UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811- 21131
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-663-4497
Date of fiscal year end: | July 31 |
Date of reporting period: | January 31, 2021 |
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
John Hancock
Preferred Income Fund
Ticker: HPI
Semiannual report 1/31/2021
A message to shareholders
Dear shareholder,
The U.S. stock market finished the six months ended January 31, 2021, with a strong gain. Favorable news regarding the efficacy of multiple COVID-19 vaccines and resolution around the U.S. presidential election pushed stocks higher during the period, with the market setting another record despite concerns over mounting COVID-19 infections.
Despite the early success of the vaccines, regional economies have been slow to reopen, affecting the level of unemployment and the pace of hiring. Consumer spending also remains far below prepandemic levels.
In these uncertain times, your financial professional can assist with positioning your portfolio so that it’s sufficiently diversified to help meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way.
On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you’ve placed in us.
Sincerely,
Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe
This commentary reflects the CEO’s views as of this report’s period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.
John Hancock
Preferred Income Fund
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 1 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital. The fund's secondary investment objective is to provide growth of capital to the extent consistent with its primary objective.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 1/31/2021 (%)
The ICE Bank of America Hybrid Preferred Securities Index is a subset of the ICE Bank of America Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index, including all subordinated securities with a payment deferral feature. The ICE Bank of America Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index tracks the performance of fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities issued in the U.S. domestic market. Qualifying securities must have an investment-grade rating and the country of risk must also have an investment-grade rating.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.
The performance data contained within this material represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results.
Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and a shareholder may sustain losses. Further, the fund’s performance at net asset value (NAV) is different from the fund’s performance at closing market price because the closing market price is subject to the dynamics of secondary market trading. Market risk may be augmented when shares are purchased at a premium to NAV or sold at a discount to NAV. Current month-end performance may be higher or lower than the performance cited. The fund’s most recent performance can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-852-0218.
| 2 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 1/31/2021 (% of total investments)
QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF 1/31/2021 (% of total investments)
Ratings are from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. If not available, we have used Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. In the absence of ratings from these agencies, we have used Fitch Ratings, Inc. “Not rated” securities are those with no ratings available from these agencies. All ratings are as of 1-31-21 and do not reflect subsequent downgrades or upgrades, if any.
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 3 |
SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 1/31/2021 (% of total investments)
| TOP 10 ISSUERS AS OF 1/31/2021 (% of total investments) |
| U.S. Cellular Corp. | 4.4 |
| DTE Energy Company | 4.2 |
| CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | 3.9 |
| Morgan Stanley | 3.5 |
| Wells Fargo & Company | 3.4 |
| Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. | 3.2 |
| Dominion Energy, Inc. | 2.8 |
| Citigroup, Inc. | 2.8 |
| South Jersey Industries, Inc. | 2.6 |
| PPL Capital Funding, Inc. | 2.6 |
| TOTAL | 33.4 |
| Cash and cash equivalents are not included. |
Notes about risk
As is the case with all exchange-listed closed-end funds, shares of this fund may trade at a discount or a premium to the fund’s net asset value (NAV). An investment in the fund is subject to investment and market risks, including the possible loss of the entire principal invested. There is no guarantee prior distribution levels will be maintained, and distributions may include a substantial tax return of capital. A return of capital is the return of all or a portion of a shareholder’s investment in the fund. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the fund’s aggregate distributions included a return of capital of $0.08 per share, or 5.07% of aggregate distributions, which could impact the tax treatment of a subsequent sale of fund shares. Fixed-income investments are subject to interest-rate risk; their value will normally decline as interest rates rise or if a creditor, grantor, or counterparty is unable or unwilling to make principal, interest, or settlement payments. Preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the
| 4 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
issuer’s board. Preferred stock may be subject to redemption provisions. The market value of convertible securities tend to fall as interest rates rise and rise as interest rates fall. Convertible preferred stock’s value can depend heavily on the underlying common stock’s value.
Investments in higher-yielding, lower-rated securities are subject to a higher risk of default. An issuer of securities held by the fund may default, have its credit rating downgraded, or otherwise perform poorly, which may affect fund performance. Liquidity—the extent to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively affecting its market value—may be impaired by reduced trading volume, heightened volatility, rising interest rates, and other market conditions. Domestic and foreign equity markets have experienced increased volatility and turmoil which may adversely affect the fund and issuers worldwide. The fund’s use of leverage creates additional risks, including greater volatility of the fund’s NAV, market price, and returns. There is no assurance that the fund’s leverage strategy will be successful. In addition, in volatile market environments, the fund could be required to sell securities in the portfolio in order to comply with regulatory or other debt compliance requirements, which could negatively impact the fund’s performance. Focusing on a particular industry or sector may increase the fund’s volatility and make it more susceptible to market, economic, and regulatory risks as well as other factors affecting those industries or sectors.
A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily before seen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other preexisting political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund’s performance, resulting in losses to your investment.
The fund normally will invest at least 25%, measured at the time of purchase, of its total assets in the industries composing the utilities sector, which includes telecommunications companies. When the fund’s investments focus on one or more sectors of the economy, they are far less diversified than the broad securities markets. This means that the fund may be more volatile than other funds, and the values of its investments may go up and down more rapidly. Because utility companies are capital intensive, they can be hurt by higher interest rates, which would increase the companies’ interest burden. They can also be affected by costs in connection with capital construction programs, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, and the effects of economic declines, surplus capacity, and increased competition. In addition, the fund may invest in financial services companies, which can be hurt by economic declines, changes in interest rates, and regulatory and market impacts. The fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers involve special risks, such as political, economic, and currency risks and differences in accounting standards and financial reporting. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a fund or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Similar incidents affecting issuers of a fund’s securities may negatively affect performance.
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 5 |
AS OF 1-31-21 (unaudited)
| | | | | Shares | Value |
| Preferred securities (A) 108.8% (73.6% of Total investments) | | | $561,813,414 |
| (Cost $556,502,364) | | | | | |
| Communication services 12.5% | | | | 64,419,405 |
| Diversified telecommunication services 2.5% | | | | |
| Qwest Corp., 6.500% | | | | 136,705 | 3,509,217 |
| Qwest Corp., 6.750% | | | | 360,000 | 9,385,200 |
| Wireless telecommunication services 10.0% | | | | |
| Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 6.625% (B) | | | | 233,381 | 5,871,866 |
| Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 6.875% | | | | 119,781 | 3,060,405 |
| Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 7.000% (B)(C) | | | | 340,000 | 8,639,400 |
| U.S. Cellular Corp., 5.500% | | | | 135,000 | 3,385,800 |
| U.S. Cellular Corp., 6.250% | | | | 280,000 | 7,487,200 |
| U.S. Cellular Corp., 6.950% (B)(C) | | | | 710,000 | 18,090,800 |
| U.S. Cellular Corp., 7.250% (B) | | | | 195,514 | 4,989,517 |
| Consumer discretionary 1.8% | | | | 9,032,440 |
| Internet and direct marketing retail 1.8% | | | | |
| Qurate Retail, Inc., 8.000% | | | | 70,000 | 7,004,200 |
| QVC, Inc., 6.250% | | | | 81,000 | 2,028,240 |
| Consumer staples 2.4% | | | | 12,441,000 |
| Food products 2.4% | | | | |
| Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., 6.250% (D) | | | | 143,000 | 12,441,000 |
| Energy 1.9% | | | | 9,746,250 |
| Oil, gas and consumable fuels 1.9% | | | | |
| Enbridge, Inc. (6.375% to 4-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.593%) (B) | | | | 210,000 | 5,644,800 |
| NuStar Logistics LP (3 month LIBOR + 6.734%), 6.975% (E) | | | | 185,000 | 4,101,450 |
| Financials 36.0% | | | | 185,889,915 |
| Banks 19.1% | | | | |
| Bank of America Corp., 6.000% (B) | | | | 134,281 | 3,657,814 |
| Bank of America Corp. (6.450% to 12-15-66, then 3 month LIBOR + 1.327%) (B) | | | | 135,000 | 3,682,800 |
| Bank of America Corp., 7.250% | | | | 2,000 | 2,925,560 |
| Citigroup Capital XIII (3 month LIBOR + 6.370%), 6.575% (E) | | | | 384,725 | 10,799,231 |
| Citigroup, Inc. (7.125% to 9-30-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.040%) | | | | 318,337 | 8,910,253 |
| Fifth Third Bancorp, 6.000% (B) | | | | 234,293 | 6,286,081 |
| First Republic Bank, 4.700% (B) | | | | 164,175 | 4,227,506 |
| Fulton Financial Corp., 5.125% | | | | 140,075 | 3,674,167 |
| 6 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| | | | | Shares | Value |
| Financials (continued) | | | | |
| Banks (continued) | | | | |
| GMAC Capital Trust I (3 month LIBOR + 5.785%), 6.007% (E) | | | | 450,544 | $11,948,427 |
| Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., 6.750% | | | | 175,000 | 4,812,500 |
| Synovus Financial Corp. (6.300% to 6-21-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.352%) (B) | | | | 188,000 | 5,004,560 |
| The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (6.125% to 5-1-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.067%) (B) | | | | 187,000 | 4,936,800 |
| U.S. Bancorp (6.500% to 1-15-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.468%) (B) | | | | 55,000 | 1,439,900 |
| Wells Fargo & Company (6.625% to 3-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.690%) (B)(C) | | | | 322,025 | 9,254,999 |
| Wells Fargo & Company, 7.500% | | | | 9,500 | 13,718,000 |
| WesBanco, Inc. (6.750% to 11-15-25, then 5 Year CMT + 6.557%) | | | | 114,000 | 3,101,940 |
| Western Alliance Bancorp, 6.250% | | | | 21,000 | 538,860 |
| Capital markets 5.8% | | | | |
| Brookfield Finance, Inc., 4.625% | | | | 125,000 | 3,130,000 |
| Morgan Stanley (6.375% to 10-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.708%) (B) | | | | 235,000 | 6,664,600 |
| Morgan Stanley (6.875% to 1-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.940%) | | | | 100,000 | 2,829,000 |
| Morgan Stanley (7.125% to 10-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.320%) (B)(C) | | | | 595,424 | 17,166,074 |
| Consumer finance 1.4% | | | | |
| Navient Corp., 6.000% (B)(C) | | | | 294,071 | 7,175,332 |
| Insurance 9.6% | | | | |
| AEGON Funding Company LLC, 5.100% (B)(C) | | | | 324,625 | 8,456,481 |
| American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (6.625% to 9-1-25, then 5 Year CMT + 6.297%) | | | | 158,375 | 4,236,531 |
| American Financial Group, Inc., 5.125% (B) | | | | 153,425 | 4,107,187 |
| American International Group, Inc., 5.850% (B) | | | | 249,000 | 6,934,650 |
| Athene Holding, Ltd., Series A (6.350% to 6-30-29, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.253%) (B) | | | | 305,000 | 8,729,100 |
| Brighthouse Financial, Inc., 6.600% | | | | 281,775 | 7,613,561 |
| Prudential PLC, 6.500% (B) | | | | 95,500 | 2,534,570 |
| Prudential PLC, 6.750% (B) | | | | 51,000 | 1,382,100 |
| The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (7.875% to 4-15-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 5.596%) (B)(C) | | | | 58,227 | 1,598,331 |
| Unum Group, 6.250% | | | | 147,500 | 3,953,000 |
| Thrifts and mortgage finance 0.1% | | | | |
| Federal National Mortgage Association, Series S, 8.250% (F) | | | | 80,000 | 460,000 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 7 |
| | | | | Shares | Value |
| Health care 0.7% | | | | $3,658,200 |
| Health care equipment and supplies 0.7% | | | | |
| Becton, Dickinson and Company, 6.000% | | | | 65,000 | 3,658,200 |
| Industrials 1.0% | | | | 5,168,324 |
| Trading companies and distributors 1.0% | | | | |
| WESCO International, Inc. (10.625% to 6-22-25, then 5 Year CMT + 10.325%) | | | | 166,291 | 5,168,324 |
| Information technology 1.1% | | | | 5,875,000 |
| Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 1.1% | | | | |
| Broadcom, Inc., 8.000% (B) | | | | 4,000 | 5,875,000 |
| Real estate 5.4% | | | | 27,930,854 |
| Equity real estate investment trusts 5.4% | | | | |
| American Homes 4 Rent, Series E, 6.350% | | | | 99,975 | 2,556,361 |
| American Homes 4 Rent, Series F, 5.875% (B) | | | | 165,575 | 4,243,687 |
| Diversified Healthcare Trust, 5.625% (B)(C) | | | | 821,432 | 19,352,938 |
| Vornado Realty Trust, 5.400% | | | | 70,775 | 1,777,868 |
| Utilities 46.0% | | | | 237,652,026 |
| Electric utilities 18.3% | | | | |
| American Electric Power Company, Inc., 6.125% (B) | | | | 140,000 | 6,909,000 |
| Duke Energy Corp., 5.125% (B)(C) | | | | 476,525 | 12,313,406 |
| Duke Energy Corp., 5.750% (B) | | | | 240,000 | 6,688,800 |
| Interstate Power & Light Company, 5.100% (B) | | | | 170,000 | 4,454,000 |
| NextEra Energy, Inc., 5.279% (B) | | | | 65,000 | 3,473,600 |
| NextEra Energy, Inc., 6.219% (B) | | | | 224,250 | 11,934,585 |
| NSTAR Electric Company, 4.780% (B) | | | | 15,143 | 1,561,395 |
| PG&E Corp., 5.500% | | | | 45,000 | 5,132,700 |
| PPL Capital Funding, Inc., 5.900% (B) | | | | 767,439 | 19,692,485 |
| SCE Trust II, 5.100% | | | | 251,154 | 6,278,850 |
| SCE Trust III (5.750% to 3-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 2.990%) (B)(C) | | | | 20,000 | 486,400 |
| SCE Trust VI, 5.000% | | | | 30,000 | 736,800 |
| The Southern Company, 6.750% (B) | | | | 300,000 | 14,760,000 |
| Gas utilities 3.9% | | | | |
| South Jersey Industries, Inc., 5.625% (B) | | | | 239,275 | 6,135,011 |
| South Jersey Industries, Inc., 7.250% | | | | 357,100 | 14,009,033 |
| Multi-utilities 23.8% | | | | |
| Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (6.200% to 7-1-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.010%) | | | | 354,930 | 9,881,251 |
| Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (6.875% to 10-17-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.677%) (B)(C) | | | | 526,441 | 14,571,887 |
| CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 7.000% (B) | | | | 755,000 | 29,988,600 |
| 8 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| | | | | Shares | Value |
| Utilities (continued) | | | | |
| Multi-utilities (continued) | | | | |
| CMS Energy Corp., 5.625% (B) | | | | 225,000 | $5,951,250 |
| DTE Energy Company, 5.250% (B) | | | | 240,000 | 6,280,800 |
| DTE Energy Company, 6.000% (B) | | | | 89,150 | 2,369,607 |
| DTE Energy Company, 6.250% (B) | | | | 503,000 | 23,329,140 |
| Integrys Holding, Inc. (6.000% to 8-1-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.220%) (B)(C) | | | | 272,500 | 7,253,950 |
| NiSource, Inc. (6.500% to 3-15-24, then 5 Year CMT + 3.632%) (B)(C) | | | | 344,000 | 9,718,000 |
| Sempra Energy, 5.750% (B)(C) | | | | 338,000 | 9,227,400 |
|
| Sempra Energy, 6.750% | | | | 44,100 | 4,514,076 |
| Common stocks 6.4% (4.3% of Total investments) | | | $32,813,339 |
| (Cost $43,836,349) | | | | | |
| Communication services 0.5% | | | | 2,352,200 |
| Diversified telecommunication services 0.5% | | | | |
| Lumen Technologies, Inc. (B) | | | | 190,000 | 2,352,200 |
| Energy 2.7% | | | | 14,096,680 |
| Oil, gas and consumable fuels 2.7% | | | | |
| BP PLC, ADR (B) | | | | 172,500 | 3,832,950 |
| Equitrans Midstream Corp. (B) | | | | 442,012 | 2,939,380 |
| The Williams Companies, Inc. (B)(C) | | | | 345,000 | 7,324,350 |
| Utilities 3.2% | | | | 16,364,459 |
| Multi-utilities 3.2% | | | | |
| Dominion Energy, Inc. (B)(C) | | | | 165,800 | 16,364,459 |
|
| | Rate (%) | Maturity date | | Par value^ | Value |
| Corporate bonds 31.1% (21.0% of Total investments) | | | $160,454,050 |
| (Cost $157,072,882) | | | | | |
| Communication services 1.3% | | | | 6,923,703 |
| Wireless telecommunication services 1.3% | | | | |
| SoftBank Group Corp. (6.875% to 7-19-27, then 5 Year ICE Swap Rate + 4.854%) (B)(G) | 6.875 | 07-19-27 | | 6,955,000 | 6,923,703 |
| Consumer discretionary 2.5% | | | | 12,962,400 |
| Automobiles 2.5% | | | | |
| General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (5.700% to 9-30-30, then 5 Year CMT + 4.997%) (G) | 5.700 | 09-30-30 | | 3,000,000 | 3,371,250 |
| General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (6.500% to 9-30-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.436%) (G) | 6.500 | 09-30-28 | | 8,922,000 | 9,591,150 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 9 |
| | Rate (%) | Maturity date | | Par value^ | Value |
| Consumer staples 0.2% | | | | $876,750 |
| Food products 0.2% | | | | |
| Land O' Lakes, Inc. (D)(G) | 8.000 | 07-16-25 | | 835,000 | 876,750 |
| Energy 5.2% | | | | 26,650,250 |
| Oil, gas and consumable fuels 5.2% | | | | |
| DCP Midstream LP (7.375% to 12-15-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 5.148%) (G) | 7.375 | 12-15-22 | | 11,787,000 | 10,018,950 |
| Energy Transfer Operating LP (3 month LIBOR + 3.018%) (B)(E) | 3.223 | 11-01-66 | | 8,800,000 | 6,146,800 |
| Energy Transfer Operating LP (6.625% to 2-15-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.155%) (B)(C)(G) | 6.625 | 02-15-28 | | 8,000,000 | 6,840,000 |
| MPLX LP (6.875% to 2-15-23, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.652%) (G) | 6.875 | 02-15-23 | | 3,700,000 | 3,644,500 |
| Financials 16.2% | | | | 83,357,745 |
| Banks 10.5% | | | | |
| Barclays PLC (7.750% to 9-15-23, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 4.842%) (B)(C)(G) | 7.750 | 09-15-23 | | 1,837,000 | 2,000,401 |
| Barclays PLC (8.000% to 6-15-24, then 5 Year CMT + 5.672%) (G) | 8.000 | 06-15-24 | | 3,226,000 | 3,617,153 |
| Citigroup, Inc. (3 month LIBOR + 4.478%) (E)(G) | 4.699 | 05-15-21 | | 1,650,000 | 1,656,250 |
| Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (6.375% to 4-6-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.157%) (B)(G) | 6.375 | 04-06-24 | | 7,500,000 | 7,875,000 |
| Comerica, Inc. (5.625% to 7-1-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.291%) (G) | 5.625 | 07-01-25 | | 3,500,000 | 3,850,000 |
| Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (5.625% to 7-15-30, then 10 Year CMT + 4.945%) (G) | 5.625 | 07-15-30 | | 2,000,000 | 2,351,020 |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. (3 month LIBOR + 3.320%) (B)(C)(E)(G) | 3.558 | 04-01-21 | | 5,230,000 | 5,182,577 |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. (6.750% to 2-1-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.780%) (B)(G) | 6.750 | 02-01-24 | | 6,000,000 | 6,746,291 |
| Lloyds Banking Group PLC (7.500% to 6-27-24, then 5 Year U.S. Swap Rate + 4.760%) (B)(C)(G) | 7.500 | 06-27-24 | | 7,500,000 | 8,340,000 |
| Regions Financial Corp. (5.750% to 6-15-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.430%) (G) | 5.750 | 06-15-25 | | 2,300,000 | 2,568,801 |
| Societe Generale SA (5.375% to 11-18-30, then 5 Year CMT + 4.514%) (D)(G) | 5.375 | 11-18-30 | | 6,100,000 | 6,359,250 |
| SVB Financial Group (4.100% to 2-15-31, then 10 Year CMT + 3.064%) (G) | 4.100 | 02-15-31 | | 1,700,000 | 1,727,540 |
| Wells Fargo & Company (5.900% to 6-15-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.110%) (B)(C)(G) | 5.900 | 06-15-24 | | 2,000,000 | 2,110,758 |
| Capital markets 0.8% | | | | |
| The Charles Schwab Corp. (5.375% to 6-1-25, then 5 Year CMT + 4.971%) (B)(C)(G) | 5.375 | 06-01-25 | | 3,800,000 | 4,211,768 |
| 10 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| | Rate (%) | Maturity date | | Par value^ | Value |
| Financials (continued) | | | | |
| Consumer finance 1.0% | | | | |
| Discover Financial Services (6.125% to 6-23-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.783%) (G) | 6.125 | 06-23-25 | | 4,300,000 | $4,842,316 |
| Diversified financial services 0.8% | | | | |
| Enstar Finance LLC (5.750% to 9-1-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.468%) | 5.750 | 09-01-40 | | 4,000,000 | 4,177,875 |
| Insurance 3.1% | | | | |
| Markel Corp. (6.000% to 6-1-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.662%) (G) | 6.000 | 06-01-25 | | 2,500,000 | 2,745,325 |
| MetLife, Inc. (5.875% to 3-15-28, then 3 month LIBOR + 2.959%) (B)(C)(G) | 5.875 | 03-15-28 | | 5,000,000 | 5,782,500 |
| SBL Holdings, Inc. (7.000% to 5-13-25, then 5 Year CMT + 5.580%) (B)(C)(D)(G) | 7.000 | 05-13-25 | | 8,536,000 | 7,212,920 |
| Materials 0.6% | | | | 3,212,620 |
| Chemicals 0.6% | | | | |
| Braskem Netherlands Finance BV (8.500% to 1-23-26, then 5 Year CMT + 8.220%) (D) | 8.500 | 01-23-81 | | 2,900,000 | 3,212,620 |
| Utilities 5.1% | | | | 26,470,582 |
| Electric utilities 3.1% | | | | |
| Emera, Inc. (6.750% to 6-15-26, then 3 month LIBOR + 5.440% to 6-15-46, then 3 month LIBOR + 6.190%) (B)(C) | 6.750 | 06-15-76 | | 3,224,000 | 3,764,020 |
| Southern California Edison Company (6.250% to 2-1-22, then 3 month LIBOR + 4.199%) (B)(C)(G) | 6.250 | 02-01-22 | | 8,000,000 | 8,180,000 |
| The Southern Company (4.000% to 1-15-26, then 5 Year CMT + 3.733%) (B)(C) | 4.000 | 01-15-51 | | 4,000,000 | 4,229,872 |
| Multi-utilities 2.0% | | | | |
| CMS Energy Corp. (4.750% to 6-1-30, then 5 Year CMT + 4.116%) (B)(C) | 4.750 | 06-01-50 | | 4,250,000 | 4,825,147 |
|
| Dominion Energy, Inc. (5.750% to 10-1-24, then 3 month LIBOR + 3.057%) (B)(C) | 5.750 | 10-01-54 | | 5,000,000 | 5,471,543 |
| Capital preferred securities (H) 0.1% (0.1% of Total investments) | | | $584,504 |
| (Cost $588,281) | | | | | |
| Financials 0.1% | | | | 584,504 |
| Banks 0.1% | | | | |
| Wachovia Capital Trust III (Greater of 3 month LIBOR + 0.930% or 5.570%) (B)(C)(E)(G) | 5.570 | 03-01-21 | | 583,000 | 584,504 |
|
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 11 |
| | | | | Par value^ | Value |
| Short-term investments 1.4% (1.0% of Total investments) | | | $7,382,000 |
| (Cost $7,382,000) | | | | | |
| Repurchase agreement 1.4% | | | | | 7,382,000 |
| Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 1-29-21 at 0.000% to be repurchased at $7,382,000 on 2-1-21, collateralized by $7,239,700 U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.125% due 12-31-22 (valued at $7,529,732) | | | | 7,382,000 | 7,382,000 |
|
| Total investments (Cost $765,381,876) 147.8% | | | | $763,047,307 |
| Other assets and liabilities, net (47.8%) | | | | (246,792,345) |
| Total net assets 100.0% | | | | | $516,254,962 |
| 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. |
| Security Abbreviations and Legend |
| ADR | American Depositary Receipt |
| CMT | Constant Maturity Treasury |
| ICE | Intercontinental Exchange |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| (A) | Includes preferred stocks and hybrid securities with characteristics of both equity and debt that pay dividends on a periodic basis. |
| (B) | All of a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement. Total collateral value at 1-31-21 was $464,792,902. A portion of the securities pledged as collateral were loaned pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement. The value of securities on loan amounted to $210,101,433. |
| (C) | All or a portion of this security is on loan as of 1-31-21, and is a component of the fund's leverage under the Credit Facility Agreement. |
| (D) | These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration. |
| (E) | Variable rate obligation. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end. |
| (F) | Non-income producing security. |
| (G) | Perpetual bonds have no stated maturity date. Date shown as maturity date is next call date. |
| (H) | Includes hybrid securities with characteristics of both equity and debt that trade with, and pay, interest income. |
| 12 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
DERIVATIVES
FUTURES
| Open contracts | Number of
contracts | Position | Expiration
date | Notional
basis^ | Notional
value^ | Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation) |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures | 640 | Short | Mar 2021 | $(88,263,923) | $(87,700,000) | $563,923 |
| | | | | | | $563,923 |
^ Notional basis refers to the contractual amount agreed upon at inception of open contracts; notional value represents the current value of the open contract.
SWAPS
| 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 | 73,000,000 | USD | Fixed 2.136% | USD 3 month LIBOR BBA(a) | Semi-Annual | Quarterly | Oct 2022 | — | $(2,844,874) | $(2,844,874) |
| | | | | | | | | — | $(2,844,874) | $(2,844,874) |
| (a) | At 1-31-21, the 3 month LIBOR was 0.202%. |
| Derivatives Currency Abbreviations |
| USD | U.S. Dollar |
| Derivatives Abbreviations |
| BBA | The British Banker's Association |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| OTC | Over-the-counter |
At 1-31-21, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $766,092,466. Net unrealized depreciation aggregated to $5,326,110, of which $32,032,593 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $37,358,703 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
See Notes to financial statements regarding investment transactions and other derivatives information.
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 13 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 1-31-21 (unaudited)
| Assets | |
| Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $765,381,876) | $763,047,307 |
| Receivable for centrally cleared swaps | 577,434 |
| Receivable for futures variation margin | 139,952 |
| Collateral held at broker for futures contracts | 1,080,000 |
| Dividends and interest receivable | 3,708,823 |
| Receivable for investments sold | 664,435 |
| Other assets | 39,120 |
| Total assets | 769,257,071 |
| Liabilities | |
| Due to custodian | 134,672 |
| Credit facility agreement payable | 250,500,000 |
| Payable for investments purchased | 2,036,703 |
| Interest payable | 178,751 |
| Payable to affiliates | |
| Accounting and legal services fees | 35,472 |
| Trustees' fees | 392 |
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 116,119 |
| Total liabilities | 253,002,109 |
| Net assets | $516,254,962 |
| Net assets consist of | |
| Paid-in capital | $546,570,991 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | (30,316,029) |
| Net assets | $516,254,962 |
| |
| Net asset value per share | |
| Based on 26,217,358 shares of beneficial interest outstanding - unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value | $19.69 |
| 14 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the six months ended 1-31-21 (unaudited)
| Investment income | |
| Dividends | $18,150,272 |
| Interest | 4,529,725 |
| Total investment income | 22,679,997 |
| Expenses | |
| Investment management fees | 2,808,146 |
| Interest expense | 1,041,761 |
| Accounting and legal services fees | 50,841 |
| Transfer agent fees | 21,315 |
| Trustees' fees | 22,763 |
| Custodian fees | 38,238 |
| Printing and postage | 77,599 |
| Professional fees | 40,907 |
| Stock exchange listing fees | 12,987 |
| Other | 9,784 |
| Total expenses | 4,124,341 |
| Less expense reductions | (28,782) |
| Net expenses | 4,095,559 |
| Net investment income | 18,584,438 |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on | |
| Unaffiliated investments | 2,228,684 |
| Futures contracts | 270,029 |
| Swap contracts | (738,122) |
| | 1,760,591 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of | |
| Unaffiliated investments | 30,103,077 |
| Futures contracts | 1,330,288 |
| Swap contracts | 755,724 |
| | 32,189,089 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | 33,949,680 |
| Increase in net assets from operations | $52,534,118 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 15 |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | Six months ended
1-31-21
(unaudited) | Year ended
7-31-20 |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets | | |
| From operations | | |
| Net investment income | $18,584,438 | $36,734,866 |
| Net realized gain (loss) | 1,760,591 | (19,770,579) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 32,189,089 | (55,343,325) |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | 52,534,118 | (38,379,038) |
| Distributions to shareholders | | |
| From earnings | (19,422,338)1 | (37,561,339) |
| From tax return of capital | — | (2,007,312) |
| Total distributions | (19,422,338) | (39,568,651) |
| Fund share transactions | | |
| Issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan | 474,363 | 2,381,995 |
| Total increase (decrease) | 33,586,143 | (75,565,694) |
| Net assets | | |
| Beginning of period | 482,668,819 | 558,234,513 |
| End of period | $516,254,962 | $482,668,819 |
| Share activity | | |
| Shares outstanding | | |
| Beginning of period | 26,192,030 | 26,070,792 |
| Issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan | 25,328 | 121,238 |
| End of period | 26,217,358 | 26,192,030 |
| 1 | A portion of the distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital at the fiscal year end. |
| 16 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the six months ended 1-31-21 (unaudited)
| | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | |
| Net increase in net assets from operations | $52,534,118 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | |
| Long-term investments purchased | (96,343,060) |
| Long-term investments sold | 84,419,368 |
| Net purchases and sales in short-term investments | (6,571,637) |
| Net amortization of premium (discount) | 185,779 |
| (Increase) Decrease in assets: | |
| Receivable for futures variation margin | (139,952) |
| Receivable for centrally cleared swaps | 196,125 |
| Collateral held at broker for futures contracts | 200,000 |
| Dividends and interest receivable | (454,881) |
| Receivable for investments sold | 458,929 |
| Other assets | 3,930 |
| Increase (Decrease) in liabilities: | |
| Payable for futures variation margin | (40,032) |
| Payable for investments purchased | 2,036,703 |
| Interest payable | 1,847 |
| Payable to affiliates | 13,808 |
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 1,436 |
| Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on: | |
| Investments | (30,103,077) |
| Net realized (gain) loss on: | |
| Investments | (2,228,684) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $4,170,720 |
| Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | |
| Distributions to shareholders | $(18,947,975) |
| Decrease in due to custodian | (222,745) |
| Borrowings (repayments) under the credit facility agreement | 15,000,000 |
| Net cash used in financing activities | $(4,170,720) |
| Cash at beginning of period | — |
| Cash at end of period | — |
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |
| Cash paid for interest | $(1,039,914) |
| Noncash financing activities not included herein consists of reinvestment distributions | $474,363 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 17 |
| Period ended | 1-31-211 | 7-31-20 | 7-31-19 | 7-31-18 | 7-31-17 | 7-31-16 |
| Per share operating performance | | | | | | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $18.43 | $21.41 | $21.40 | $22.15 | $22.82 | $21.75 |
| Net investment income2 | 0.71 | 1.41 | 1.34 | 1.51 | 1.61 | 1.60 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.29 | (2.87) | 0.35 | (0.58) | (0.60) | 1.15 |
| Total from investment operations | 2.00 | (1.46) | 1.69 | 0.93 | 1.01 | 2.75 |
| Less distributions | | | | | | |
| From net investment income | (0.74)3 | (1.44) | (1.40) | (1.68) | (1.68) | (1.55) |
| From tax return of capital | — | (0.08) | (0.28) | — | — | (0.13) |
| Total distributions | (0.74) | (1.52) | (1.68) | (1.68) | (1.68) | (1.68) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $19.69 | $18.43 | $21.41 | $21.40 | $22.15 | $22.82 |
| Per share market value, end of period | $18.55 | $20.80 | $24.30 | $21.95 | $22.29 | $23.22 |
| Total return at net asset value (%)4,5 | 11.106 | (7.14) | 8.35 | 4.61 | 4.94 | 13.66 |
| Total return at market value (%)4 | (7.26)6 | (7.67) | 19.90 | 6.62 | 3.78 | 27.30 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | | | | | | |
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $516 | $483 | $558 | $557 | $576 | $593 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | | | | | | |
| Expenses before reductions | 1.637 | 2.32 | 2.95 | 2.49 | 2.05 | 1.79 |
| Expenses including reductions8 | 1.627 | 2.31 | 2.94 | 2.48 | 2.04 | 1.78 |
| Net investment income | 7.347 | 7.12 | 6.49 | 7.10 | 7.40 | 7.33 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 12 | 35 | 37 | 24 | 20 | 14 |
| Senior securities | | | | | | |
| Total debt outstanding end of period (in millions) | $251 | $236 | $293 | $293 | $293 | $293 |
| Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt9 | $3,061 | $3,050 | $2,908 | $2,903 | $2,970 | $3,027 |
| 1 | Six months ended 1-31-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 3 | A portion of the distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital at the fiscal year end. |
| 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. Each figure assumes that distributions from income, capital gains and tax return of capital, if any, were reinvested. |
| 5 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 6 | Not annualized. |
| 7 | Annualized. |
| 8 | Expenses including reductions excluding interest expense were 1.21% (annualized), 1.24%, 1.25%, 1.24%, 1.25% and 1.23% for the periods ended 1-31-21, 7-31-20, 7-31-19, 7-31-18, 7-31-17 and 7-31-16, respectively. |
| 9 | Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowings of the fund outstanding at period end (Note 7). As debt outstanding changes, the level of invested assets may change accordingly. Asset coverage ratio provides a measure of leverage. |
| 18 | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
Note 1—Organization
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (the fund) is a closed-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
Note 2—Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities, including exchange-traded or closed-end funds, are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Futures contracts whose settlement prices are determined as of the close of the NYSE are typically valued based on the settlement price while other futures contracts are typically valued at the last traded price on the exchange on which they trade. Swaps are generally valued using evaluated prices obtained from an independent pricing vendor.
In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.
Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | 19 |
include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of January 31, 2021, by major security category or type:
| | Total
value at
1-31-21 | Level 1
quoted
price | Level 2
significant
observable
inputs | Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs |
| Investments in securities: | | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Preferred securities | | | | |
| Communication services | $64,419,405 | $53,546,405 | $10,873,000 | — |
| Consumer discretionary | 9,032,440 | 9,032,440 | — | — |
| Consumer staples | 12,441,000 | — | 12,441,000 | — |
| Energy | 9,746,250 | 9,746,250 | — | — |
| Financials | 185,889,915 | 185,889,915 | — | — |
| Health care | 3,658,200 | 3,658,200 | — | — |
| Industrials | 5,168,324 | 5,168,324 | — | — |
| Information technology | 5,875,000 | 5,875,000 | — | — |
| Real estate | 27,930,854 | 27,930,854 | — | — |
| Utilities | 237,652,026 | 230,398,076 | 7,253,950 | — |
| Common stocks | 32,813,339 | 32,813,339 | — | — |
| Corporate bonds | 160,454,050 | — | 160,454,050 | — |
| Capital preferred securities | 584,504 | — | 584,504 | — |
| Short-term investments | 7,382,000 | — | 7,382,000 | — |
| Total investments in securities | $763,047,307 | $564,058,803 | $198,988,504 | — |
| Derivatives: | | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Futures | $563,923 | $563,923 | — | — |
| Liabilities | | | | |
| Swap contracts | (2,844,874) | — | $(2,844,874) | — |
Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian, or for tri-party repurchase agreements, collateral is held at a third-party custodian bank in a segregated account for the benefit of the fund. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.
Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, assets and liabilities resulting from repurchase agreements are not offset in the Statement of assets and liabilities.
| 20 | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.
Real estate investment trusts. The fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs). Distributions from REITs may be recorded as income and subsequently characterized by the REIT at the end of their fiscal year as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. As a result, the fund will estimate the components of distributions from these securities. Such estimates are revised when the actual components of the distributions are known.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. Dividend income is recorded on ex-date, except for dividends of certain foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Distributions received on securities that represent a tax return of capital and/or capital gain, if any, are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain, if amounts are estimable. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
Overdrafts. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the fund’s custodian may, in its discretion, advance funds to the fund to make properly authorized payments. When such payments result in an overdraft, the fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any costs or expenses associated with the overdraft. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the extent of any overdraft.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Statement of cash flows. A Statement of cash flows is presented when a fund has a significant amount of borrowing during the period, based on the average total borrowing in relation to total assets, or when a certain percentage of the fund’s investments is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Information on financial transactions that have been settled through the receipt and disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of cash flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of cash flows is the amount included in the fund’s Statement of assets and liabilities and represents the cash on hand at the fund’s custodian and does not include any short-term investments or collateral on derivative contracts, if any.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
For federal income tax purposes, as of July 31, 2020, the fund has a short-term capital loss carryforward of $8,647,239 and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $18,616,520 available to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards do not expire.
As of July 31, 2020, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | 21 |
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
Such distributions, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital. The final determination of tax characteristics of the distribution will occur at the end of the year and will subsequently be reported to shareholders.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to contingent payment debt instruments, amortization and accretion on debt securities and derivative transactions.
Note 3—Derivative instruments
The fund may invest in derivatives in order to meet its investment objective. Derivatives include a variety of different instruments that may be traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market, on a regulated exchange or through a clearing facility. The risks in using derivatives vary depending upon the structure of the instruments, including the use of leverage, optionality, the liquidity or lack of liquidity of the contract, the creditworthiness of the counterparty or clearing organization and the volatility of the position. Some derivatives involve risks that are potentially greater than the risks associated with investing directly in the referenced securities or other referenced underlying instrument. Specifically, the fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty to an OTC derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction.
Certain derivatives are traded or cleared on an exchange or central clearinghouse. Exchange-traded or centrally-cleared transactions generally present less counterparty risk to a fund than OTC transactions. The exchange or clearinghouse stands between the fund and the broker to the contract and therefore, credit risk is generally limited to the failure of the exchange or clearinghouse and the clearing member.
Centrally-cleared swap contracts are subject to clearinghouse rules, including initial and variation margin requirements, daily settlement of obligations and the clearinghouse guarantee of payments to the broker. There is, however, still counterparty risk due to the potential insolvency of the broker with respect to any margin held in the brokers’ customer accounts. While clearing members are required to segregate customer assets from their own assets, in the event of insolvency, there may be a shortfall in the amount of margin held by the broker for its clients. Collateral or margin requirements for centrally-cleared derivatives are set by the broker or applicable clearinghouse. Margin for centrally-cleared transactions is detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities as Receivable/Payable for centrally-cleared swaps. Securities pledged by the fund for centrally-cleared transactions, if any, are identified in the Fund's investments.
Futures. A futures contract is a contractual agreement to buy or sell a particular currency or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future. Futures are traded on an exchange and cleared through a central clearinghouse. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets and contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in the underlying financial instrument and potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the fund to the risk of loss up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the fund to unlimited risk of loss.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities. The amount of required margin is set by the broker and is generally based on a percentage of the contract value. The margin deposit must then be maintained at the established level over the life of the contract. Cash that has been pledged by the fund is detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities as Collateral held at broker for futures contracts. Securities pledged by the fund, if any, are identified in the Fund's investments.
| 22 | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
Subsequent payments, referred to as variation margin, are made or received by the fund periodically and are based on changes in the market value of open futures contracts. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and unrealized gain or loss is recorded by the fund. Receivable for futures variation margin is included on the Statement of assets and liabilities. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
During the six months ended January 31, 2021, the fund used futures contracts to manage against changes in interest rates. The fund held futures contracts with USD notional values ranging from $87.7 million to $89.7 million, as measured at each quarter end.
Swaps. Swap agreements are agreements between the fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows, assets, foreign currencies or market-linked returns at specified intervals. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market (OTC swaps) or may be executed on a registered commodities exchange (centrally cleared swaps). Swaps are marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded as a component of unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts. The value of the swap will typically impose collateral posting obligations on the party that is considered out-of-the-money on the swap.
Upfront payments made/received by the fund, if any, are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes, with the unamortized/unaccreted portion included in the Statement of assets and liabilities. A termination payment by the counterparty or the fund is recorded as realized gain or loss, as well as the net periodic payments received or paid by the fund.
Entering into swap agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk that may provide outcomes that are in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for the swap, or that a counterparty may default on its obligation or delay payment under the swap terms. The counterparty may disagree or contest the terms of the swap. In addition to interest rate risk, market risks may also impact the swap. The fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate or assign outstanding swaps or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.
Interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps represent an agreement between the fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates applied to a notional amount. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. The fund settles accrued net interest receivable or payable under the swap contracts at specified, future intervals.
During the six months ended January 31, 2021, the fund used interest rate swap contracts to manage against changes in interest rates. The notional values at the period end are representative of the fund's exposure throughout the period. No new interest rate swap positions were entered into or closed during the six months ended January 31, 2021.
Fair value of derivative instruments by risk category
The table below summarizes the fair value of derivatives held by the fund at January 31, 2021 by risk category:
| Risk | Statement of assets
and liabilities
location | Financial
instruments
location | Assets
derivatives
fair value | Liabilities
derivatives
fair value |
| Interest rate | Receivable/payable for futures variation margin1 | Futures | $563,923 | — |
| Interest rate | Swap contracts, at value2 | Interest rate swaps | — | $(2,844,874) |
| | | | $563,923 | $(2,844,874) |
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | 23 |
| 1 | Reflects cumulative appreciation/depreciation on futures as disclosed in Fund's investments. Only the period end variation margin is separately disclosed on the Statement of assets and liabilities. |
| 2 | 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. |
Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of operations
The table below summarizes the net realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six months ended January 31, 2021:
| | Statement of operations location - Net realized gain (loss) on: |
| Risk | Futures contracts | Swap contracts | Total |
| Interest rate | $270,029 | $(738,122) | $(468,093) |
The table below summarizes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six months ended January 31, 2021:
| | Statement of operations location - Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: |
| Risk | Futures contracts | Swap contracts | Total |
| Interest rate | $1,330,288 | $755,724 | $2,086,012 |
Note 4—Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the fund's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 5—Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. The Advisor is an indirect, principally owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC).
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor, equivalent on an annual basis, to 0.75% of the fund’s average daily managed assets including any assets attributable to the Credit Facility Agreement (see Note 7) (collectively, managed assets). The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the six months ended January 31, 2021, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets, on an annualized basis. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The expense reductions described above amounted to $28,782 for the six months ended January 31, 2021.
Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.
| 24 | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the six months ended January 31, 2021, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.74% of the fund's average daily managed assets.
Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These accounting and legal services fees incurred, for the six months ended January 31, 2021, amounted to an annual rate of 0.01% of the fund's average daily managed assets.
Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. These Trustees receive from the fund and the other John Hancock closed-end funds an annual retainer. In addition, Trustee out-of-pocket expenses are allocated to each fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.
Note 6—Leverage risk
The fund utilizes a Credit Facility Agreement (CFA) to increase its assets available for investment. When the fund leverages its assets, shareholders bear the expenses associated with the CFA and have potential to benefit or be disadvantaged from the use of leverage. The Advisor’s fee is also increased in dollar terms from the use of leverage. Consequently, the fund and the Advisor may have differing interests in determining whether to leverage the fund’s assets. Leverage creates risks that may adversely affect the return for the holders of shares, including:
| • | the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and market price of shares; |
| • | fluctuations in the interest rate paid for the use of the CFA; |
| • | 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. |
To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used; conversely, returns would be lower if the cost of the leverage exceeds the income or capital appreciation derived.
In addition to the risks created by the fund’s use of leverage, the fund is subject to the risk that it would be unable to timely, or at all, obtain replacement financing if the CFA is terminated. Were this to happen, the fund would be required to de-leverage, selling securities at a potentially inopportune time and incurring tax consequences. Further, the fund’s ability to generate income from the use of leverage would be adversely affected.
Note 7—Credit Facility Agreement
The fund has entered into a Credit Facility Agreement (CFA) with a subsidiary of BNP Paribas (BNP) that allows it to borrow up to $292.5 million (maximum facility amount) and to invest the borrowings in accordance with its investment practices.
The fund pledges a portion of its assets as collateral to secure borrowings under the CFA. Such pledged assets are held in a special custody account with the fund’s custodian. The amount of assets required to be pledged by the fund is determined in accordance with the CFA. The fund retains the benefits of ownership of assets pledged to secure borrowings under the CFA. Interest charged is at the rate of one month LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) plus 0.70% and is payable monthly. As of January 31, 2021, the fund had borrowings of $250,500,000 at an interest rate of 0.82%, which are reflected in the Credit facility agreement payable on the Statement of assets and liabilities. During the six months ended January 31, 2021, the average borrowings under the CFA and the effective average interest rate were $240,798,913 and 0.86%, respectively.
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | 25 |
The fund is required to pay a commitment fee equal to 0.60% on any unused portion of the maximum facility amount, only for days on which the aggregate outstanding amount of the loans under the CFA is less than 80% of the maximum facility amount. For the six months ended January 31, 2021, there were no commitment fees incurred by the fund.
The fund may terminate the CFA with 30 days’ notice. If certain asset coverage and collateral requirements, minimum net assets or other covenants are not met, the CFA could be deemed in default and result in termination. Absent a default or facility termination event, BNP generally is required to provide the fund with 360 days’ notice prior to terminating or amending the CFA.
The fund has an agreement with BNP that allows BNP to borrow a portion of the pledged collateral (Lent Securities) in an amount not to exceed the lesser of: (i) outstanding borrowings owed by the fund to BNP or (ii) 331/3% of the fund’s total assets. The fund can designate any security within the pledged collateral as ineligible to be a Lent Security and can recall any of the Lent Securities. The fund also has the right to apply and set-off an amount equal to 100% of the then-current fair market value of such Lent Securities against the current borrowings under the CFA in the event that BNP fails to timely return the Lent Securities and in certain other circumstances. In such circumstances, however, the fund may not be able to obtain replacement financing required to purchase replacement securities and, consequently, the fund’s income generating potential may decrease. Even if the fund is able to obtain replacement financing, it might not be able to purchase replacement securities at favorable prices. Income earned from Lent Securities of $2,182 for the six months ended January 31, 2021 is recorded as a component of interest income on the Statement of operations.
Due to the anticipated discontinuation of LIBOR, as discussed in Note 8, the CFA may be amended to remove LIBOR as the reference rate for interest and to replace LIBOR with an alternative reference rate for interest mutually agreed upon by the fund and BNP. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate and the potential effect of a transition away from LIBOR on the fund and/or the CFA cannot yet be fully determined.
Note 8—LIBOR Discontinuation Risk
The CFA utilizes LIBOR as the reference or benchmark rate for interest rate calculations. LIBOR is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, is expected to cease publishing most LIBOR maturities, including some US LIBOR maturities, on December 31, 2021, and the remaining and most liquid US LIBOR maturities on June 30, 2023. Before the end of 2021, it is expected that market participants such as the fund and BNP will transition to the use of alternative reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have encouraged the development and adoption of alternative rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate.
Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation dates, the impact on the CFA remains uncertain. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR, such as the CFA, to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. To facilitate the transition of legacy derivatives contracts referencing LIBOR, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. launched a protocol to incorporate fallback provisions. However, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. Certain proposed replacement rates to LIBOR, such as SOFR, which is a broad measure of secured overnight US Treasury repo rates, are materially different from LIBOR, and changes in the applicable spread for
| 26 | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
financial instruments transitioning away from LIBOR will need to be made to accommodate the differences. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.
As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate. The use of an alternative reference rate, or the transition process to an alternative reference rate, may result in increases to the interest paid by the fund pursuant to the CFA and, therefore, may adversely affect the fund's performance.
Note 9—Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments, amounted to $96,343,060 and $84,419,368, respectively, for the six months ended January 31, 2021.
Note 10—Industry or sector risk
The fund generally invests a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund's assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund’s NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors. Financial services companies can be hurt by economic declines, changes in interest rates, and regulatory and market impacts.
Note 11—Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, and affect fund performance.
Note 12—New accounting pronouncement
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU), ASU 2020-04, which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other IBOR-based reference rates as of the end of 2021. The temporary relief provided by ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2020-04 to the financial statements.
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Preferred Income Fund | 27 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Unaudited
Investment objective and principal investment strategies
The fund is a closed-end, diversified management investment company, common shares of which were initially offered to the public on August 27, 2002 and are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE). The fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital. The fund’s secondary investment objective is to provide growth of capital to the extent consistent with its primary investment objective. The fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in securities that, in the opinion of the Advisor, may be undervalued relative to similar securities in the marketplace. The fund’s principal investment strategies include, but are not limited to, the following: Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in preferred stocks and other preferred securities, including convertible preferred securities. The fund normally invests 25% or more of its total assets in the industries composing the utilities sector. The Fund will invest at least 50% of its total assets in preferred securities and other fixed-income securities that are rated investment grade (i.e., at least “Baa” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or “BBB” by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), or in unrated securities determined by the Advisor to be of comparable credit quality. The fund can invest up to 50% of its total assets in preferred securities and other fixed income securities that are rated below investment grade by either S&P or Moody’s or in comparable unrated securities. Below investment grade securities must be rated “B” or higher by either S&P or Moody’s (or determined to be of comparable quality). These investment policies are based on credit quality ratings at the time of acquisition.
Dividends and distributions
During the six months ended January 31, 2021, distributions from net investment income totaling $0.7410 per share were paid to shareholders. The dates of payments and the amounts per share were as follows:
| Payment Date | Income Distributions 1 |
| August 31, 2020 | $0.1235 |
| September 30, 2020 | 0.1235 |
| October 30, 2020 | 0.1235 |
| November 30, 2020 | 0.1235 |
| December 18, 2020 | 0.1235 |
| January 29, 2021 | 0.1235 |
| Total | $0.7410 |
| 1 A portion of the distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital at year-end. |
Shareholder communication and assistance
If you have any questions concerning the fund, we will be pleased to assist you. If you hold shares in your own name and not with a brokerage firm, please address all notices, correspondence, questions or other communications regarding the fund to the transfer agent at:
Regular Mail:
Computershare
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
Registered or Overnight Mail:
Computershare
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
If your shares are held with a brokerage firm, you should contact that firm, bank or other nominee for assistance.
| 28 | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | |
Trustees
Hassell H. McClellan, Chairperson
Steven R. Pruchansky, Vice Chairperson
Andrew G. Arnott†
Charles L. Bardelis*
James R. Boyle
Peter S. Burgess
*William H. Cunningham
Grace K. Fey
Marianne Harrison†
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Frances G. Rathke*,1
Gregory A. Russo
Officers
Andrew G. Arnott
President
Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer
Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Trevor Swanberg2
Chief Compliance Officer
* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee
1 Appointed as Independent Trustee effective as of September 15, 2020
2 Effective July 31, 2020
Investment advisor
John Hancock Investment Management LLC
Subadvisor
Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC
Portfolio Managers
Joseph H. Bozoyan, CFA
Bradley L. Lutz, CFA
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Transfer agent
Computershare Shareowner Services, LLC
Legal counsel
K&L Gates LLP
Stock symbol
Listed New York Stock Exchange: HPI
The fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.
All of the fund’s holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC’s website, sec.gov.
We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-852-0218.
The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires closed-end funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
| You can also contact us: | | |
| 800-852-0218 | Regular mail: | Express mail: |
| jhinvestments.com | Computershare
P.O.Box 505000
Louisville,KY 40233 | Computershare
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202 |
| | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND | 29 |
John Hancock family of funds
U.S. EQUITY FUNDS
Blue Chip Growth
Classic Value
Disciplined Value
Disciplined Value Mid Cap
Equity Income
Financial Industries
Fundamental All Cap Core
Fundamental Large Cap Core
New Opportunities
Regional Bank
Small Cap Core
Small Cap Growth
Small Cap Value
U.S. Global Leaders Growth
U.S. Growth
Value Equity
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
Disciplined Value International
Emerging Markets
Emerging Markets Equity
Fundamental Global Franchise
Global Equity
Global Shareholder Yield
Global Thematic Opportunities
International Dynamic Growth
International Growth
International Small Company
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Bond
California Tax-Free Income
Emerging Markets Debt
Floating Rate Income
Government Income
High Yield
High Yield Municipal Bond
Income
Investment Grade Bond
Money Market
Short Duration Bond
Short Duration Credit Opportunities
Strategic Income Opportunities
Tax-Free Bond
ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
Absolute Return Currency
Alternative Asset Allocation
Alternative Risk Premia
Diversified Macro
Infrastructure
Multi-Asset Absolute Return
Real Estate Securities
Seaport Long/Short
The fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses are included in the prospectus and should be considered carefully before investing. For a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-852-0218, or visit the fund’s website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
The John Hancock funds are distributed by John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC. Member FINRA SIPC.
ASSET ALLOCATION/TARGET DATE FUNDS
Balanced
Multi-Asset High Income
Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios
Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios
Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios
Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios
Retirement Income 2040
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF
John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS
ESG All Cap Core
ESG Core Bond
ESG International Equity
ESG Large Cap Core
CLOSED-END FUNDS
Financial Opportunities
Hedged Equity & Income
Income Securities Trust
Investors Trust
Preferred Income
Preferred Income II
Preferred Income III
Premium Dividend
Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income
Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield
John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.
John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.
John Hancock Investment Management
A trusted brand
John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America’s most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It’s why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.
A better way to invest
We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.
Results for investors
Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world’s best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.
John Hancock Investment Management LLC ■
200 Berkeley Street ■ Boston, MA 02116-5010 ■ 800-225-5291 ■ jhinvestments.com
3/2021
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
(a)Not applicable.
(b)Not applicable.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED- END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable at this time.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a)Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as
conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
(b)There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
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 Preferred Income Fund
By: /s/ Andrew G. Arnott
------------------------------
Andrew G. Arnott
President
Date: March 24, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ Andrew G. Arnott
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Andrew G. Arnott
President
Date: March 24, 2021
By: /s/ Charles A. Rizzo
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Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 24, 2021
