
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The Fund has declared the September 2025 distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice. s
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund
Notification of Sources of Distribution
This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on October 1, 2025, and payable on October 31, 2025. No action is required on your part.
Distribution Period: |
October 2025 |
Distribution Amount Per Common Share: |
$0.0825 |
The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable October 31, 2025, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year-to-date period |
||
|
For the period 10/01/2025-10/31/2025 |
|
11/1/2024-10/31/2025 1 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
% Breakdown |
|
|
% Breakdown |
|
|
|
of the Total |
|
Current |
of the Current |
|
Total Cumulative |
Cumulative |
|
Source |
Distribution ($) |
Distribution |
|
Distributions ($) |
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
0.0291 |
35% |
|
0.6262 |
|
63% |
Net Realized Short- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0078 |
10% |
|
0.1921 |
|
20% |
Net Realized Long- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term Capital Gains |
0.0000 |
0% |
|
0.1717 |
|
17% |
Return of Capital or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source |
0.0456 |
55% |
|
0.0000 |
|
0% |
Total per common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
share |
0.0825 |
100% |
|
0.9900 |
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on September 30, |
|
|||||
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
11.41% |
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of September 30, |
|
|||||
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.96% |
Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through September 30, 2025 |
12.12% |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of |
|
|||||
September 30, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
6.96% |
1The Fund’s current fiscal year began on November 1, 2024 and will end on October 31, 2025.
You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s managed distribution plan.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.”
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
The Fund has declared the October 2025 distribution pursuant to the Fund’s managed distribution plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (N0. 333-284570) of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund of our report dated December 11, 2025, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in this Form N-CSR.
Boston, Massachusetts
December 11, 2025