| 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- 4079 | ||
| John Hancock Equity Trust | ||
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) | ||
| 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 | ||
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) | ||
| Alfred P. Ouellette | ||
| Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary | ||
| 601 Congress Street | ||
| Boston, Massachusetts 02210 | ||
| (Name and address of agent for service) | ||
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-663-4324 | ||
| Date of fiscal year end: | October 31 | |
| Date of reporting period: | October 31, 2008 | |
ITEM 1. REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS.
Discussion of Fund performance
By Independence Investments LLC
An intensifying credit crisis walloped U.S. stocks in the year ended October 31, 2008, with most of the losses occurring in the final six weeks of the period, when a series of blow-ups in the financial sector sent the major stock indexes into waterfall declines. Small caps generally fared better than their larger counterparts, but no size or style group escaped the carnage. In an effort to avert a systemic meltdown of the financial system, the U.S. government unveiled a $700 billion bailout plan. For its part, the Federal Reserve Board put in place a number of credit facilities to boost banks’ liquidity and stimulate lending, and slashed short-term interest rates. For the 12 months ended October 31, 2008, the Fund’s benchmarks, the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, finished with returns of –34.16% and –32.44%, respectively.
“An intensifying credit crisis
walloped U.S. stocks, with most of
the losses occurring in the final six
weeks of the period...”
During the past year, John Hancock Small Cap Fund’s Class A shares returned –44.33% at net asset value. Stock selection in the health care sector detracted significantly during the period. Air Methods Corp., a provider of medical air transport services, was a major detractor. High gasoline costs prompted consumers to drive less, resulting in fewer accidents requiring the company’s services. Also hampering our results was Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc., a maker of medical diagnostic products. Additionally, two detractors classified as commercial services stocks had strong ties to the health care sector: inVentiv Health, Inc., which provides marketing and advertising services to drug companies, and PARAXEL International Corp., a contract research organization. Secure Computing, a maker of security software, detracted as well and we sold the stock. Conversely, stock selection in consumer cyclicals aided our results. Fuel Sy stems Solutions, Inc. was a key contributor, benefiting from increased demand for equipment and vehicles that run on liquefied natural gas. G-III Apparel Group, Ltd., a maker of licensed outerwear, and Genesee & Wyoming Inc., a short-haul railroad, also helped. We sold the stock during the period.
This commentary reflects the views of the portfolio manager through the end of the Fund’s period discussed in this report. The manager’s statements reflect his own opinions. As such, they are in no way guarantees of future events, and are not intended to be used as investment advice or a recommendation regarding any specific security. They are also subject to change at any time as market and other conditions warrant.
Sector investing is subject to greater risks than the market as a whole. Because the Fund may focus on particular sectors of the economy, its performance may depend on the performance of those sectors. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks than those in larger, more well-known companies. See the prospectus for the risks of investing in small-cap stocks.
| 6 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
A look at performance
For the period ended October 31, 2008
| Average annual returns (%) | Cumulative total returns (%) | ||||||||
| with maximum sales charge (POP) | with maximum sales charge (POP) | ||||||||
| Inception | Since | Since | |||||||
| Class | date | 1-year | 5-year | 10-year | inception | 1-year | 5-year | 10-year | inception |
| A1 | 12-16-98 | –47.12 | –2.97 | — | 3.42 | –47.12 | –13.99 | — | 39.33 |
| B | 12-6-04 | –47.19 | — | — | –9.53 | –47.19 | — | — | –32.35 |
| C | 12-6-04 | –45.17 | — | — | –8.88 | –45.17 | — | — | –30.42 |
| I2 | 12-6-04 | –43.99 | — | — | –7.81 | –43.99 | — | — | –27.19 |
Performance figures assume all distributions are reinvested. Public offering price (POP) figures reflect maximum sales charge on Class A shares of 5% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) on Class B and Class C shares. The return for Class C shares have been adjusted to reflect the elimination of the front-end sales charge effective July 15,2004. The Class B shares CDSC declines annually between years 1 to 6 according to the following schedule: 5, 4, 3, 3, 2, 1%. No sales charge will be assessed after the sixth year. Class C shares held for less than one year are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charge is not applicable for Class I shares.
The expense ratios of the Fund, both net (including any fee waivers or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. The net expenses equal the gross expenses and are as follows: Class A — 1.60%, Class B — 2.30%, Class C — 2.30%, Class I — 1.08%.
The returns reflect past results and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to market volatility, the Fund’s current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1–800–225–5291 or visit the Fund’s Web site at www.jhfunds.com.
The performance table above and the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.
The Fund’s performance results reflect any applicable expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.
1 Effective December 3, 2004, shareholders of the former Independence Small Cap Portfolio became owners of that number of full and fractional shares of Class A shares of the John Hancock Small Cap Fund. Additionally, the accounting and performance history of the former Independence Small Cap Portfolio was redesignated as that of Class A of John Hancock Small Cap Fund.
2 For certain types of investors as described in the Fund’s Class I share prospectus.
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 7 |
A look at performance
Growth of $10,000
This chart shows what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in Small Cap Fund Class A shares for the period indicated. For comparison, we’ve shown the same investment in two separate indexes.
| Without sales | With maximum | ||||
| Class | Period beginning | charge | sales charge | Index 1 | Index 2 |
| B2 | 12-6-04 | $6,948 | $6,765 | $8,828 | $9,292 |
| C2,3 | 12-6-04 | 6,958 | 6,958 | 8,828 | 9,292 |
| I2,4 | 12-6-04 | 7,281 | 7,281 | 8,828 | 9,292 |
Assuming all distributions were reinvested for the period indicated, the table above shows the value of a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class B, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, as of October 31, 2008. Performance of the classes will vary based on the difference in sales charges paid by shareholders investing in the different classes and the fee structure of those classes.
Russell 2000 Index — Index 1 — is an unmanaged index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-capitalization stocks.
Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index — Index 2 — is an unmanaged index of 600 domestic stocks of small-size companies.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect sales charges, which would have resulted in lower values if they did.
1 NAV represents net asset value and POP represents public offering price.
2 Index 2 figure as of closest month end to inception date.
3 No contingent deferred sales charge applicable.
4 For certain types of investors as described in the Fund’s Class I share prospectus.
| 8 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
Your expenses
These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses.
Understanding fund expenses
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:
▪ Transaction costs which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
▪ Ongoing operating expenses including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.
We are going to present only your ongoing operating expenses here.
Actual expenses/actual returns
This example is intended to provide information about your fund’s actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on your fund’s actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on May 1, 2008, with the same investment held until October 31, 2008.
| Account value | Ending value | Expenses paid during | |
| on 5-1-08 | on 10-31-08 | period ended 10-31-081 | |
| Class A | $1,000.00 | $693.60 | $7.02 |
| Class B | 1,000.00 | 690.60 | 9.99 |
| Class C | 1,000.00 | 691.60 | 9.99 |
| Class I | 1,000.00 | 695.40 | 4.69 |
Together with the value of your account, you may use this information to estimate the operating expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value at October 31, 2008, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the “expenses paid” for your share class from the table above. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 9 |
Your expenses
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
This table allows you to compare your fund’s ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the Fund’s hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not your fund’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on May 1, 2008, with the same investment held until October 31, 2008. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses.
| Account value | Ending value | Expenses paid during | |
| on 5-1-08 | on 10-31-08 | period ended 10-31-081 | |
| Class A | $1,000.00 | $1,016.80 | $8.36 |
| Class B | 1,000.00 | 1,013.30 | 11.89 |
| Class C | 1,000.00 | 1,013.30 | 11.89 |
| Class I | 1,000.00 | 1,019.60 | 5.58 |
Remember, these examples do not include any transaction costs, such as sales charges; therefore, these examples will not help you to determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included, your expenses would have been higher. See the prospectus for details regarding transaction costs.
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio of 1.65%, 2.35%, 2.35% and 1.10% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by number of days in most recent fiscal half-year/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
| 10 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
Portfolio summary
| Top 10 holdings1 | ||||
| Allegiant Travel Co. | 5.0% | National Interstate Corp. | 3.1% | |
| IPG Photonics Corp. | 4.1% | iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund | 3.0% | |
| Symmetry Medical, Inc. | 3.9% | Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. | 2.9% | |
| Tractor Supply Co. | 3.6% | Air Methods Corp. | 2.8% | |
| United National Foods, Inc. | 3.4% | First Mercury Financial Corp. | 2.6% | |
| Sector distribution1,2 | ||||
| Consumer discretionary | 20% | Consumer staples | 6% | |
| Information technology | 17% | Materials | 3% | |
| Health care | 16% | Energy | 3% | |
| Financials | 16% | Short-term investments & other | 8% | |
| Industrials | 11% | |||
1 As a percentage of net assets on October 31, 2008.
2 Sector investing is subject to greater risks than the market as a whole. Because the fund may focus on particular sectors of the economy, its performance may depend on the performance of those sectors.
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 11 |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Fund’s investments
Securities owned by the Fund on 10-31-08
This schedule is divided into two main categories: common stocks and short-term investments. Common stocks are further broken down by industry group. Short-term investments, which represent the Fund’s cash position, are listed last.
| Issuer | Shares | Value |
| Common stocks 94.08% | $53,609,600 | |
| (Cost $70,231,909) | ||
| Air Freight & Logistics 1.98% | 1,127,742 | |
| Dynamex, Inc. (I) | 46,200 | 1,127,742 |
| Airlines 5.05% | 2,875,726 | |
| Allegiant Travel Co. (I) | 72,200 | 2,875,726 |
| Apparel Retail 2.32% | 1,321,670 | |
| Citi Trends, Inc. (I) | 79,000 | 1,321,670 |
| Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods 2.25% | 1,281,568 | |
| G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (I) | 92,800 | 1,281,568 |
| Application Software 3.02% | 1,720,278 | |
| Deltek, Inc. (I) | 146,601 | 763,791 |
| Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. (I) | 123,100 | 956,487 |
| Auto Parts & Equipment 1.57% | 893,330 | |
| Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. (I) | 31,400 | 893,330 |
| Casinos & Gaming 1.76% | 1,005,610 | |
| Bally Technologies, Inc. (I) | 45,400 | 1,005,610 |
| Catalog Retail 0.97% | 552,680 | |
| Gaiam, Inc. (Class A) (I) | 67,400 | 552,680 |
| Communications Equipment 1.32% | 749,821 | |
| Aruba Networks, Inc. (I) | 241,100 | 749,821 |
| Computer Hardware 1.80% | 1,025,266 | |
| 3PAR, Inc. (I) | 160,700 | 1,025,266 |
| Distributors 1.15% | 653,224 | |
| Lkq Corp. (I) | 57,100 | 653,224 |
| Diversified Chemicals 2.40% | 1,368,081 | |
| Penford Corp. | 106,300 | 1,368,081 |
| Electronic Manufacturing Services 4.13% | 2,351,520 | |
| IPG Photonics Corp. (I) | 165,600 | 2,351,520 |
| Environmental & Facilities Services 1.56% | 888,640 | |
| Team, Inc. (I) | 32,000 | 888,640 |
| Food Distributors 3.39% | 1,932,410 | |
| United Natural Foods, Inc. (I) | 86,500 | 1,932,410 |
See notes to financial statements
| 12 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
| Issuer | Shares | Value |
| Footwear 1.90% | $1,083,555 | |
| Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (I) | 99,500 | 1,083,555 |
| Health Care Equipment 6.15% | 3,503,379 | |
| Abaxis, Inc. (I) | 49,100 | 754,667 |
| Symmetry Medical, Inc. (I) | 171,000 | 2,209,320 |
| Zoll Medical Corp. (I) | 22,400 | 539,392 |
| Health Care Services 5.13% | 2,922,522 | |
| Air Methods Corp. (I) | 94,400 | 1,584,032 |
| Hms Holdings Corp. (I) | 13,167 | 326,147 |
| inVentiv Health, Inc. (I) | 106,900 | 1,012,343 |
| Health Care Supplies 2.93% | 1,671,795 | |
| Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. (I) | 87,300 | 1,671,795 |
| Health Care Technology 0.45% | 257,400 | |
| Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. | 39,600 | 257,400 |
| Hypermarkets & Super Centers 1.37% | 781,440 | |
| Bj’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (I) | 22,200 | 781,440 |
| Industrial Machinery 4.80% | 2,736,894 | |
| Chart Industries, Inc. (I) | 66,300 | 903,006 |
| Dynamic Materials Corp. | 40,800 | 775,200 |
| Flow International Corp. (I) | 275,700 | 1,058,688 |
| Internet Software & Services 1.37% | 779,520 | |
| DivX, Inc. (I) | 39,427 | 275,200 |
| TheStreet.com, Inc. | 128,000 | 504,320 |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage 1.86% | 1,061,632 | |
| SWS Group, Inc. | 57,200 | 1,061,632 |
| Investment Companies 2.98% | 1,700,664 | |
| iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund | 31,800 | 1,700,664 |
| Life Sciences Tools & Services 1.71% | 973,440 | |
| PARAXEL International Corp. (I) | 93,600 | 973,440 |
| Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3.17% | 1,806,343 | |
| Goodrich Petroleum Corp. (I) | 47,100 | 1,307,496 |
| Warren Resources, Inc. (I) | 94,300 | 498,847 |
| Personal Products 1.88% | 1,073,886 | |
| Inter Parfums, Inc. | 92,100 | 1,073,886 |
| Property & Casualty Insurance 7.95% | 4,528,548 | |
| AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | 126,600 | 1,243,212 |
| First Mercury Financial Corp. (I) | 138,400 | 1,493,336 |
| National Interstate Corp. | 102,400 | 1,792,000 |
| Regional Banks 3.50% | 1,995,655 | |
| Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (I) | 12,049 | 352,554 |
| Signature Bank (I) | 11,111 | 361,996 |
| SVB Financial Group (I) | 24,900 | 1,281,105 |
See notes to financial statements
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 13 |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
| Issuer | Shares | Value |
| Retail 1.44% | $818,405 | |
| Big Lots, Inc. (I) | 33,500 | 818,405 |
| Semiconductors 2.31% | 1,315,936 | |
| Techwell, Inc. (I) | 150,221 | 1,315,936 |
| Specialty Chemicals 1.63% | 932,066 | |
| Arch Chemicals, Inc. | 29,000 | 822,730 |
| Flotek Industries, Inc. (I) | 22,088 | 109,336 |
| Specialty Stores 3.57% | 2,032,284 | |
| Tractor Supply Co. (I) | 48,900 | 2,032,284 |
| Systems Software 3.31% | 1,886,670 | |
| Double-Take Software Inc. (I) | 141,800 | 1,049,320 |
| Radiant Systems, Inc. (I) | 158,890 | 837,350 |
| Par value | ||
| Issuer, description, maturity date | (000) | Value |
| Short-term investments 5.97% | $3,400,000 | |
| (Cost $3,400,000) | ||
| Joint Repurchase Agreement 5.97% | 3,400,000 | |
| Joint Repurchase Agreement with Barclays dated 10-31-08 at | ||
| 0.15% to be repurchased at $3,400,043 on 11-03-08, | ||
| collateralized by $4,121,612 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed | ||
| Note 1.750% on 1-15-28 (valued at $3,468,000 including interest). | $3,400 | 3,400,000 |
| Total investments (Cost $73,631,908)† 100.05% | $57,009,600 | |
| Other assets and liabilities, net (0.05%) | ($30,425) | |
| Total net assets 100.00% | $56,979,175 | |
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the Fund.
† At October 31, 2008, the aggregate cost of investment securities for federal income tax purposes was $74,610,525. Net unrealized depreciation aggregated $17,600,925, of which $2,468,575 related to appreciated investment securities and $20,069,500 related to depreciated investment securities.
(I) Non-income producing security.
See notes to financial statements
| 14 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Financial statements
Statement of assets and liabilities 10-31-08
This Statement of Assets and Liabilities is the Fund’s balance sheet. It shows the value of what the Fund owns, is due and owes. You’ll also find the net asset value and the maximum offering price per share.
| Assets | |
| Investments at value (Cost $73,631,908) | $57,009,600 |
| Cash | 694 |
| Receivable for investments sold | 1,867,951 |
| Receivable for shares sold | 47,521 |
| Interest receivable | 14 |
| Reimbursement receivable | 9,072 |
| Receivable from affiliates | 696 |
| Total assets | 58,935,548 |
| Liabilities | |
| Payable for investments purchased | 1,607,563 |
| Payable for shares repurchased | 173,108 |
| Payable to affiliates | |
| Management fees | 48,966 |
| Distribution and service fees | 22,983 |
| Other | 53,432 |
| Other payables and accrued expenses | 50,321 |
| Total liabilities | 1,956,373 |
| Net assets | |
| Capital paid-in | 91,596,734 |
| Accumulated net realized loss on investments | (17,991,714) |
| Net unrealized depreciation of investments | (16,622,309) |
| Accumulated net investment loss | (3,536) |
| Net assets | $56,979,175 |
| Net asset value per share | |
| Based on net asset values and shares outstanding — the Fund has an | |
| unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value | |
| Class A ($38,014,218 ÷ 5,398,176 shares) | $7.04 |
| Class B ($3,382,650 ÷ 494,922 shares)1 | $6.83 |
| Class C ($10,052,634 ÷ 1,470,573 shares)1 | $6.84 |
| Class I ($5,529,673 ÷ 769,070 shares) | $7.19 |
| Maximum offering price per share | |
| Class A ($7.04 ÷ 95.0%)2 | $7.41 |
1 Redemption price is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
2 On single retail sales of less than $50,000. On sales of $50,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced.
See notes to financial statements
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 15 |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Statement of operations For the year ended 10-31-08
This Statement of Operations summarizes the Fund’s investment income earned and expenses incurred in operating the Fund. It also shows net gains (losses) for the period stated.
| Investment income | |
| Securities lending | $585,430 |
| Dividends | 436,579 |
| Income from affiliated issuers | 339,600 |
| Interest | 64,013 |
| Total investment income | 1,425,622 |
| Expenses | |
| Investment management fees (Note 5) | 1,155,876 |
| Distribution and service fees (Note 5) | 538,876 |
| Transfer agent fees (Note 5) | 404,170 |
| Accounting and legal services fees (Note 5) | 14,729 |
| Printing fees | 75,830 |
| Blue sky fees | 54,630 |
| Custodian fees | 38,272 |
| Professional fees | 27,793 |
| Trustees’ fees | 5,384 |
| Miscellaneous | 10,023 |
| Total expenses | 2,325,583 |
| Less expense reductions (Note 5) | (84,674) |
| Net expenses | 2,240,909 |
| Net investment loss | (815,287) |
| Realized and unrealized loss | |
| Net realized loss on investments | (15,827,722) |
| (15,827,722) | |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments | (52,723,058) |
| (52,723,058) | |
| Net realized and unrealized loss | (68,550,780) |
| Decrease in net assets from operations | ($69,366,067) |
See notes to financial statements
| 16 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Statements of changes in net assets
These Statements of Changes in Net Assets show how the value of the Fund’s net assets has changed during the last two periods. The difference reflects earnings less expenses, any investment gains and losses, distributions, if any, paid to shareholders and the net of Fund share transactions.
| Year | Year | |
| ended | ended | |
| 10-31-07 | 10-31-08 | |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets | ||
| From operations | ||
| Net investment loss | ($1,959,802) | ($815,287) |
| Net realized gain (loss) | 25,237,119 | (15,827,722) |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 5,603,599 | (52,723,058) |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | 28,880,916 | (69,366,067) |
| Distributions to shareholders | ||
| From net realized gain | ||
| Class A | — | (14,316,661) |
| Class B | — | (994,058) |
| Class C | — | (3,980,157) |
| Class I | — | (2,019,611) |
| — | (21,310,487) | |
| From Fund share transactions (Note 6) | (81,438,338) | (55,975,439) |
| Total decrease | (52,557,422) | (146,651,993) |
| Net assets | ||
| Beginning of year | 256,188,590 | 203,631,168 |
| End of year1 | $203,631,168 | $56,979,175 |
1 Includes accumulated net investment loss of $6 and $3,536, respectively.
See notes to financial statements
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 17 |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Financial highlights
The Financial Highlights show how the Fund’s net asset value for a share has changed since the end of the previous period.
| CLASS A SHARES | |||||
| Period ended | 10-31-04 | 10-31-051 | 10-31-06 | 10-31-07 | 10-31-08 |
| Per share operating performance | |||||
| Net asset value, beginning of year | $10.06 | $11.44 | $11.56 | $12.63 | $14.32 |
| Net investment loss2 | (0.09) | (0.11) | (0.12) | (0.10)3 | (0.06) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | |||||
| (loss) on investments | 1.61 | 1.61 | 1.24 | 1.79 | (5.70) |
| Total from investment operations | 1.52 | 1.50 | 1.12 | 1.69 | (5.76) |
| Less distributions | |||||
| From net realized gain | (0.14) | (1.38) | (0.05) | — | (1.52) |
| Net asset value, end of year | $11.44 | $11.56 | $12.63 | $14.32 | $7.04 |
| Total return (%)4 | 15.255 | 13.445 | 9.715 | 13.38 | (44.33)5 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
| Net assets, end of year | |||||
| (in millions) | $28 | $105 | $162 | $137 | $38 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average | |||||
| net assets): | |||||
| Expenses before reductions | 2.23 | 1.65 | 1.60 | 1.60 | 1.72 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | 1.23 | 1.57 | 1.59 | 1.60 | 1.65 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | |||||
| and credits | 1.23 | 1.57 | 1.59 | 1.60 | 1.65 |
| Net investment loss | (0.80) | (0.99) | (0.98) | (0.72)3 | (0.54) |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 129 | 145 | 74 | 96 | 84 |
1 Effective 12-3-04, shareholders of the former Independence Small Cap Portfolio became owners of an equal number of full and fractional Class A shares of the John Hancock Small Cap Fund. Additionally, the accounting and performance history of the Independence Small Cap Portfolio was redesignated as that of Class A of John Hancock Small Cap Fund.
2 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
3 Net investment loss per share and ratio of net investment loss to average net assets reflects a special dividend received by the Fund which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.06% of class’s average net assets.
4 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
5 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
See notes to financial statements
| 18 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Financial highlights
| CLASS B SHARES | ||||
| Period ended | 10-31-051 | 10-31-06 | 10-31-07 | 10-31-08 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||
| Net asset value, beginning of year | $11.21 | $11.49 | $12.47 | $14.04 |
| Net investment loss2 | (0.17) | (0.20) | (0.19)3 | (0.13) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | ||||
| (loss) on investments | 0.45 | 1.23 | 1.76 | (5.56) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.28 | 1.03 | 1.57 | (5.69) |
| Less distributions | ||||
| From net realized gain | — | (0.05) | — | (1.52) |
| Net asset value, end of year | $11.49 | $12.47 | $14.04 | $6.83 |
| Total return (%)4 | 2.505,6 | 8.995 | 12.59 | (44.76)5 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||
| Net assets, end of year | ||||
| (in millions) | $9 | $11 | $9 | $3 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average | ||||
| net assets): | ||||
| Expenses before reductions | 2.357 | 2.30 | 2.30 | 2.43 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | 2.277 | 2.29 | 2.30 | 2.35 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | ||||
| and credits | 2.277 | 2.29 | 2.30 | 2.35 |
| Net investment loss | (1.67)7 | (1.67) | (1.42)3 | (1.25) |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 145 | 74 | 96 | 84 |
1 Class B shares began operations on 12-6-04.
2 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
3 Net investment loss per share and ratio of net investment loss to average net assets reflects a special dividend received by the Fund which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.06% of class’s average net assets.
4 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
5 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
6 Not annualized.
7 Annualized.
See notes to financial statements
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 19 |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Financial highlights
| CLASS C SHARES | ||||
| Period ended | 10-31-051 | 10-31-06 | 10-31-07 | 10-31-08 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||
| Net asset value, beginning of year | $11.21 | $11.49 | $12.47 | $14.04 |
| Net investment loss2 | (0.17) | (0.20) | (0.19)3 | (0.13) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | ||||
| (loss) on investments | 0.45 | 1.23 | 1.76 | (5.55) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.28 | 1.03 | 1.57 | (5.68) |
| Less distributions | ||||
| From net realized gain | — | (0.05) | — | (1.52) |
| Net asset value, end of year | $11.49 | $12.47 | $14.04 | $6.84 |
| Total return (%)4 | 2.505,6 | 8.995 | 12.59 | (44.68)5 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||
| Net assets, end of year | ||||
| (in millions) | $31 | $44 | $38 | $10 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average | ||||
| net assets): | ||||
| Expenses before reductions | 2.357 | 2.30 | 2.30 | 2.42 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | 2.277 | 2.29 | 2.30 | 2.35 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | ||||
| and credits | 2.277 | 2.29 | 2.30 | 2.35 |
| Net investment loss | (1.67)7 | (1.68) | (1.42)3 | (1.25) |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 145 | 74 | 96 | 84 |
1 Class C shares began operations on 12-6-04.
2 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
3 Net investment loss per share and ratio of net investment loss to average net assets reflects a special dividend received by the Fund which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.06% of class’s average net assets.
4 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
5 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
6 Not annualized.
7 Annualized.
See notes to financial statements
| 20 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T S
Financial highlights
| CLASS I SHARES | ||||
| Period ended | 10-31-051 | 10-31-06 | 10-31-07 | 10-31-08 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||
| Net asset value, beginning of year | $11.21 | $11.60 | $12.73 | $14.51 |
| Net investment income (loss)2 | (0.05) | (0.06) | (0.03)3 | —4 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | ||||
| (loss) on investments | 0.44 | 1.24 | 1.81 | (5.80) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.39 | 1.18 | 1.78 | (5.80) |
| Less distributions | ||||
| From net realized gain | — | (0.05) | — | (1.52) |
| Net asset value, end of year | $11.60 | $12.73 | $14.51 | $7.19 |
| Total return (%)5 | 3.486,7 | 10.20 | 13.98 | (43.99)6 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||
| Net assets, end of year | ||||
| (in millions) | $34 | $40 | $19 | $6 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average | ||||
| net assets): | ||||
| Expenses before reductions | 1.188 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.13 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | 1.108 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.10 |
| Expenses net of all fee waivers | ||||
| and credits | 1.108 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.10 |
| Net investment income | (0.53)8 | (0.47) | (0.24)3 | 0.02 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 145 | 74 | 96 | 84 |
1 Class I shares began operations on 12-6-04.
2 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
3 Net investment loss per share and ratio of net investment loss to average net assets reflects a special dividend received by the Fund which amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.06% of class’s average net assets.
4 Less than $0.01 per share
5 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
6 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
7 Not annualized.
8 Annualized.
See notes to financial statements
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 21 |
Notes to financial statements
Note 1
Organization
John Hancock Small Cap Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of John Hancock Equity Trust (the Trust), an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the Fund is to seek capital appreciation.
The Trustees have authorized the issuance of multiple classes of shares of the Fund, designated as Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I shares. The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund and have equal rights as to voting, redemptions, dividends and liquidation, except that certain expenses, subject to the approval of the Trustees, may be applied differently to each class of shares in accordance with current regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Internal Revenue Service. Shareholders of a class that bears distribution and service expenses under the terms of a distribution plan have exclusive voting rights to that distribution plan. Class B shares will convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase.
The Fund is the accounting and performance successor to Independence Small Cap Portfolio, a diversified open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. On December 3, 2004, the Fund acquired substantially all the assets and assumed the liabilities of the former Independence Small Cap Portfolio pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization, in exchange for Class A shares of the Fund.
Note 2
Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:
Security valuation
The net asset value of the Fund is determined daily as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Short-term debt investments that have a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, and thereafter assume a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, which approximates market value. Investments in John Hancock Cash Investment Trust (JHCIT), an affiliate of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC), are valued at their net asset value each business day. All other securities held by the Fund are valued at the last sale price or official closing price (closing bid price or last evaluated quote if no sale has occurred) as of the close of business on the principal securities exchange (domestic or foreign) on which they trade or, lacking any sales, at the closing bid price. Securities traded only in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price quoted by brokers making markets in the securities at the close of trading. Securities for which there are no such quotations, principally debt securities, are valued based on the evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing service, which utilizes both dealer-supplied and electronic data processing techniques, which take 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.
| 22 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust’s Pricing Committee in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund’s shares are generally determined as of such times. Occasionally, significant events that affect the values of such securities may occur between the times at which such values are generally determined and the close of the NYSE. Upon such an occurrence, these securities will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees.
Valuations change in response to many factors including the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of the issuer’s assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.
Joint repurchase agreement
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having a management contract with the Adviser, may participate in a joint repurchase agreement transaction. Aggregate cash balances are invested in one or more large repurchase agreements, whose underlying securities are obligations of the U.S. government and/or its agencies. The Fund’s custodian bank receives delivery of the underlying securities for the joint account on the Fund’s behalf. When a Fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives delivery of collateral, the amount of which at the time of purchase and each subsequent business day is required to be maintained at such a level that the value is generally 102% of the repurchase amount.
Investment transactions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment security transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.
Class allocations
Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the appropriate net asset value of the respective classes. Distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I shares are calculated daily at the class level based on the appropriate net asset value of each class and the specific expense rate(s) applicable to each class.
Expenses
The majority of expenses are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Trust expenses that are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Bank borrowings
The Fund is permitted to have bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Fund has entered into a line of credit agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM), the Swing Line Lender and Administrative Agent. This agreement enables the Fund to participate, with other funds managed by the Adviser, in an unsecured line of credit with BNYM, which permits borrowings of up to $150 million, collectively. Interest is charged to each fund based on its borrowing. In addition, a commitment fee is charged to each fund based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit and is allocated among the participating funds. There was no borrowing activity under the line of credit during the year ended October 31, 2008.
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 23 |
Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the 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 together with interest due thereon. The Custodian has a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any Fund property, to the maximum extent permitted by law to the extent of any overdraft.
Securities lending
The Fund may lend portfolio securities from time to time in order to earn additional income. The Fund retains beneficial ownership of the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends paid by the issuer of securities and to participate in any changes in their value. On the settlement date of the loan, the Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities and maintains the cash collateral in an amount not less than 100% of the market value of the loaned securities during the period of the loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required cash collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the JHCIT. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining acce ss to the collateral. The Fund may receive compensation for lending their securities either in the form of fees, guarantees, and/or by retaining a portion of interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral.
The Fund has entered into an agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and MS Securities Services, Inc. (collectively, Morgan Stanley) which permits the Fund to lend securities to Morgan Stanley on a principal basis. Morgan Stanley is the primary borrower of securities of the Fund. The risk of having one primary borrower of Fund securities (as opposed to several borrowers in an agency relationship) is that should Morgan Stanley fail financially, all securities lent may be affected by the failure and by any delays in recovery of the securities (or loss of rights in the collateral).
Federal income taxes
The Fund qualifies 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, the Fund has $17,013,097 of a capital loss carryforward available, to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future net realized capital gains. To the extent that such carryforward is used by the Fund, no capital gain distributions will be made. The loss carryforwards expire as follows: October 31, 2016 — $17,013,097.
The Fund is subject to the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Fund’s financial statements. Each of the Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
New accounting pronouncements
In September 2006, FASB Standard No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. As of October 31, 2008, management does not believe the adoption of FAS 157 will have a material impact on the amounts reported in the financial statements.
In March 2008, FASB No. 161 (FAS 161), Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (FAS 133), was issued and is effective for fiscal years
| 24 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
and interim reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of FAS 133 in order to provide financial statement users an understanding of a company’s use of derivative instruments, how derivative instruments are accounted for under FAS 133 and related interpretations and how these instruments affect a company’s financial position, performance, and cash flows. FAS 161 requires companies to disclose information detailing the objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, the level of derivative activity entered into by the company, and any credit risk-related contingent features of the agreements. Management is currently evaluating the adoption of FAS 161 on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.
Distribution of income and gains
The Fund records distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, on the ex-dividend date. The Fund generally declares and pays dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, annually. There were no distributions during the year ended October 31, 2007. During the year ended October 31, 2008 the tax character of distributions paid was as follows: long-term capital gain $21,310,487. Distributions paid by the Fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and are in the same amount, except for the effect of expenses that may be applied differently to each class.
As of October 31, 2008, there were no distributable earnings on a tax basis.
Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the Fund’s financial statements as a return of capital.
Capital accounts within 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 will reverse in a subsequent period. Permanent book-tax differences are primarily attributable to net operating losses.
Note 3
Risks and uncertainties
Small and medium size company risk
Stocks of small and medium-size companies tend to be more volatile than those of large companies, and may underperform stocks of large companies. Small and mid-cap companies may have limited product lines or markets, less access to financial resources or less operating experience, or may depend on a few key employees. Given this, small and mid-cap stocks may be thinly traded, leading to additional liquidity risk due to the inabilities to trade in large volume.
Concentration risk
The Funds may concentrate investments in a particular industry, sector of the economy or invest in a limited number of companies. Accordingly, the concentration may make the Fund’s value more volatile and investment values may rise and fall more rapidly. In addition, a fund with a concentration is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting the specific concentration.
Note 4
Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability 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.
Note 5
Management fee and transactions with
affiliates and others
The Fund has an investment management contract with the Adviser. Under the investment management contract, the Fund pays a monthly management fee to the Adviser equivalent, on an annual basis, to the sum of:
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 25 |
(a) 0.90% of the first $1,000,000,000 of the Fund’s average daily net asset value and (b) 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net asset value in excess of $1,000,000,000. The effective rate for the year ended October 31, 2008 is 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net asset value. The Adviser has a subadvisory agreement with Independence Investments LLC, a subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. The Fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Adviser has agreed to limit the Fund’s expenses, excluding distribution and service fees, transfer agent fees, interest and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, to not exceed 1.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares and net operating expenses to 1.65%, 2.35%, 2.35% and 1.10% of the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, until February 28, 2009. Accordingly, the net operating expenses were reduced $31,608 for the year ended October 31, 2008. The Adviser reserves the right to terminate this limitation in the future.
The Fund has a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (JH Funds), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Fund has adopted Distribution Plans with respect to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay JH Funds for the services it provides as distributor of shares of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund makes monthly payments to JH Funds at an annual rate not to exceed 0.30%, 1.00% and 1.00% of average daily net asset value of Class A, Class B and Class C, respectively. A maximum of 0.25% of such payments may be service fees, as defined by the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers). Under the Conduct Rules, curtailment of a portion of the Fund’s 12b-1 payments could occur under certain circumstances.
Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges. During the year ended October 31, 2008, JH Funds received net up-front sales charges of $38,408 with regard to sales of Class A shares. Of this amount, $4,800 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes, $31,238 was paid as sales commissions to unrelated broker-dealers and $2,370 was paid as sales commissions to sales personnel of Signator Investors, Inc. (Signator Investors), a related broker-dealer. The Adviser’s indirect parent, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (JHLICO), is the indirect sole shareholder of Signator Investors.
Class B shares that are redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) at declining rates, beginning at 5.00% of the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a CDSC at a rate of 1.00% of the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from the CDSCs are paid to JH Funds and are used in whole or in part to defray its expenses for providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class B and Class C shares. During the year ended October 31, 2008, CDSCs received by JH Funds amounted to $21,087 for Class B shares and $2,762 for Class C shares.
The Fund has a transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an indirect subsidiary of JHLICO. The transfer agent fees are made up of three components:
• The Fund pays a monthly transfer agent fee at an annual rate of 0.05%, 0.05%, 0.05%, and 0.04% for Classes A, B, C, and I, respectively, of each class’s average daily net assets.
• For the period of November 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008, the Fund paid a monthly fee which is based on an annual rate of $15.00, $17.50, $16.50 and $15.00 for each shareholder account for Class A, B, C and I, respectively. Effective June 1, 2008, all classes paid a monthly fee based on an annual rate of $16.50 per shareholder account.
| 26 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
• In addition, Signature Services is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Signature Services has agreed to contractually limit the transfer agent expenses to 0.30% for Classes A, B and C until February 28, 2009 and thereafter until terminated by Signature Services. Waivers and reimbursements under this plan were $35,874, $2,454 and $9,060 for Classes A, B and C, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2008. In addition, the Fund receives earnings credits from Signature Services as a result of uninvested cash balances. These credits are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s transfer agent fees and out-of-pocket expenses. During the year ended October 31, 2008, the Fund’s transfer agent fees and out-of-pocket expenses were reduced by $5,678 for transfer agent credits earned.
Class level expenses for the year ended October 31, 2008 were as follows:
| Distribution and | Transfer | ||
| Share class | service fees | agent fees | |
| Class A | $260,348 | $300,748 | |
| Class B | 59,359 | 20,730 | |
| Class C | 219,169 | 75,786 | |
| Class I | — | 6,906 | |
| Total | $538,876 | $404,170 | |
The Fund has an agreement with the Adviser and affiliates to perform necessary tax, accounting, compliance, legal and other administrative services for the Fund. The compensation for the year amounted to $14,729 with an effective rate of 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net asset value.
Mr. James R. Boyle is Chairman of the Adviser, as well as affiliated Trustee of the Fund, and is compensated by the Adviser and/ or its affiliates. The compensation of unaffiliated Trustees is borne by the Fund. The unaffiliated Trustees may elect to defer, for tax purposes, their receipt of this compensation under the John Hancock Group of Funds Deferred Compensation Plan. The Fund makes investments into other John Hancock funds, as applicable, to cover its liability for the deferred compensation. Investments to cover the Fund’s deferred compensation liability are recorded on the Fund’s books as an other asset. The deferred compensation liability and the related other asset are always equal and are marked to market on a periodic basis to reflect any income earned by the investments, as well as any unrealized gains or losses. The Deferred Compensation Plan investments had no impact on the operations of the Fund.
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 27 |
Note 6
Fund share transactions
This listing illustrates the number of Fund shares sold, reinvested and repurchased during the years ended October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2008, along with the corresponding dollar value.
| Year ended 10-31-07 | Year ended 10-31-08 | |||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |
| Class A shares | ||||
| Sold | 3,075,482 | $40,976,492 | 1,340,008 | $13,687,196 |
| Distributions reinvested | — | — | 1,170,998 | 13,478,190 |
| Repurchased | (6,327,443) | (85,235,632) | (6,695,612) | (64,171,404) |
| Net decrease | (3,251,961) | ($44,259,140) | (4,184,606) | ($37,006,018) |
| Class B shares | ||||
| Sold | 116,069 | $1,512,755 | 30,122 | $298,966 |
| Distributions reinvested | — | — | 80,010 | 899,310 |
| Repurchased | (292,457) | (3,867,000) | (282,997) | (2,828,002) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (176,388) | ($2,354,245) | (172,865) | ($1,629,726) |
| Class C shares | ||||
| Sold | 486,750 | $6,336,575 | 121,762 | $1,284,793 |
| Distributions reinvested | — | — | 303,555 | 3,411,960 |
| Repurchased | (1,307,727) | (17,281,644) | (1,636,173) | (16,271,195) |
| Net decrease | (820,977) | ($10,945,069) | (1,210,856) | ($11,574,442) |
| Class I shares | ||||
| Sold | 456,818 | $6,020,492 | 149,515 | $1,590,018 |
| Distributions reinvested | — | — | 152,452 | 1,780,637 |
| Repurchased | (2,255,129) | (29,900,376) | (868,639) | (9,135,908) |
| Net decrease | (1,798,311) | ($23,879,884) | (566,672) | ($5,765,253) |
| Net decrease | (6,047,637) | ($81,438,338) | (6,134,999) | ($55,975,439) |
Note 7
Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and proceeds from sales or maturities of securities, other than short-term securities and obligations of the U.S. government, during the year ended October 31, 2008, aggregated $108,502,616 and $185,696,974, respectively.
| 28 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
Auditors’ report
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Equity Trust and Shareholders of
John Hancock Small Cap Fund:
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of John Hancock Small Cap Fund (the Fund) at October 31, 2008, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards requi re that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities as of October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, and the application of alternative auditing procedures where securities purchased had not been received, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
December 22, 2008
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 29 |
Tax information
Unaudited
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions of the Fund, if any, paid during its taxable year ended October 31, 2008.
The Fund has designated distributions to shareholders of $21,310,487 as a long-term capital gain dividend.
Shareholders will be mailed a 2008 U.S. Treasury Department Form 1099-DIV in January 2009. This will reflect the total of all distributions that are taxable for calendar year 2008.
| 30 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
Board Consideration of and
Continuation of Investment
Advisory Agreement and
Subadvisory Agreement:
John Hancock Small Cap Fund
The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) requires the Board of Trustees (the Board) of John Hancock Equity Trust (the Trust), including a majority of the Trustees who have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory agreement and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees), annually to meet in person to review and consider the continuation of: (i) the investment advisory agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser) and (ii) the investment subadvisory agreement (the Subadvisory Agreement) with Independence Investment LLC (the Subadviser) for the John Hancock Small Cap Fund (the Fund). The Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the Advisory Agreements.
At meetings held on May 5–6 and June 9–10, 2008, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of the Adviser and Subadviser and the continuation of the Advisory Agreements. During such meetings, the Board’s Contracts/Operations Committee and the Independent Trustees also met in executive sessions with their independent legal counsel.
In evaluating the Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Contracts/ Operations Committee and its Independent Trustees, reviewed a broad range of information requested for this purpose. This information included:
(i) the investment performance of the Fund relative to a category of relevant funds (the Category) and a peer group of comparable funds (the Peer Group). The funds within each Category and Peer Group were selected by Morningstar Inc. (Morningstar), an independent provider of investment company data. Data covered a range of periods ended December 31, 2007,
(ii) advisory and other fees incurred by, and the expense ratios of, the Fund relative to a Category and a Peer Group,
(iii) the advisory fees of comparable portfolios of other clients of the Adviser and the Subadviser,
(iv) the Adviser’s financial results and condition, including its and certain of its affiliates’ profitability from services performed for the Fund,
(v) breakpoints in the Fund’s and the Peer Group’s fees, and information about economies of scale,
(vi) the Adviser’s and Subadviser’s record of compliance with applicable laws and regulations, with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, and with the applicable Code of Ethics, and the structure and responsibilities of the Adviser’s and Subadviser’s compliance department,
(vii) the background and experience of senior management and investment professionals, and
(viii) the nature, cost and character of advisory and non-investment management services provided by the Adviser and its affiliates and by the Subadviser.
The Independent Trustees considered the legal advice of independent legal counsel and relied on their own business judgment in determining the factors to be considered in evaluating the materials that were presented to them and the weight to be given to each such factor. The Board’s review and conclusions were based on a comprehensive consideration of all information presented to the Board and not the result of any single controlling factor. The Board principally considered data on performance and other information provided by Morningstar as of December 31, 2007. The Board also considered updated performance information provided to it by the Adviser or Subadviser at its May and June 2008 meetings. Performance and other information may be quite different as of the date of this shareholders report. The key factors considered by the Board and the conclusions reached are described below.
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 31 |
Nature, extent and quality of services
The Board considered the ability of the Adviser and the Subadviser, based on their resources, reputation and other attributes, to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory, and supervisory personnel. The Board considered the investment philosophy, research and investment decision-making processes of the Adviser and Subadviser. The Board considered the Adviser’s execution of its oversight responsibilities. The Board further considered the culture of compliance, resources dedicated to compliance, compliance programs and compliance records of the Adviser and Subadviser. In addition, the Board took into account the administrative and other non-advisory services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates.
Based on the above factors, together with those referenced below, the Board concluded that, within the context of its full deliberations, the nature, extent and quality of the investment advisory services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and Subadviser supported renewal of the Advisory Agreements.
Fund performance
The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2007. The Board also considered these results in comparison to the performance of the Category, as well as the Fund’s Peer Group and benchmark index. The Board reviewed with representatives of Morningstar the methodology used by Morningstar to select the funds in the Category and the Peer Group.
The Board noted that the Fund’s performance was lower than the Peer Group and Category medians for all periods under review. The Board also noted that for the 3- and 5-year periods the Fund’s performance was lower than its benchmark index, the Russell 2000 Growth Index, but was higher than the performance of its benchmark index for the 1-year period. The Adviser discussed with the Board factors that contributed to the Fund’s under-performance and discussed its outlook and recommendations with regard to the Fund’s performance.
Investment advisory fee and subadvisory fee rates and expenses
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser for investment advisory services (the Advisory Agreement Rate). The Board received and considered information comparing the Advisory Agreement Rate with the advisory fees for the Category and Peer Group. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement Rate was lower than the median rates of the Peer Group and Category.
The Board received and considered expense information regarding the Fund’s various components, including advisory fees, distribution and fees other than advisory and distribution fees, including transfer agent fees, custodian fees, and other miscellaneous fees (e.g., fees for accounting and legal services). The Board considered comparisons of these expenses to the Peer Group median. The Board also received and considered expense information regarding the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (Expense Ratio). The Board noted that, unlike the Fund, several funds in the Peer Group employed fee waivers or reimbursements. The Board received and considered information comparing the Expense Ratio of the Fund to that of the Peer Group and Category medians before the application of fee waivers and reimbursements (Gross Expense Ratio) and after the application of such waivers and reimbursement (Net Expen se Ratio). The Board noted that the Fund’s Gross Expense Ratio was higher than the median of its Category, but lower than the Peer Group median. The Board noted that the Fund’s Net Expense Ratio was higher than the Category and Peer Group medians.
The Adviser also discussed the Morningstar data and rankings, and other relevant information, for the Fund. Based on the above-referenced considerations and other factors, the Board concluded that the Fund’s overall expense results and performance supported the re-approval of the Advisory Agreements.
The Board also received information about the investment subadvisory fee rate (the Subadvisory Agreement Rate) payable by the Adviser to the Subadviser for investment subadvisory services. The Board concluded
| 32 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
that the Subadvisory Agreement Rate was fair and equitable, based on its consideration of the factors described here.
Profitability
The Board received and considered a detailed profitability analysis of the Adviser based on the Advisory Agreements, as well as on other relationships between the Fund and the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered a comparison of the Adviser’s profitability to that of other similar investment advisers whose profitability information is publicly available. The Board concluded that, in light of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund, the profits and other ancillary benefits reported by the Adviser were not unreasonable.
The Board did not consider profitability information with respect to the Subadviser, which is not affiliated with the Adviser. The Board considered that the Subadvisory Rate paid to the Subadviser had been negotiated by the Adviser on an arm’s length basis and that the Subadviser’s separate profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not a material factor in determining whether to renew the agreement.
Economies of scale
The Board received and considered general information regarding economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund, including the Fund’s ability to appropriately benefit from economies of scale under the Fund’s fee structure. The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of the Adviser’s costs are not specific to individual Funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.
To the extent the Board and the Adviser were able to identify actual or potential economies of scale from Fund-specific or allocated expenses, in order to ensure that any such economies continue to be reasonably shared with the Fund as its assets increase, the Adviser and the Board agreed to continue the existing breakpoints to the Advisory Agreement Rate.
Information about services to other clients
The Board also received information about the nature, extent and quality of services and fee rates offered by the Adviser and Subadviser to their other clients, including other registered investment companies, institutional investors and separate accounts. The Board concluded that the Advisory Agreement Rate and the Subadvisory Agreement Rate were not unreasonable, taking into account fee rates offered to others by the Adviser and Subadviser, respectively, after giving effect to differences in services.
Other benefits to the Adviser
The Board received information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates and the Subadviser as a result of their relationship with the Fund. Such benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to the relationship of the Adviser and Subadviser with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in business as a result of their relationship with the Fund (such as the ability to market to shareholders other financial products offered by the Adviser and its affiliates).
The Board also considered the effectiveness of the Adviser’s, Subadviser’s and Fund’s policies and procedures for complying with the requirements of the federal securities laws, including those relating to best execution of portfolio transactions and brokerage allocation.
Other factors and broader review
As discussed above, the Board reviewed detailed materials received from the Adviser and Subadviser as part of the annual re-approval process. The Board also regularly reviews and assesses the quality of the services that the Fund receives throughout the year. In this regard, the Board reviews reports of the Adviser at least quarterly, which include, among other things, fund performance reports and compliance reports. In addition, the Board meets with portfolio managers and senior investment officers at various times throughout the year.
After considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board concluded that approval of the
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 33 |
continuation of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.
| 34 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
Trustees and Officers
This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the Fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.
| Independent Trustees | ||
| Name, Year of Birth | Number of | |
| Position(s) held with Fund | Trustee | John Hancock |
| Principal occupation(s) and other | of Fund | funds overseen |
| directorships during past 5 years | since1 | by Trustee |
| James F. Carlin, Born: 1940 | 2004 | 50 |
| Chairman (since December 2007); Director and Treasurer, Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc. (chemical | ||
| analysis) (since 1985); Part Owner and Treasurer, Lawrence Carlin Insurance Agency, Inc. (since 1995); | ||
| Part Owner and Vice President, Mone Lawrence Carlin Insurance Agency, Inc. (until 2005); Chairman | ||
| and Chief Executive Officer, Carlin Consolidated, Inc. (management/investments) (since 1987); Trustee, | ||
| Massachusetts Health and Education Tax Exempt Trust (1993–2003). | ||
| William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 | 2004 | 50 |
| Professor, University of Texas at Austin (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and | ||
| former President, University of Texas at Austin (until 2001); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, IBT | ||
| Technologies (until 2001); Director of the following: Hicks Acquisition Company I, Inc. (since 2007); | ||
| Hire.com (until 2004), STC Broadcasting, Inc. and Sunrise Television Corp. (until 2001), Symtx, Inc. | ||
| (electronic manufacturing) (since 2001), Adorno/Rogers Technology, Inc. (until 2004), Pinnacle Foods | ||
| Corporation (until 2003), rateGenius (until 2003), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance) (since | ||
| 2006), Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (diversified life insurance company) (until 2006), New Century | ||
| Equity Holdings (formerly Billing Concepts) (until 2001), eCertain (until 2001), ClassMap.com (until | ||
| 2001), Agile Ventures (until 2001), AskRed.com (until 2001), Southwest Airlines (since 2000), Introgen | ||
| (manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals) (since 2000) and Viasystems Group, Inc. (electronic manufacturer) | ||
| (until 2003); Advisory Director, Interactive Bridge, Inc. (college fundraising) (until 2001); Advisory | ||
| Director, Q Investments (until 2003); Advisory Director, JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly Texas Commerce | ||
| Bank–Austin), LIN Television (until 2008), WilTel Communications (until 2003) and Hayes Lemmerz | ||
| International, Inc. (diversified automotive parts supply company) (since 2003). | ||
| Deborah C. Jackson,4 Born: 1952 | 2008 | 50 |
| Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (since 2002); Board of Directors of | ||
| Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since | ||
| 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Association Corp. (since 1996); Board of Directors of | ||
| Boston Stock Exchange (2002–2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (since 2007). | ||
| Charles L. Ladner,2 Born: 1938 | 2004 | 50 |
| Chairman and Trustee, Dunwoody Village, Inc. (retirement services) (until 2003); Senior Vice President | ||
| and Chief Financial Officer, UGI Corporation (public utility holding company) (retired 1998); Vice | ||
| President and Director, AmeriGas, Inc. (retired 1998); Director, AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (gas distribution) | ||
| (until 1997); Director, EnergyNorth, Inc. (until 1997); Director, Parks and History Association (until 2005). | ||
| Stanley Martin,2,4 Born: 1947 | 2008 | 50 |
| Senior Vice President/Audit Executive, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (2004–2006); | ||
| Executive Vice President/Consultant, HSBC Bank USA (2000–2003); Chief Financial Officer/Executive | ||
| Vice President, Republic New York Corporation and Republic National Bank of New York (1998–2000); | ||
| Partner, KPMG LLP (1971–1998). | ||
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 35 |
| Independent Trustees (continued) | ||
| Name, Year of Birth | Number of | |
| Position(s) held with Fund | Trustee | John Hancock |
| Principal occupation(s) and other | of Fund | funds overseen |
| directorships during past 5 years | since1 | by Trustee |
| Dr. John A. Moore,2 Born: 1939 | 2004 | 50 |
| President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Evaluating Health Risks (nonprofit institution) | ||
| (until 2001); Senior Scientist, Sciences International (health research) (until 2003); Former Assistant | ||
| Administrator and Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Principal, Hollyhouse | ||
| (consulting) (since 2000); Director, CIIT Center for Health Science Research (nonprofit research) | ||
| (until 2007). | ||
| Patti McGill Peterson,2 Born: 1943 | 2004 | 50 |
| Principal, PMP Globalinc (consulting) (since 2007); Senior Associate, Institute for Higher Education Policy | ||
| (since 2007); Executive Director, CIES (international education agency) (until 2007); Vice President, | ||
| Institute of International Education (until 2007); Senior Fellow, Cornell University Institute of Public | ||
| Affairs, Cornell University (until 1998); Former President Wells College, St. Lawrence University and the | ||
| Association of Colleges and Universities of the State of New York. Director of the following: Niagara | ||
| Mohawk Power Corporation (until 2003); Security Mutual Life (insurance) (until 1997); ONBANK (until | ||
| 1993). Trustee of the following: Board of Visitors, The University of Wisconsin, Madison (since 2007); | ||
| Ford Foundation, International Fellowships Program (until 2007); UNCF, International Development | ||
| Partnerships (until 2005); Roth Endowment (since 2002); Council for International Educational Exchange | ||
| (since 2003). | ||
| Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 | 2004 | 50 |
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director | ||
| and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First | ||
| American Bank (since 2008); Managing Director, JonJames, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Director, First | ||
| Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell | ||
| Building Corp. (until 1991). | ||
| Non-Independent Trustees3 | ||
| Name, Year of Birth | Number of | |
| Position(s) held with Fund | Trustee | John Hancock |
| Principal occupation(s) and other | of Fund | funds overseen |
| directorships during past 5 years | since1 | by Trustee |
| James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 | 2005 | 267 |
| Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation (since 1999); Director and President, John | ||
| Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, John | ||
| Hancock Life Insurance Company (since 2004); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the | ||
| Adviser), John Hancock Funds, LLC (John Hancock Funds) and The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC (The | ||
| Berkeley Group) (holding company) (since 2005); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment | ||
| Management Services, LLC (since 2006); Senior Vice President, The Manufacturers Life Insurance | ||
| Company (U.S.A.) (until 2004). | ||
| 36 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
| Principal officers who are not Trustees | |
| Name, Year of Birth | |
| Position(s) held with Fund | Officer |
| Principal occupation(s) and other | of Fund |
| directorships during past 5 years | since |
| Keith F. Hartstein, Born: 1956 | 2005 |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | |
| Senior Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation (since 2004); Director, President and Chief | |
| Executive Officer, the Adviser, The Berkeley Group and John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2005); Director, | |
| MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.)) (since 2005); Chairman and | |
| Director, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (since 2005); Director, President and Chief Executive | |
| Officer, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006); President and Chief Executive | |
| Officer, John Hancock Funds, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III and John Hancock Trust | |
| (since 2005); Director, Chairman and President, NM Capital Management, Inc. (since 2005); Member | |
| and former Chairman, Investment Company Institute Sales Force Marketing Committee (since 2003); | |
| Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, MFC Global (U.S.) (2005–2006); Executive Vice President, | |
| John Hancock Funds, LLC (until 2005). | |
| Thomas M. Kinzler, Born: 1955 | 2006 |
| Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | |
| Vice President and Counsel, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (since 2006); Secretary and | |
| Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock Funds, John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Trust (since 2006); | |
| Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (1999– | |
| 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, MML Series Investment Fund (2000–2006); Secretary and | |
| Chief Legal Counsel, MassMutual Institutional Funds (2000–2004); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, | |
| MassMutual Select Funds and MassMutual Premier Funds (2004–2006). | |
| Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 | 2005 |
| Chief Compliance Officer | |
| Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, | |
| the Adviser and MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Funds, John | |
| Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III and John Hancock Trust (since 2005); Vice President and | |
| Assistant Treasurer, Fidelity Group of Funds (until 2004); Vice President and Ethics & Compliance Officer, | |
| Fidelity Investments (until 2001). | |
| Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 | 2007 |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
| Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Funds, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III and John | |
| Hancock Trust (since 2007); Assistant Treasurer, Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered | |
| investment companies) (2005–2007); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005–2007); Managing Director | |
| and Treasurer of Scudder Funds, Deutsche Asset Management (2003–2005); Director, Tax and Financial | |
| Reporting, Deutsche Asset Management (2002–2003); Vice President and Treasurer, Deutsche Global | |
| Fund Services (1999–2002). | |
| Gordon M. Shone, Born: 1956 | 2006 |
| Treasurer | |
| Senior Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (since 2001); Treasurer, John | |
| Hancock Funds (since 2006), John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III and John Hancock Trust | |
| (since 2005); Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Trust (2003–2005); Vice President, | |
| John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2006) and The | |
| Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (1998–2000). | |
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 37 |
| Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued) | |
| Name, Year of Birth | |
| Position(s) held with Fund | Officer |
| Principal occupation(s) and other | of Fund |
| directorships during past 5 years | since |
| John G. Vrysen, Born: 1955 | 2005 |
| Chief Operating Officer | |
| Senior Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation (since 2006); Senior Vice President, John Hancock | |
| Life Insurance Company (since 2004); Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, | |
| the Adviser, The Berkeley Group and John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2007); Director, Executive Vice | |
| President and Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since | |
| 2007); Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock Funds, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Funds III | |
| and John Hancock Trust (since 2007); Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, | |
| the Adviser, The Berkeley Group and John Hancock Funds, LLC (2005–2007); Director, Executive Vice | |
| President and Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (2005–2007); | |
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, MFC Global (U.S.) (2005–2007); Director, John | |
| Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (since 2005); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Funds, John Hancock | |
| Funds II, John Hancock Funds III and John Hancock Trust (2005–2007); Vice President and General | |
| Manager, John Hancock Fixed Annuities, U.S. Wealth Management (2004–2005); Vice President, | |
| Operations, Manulife Wood Logan (2000–2004). | |
The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805.
The Statement of Additional Information of the Fund includes additional information about members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-225-5291.
1 Each Trustee serves until resignation, retirement age or until his or her successor is elected.
2 Member of Audit and Compliance Committee.
3 Non-Independent Trustee holds positions with the Fund’s investment adviser, underwriter and certain other affiliates.
4 Mr. Martin was appointed by the Board as Trustee on September 8, 2008 and Ms. Jackson was appointed effective October 1, 2008.
| 38 | Small Cap Fund | Annual report |
More information
| Trustees | Investment adviser |
| James F. Carlin, Chairman | John Hancock Advisers, LLC |
| James R. Boyle† | |
| William H. Cunningham | Subadviser |
| Deborah C. Jackson | Independence Investments LLC |
| Charles L. Ladner* | |
| Stanley Martin* | Principal distributor |
| Dr. John A. Moore* | John Hancock Funds, LLC |
| Patti McGill Peterson* | |
| Steven R. Pruchansky | Custodian |
| *Members of the Audit Committee | State Street Bank & Trust Company |
| †Non-Independent Trustee | |
| Transfer agent | |
| Officers | John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. |
| Keith F. Hartstein | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | Legal counsel |
| K&L Gates LLP | |
| Thomas M. Kinzler | |
| Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | Independent registered |
| public accounting firm | |
| Francis V. Knox, Jr. | PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
| Chief Compliance Officer | |
| Charles A. Rizzo | |
| Chief Financial Officer | |
| Gordon M. Shone | |
| Treasurer | |
| John G. Vrysen | |
| Chief Operating Officer | |
Additional information about your fund is available without charge in several ways. As required by the SEC, you can access proxy voting information and quarterly portfolio information on your fund. The proxy voting information includes a description of proxy voting policies, procedures and information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30. The quarterly portfolio information that includes a complete list of the fund’s holdings for the first and third quarters of the fund’s fiscal period is filed on Form N-Q. You have access to this information:
| By phone | On the fund’s Website | At the SEC | |
| 1-800-225-5291 | www.jhfunds.com | www.sec.gov | |
| 1-800-SEC-0330 | |||
| SEC Public Reference Room | |||
| You can also contact us: | |||
| Regular mail: | Express mail: | ||
| John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. | John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. | ||
| P.O. Box 9510 | Mutual Fund Image Operations | ||
| Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510 | 164 Corporate Drive | ||
| Portsmouth, NH 03801 | |||
Month-end portfolio holdings are available at www.jhfunds.com.
| Annual report | Small Cap Fund | 39 |
1-800-225-5291
1-800-554-6713 TDD
1-800-338-8080 EASI-Line
www.jhfunds.com
Now available: electronic delivery
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery
| This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Small Cap Fund. | 8200A 10/08 |
| It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. | 12/08 |
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
As of the end of the period, October 31, 2008, 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 “Senior Financial Officers”). A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Charles L. Ladner is the audit committee financial expert and is “independent”, pursuant to general instructions on Form N-CSR Item 3.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant(s) for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant(s) in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements amounted to $26,183 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 for John Hancock Small Cap Fund; (John Hancock Growth Trends Fund merged into John Hancock Rainier Growth Fund on October 3, 2008 and John Hancock Technology Leaders Fund liquidated April 18, 2008) and $47,900 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 (broken out as follows: John Hancock Growth Trends Fund -$17,050, John Hancock Small Cap Fund - $15,850 and John Hancock Technology Leaders -$15,000. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.
(b) Audit-Related Services
There were no audit-related fees during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 and fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 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 that provides ongoing services to the registrant ("control affiliates").
(c) Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant(s) for the tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“tax fees”) amounted to $2,000 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 for John Hancock Small Cap Fund and $6,150 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 (broken out as follows: John Hancock Growth Trends Fund - $2,150, John Hancock Small Cap Fund - $2,000 and John Hancock Technology Leaders Fund - $2,000). The nature of the services comprising the tax fees was the review of the registrant’s income tax returns and tax distribution requirements. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee. There were no tax fees billed to the control affiliates.
(d) All Other Fees
There were no other fees during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008 and fiscal year ended October 31, 2007 billed to the registrant or to the control affiliates.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:
The trust’s Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (the “Auditor”) relating to the operations or financial reporting of the funds. Prior to the commencement of any audit or non-audit services to a fund,
the Audit Committee reviews the services to determine whether they are appropriate and permissible under applicable law.
The trust’s Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures to, among other purposes, provide a framework for the Committee’s consideration of audit-related and non-audit services by the Auditor. The policies and procedures require that any audit-related and non-audit service provided by the Auditor and any non-audit service provided by the Auditor to a fund service provider that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a fund are subject to approval by the Audit Committee before such service is provided. Audit-related services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $25,000 per 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, 2008, 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 accountant(s) for services rendered to the registrant and rendered to the registrant's control affiliates for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were $4,589,772 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, and $1,409,319 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007.
(h) The audit committee of the registrant has considered the non-audit services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant(s) to the control affiliates and has determined that the services that were not pre-approved are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant(s)' independence.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
The registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee comprised of independent trustees. The members of the audit committee are as follows:
Dr. John A. Moore - Chairman
Charles L. Ladner
Patti McGill Peterson
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
The registrant has adopted procedures by which shareholders October recommend nominees to the registrant's Board of Trustees. A copy of the procedures is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Governance Committee Charter”.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a)(1) Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers is attached.
(a)(2) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(b) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached. The certifications furnished pursuant to this paragraph are not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.
(c)(1) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders is attached. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Governance Committee Charter”.
(c)(2) Contact person at the registrant.
| 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 Equity Trust
By: /s/ Keith F. Hartstein
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Keith F. Hartstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: December 16, 2008
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/ Keith F. Hartstein
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Keith F. Hartstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: December 16, 2008
By: /s/ Charles A. Rizzo
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Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
Date: December 16, 2008