N-CSR 1 d340497.htm N-CSR

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 811-21777

John Hancock Funds III

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

601 Congress Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end:       March 31
 
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2018



ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.






John Hancock

Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund

Annual report 3/31/18

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A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

After an extended period of relative calm in equity markets around the world dating to early 2017, volatility returned in a meaningful way in the last few months of the reporting period. Stocks declined as investors reacted to a potential trade war between the United States and China and the prospect of rising inflation, even if that inflation was rising from historically low levels. While some in the asset management community believe the sell-off will be temporary, we have suggested for some time that the era of extremely low volatility would eventually come to an end, and that now appears to be the case.

Ultimately, the asset prices of stocks are underpinned by fundamentals, and the good news is that those continue to appear supportive. Unemployment remained close to historic lows, consumer confidence rose, and the housing market continued to notch steady gains. One moderating factor was the U.S. Federal Reserve's steady tightening of monetary policy. While higher interest rates alone may not cause the economy to pull back, markets will be closely attuned to any sign of policymakers quickening the pace of interest-rate increases in the year ahead.

Your best resource in unpredictable markets is your financial advisor, who can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable turbulence along the way.

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

Sincerely,

andrewarnott_sig.jpg

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

This commentary reflects the CEO's views, which are subject to change at any time. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of a loss. It is not possible to invest directly into an index. For more up-to-date information, please visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
4   Discussion of fund performance
7   A look at performance
9   Your expenses
11   Fund's investments
17   Financial statements
21   Financial highlights
28   Notes to financial statements
35   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
36   Tax information
37   Trustees and Officers
41   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks long-term growth of capital with current income as a secondary objective.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


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The Russell Midcap Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

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

Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

1 After the close of business on 7-9-10, holders of Investor shares of the former Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund (the predecessor fund) became owners of an equal number of full and fractional Class A shares of John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund, which were first offered on 7-12-10. Returns shown prior to Class A shares' commencement dates are those of the predecessor fund's Investor shares.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Markets gained, but volatility increased late in the period

U.S. equities advanced to record levels for much of the 12-month period, but stumbled in the final two months on fears of inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.

The fund outperformed its benchmark

The fund bested its benchmark, the Russell Midcap Value Index, on the strength of positive stock selection and sector allocation results.

Mid-cap value opportunities persisted in a variety of sectors

The fund benefited from attractive mid-cap opportunities in a wide array of sectors, particularly among capital goods and financial stocks.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


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A note about risks

The stock prices of midsize companies can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large companies. Value stocks may decline in price. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Foreign investing has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. 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, and investments focused in one sector may fluctuate more than investments in a wider variety of sectors. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       3


Discussion of fund performance

An interview with Portfolio Manager Steven L. Pollack, CFA, Boston Partners

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Steven L. Pollack, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Boston Partners 

Could you describe the market environment during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2018?

Through much of the period, the U.S. equity market rose steadily. This continued until the end of January, when market volatility increased substantially as a result of investor worries over higher inflation, more rapidly rising interest rates, and a heavy dose of geopolitical uncertainty.

These factors caused the market to fall into correction territory, when markets declined more than 10% from their recent peak. Volatility continued for the remainder of the period as investors worried about hostile trade rhetoric exchanged between the United States and China. The market also struggled with the idea that more government regulation could be on the horizon for the information technology sector.

The fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell Midcap Value Index. What factors were most responsible for this result?

Strong stock selection and positive sector allocation results in a variety of segments contributed to the fund's outperformance. In particular, the fund experienced good results from stock picks in the information technology, financials, and industrials sectors, as well as from an overweight position in information technology and an underweight position in the real estate sector.

Which stocks were some of the largest contributors to relative results?

In the information technology sector, a variety of companies boosted relative results. These included the stock of personal computer game maker Activision Blizzard, Inc., which outperformed analyst expectations, and the stock of DXC Technology Company, a company created from a merger of

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       4


"Strong stock selection and positive sector allocation results in a variety of segments contributed to the fund's outperformance."
Computer Sciences Corp. and the Enterprise Services unit of Hewlett Packard Enterprises Company (not held). DXC has improved its margins while distributing cash to shareholders.

In the financials sector, positions in reinsurance companies boosted results as takeover activity drove the group higher. Among financial services companies, TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. also performed well, as the combination of an inexpensive valuation, strong asset growth, rising markets, and margin expansion opportunities from the company's recent Scottrade, Inc. (not held) acquisition drove the stock higher.

What are some examples of stocks that detracted from relative returns?

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector was a chief detractor from performance. Among consumer durables, the fund's position in auto parts seller Advance Auto Parts, Inc. detracted from results, while the stock of boat manufacturer Brunswick Corp. also struggled with volatility during the period. Both stocks were sold prior to period end.

The stock of CBS Corp. underperformed despite beating earnings and raising guidance as investors were skeptical about a potential merger with Viacom, Inc. (not held). Also, the stock of advertising giant The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. underperformed due to struggling earnings. We sold the fund's holdings in Interpublic prior to period end.

TOP 10 HOLDINGS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


   
Discover Financial Services 1.8
Harris Corp. 1.6
Raymond James Financial, Inc. 1.6
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. 1.5
Alleghany Corp. 1.5
Amdocs, Ltd. 1.4
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. 1.4
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. 1.4
East West Bancorp, Inc. 1.4
DXC Technology Company 1.3
TOTAL 14.9
As a percentage of net assets.  
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.  

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       5


How was the fund positioned at the end of the period?

We didn't make many major changes to the fund's strategy during the period, although by the end of March we added to our exposure in industrials and we reduced exposure to energy and consumer discretionary stocks.

Looking ahead, we believe that higher volatility may continue in the near term. Nevertheless, expectations remain positive around the upcoming earnings season. We also feel that over time the fund will continue to benefit from our focus on low valuations, high-quality companies, and improving business momentum.

MANAGED BY


   
  stephenlpollack.jpg Steven L. Pollack, CFA
On the fund since 2000
Investing since 1984
  josephffeeney.jpg Joseph F. Feeney, Jr., CFA
On the fund since 2010
Investing since 1985

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The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Steven L. Pollack, CFA, Boston Partners, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk. Boston Partners is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Orix Corporation of Japan.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       6


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MARCH 31, 2018 


               
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  1-year 5-year 10-year     5-year 10-year
Class A1 4.63 12.29 11.81     78.54 205.33
Class C1 8.35 12.59 11.82     80.93 205.63
Class I1,2 10.46 13.75 12.68     90.48 230.05
Class R21,2 10.03 13.30 12.30     86.67 218.97
Class R41,2 10.26 13.54 12.43     88.66 222.82
Class R61,2 10.56 13.86 12.65     91.34 229.03
Class ADV1,2 10.17 13.39 12.36     87.46 220.58
Index 6.50 11.11 9.81     69.31 154.94

Performance figures assume all distributions are reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 5% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class C shares. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class R2, Class R4, Class R6, and Class ADV shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until June 30, 2018 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

               
  Class A Class C Class I Class R2 Class R4 Class R6 Class ADV
Gross (%) 1.12 1.87 0.86 1.27 1.12 0.77 1.12
Net (%) 1.12 1.87 0.86 1.27 1.02 0.77 1.12

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

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

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

Index is the Russell Midcap Value Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       7


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the Russell Midcap Value Index.

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  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index ($)
Class C1,3 3-31-08 30,563 30,563 25,494
Class I1,2 3-31-08 33,005 33,005 25,494
Class R21,2 3-31-08 31,897 31,897 25,494
Class R41,2 3-31-08 32,282 32,282 25,494
Class R61,2 3-31-08 32,903 32,903 25,494
Class ADV1,2 3-31-08 32,058 32,058 25,494

The Russell Midcap Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell Midcap companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

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

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Class A, Class C, Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6 shares were first offered on 7-12-10, 8-15-11, 3-1-12, 7-2-13, and 9-1-11, respectively; Class I and Class ADV shares were first offered on 7-12-10. Investor shares and Institutional shares of Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund (the predecessor fund) were first offered on 6-2-97. Returns shown prior to Class A and Class ADV shares' commencement dates are those of the predecessor fund's Investor shares. Returns shown prior to Class I shares' commencement date are those of the predecessor fund's Institutional shares. Returns shown prior to Class C, Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6 shares' commencement dates are those of the predecessor fund's Investor shares (prior to 7-12-10) and the fund's Class A shares (from 7-12-10), that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
2 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
3 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       8


Your expenses

These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Understanding fund expenses

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:

Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.

We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.

Actual expenses/actual returns

The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund's actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund's actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018.

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 March 31, 2018, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the "expenses paid" for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:

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Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund's ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund's hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class's actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the fund's actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       9


SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART


           
  Account
value on
10-1-2017
Ending
value on
3-31-2018
Expenses
paid during
period ended
3-31-20181
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,045.40 $5.61 1.10%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.40 5.54 1.10%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,041.40 9.42 1.85%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,015.70 9.30 1.85%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,047.10 4.34 0.85%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.70 4.28 0.85%
Class R2 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,045.10 6.37 1.25%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,018.70 6.29 1.25%
Class R4 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,046.00 5.15 1.01%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.90 5.09 1.01%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,047.10 3.88 0.76%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,021.10 3.83 0.76%
Class ADV Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,045.50 5.61 1.10%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.40 5.54 1.10%

1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       10


Fund’s investments  
AS OF 3-31-18
        Shares Value
Common stocks 97.6%         $14,316,443,460
(Cost $10,902,343,859)          
Consumer discretionary 3.9%     573,323,070
Auto components 1.7%      
BorgWarner, Inc.     2,720,486 136,650,012
Lear Corp.     292,596 54,449,190
Tenneco, Inc.     974,000 53,443,380
Automobiles 0.3%      
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV     2,113,165 43,362,147
Household durables 0.4%      
PulteGroup, Inc.     2,212,035 65,232,912
Internet and direct marketing retail 0.5%      
Expedia Group, Inc.     597,255 65,942,925
Leisure products 0.6%      
Hasbro, Inc.     1,079,755 91,023,347
Media 0.4%      
CBS Corp., Class B     667,811 34,318,807
Omnicom Group, Inc.     397,693 28,900,350
Consumer staples 0.8%     119,808,314
Beverages 0.5%      
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC     1,619,131 67,452,997
Food products 0.3%      
Nomad Foods, Ltd. (A)     3,326,259 52,355,317
Energy 7.6%     1,117,551,746
Energy equipment and services 0.2%      
Superior Energy Services, Inc. (A)     3,521,863 29,689,305
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 7.4%      
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.     2,929,119 176,948,079
Andeavor     1,641,437 165,062,905
Cimarex Energy Company     390,756 36,535,686
Diamondback Energy, Inc. (A)     994,730 125,853,240
Energen Corp. (A)     1,666,832 104,777,060
Enerplus Corp.     2,867,983 32,293,489
EQT Corp.     3,210,675 152,539,169
Jagged Peak Energy, Inc. (A)     300,535 4,246,560
Marathon Petroleum Corp.     1,442,392 105,453,279
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A (A)     2,342,341 67,904,466
Pioneer Natural Resources Company     676,729 116,248,508
Financials 24.8%     3,629,954,735
Banks 6.8%      
East West Bancorp, Inc.     3,273,499 204,724,627
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND 11

 

        Shares Value
Financials (continued)      
Banks (continued)      
Fifth Third Bancorp     6,069,053 $192,692,433
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.     13,596,554 205,307,965
KeyCorp     4,190,728 81,928,732
Regions Financial Corp.     6,702,744 124,536,984
SunTrust Banks, Inc.     2,754,529 187,418,153
Capital markets 4.5%      
E*TRADE Financial Corp. (A)     1,984,245 109,947,015
Moody's Corp.     467,873 75,467,915
Raymond James Financial, Inc.     2,569,674 229,754,552
State Street Corp.     967,526 96,491,368
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.     2,510,955 148,723,865
Consumer finance 3.7%      
Discover Financial Services     3,571,715 256,913,460
Navient Corp.     4,983,049 65,377,603
SLM Corp. (A)     9,078,395 101,768,808
Synchrony Financial     3,399,195 113,975,008
Insurance 9.4%      
Alleghany Corp.     360,987 221,804,852
Aon PLC     1,021,210 143,306,399
Everest Re Group, Ltd.     486,783 125,015,610
Loews Corp.     2,803,427 139,414,425
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.     959,554 79,249,565
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.     1,371,369 211,190,826
The Allstate Corp.     1,558,236 147,720,773
Torchmark Corp.     525,500 44,231,335
Unum Group     932,082 44,376,424
W.R. Berkley Corp.     1,694,842 123,215,013
XL Group, Ltd.     1,881,484 103,970,806
Thrifts and mortgage finance 0.4%      
Essent Group, Ltd. (A)     672,898 28,638,539
Radian Group, Inc.     1,197,042 22,791,680
Health care 6.0%     888,103,013
Health care equipment and supplies 0.8%      
Boston Scientific Corp. (A)     2,719,596 74,299,363
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.     379,872 41,421,243
Health care providers and services 4.2%      
Cardinal Health, Inc.     1,807,796 113,312,653
DaVita, Inc. (A)     1,352,716 89,198,093
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (A)     1,179,030 190,708,103
McKesson Corp.     1,113,697 156,886,496
Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B     549,604 65,078,610
Life sciences tools and services 0.8%      
Bruker Corp.     865,196 25,886,664
12 JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Health care (continued)      
Life sciences tools and services (continued)      
ICON PLC (A)     784,164 $92,641,135
Pharmaceuticals 0.2%      
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (A)     256,114 38,670,653
Industrials 19.8%     2,908,082,417
Aerospace and defense 5.3%      
Arconic, Inc.     2,987,980 68,843,059
Curtiss-Wright Corp.     823,554 111,237,439
Harris Corp.     1,440,590 232,338,355
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.     285,329 73,546,403
L3 Technologies, Inc.     330,857 68,818,256
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A     1,276,273 106,824,050
Textron, Inc.     1,861,371 109,765,048
Airlines 1.9%      
American Airlines Group, Inc.     1,098,442 57,075,046
Delta Air Lines, Inc.     1,399,523 76,707,856
Southwest Airlines Company     1,921,188 110,045,649
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (A)     540,019 37,515,120
Building products 1.1%      
Masco Corp.     4,195,729 169,675,281
Construction and engineering 0.8%      
Fluor Corp.     1,211,690 69,332,902
MasTec, Inc. (A)     976,972 45,966,533
Electrical equipment 2.9%      
AMETEK, Inc.     2,500,325 189,949,690
Eaton Corp. PLC     1,408,598 112,561,066
EnerSys     1,002,088 69,514,845
Hubbell, Inc.     399,152 48,608,731
Machinery 4.2%      
Cummins, Inc.     442,455 71,717,531
Dover Corp.     1,081,695 106,244,083
Ingersoll-Rand PLC     509,127 43,535,450
PACCAR, Inc.     766,850 50,742,465
Parker-Hannifin Corp.     741,464 126,812,588
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.     464,921 71,225,897
The Timken Company     1,264,092 57,642,595
WABCO Holdings, Inc. (A)     656,379 87,869,457
Professional services 2.6%      
ManpowerGroup, Inc.     1,260,867 145,125,792
Nielsen Holdings PLC     834,593 26,531,711
Robert Half International, Inc.     2,487,434 143,997,554
The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.     612,838 71,702,046
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND 13

 

        Shares Value
Industrials (continued)      
Trading companies and distributors 1.0%      
Air Lease Corp.     1,734,594 $73,928,396
WESCO International, Inc. (A)     1,171,338 72,681,523
Information technology 16.5%     2,417,699,211
Electronic equipment, instruments and components 3.4%      
Arrow Electronics, Inc. (A)     1,442,765 111,121,760
Avnet, Inc.     1,505,135 62,854,438
Belden, Inc.     839,702 57,889,056
Flex, Ltd. (A)     4,938,080 80,638,838
TE Connectivity, Ltd.     1,912,413 191,050,059
Internet software and services 1.5%      
eBay, Inc. (A)     2,515,160 101,210,038
InterActiveCorp (A)     551,292 86,211,043
NetEase, Inc., ADR     117,929 33,066,112
IT services 6.2%      
Alliance Data Systems Corp.     306,959 65,339,293
Amdocs, Ltd.     3,166,388 211,261,407
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A     547,246 44,053,303
DXC Technology Company     1,967,114 197,753,970
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.     2,338,723 225,219,025
Leidos Holdings, Inc.     1,458,094 95,359,348
The Western Union Company     3,204,179 61,616,362
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 2.6%      
KLA-Tencor Corp.     747,187 81,450,855
Marvell Technology Group, Ltd. (B)     3,915,638 82,228,398
Microsemi Corp. (A)     744,007 48,152,133
ON Semiconductor Corp. (A)     2,319,539 56,735,924
Qorvo, Inc. (A)     570,732 40,208,069
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.     468,910 47,012,917
Versum Materials, Inc.     760,501 28,617,653
Software 0.5%      
Activision Blizzard, Inc.     1,166,698 78,705,447
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 2.3%      
HP, Inc.     4,958,885 108,698,759
NetApp, Inc.     1,764,340 108,842,135
Western Digital Corp.     468,947 43,269,740
Xerox Corp.     2,402,124 69,133,129
Materials 5.5%     804,006,204
Chemicals 1.3%      
FMC Corp.     722,726 55,339,130
Nutrien, Ltd.     1,503,383 71,049,881
Valvoline, Inc.     2,917,940 64,574,012
14 JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Materials (continued)      
Construction materials 0.3%      
Cemex SAB de CV, ADR (A)     6,278,247 $41,561,995
Containers and packaging 2.6%      
Berry Global Group, Inc. (A)     1,850,660 101,434,675
Crown Holdings, Inc. (A)     1,388,120 70,447,090
Graphic Packaging Holding Company     7,602,784 116,702,734
WestRock Company     1,367,253 87,736,625
Metals and mining 1.3%      
Steel Dynamics, Inc.     4,413,389 195,160,062
Real estate 6.4%     933,161,046
Equity real estate investment trusts 6.4%      
American Homes 4 Rent, Class A     2,379,359 47,777,529
Boston Properties, Inc.     1,401,285 172,666,338
DCT Industrial Trust, Inc.     1,209,549 68,145,991
Douglas Emmett, Inc.     2,887,356 106,139,207
Duke Realty Corp.     4,411,832 116,825,311
Equity Residential     1,662,848 102,464,694
Kilroy Realty Corp.     671,385 47,641,480
Regency Centers Corp.     2,041,337 120,398,056
SL Green Realty Corp.     1,560,492 151,102,440
Utilities 6.3%     924,753,704
Electric utilities 5.5%      
Alliant Energy Corp.     3,500,823 143,043,628
Edison International     1,330,606 84,706,378
Entergy Corp.     1,362,363 107,326,957
Great Plains Energy, Inc.     2,058,307 65,433,580
PG&E Corp.     1,047,639 46,022,781
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.     2,395,892 191,192,182
Xcel Energy, Inc.     3,854,539 175,304,434
Multi-utilities 0.8%      
DTE Energy Company     1,070,151 111,723,764
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Securities lending collateral 0.1%         $6,157,200
(Cost $6,157,200)          
John Hancock Collateral Trust (C)   1.8276(D)   615,609 6,157,200
Short-term investments 2.7%         $401,484,411
(Cost $401,484,411)          
Money market funds 2.7%         401,484,411
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class 1.5812(D)   401,484,411 401,484,411
    
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND 15

 

Total investments (Cost $11,309,985,470) 100.4%       $14,724,085,071
Other assets and liabilities, net (0.4%)       (65,294,544)
Total net assets 100.0%         $14,658,790,527
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
(A) Non-income producing security.
(B) A portion of this security is on loan as of 3-31-18.
(C) Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. This security represents the investment of cash collateral received for securities lending.
(D) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 3-31-18.
At 3-31-18, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $11,370,442,204. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $3,353,642,867, of which $3,577,161,462 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $223,518,595 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
16 JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial statements

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 3-31-18


                       
   
   
  Assets              
  Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $11,303,828,270) including $6,016,464 of securities loaned           $14,717,927,871  
  Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $6,157,200)           6,157,200  
  Total investments, at value (Cost $11,309,985,470)           14,724,085,071  
  Cash           2,199,870  
  Receivable for investments sold           152,594,702  
  Receivable for fund shares sold           27,771,138  
  Dividends and interest receivable           22,761,897  
  Receivable for securities lending income           1,286  
  Other receivables and prepaid expenses           629,754  
  Total assets           14,930,043,718  
  Liabilities              
  Payable for investments purchased           244,812,314  
  Payable for fund shares repurchased           16,727,572  
  Payable upon return of securities loaned           6,157,200  
  Payable to affiliates              
  Accounting and legal services fees           801,011  
  Transfer agent fees           1,138,553  
  Distribution and service fees           48,326  
  Trustees' fees           7,511  
  Other liabilities and accrued expenses           1,560,704  
  Total liabilities           271,253,191  
  Net assets           $14,658,790,527  
  Net assets consist of              
  Paid-in capital           $10,449,647,596  
  Undistributed net investment income           20,012,522  
  Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency           775,030,802  
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies           3,414,099,607  
  Net assets           $14,658,790,527  
                 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       17


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)


                       
  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 ($1,547,343,078 ÷ 69,231,381 shares)1           $22.35  
  Class C ($278,170,742 ÷ 12,407,605 shares)1           $22.42  
  Class I ($9,798,592,113 ÷ 422,038,198 shares)           $23.22  
  Class R2 ($187,513,528 ÷ 8,105,034 shares)           $23.14  
  Class R4 ($97,357,951 ÷ 4,197,034 shares)           $23.20  
  Class R6 ($2,747,701,977 ÷ 118,381,775 shares)           $23.21  
  Class ADV ($2,111,138 ÷ 94,673 shares)           $22.30  
  Maximum offering price per share              
  Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 95%)2           $23.53  

                                   
  1     Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.              
  2     On single retail sales of less than $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   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       18


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS   For the year ended 3-31-18


                                   
   
   
                             
  Investment income                    
  Dividends                 $202,837,124  
  Interest                 2,704,914  
  Securities lending                 810,734  
  Less foreign taxes withheld                 (97,473 )
  Total investment income                 206,255,299  
  Expenses                    
  Investment management fees                 102,066,312  
  Distribution and service fees                 8,846,692  
  Accounting and legal services fees                 2,312,180  
  Transfer agent fees                 13,128,660  
  Trustees' fees                 227,775  
  State registration fees                 366,450  
  Printing and postage                 831,055  
  Professional fees                 239,930  
  Custodian fees                 1,806,987  
  Other                 269,998  
  Total expenses                 130,096,039  
  Less expense reductions                 (1,294,216 )
  Net expenses                 128,801,823  
  Net investment income                 77,453,476  
  Realized and unrealized gain (loss)                    
  Net realized gain (loss) on                    
  Unaffiliated investments and foreign currency transactions                 1,350,814,416  
  Affiliated investments                 11,821  
  Capital gain distributions received from unaffiliated investments                 289  
                    1,350,826,526  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of                    
  Unaffiliated investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies                 (11,855,567 )
  Affiliated investments                 49  
                    (11,855,518 )
  Net realized and unrealized gain                 1,338,971,008  
  Increase in net assets from operations                 $1,416,424,484  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       19


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

   
   
                       
                    Year ended 3-31-18                       Year ended 3-31-17        
  Increase (decrease) in net assets                                      
  From operations                                      
  Net investment income                 $77,453,476                 $86,381,089  
  Net realized gain                 1,350,826,526                 620,489,354  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 (11,855,518 )               1,617,195,574  
  Increase in net assets resulting from operations                 1,416,424,484                 2,324,066,017  
  Distributions to shareholders                                      
  From net investment income      
  Class A                 (4,461,222 )               (15,701,779 )
  Class I                 (48,973,205 )               (77,837,376 )
  Class R2                 (250,599 )               (1,161,617 )
  Class R4                 (354,995 )               (658,127 )
  Class R6                 (15,013,808 )               (15,527,072 )
  Class ADV                 (5,803 )               (13,997 )
  From net realized gain      
  Class A                 (97,539,583 )               (45,260,409 )
  Class C                 (17,063,920 )               (6,373,935 )
  Class I                 (559,171,001 )               (163,576,275 )
  Class R2                 (11,603,133 )               (4,147,662 )
  Class R4                 (5,741,382 )               (1,647,589 )
  Class R6                 (147,101,314 )               (29,927,014 )
  Class ADV                 (126,872 )               (40,346 )
  Total distributions                 (907,406,837 )               (361,873,198 )
  From fund share transactions                 143,075,583                 550,891,365  
  Total increase                 652,093,230                 2,513,084,184  
  Net assets                                      
  Beginning of year                 14,006,697,297                 11,493,613,113  
  End of year                 $14,658,790,527                 $14,006,697,297  
  Undistributed net investment income                 $20,012,522                 $11,619,265  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       20


Financial highlights

                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class A Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $21.61                 $18.49                 $20.19                 $18.23                 $14.51  
  Net investment income1                       0.07                 0.10                 0.13                 0.05                 0.05  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.11                 3.57                 (0.63 )               2.42                 4.03  
  Total from investment operations                       2.18                 3.67                 (0.50 )               2.47                 4.08  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.06 )               (0.14 )               (0.07 )               (0.06 )               (0.04 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Total distributions                       (1.44 )               (0.55 )               (1.20 )               (0.51 )               (0.36 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $22.35                 $21.61                 $18.49                 $20.19                 $18.23  
  Total return (%)2,3                       10.15                 19.96                 (2.59 )               13.78                 28.30  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1,547                 $2,088                 $1,971                 $2,148                 $3,086  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.11                 1.12                 1.13                 1.13                 1.18  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.10                 1.12                 1.12                 1.13                 1.17  
        Net investment income                       0.30                 0.48                 0.70                 0.28                 0.32  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       21


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class C Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $21.77                 $18.65                 $20.43                 $18.53                 $14.82  
  Net investment loss1                       (0.10 )               (0.05 )               (0.01 )               (0.08 )               (0.07 )
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.13                 3.58                 (0.64 )               2.43                 4.10  
  Total from investment operations                       2.03                 3.53                 (0.65 )               2.35                 4.03  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $22.42                 $21.77                 $18.65                 $20.43                 $18.53  
  Total return (%)2,3                       9.35                 18.99                 (3.27 )               12.90                 27.32  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $278                 $319                 $329                 $366                 $329  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.86                 1.87                 1.88                 1.89                 1.94  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.85                 1.87                 1.87                 1.88                 1.93  
        Net investment loss                       (0.43 )               (0.27 )               (0.06 )               (0.42 )               (0.43 )
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       22


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class I Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $22.39                 $19.14                 $20.86                 $18.81                 $14.95  
  Net investment income1                       0.14                 0.16                 0.20                 0.12                 0.10  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.19                 3.69                 (0.67 )               2.49                 4.16  
  Total from investment operations                       2.33                 3.85                 (0.47 )               2.61                 4.26  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.12 )               (0.19 )               (0.12 )               (0.11 )               (0.08 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Total distributions                       (1.50 )               (0.60 )               (1.25 )               (0.56 )               (0.40 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $23.22                 $22.39                 $19.14                 $20.86                 $18.81  
  Total return (%)2                       10.46                 20.25                 (2.35 )               14.13                 28.67  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $9,799                 $9,512                 $7,802                 $7,116                 $4,168  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.86                 0.86                 0.87                 0.87                 0.89  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.85                 0.86                 0.86                 0.86                 0.89  
        Net investment income                       0.58                 0.75                 0.99                 0.63                 0.59  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       23


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R2 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $22.32                 $19.09                 $20.81                 $18.77                 $14.94  
  Net investment income1                       0.04                 0.07                 0.11                 0.04                 0.04  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.19                 3.68                 (0.66 )               2.48                 4.14  
  Total from investment operations                       2.23                 3.75                 (0.55 )               2.52                 4.18  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.03 )               (0.11 )               (0.04 )               (0.03 )               (0.03 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Total distributions                       (1.41 )               (0.52 )               (1.17 )               (0.48 )               (0.35 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $23.14                 $22.32                 $19.09                 $20.81                 $18.77  
  Total return (%)2                       10.03                 19.76                 (2.74 )               13.66                 28.15  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $188                 $216                 $234                 $250                 $205  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.26                 1.27                 1.27                 1.29                 1.28  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.25                 1.26                 1.27                 1.28                 1.27  
        Net investment income                       0.17                 0.35                 0.56                 0.19                 0.25  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       24


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R4 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $22.38                 $19.13                 $20.85                 $18.81                 $15.63  
  Net investment income2                       0.09                 0.12                 0.16                 0.10                 0.06  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.20                 3.70                 (0.66 )               2.47                 3.49  
  Total from investment operations                       2.29                 3.82                 (0.50 )               2.57                 3.55  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.09 )               (0.16 )               (0.09 )               (0.08 )               (0.05 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Total distributions                       (1.47 )               (0.57 )               (1.22 )               (0.53 )               (0.37 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $23.20                 $22.38                 $19.13                 $20.85                 $18.81  
  Total return (%)3                       10.26                 20.09                 (2.50 )               13.93                 22.85  4
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $97                 $95                 $104                 $118                 $44  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.12                 1.11                 1.12                 1.15                 1.30  5
        Expenses including reductions                       1.01                 1.00                 1.02                 1.04                 1.14  5
        Net investment income                       0.42                 0.60                 0.81                 0.49                 0.44  5
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  6

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R4 shares is 7-2-13.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  4     Not annualized.              
  5     Annualized.              
  6     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-13 to 3-31-14.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       25


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R6 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $22.38                 $19.13                 $20.85                 $18.81                 $14.95  
  Net investment income1                       0.17                 0.18                 0.22                 0.14                 0.12  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.18                 3.69                 (0.67 )               2.48                 4.16  
  Total from investment operations                       2.35                 3.87                 (0.45 )               2.62                 4.28  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.14 )               (0.21 )               (0.14 )               (0.13 )               (0.10 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Total distributions                       (1.52 )               (0.62 )               (1.27 )               (0.58 )               (0.42 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $23.21                 $22.38                 $19.13                 $20.85                 $18.81  
  Total return (%)2                       10.56                 20.35                 (2.25 )               14.21                 28.81  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $2,748                 $1,774                 $1,053                 $807                 $444  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.77                 0.77                 0.77                 0.78                 0.81  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.76                 0.76                 0.76                 0.77                 0.80  
        Net investment income                       0.71                 0.86                 1.13                 0.73                 0.71  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       26


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class ADV Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $21.56                 $18.46                 $20.15                 $18.20                 $14.49  
  Net investment income1                       0.07                 0.11                 0.12                 0.04                 0.03  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.11                 3.54                 (0.63 )               2.40                 4.03  
  Total from investment operations                       2.18                 3.65                 (0.51 )               2.44                 4.06  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.06 )               (0.14 )               (0.05 )               (0.04 )               (0.03 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.38 )               (0.41 )               (1.13 )               (0.45 )               (0.32 )
  Total distributions                       (1.44 )               (0.55 )               (1.18 )               (0.49 )               (0.35 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $22.30                 $21.56                 $18.46                 $20.15                 $18.20  
  Total return (%)2                       10.17                 19.88                 (2.59 )               13.67                 28.19  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $2                 $2                 $1                 $1                 $1  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.11                 1.13                 1.42                 3.12                 3.46  
        Expenses net of fee waivers                       1.10                 1.12                 1.16                 1.25                 1.25  
        Net investment income                       0.32                 0.55                 0.63                 0.21                 0.19  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       53                 50                 47                 35                 39  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       27


Notes to financial statements

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Funds III (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek long-term growth of capital with current income as a secondary objective.

The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently offered are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R2 and R4 shares are available only to certain retirement and 529 plans. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class ADV shares are available only to investors who acquired Class A shares as a result of the reorganization of the Robeco Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund into the fund. Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ. Effective May 1, 2018, Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase. 

The fund is closed to new investors, subject to certain exceptions described in the fund's prospectus.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.

Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.

In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities held by the fund are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing vendor.

In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       28


own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

As of March 31, 2018, all investments are categorized as Level 1 under the hierarchy described above.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Foreign taxes are provided for based on the fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

Real estate investment trusts. The fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs). Distributions from REITs may be recorded as income and subsequently characterized by the REIT at the end of the fiscal year as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. As a result, the fund will estimate the components of distributions from these securities. Such estimates are revised when the actual components of the distributions are known.

Securities lending. The fund may lend its securities to earn additional income. The fund receives cash as collateral from the borrower in an amount not less than the market value of the loaned securities. The fund will invest collateral in JHCT, an affiliate of the fund, which has a floating NAV and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment company. JHCT invests in short-term money market investments. The fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by JHCT with respect to the cash collateral.

The fund has the right to recall loaned securities on demand. If a borrower fails to return loaned securities when due, then the lending agent is responsible and indemnifies the portfolios for the lent securities. The lending agent uses the collateral received from the borrower to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement securities, the lending agent is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of JHCT.

Although the risk of the loss of the securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the borrower and through lending agent indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the borrower fails to return the securities on a timely basis. The fund receives compensation for lending its securities by retaining a portion of the return on the investment of the collateral and compensation from fees earned from borrowers of the securities. Securities lending income received by the fund is net of fees retained by the securities lending agent. Net income received from JHCT is a component of securities lending income as recorded on the Statement of operations.

Obligations to repay collateral received by the fund are shown on the Statement of assets and liabilities as Payable upon return of securities loaned and are secured by the loaned securities. As of March 31, 2018, the fund loaned common stocks valued at $6,016,464 and received $6,157,200 of cash collateral.

Foreign investing. Assets, including investments and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the value of securities is reflected as a component of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Foreign investments are subject to a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.

Funds that invest internationally generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. securities. Risks can result from differences in economic and political conditions, regulations, market practices (including higher transaction costs), accounting standards and other factors.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       29


Foreign taxes . The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income and/or capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries in which the fund invests. Taxes are accrued based upon investment income, realized gains or unrealized appreciation.

Line of credit. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Effective June 29, 2017, the fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. Prior to June 29, 2017, the fund had a similar agreement that enabled it to participate in a $1 billion unsecured committed line of credit. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the fund had no borrowings under either line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended March 31, 2018 were $33,262.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of March 31, 2018, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

The tax character of distributions for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

     
  March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Ordinary Income $84,356,038 $110,899,968
Long-Term Capital Gain 823,050,799 250,973,230
Total $907,406,837 $361,873,198

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of March 31,

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       30


2018, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $66,386,778 of undistributed ordinary income and $789,113,280 of undistributed long-term capital gains.

Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to wash sale loss deferrals and treatment of a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for tax purposes.

Note 3 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 4 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Funds, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.

Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a) 0.800% of the first $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (b) 0.775% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (c) 0.750% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (d) 0.725% of the next $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; and (e) 0.700% of the fund's average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Orix Corporation of Japan. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended March 31, 2018, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund's average net assets. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the Advisor upon notice to the fund and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

For the year ended March 31, 2018, these expenses reductions amounted to the following:

         
Class Expense reduction   Class Expense reduction
Class A $148,230   Class R4 $8,271
Class C 24,663   Class R6 182,732
Class I 813,425   Class ADV 177
Class R2 17,087   Total $1,194,585

Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.

The investment management fees, including the impact of waiver and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.70% of the fund's average daily net assets.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       31


Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans with respect to Class A, Class C, Class R2, Class R4 and Class ADV pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. In addition, under a service plan for Class R2 and Class R4, the fund pays for certain other services. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares.

             
Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fee   Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fee
Class A 0.30%   Class R4 0.25% 0.10%
Class C 1.00%   Class ADV 0.25%
Class R2 0.25% 0.25%      

Currently only 0.25% is charged to Class A shares for Rule 12b-1 fees.

The fund's Distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement expires on June 30, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $99,631 for Class R4 shares for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $433,658 for the year ended March 31, 2018. Of this amount, $55,274 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes, $376,753 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers and $1,631 was paid as sales commissions to sales personnel of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor.

Class A and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended March 31, 2018, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $2,342 and $5,549 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively.

Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock Group of Funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       32


Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended March 31, 2018 were:

     
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $4,484,058 $1,995,183
Class C 2,977,664 330,738
Class I 10,481,452
Class R2 1,028,146 26,638
Class R4 351,493 12,820
Class R6 279,462
Class ADV 5,331 2,367
Total $8,846,692 $13,128,660

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to each fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.

Interfund lending program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, no interfund loans were outstanding. Interest expense is included in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. The fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:

         
Borrower
or lender
Weighted average
loan balance
Days
outstanding
Weighted average
interest rate
Interest income
(expense)
Borrower $33,275,320 1 1.250% ($1,155)
Lender $38,200,000 1 1.480% $1,570

Note 5 — Fund share transactions

Transactions in fund shares for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class A shares                                      
  Sold     11,235,851     $250,783,397                 32,092,415     $642,654,563  
  Distributions reinvested     3,987,112     88,792,985                 2,643,041     55,239,558  
  Repurchased     (42,639,114 )   (955,514,561 )               (44,668,560 )   (918,731,589 )
  Net decrease     (27,416,151 )   ($615,938,179 )               (9,933,104 )   ($220,837,468 )
  Class C shares                                      
  Sold     468,051     $10,479,110                 809,373     $16,578,524  
  Distributions reinvested     643,421     14,406,199                 242,188     5,112,582  
  Repurchased     (3,339,879 )   (74,955,162 )               (4,064,785 )   (83,233,975 )
  Net decrease     (2,228,407 )   ($50,069,853 )               (3,013,224 )   ($61,542,869 )
  Class I shares                                      
  Sold     100,579,986     $2,335,529,208                 122,616,811     $2,588,164,269  
  Distributions reinvested     22,467,686     519,452,895                 9,584,442     207,407,334  
  Repurchased     (125,787,847 )   (2,934,539,252 )               (115,023,509 )   (2,392,671,881 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (2,740,175 )   ($79,557,149 )               17,177,744     $402,899,722  

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       33


                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class R2 shares                                      
  Sold     1,729,337     $40,010,051                 2,485,001     $51,904,984  
  Distributions reinvested     415,562     9,582,855                 198,101     4,278,977  
  Repurchased     (3,708,925 )   (86,242,670 )               (5,254,489 )   (109,019,917 )
  Net decrease     (1,564,026 )   ($36,649,764 )               (2,571,387 )   ($52,835,956 )
  Class R4 shares                                      
  Sold     1,094,641     $25,429,018                 1,673,787     $35,547,065  
  Distributions reinvested     263,798     6,096,377                 106,549     2,305,715  
  Repurchased     (1,425,921 )   (33,310,046 )               (2,955,894 )   (59,446,028 )
  Net decrease     (67,482 )   ($1,784,651 )               (1,175,558 )   ($21,593,248 )
  Class R6 shares                                      
  Sold     53,459,571     $1,263,250,283                 36,871,080     $769,060,764  
  Distributions reinvested     6,815,858     157,514,495                 2,031,233     43,935,568  
  Repurchased     (21,142,024 )   (493,583,155 )               (14,692,543 )   (309,311,150 )
  Net increase     39,133,405     $927,181,623                 24,209,770     $503,685,182  
  Class ADV shares                                      
  Sold     1,177     $25,991                 71,637     $1,404,952  
  Distributions reinvested     5,971     132,675                 2,605     54,343  
  Repurchased     (11,864 )   (265,110 )               (16,961 )   (343,293 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (4,716 )   ($106,444 )               57,281     $1,116,002  
  Total net increase     5,112,448     $143,075,583                 24,751,522     $550,891,365  

Note 6 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, amounted to $7,521,840,776 and $8,166,484,631, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Note 7 — Industry or sector risk

The fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund's assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund's NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       34


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Funds III and Shareholders of John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the fund's investments, of John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Funds III, referred to hereafter as the "Fund") as of March 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2018, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
May 10, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       35


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 March 31, 2018.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

The fund paid $878,522,389 in capital gain dividends.

Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2018 Form 1099-DIV in early 2019. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2018.

Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       36


Trustees and Officers

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

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 221
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 221
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014), Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 1988); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (2005-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (2005-2010; 2012-2014 and since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 221
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee
Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Chairman (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 1986); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       37


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Theron S. Hoffman,2 Born: 1947 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, T. Hoffman Associates, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2003); Director, The Todd Organization (consulting firm) (2003-2010); President, Westport Resources Management (investment management consulting firm) (2006-2008); Board Member, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Operating Head, Putnam Investments (2000-2003); Executive Vice President, The Thomson Corp. (financial and legal information publishing) (1997-2000). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 221
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (since 2014); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); and Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

     
James M. Oates, Born: 1946 2012 221

Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (2014-2016), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (2015-2016), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2016).


     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992) and Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       38


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2008 221
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (since 2012), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (since 2011), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (since 2012) and Finance Committee Chairman (since 2014), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

Non-Independent Trustees4

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 221

President and Non-Independent Trustee
Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2017).


     
Warren A. Thomson, Born: 1955 2012 221
Non-Independent Trustee
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (since 2009); Chairman, Manulife Asset Management (since 2001, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, Manulife Asset Management Limited (since 2006); Director and Chairman, Hancock Natural Resources Group, Inc. (since 2013). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       39


Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
John J. Danello, Born: 1955 2014
Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer
Vice President and Chief Counsel, John Hancock Wealth Management (since 2005); Senior Vice President (since 2007) and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2010), John Hancock Funds, LLC and The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC; Senior Vice President (since 2006, including prior positions) and Chief Legal Officer and Secretary (since 2014), John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014); Vice President, John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (since 2010); and Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2014, including prior positions) of John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC.

   
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2006
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2007, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2007-2009 and since 2010, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

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 Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 "John Hancock retail funds" comprises John Hancock Funds III and 40 other John Hancock funds consisting of 30 series of other John Hancock trusts and 10 closed-end funds.
4 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       40


More information

   

Trustees

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

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

John J. Danello
Senior Vice President, Secretary,
and Chief Legal Officer

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadvisor

Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.

Principal distributor

John Hancock Funds, LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee
#Effective 6-20-17

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

The fund's complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The fund's Form N-Q is available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.

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

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

Regular mail:

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

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Suite 55913
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE MID CAP FUND       41


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Balanced

Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Value

New Opportunities

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

Strategic Growth

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Growth

Value Equity

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Greater China Opportunities

International Growth

International Small Company

International Value Equity

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Global Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Spectrum Income

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Enduring Assets

Financial Industries

Global Absolute Return Strategies

Global Conservative Absolute Return

Global Focused Strategies

Natural Resources

Redwood

Regional Bank

Seaport

Technical Opportunities

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


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Income Allocation

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

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

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

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


John Hancock Investments

A trusted brand

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

A better way to invest

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

Results for investors

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

jhsocialmedialogo.jpg

     
 
jhbclogo.jpg
John Hancock Funds, LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
601 Congress Street n Boston, MA 02210-2805
800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com
  This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
  MF444962 363A 3/18
5/18


John Hancock

Disciplined Value Fund

Annual report 3/31/18

jhreport_equity-cover.jpg


jhreport_letter.jpg

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

After an extended period of relative calm in equity markets around the world dating to early 2017, volatility returned in a meaningful way in the last few months of the reporting period. Stocks declined as investors reacted to a potential trade war between the United States and China and the prospect of rising inflation, even if that inflation was rising from historically low levels. While some in the asset management community believe the sell-off will be temporary, we have suggested for some time that the era of extremely low volatility would eventually come to an end, and that now appears to be the case.

Ultimately, the asset prices of stocks are underpinned by fundamentals, and the good news is that those continue to appear supportive. Unemployment remained close to historic lows, consumer confidence rose, and the housing market continued to notch steady gains. One moderating factor was the U.S. Federal Reserve's steady tightening of monetary policy. While higher interest rates alone may not cause the economy to pull back, markets will be closely attuned to any sign of policymakers quickening the pace of interest-rate increases in the year ahead.

Your best resource in unpredictable markets is your financial advisor, who can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable turbulence along the way.

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

Sincerely,

andrewarnott_sig.jpg

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

This commentary reflects the CEO's views, which are subject to change at any time. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of a loss. It is not possible to invest directly into an index. For more up-to-date information, please visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Disciplined Value Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
4   Discussion of fund performance
8   A look at performance
10   Your expenses
12   Fund's investments
16   Financial statements
20   Financial highlights
32   Notes to financial statements
40   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
41   Tax information
42   Trustees and Officers
46   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks to provide long-term growth of capital primarily through investment in equity securities. Current income is a secondary objective.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


jh340a_aatrbar.jpg

The Russell 1000 Value Index is an unmanaged index containing those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a lower price-to-book ratio and less-than-average growth orientation.

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

Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

1 On 12-19-08, through a reorganization, the fund acquired all of the assets of Robeco Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund (the predecessor fund). On that date, the predecessor fund's Investor shares were exchanged for Class A shares of John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund. Class A shares were first offered on 12-22-08. Returns shown prior to Class A shares' commencement date are those of the predecessor fund's Investor shares..

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Markets gained, but volatility rose late in the period

U.S. equities advanced to record levels for much of the 12-month period, but stumbled in the final two months on fears of inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.

The fund outperformed its benchmark

The fund beat its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, on the strength of positive stock selection and sector allocation results.

Value opportunities persisted in some sectors

Attractive opportunities in financial and information technology stocks aided the fund's relative performance.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


jh2ck7_sectorcomppie.jpg

A note about risks

Value stocks may decline in price. Large company stocks could fall out of favor. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. Foreign investing has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. 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, and investments focused in one sector may fluctuate more widely than investments in a wider variety of sectors. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       3


Discussion of fund performance

An interview with Portfolio Manager Mark E. Donovan, CFA, Boston Partners

markedonovan.jpg

Mark E. Donovan, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Boston Partners 

Could you describe the market environment during the 12-month period ended March 31, 2018?

Through much of the period, the U.S. equity market rose steadily. This continued until the end of January, when market volatility rose substantially as a result of investor worries over higher inflation, more rapidly rising interest rates, and a heavy dose of geopolitical uncertainty.

These factors caused the market to fall into correction territory, when markets declined more than 10% from their recent peak. Volatility continued for the remainder of the period as investors worried about hostile trade rhetoric exchanged between the United States and China. The market also struggled with the idea that more government regulation could be on the horizon for the information technology sector.

The fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index. What factors were most responsible for this result?

Strong stock selection and positive sector allocation contributed to the fund's outperformance. In particular, the fund experienced good results from stock picks in the energy, industrials, and information technology sectors, as well as from overweight positions in information technology and financials. Our decision to mostly avoid the real estate sector also aided results.

Which stocks were some of the largest contributors to relative results?

In the energy sector, a variety of companies were additive to returns. For example, the fund's exposure to Marathon Petroleum Corp. provided a boost to the fund's return, as the oil refiner posted strong business results during the period on the back of steadily climbing oil prices. The

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       4


"Strong stock selection and positive sector allocation contributed to the fund's outperformance."
stock of energy exploration and production company Diamondback Energy, Inc. also helped, as the company raised production and earnings estimates for 2018.

In the industrials sector, the fund's aerospace holdings performed well, as commercial orders continued to be strong and defense budgets appeared to be more solid. In addition, the stock of Royal Phillips NV, which provides electronic technologies with medical applications, performed well. We sold the fund's stake in the company before period end. Holdings in commercial airlines companies also performed well.

Among financials, banks such as Bank of America Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Regions Financial Corp. benefited from improved prospects for net interest margin expansion from rising interest rates, as well as increased capital return to shareholders from a more accommodating regulatory environment. Insurance holdings, including XL Group, Ltd. and Everest Re Group, Ltd., were also strong.

What are some examples of stocks that detracted from relative returns?

Some stocks in the healthcare sector weighed on returns. Shire PLC, the global pharmaceutical company, delivered a disappointing earnings report, and the company lowered its earnings

TOP 10 HOLDINGS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


   
Bank of America Corp. 4.5
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B 4.4
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 4.0
Johnson & Johnson 3.9
Citigroup, Inc. 3.7
Cisco Systems, Inc. 3.2
Wells Fargo & Company 2.6
Chevron Corp. 2.6
Pfizer, Inc. 2.5
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, ADR, Class A 2.0
TOTAL 33.4
As a percentage of net assets.  
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.  

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       5


"We believe that markets will continue to respond favorably to robust company fundamentals and we continue to believe that attractive investment opportunities can be found in a variety of segments today."
projections for the quarter as its merger with rival Baxalta (not held) is taking longer to integrate than previously anticipated. Sanofi SA, another large pharmaceutical company, also underperformed, as its future growth is uncertain. We sold both positions by the end of the period.

In the consumer discretionary sector, the stock of Comcast Corp. underperformed on the surprising announcement of its attempted purchase of European satellite television and media company Sky PLC, which had previously agreed to be purchased by Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. The stock declined as Comcast investors appeared skeptical that the merger would benefit the company. Neither Sky nor Fox was held by the fund.

How was the fund positioned at the end of the period?

We didn't institute many changes to the fund's positioning, although we added to exposure in industrials and financial stocks and we reduced exposure to consumer discretionary and information technology.

Looking ahead, we feel that higher volatility may continue in the near term. Nevertheless, expectations remain positive around the upcoming earnings season. We believe that markets will

COUNTRY COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


   
United States 87.0
Switzerland 4.0
Bermuda 2.4
Netherlands 2.0
United Kingdom 1.9
Canada 1.7
Other countries 1.0
TOTAL 100.0
As a percentage of net assets.  

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       6


continue to respond favorably to robust company fundamentals, and we continue to believe that attractive investment opportunities can be found in a variety of segments today. As we pursue new opportunities, we'll continue to invest on a stock-by-stock basis, maintaining our focus on attractive valuations, sound fundamentals, and companies that we believe possess a catalyst for improvement.

MANAGED BY


   
  markedonovan.jpg Mark E. Donovan, CFA
On the fund since 2008 and its predecessor since 1997
Investing since 1981
  davidjpyle.jpg David J. Pyle, CFA
On the fund since 2008 and its predecessor since 1997
Investing since 1995

bostonpartners_logo.jpg

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Mark E. Donovan, CFA, Boston Partners, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk. Boston Partners is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Orix Corporation of Japan.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       7


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MARCH 31, 2018 


                   
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  1-year 5-year 10-year Since
inception
    5-year 10-year Since
inception
Class A1 6.80 10.06 8.73     61.50 131.03
Class B1 6.61 10.07 8.46     61.54 125.27
Class C1 10.58 10.35 8.48     63.65 125.78
Class I1,2 12.71 11.50 9.61     72.30 150.29
Class I21,2 12.71 11.48 9.62     72.21 150.49
Class R11,2 11.99 10.73 8.91     66.48 134.73
Class R21,2 12.30 11.02 9.20     68.68 141.09
Class R31,2 12.10 10.85 9.01     67.38 136.85
Class R41,2 12.54 11.31 9.37     70.90 144.83
Class R51,2 12.73 11.56 9.62     72.79 150.53
Class R61,2 12.84 11.60 9.57     73.13 149.40
Class NAV2,3 12.85 11.62 14.28     73.23 225.44
Index 1 6.95 10.78 7.78     66.86 111.44
Index 2 13.99 13.31 9.49     86.75 147.71

Performance figures assume all distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charge on Class A shares of 5%, and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class B and Class C shares. The Class B shares' CDSC declines annually between years 1 to 6 according to the following schedule: 5%, 4%, 3%, 3%, 2%, and 1%. No sales charge will be assessed after the sixth year. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class I2, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5, Class R6, and Class NAV shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until June 30, 2018 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

                         
  Class A Class B Class C Class I Class I2 Class R1 Class R2 Class R3 Class R4 Class R5 Class R6 Class NAV
Gross (%) 1.07 1.82 1.82 0.81 0.81 1.47 1.22 1.37 1.07 0.77 0.72 0.70
Net (%) 1.07 1.82 1.82 0.81 0.81 1.47 1.22 1.37 0.97 0.77 0.72 0.70

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

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

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

Index 1 is the Russell 1000 Value Index; Index 2 is the S&P 500 Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       8


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in two separate indexes.

jh340a_growthof10k.jpg

           
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index 1 ($) Index 2 ($)
Class B1,4 3-31-08 22,527 22,527 21,144 24,771
Class C1,4 3-31-08 22,578 22,578 21,144 24,771
Class I1,2 3-31-08 25,029 25,029 21,144 24,771
Class I21,2 3-31-08 25,049 25,049 21,144 24,771
Class R11,2 3-31-08 23,473 23,473 21,144 24,771
Class R21,2 3-31-08 24,109 24,109 21,144 24,771
Class R31,2 3-31-08 23,685 23,685 21,144 24,771
Class R41,2 3-31-08 24,483 24,483 21,144 24,771
Class R51,2 3-31-08 25,053 25,053 21,144 24,771
Class R61,2 3-31-08 24,940 24,940 21,144 24,771
Class NAV2 5-29-09 32,544 32,544 31,630 35,050

The Russell 1000 Value Index is an unmanaged index containing those securities in the Russell 1000 Index with a lower price-to-book ratio and less-than-average growth orientation.

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded common stocks.

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

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, and Class I2 shares were first offered on 12-22-08; Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares were first offered on 5-22-09; Class R1, Class R6, and Class R2 shares were first offered on 7-13-09, 9-1-11, and 3-1-12, respectively. Investor shares and Institutional shares of Robeco Boston Partners Large Cap Value Fund (the predecessor fund) were first offered on January 16, 1997 and January 2, 1997, respectively. Returns shown prior to Class A, Class B, and Class C shares' commencement date are those of the predecessor fund's Investor shares. Returns shown prior to Class I and Class I2 shares' commencement date are those of the predecessor fund's Institutional shares. Returns shown prior to Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4, Class R5, and Class R6 shares' commencement dates are those of the predecessor fund's Investor shares (prior to 12-22-08) and the fund's Class A shares (from 12-22-08), that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
2 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
3 From 5-29-09.
4 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       9


Your expenses

These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Understanding fund expenses

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:

Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.

We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.

Actual expenses/actual returns

The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund's actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund's actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018.

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 March 31, 2018, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the "expenses paid" for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:

jhequity_expense-example.jpg

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund's ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund's hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class's actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the fund's actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       10


SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART


           
  Account
value on
10-1-2017
Ending
value on
3-31-2018
Expenses
paid during
period ended
3-31-20181
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,048.80 $5.36 1.05%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.70 5.29 1.05%
Class B Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,045.40 9.18 1.80%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,016.00 9.05 1.80%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,044.80 9.18 1.80%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,016.00 9.05 1.80%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,050.30 4.09 0.80%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.90 4.03 0.80%
Class I2 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,050.30 4.09 0.80%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.90 4.03 0.80%
Class R1 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,047.00 7.40 1.45%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,017.70 7.29 1.45%
Class R2 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,048.40 6.13 1.20%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,018.90 6.04 1.20%
Class R3 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,047.50 6.79 1.33%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,018.30 6.69 1.33%
Class R4 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,049.30 4.85 0.95%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.20 4.78 0.95%
Class R5 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,050.10 3.83 0.75%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,021.20 3.78 0.75%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,050.60 3.58 0.70%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,021.40 3.53 0.70%
Class NAV Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,050.80 3.53 0.69%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,021.50 3.48 0.69%

1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       11


Fund’s investments  
AS OF 3-31-18
        Shares Value
Common stocks 95.6%         $14,329,853,113
(Cost $11,363,526,597)          
Consumer discretionary 5.6%     833,008,833
Auto components 1.1%      
BorgWarner, Inc.     3,207,228 161,099,062
Automobiles 0.7%      
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (A)     4,871,662 99,966,504
Internet and direct marketing retail 0.6%      
Booking Holdings, Inc. (B)     41,442 86,215,522
Media 1.8%      
CBS Corp., Class B     1,189,471 61,126,915
Comcast Corp., Class A     5,779,014 197,468,908
Liberty Latin America, Ltd., Class C (B)     640,920 12,235,163
Specialty retail 1.4%      
The Home Depot, Inc.     691,077 123,177,564
The TJX Companies, Inc.     1,124,561 91,719,195
Consumer staples 1.0%     152,913,533
Beverages 0.7%      
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC     2,376,783 99,016,780
Food and staples retailing 0.3%      
CVS Health Corp.     866,368 53,896,753
Energy 10.9%     1,636,658,360
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 10.9%      
Andeavor     2,112,028 212,385,536
Chevron Corp.     3,437,330 391,993,113
ConocoPhillips     3,551,105 210,545,015
Diamondback Energy, Inc. (B)     1,318,596 166,828,766
Energen Corp. (B)     1,189,617 74,779,325
EQT Corp.     1,777,580 84,452,826
Marathon Petroleum Corp.     2,581,368 188,723,814
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, ADR, Class A     4,810,374 306,949,965
Financials 33.0%     4,948,928,721
Banks 17.3%      
Bank of America Corp.     22,589,760 677,466,902
Citigroup, Inc.     8,131,216 548,857,080
JPMorgan Chase & Co.     5,505,945 605,488,772
KeyCorp     5,324,235 104,088,794
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, ADR (A)     24,132,201 89,771,788
Regions Financial Corp.     9,749,649 181,148,478
Wells Fargo & Company     7,500,550 393,103,826
12 JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Financials (continued)      
Capital markets 2.1%      
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.     1,411,219 $83,586,501
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.     903,890 227,653,735
Consumer finance 3.8%      
American Express Company     1,815,966 169,393,308
Capital One Financial Corp.     1,401,019 134,245,641
Discover Financial Services     2,458,955 176,872,633
Synchrony Financial     2,639,641 88,507,163
Diversified financial services 4.4%      
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B (B)     3,311,110 660,500,223
Insurance 5.4%      
American International Group, Inc.     45,240 2,461,961
Chubb, Ltd.     1,599,542 218,769,362
Everest Re Group, Ltd.     646,271 165,975,318
The Allstate Corp.     2,526,857 239,546,044
XL Group, Ltd.     3,284,314 181,491,192
Health care 13.6%     2,040,885,328
Biotechnology 1.3%      
Gilead Sciences, Inc.     2,575,551 194,170,790
Health care providers and services 4.2%      
Anthem, Inc.     657,837 144,526,789
Cardinal Health, Inc.     1,955,258 122,555,571
Cigna Corp.     905,087 151,819,293
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (B)     858,930 138,931,928
McKesson Corp.     16,399 2,310,127
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.     345,076 73,846,264
Pharmaceuticals 8.1%      
Johnson & Johnson     4,520,213 579,265,296
Merck & Company, Inc.     4,750,817 258,777,002
Pfizer, Inc.     10,557,404 374,682,268
Industrials 9.5%     1,413,802,894
Aerospace and defense 4.7%      
Arconic, Inc.     4,620,887 106,465,236
General Dynamics Corp.     510,891 112,855,822
L3 Technologies, Inc.     498,479 103,683,632
Raytheon Company     405,642 87,545,656
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A     1,084,597 90,780,769
United Technologies Corp.     1,660,416 208,913,541
Airlines 2.3%      
Delta Air Lines, Inc.     3,546,666 194,392,763
Southwest Airlines Company     2,564,512 146,895,247
Electrical equipment 1.4%      
ABB, Ltd., ADR (A)     2,934,824 69,672,722
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND 13

 

        Shares Value
Industrials (continued)      
Electrical equipment (continued)      
Eaton Corp. PLC     1,681,583 $134,375,298
Machinery 1.1%      
Cummins, Inc.     976,138 158,222,208
Information technology 14.2%     2,129,796,280
Communications equipment 3.2%      
Cisco Systems, Inc.     11,284,715 484,001,426
Electronic equipment, instruments and components 2.8%      
Avnet, Inc.     1,109,309 46,324,744
Flex, Ltd. (B)     4,613,884 75,344,726
TE Connectivity, Ltd.     3,049,647 304,659,735
Internet software and services 1.4%      
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (B)     74,938 77,721,197
eBay, Inc. (B)     3,193,894 128,522,295
IT services 1.5%      
DXC Technology Company     2,217,830 222,958,450
Software 2.9%      
Microsoft Corp.     1,352,264 123,421,135
Oracle Corp.     6,645,682 304,039,952
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 2.4%      
HP, Inc.     8,219,797 180,177,950
NetApp, Inc.     2,960,361 182,624,670
Materials 5.9%     888,359,789
Chemicals 2.5%      
Celanese Corp., Series A     308,240 30,888,730
DowDuPont, Inc.     1,609,817 102,561,441
FMC Corp.     719,987 55,129,405
Methanex Corp. (A)     1,790,178 108,574,296
Nutrien, Ltd. (A)     1,629,628 77,016,219
Construction materials 1.0%      
Cemex SAB de CV, ADR (B)     10,275,106 68,021,202
CRH PLC, ADR (A)     2,626,722 89,361,082
Containers and packaging 1.0%      
WestRock Company     2,241,187 143,816,970
Metals and mining 1.4%      
Barrick Gold Corp.     4,973,659 61,922,055
Steel Dynamics, Inc.     3,416,291 151,068,389
Real estate 0.2%     31,940,172
Equity real estate investment trusts 0.2%      
Equity Residential     518,341 31,940,172
14 JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Telecommunication services 1.1%     $162,657,688
Diversified telecommunication services 1.1%      
AT&T, Inc.     4,562,628 162,657,688
Utilities 0.6%     90,901,515
Electric utilities 0.6%      
Edison International     1,427,922 90,901,515
Exchange-traded funds 1.2%         $184,213,215
(Cost $190,323,252)          
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF       1,535,622 184,213,215
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Securities lending collateral 0.7%         $105,868,663
(Cost $105,879,454)          
John Hancock Collateral Trust (C)   1.8276(D)   10,584,961 105,868,663
Short-term investments 2.9%         $437,589,435
(Cost $437,589,435)          
Money market funds 2.9%         437,589,435
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class 1.5812(D)   437,589,435 437,589,435
    
Total investments (Cost $12,097,318,738) 100.4%       $15,057,524,426
Other assets and liabilities, net (0.4%)       (58,083,267)
Total net assets 100.0%         $14,999,441,159
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
ADR American Depositary Receipt
(A) A portion of this security is on loan as of 3-31-18.
(B) Non-income producing security.
(C) Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. This security represents the investment of cash collateral received for securities lending.
(D) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 3-31-18.
At 3-31-18, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $12,152,460,929. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $2,905,063,497, of which $3,106,425,709 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $201,362,212 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND 15

Financial statements

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 3-31-18


                       
   
   
  Assets              
  Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $11,991,439,284) including $103,475,153 of securities loaned           $14,951,655,763  
  Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $105,879,454)           105,868,663  
  Total investments, at value (Cost $12,097,318,738)           15,057,524,426  
  Cash           2,662,177  
  Receivable for investments sold           68,216,555  
  Receivable for fund shares sold           26,428,990  
  Dividends and interest receivable           13,945,563  
  Receivable for securities lending income           52,474  
  Other receivables and prepaid expenses           678,740  
  Total assets           15,169,508,925  
  Liabilities              
  Payable for investments purchased           44,895,641  
  Payable for fund shares repurchased           15,884,724  
  Payable upon return of securities loaned           105,912,583  
  Payable to affiliates              
  Accounting and legal services fees           834,770  
  Transfer agent fees           877,478  
  Distribution and service fees           64,836  
  Trustees' fees           7,886  
  Other liabilities and accrued expenses           1,589,848  
  Total liabilities           170,067,766  
  Net assets           $14,999,441,159  
  Net assets consist of              
  Paid-in capital           $11,439,740,237  
  Undistributed net investment income           43,143,711  
  Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments           556,351,523  
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments           2,960,205,688  
  Net assets           $14,999,441,159  
                 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       16


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)


                       
  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 ($1,289,115,060 ÷ 58,299,109 shares)1           $22.11  
  Class B ($9,475,993 ÷ 456,346 shares)1           $20.76  
  Class C ($275,392,878 ÷ 13,224,948 shares)1           $20.82  
  Class I ($6,987,522,053 ÷ 325,738,931 shares)           $21.45  
  Class I2 ($54,243,229 ÷ 2,528,642 shares)           $21.45  
  Class R1 ($21,214,133 ÷ 990,865 shares)           $21.41  
  Class R2 ($134,889,081 ÷ 6,295,553 shares)           $21.43  
  Class R3 ($16,486,529 ÷ 770,150 shares)           $21.41  
  Class R4 ($230,617,578 ÷ 10,749,213 shares)           $21.45  
  Class R5 ($197,590,036 ÷ 9,197,012 shares)           $21.48  
  Class R6 ($4,564,078,548 ÷ 212,469,509 shares)           $21.48  
  Class NAV ($1,218,816,041 ÷ 56,724,254 shares)           $21.49  
  Maximum offering price per share              
  Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 95%)2           $23.27  

                                   
  1     Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.              
  2     On single retail sales of less than $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   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       17


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS   For the year ended 3-31-18


                                   
   
   
                             
  Investment income                    
  Dividends                 $288,434,871  
  Interest                 2,672,119  
  Securities lending                 958,690  
  Less foreign taxes withheld                 (2,498,173 )
  Total investment income                 289,567,507  
  Expenses                    
  Investment management fees                 96,960,162  
  Distribution and service fees                 8,447,504  
  Accounting and legal services fees                 2,391,561  
  Transfer agent fees                 10,266,988  
  Trustees' fees                 229,660  
  State registration fees                 364,009  
  Printing and postage                 788,353  
  Professional fees                 222,923  
  Custodian fees                 1,869,713  
  Other                 281,526  
  Total expenses                 121,822,399  
  Less expense reductions                 (1,600,782 )
  Net expenses                 120,221,617  
  Net investment income                 169,345,890  
  Realized and unrealized gain (loss)                    
  Net realized gain (loss) on                    
  Unaffiliated investments                 1,210,989,132  
  Affiliated investments                 (30,736 )
  Capital gain distributions received from unaffiliated investments                 456  
                    1,210,958,852  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of                    
  Unaffiliated investments                 371,950,917  
  Affiliated investments                 (10,782 )
                    371,940,135  
  Net realized and unrealized gain                 1,582,898,987  
  Increase in net assets from operations                 $1,752,244,877  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       18


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

   
   
                       
                    Year ended 3-31-18                       Year ended 3-31-17        
  Increase (decrease) in net assets                                      
  From operations                                      
  Net investment income                 $169,345,890                 $157,539,153  
  Net realized gain                 1,210,958,852                 360,396,775  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 371,940,135                 1,846,118,027  
  Increase in net assets resulting from operations                 1,752,244,877                 2,364,053,955  
  Distributions to shareholders                                      
  From net investment income      
  Class A                 (10,489,229 )               (16,450,212 )
  Class B                 (12,417 )               (39,753 )
  Class C                 (330,820 )               (887,691 )
  Class I                 (72,170,802 )               (92,487,888 )
  Class I2                 (617,693 )               (621,376 )
  Class R1                 (101,408 )               (164,299 )
  Class R2                 (929,710 )               (1,181,963 )
  Class R3                 (87,705 )               (180,430 )
  Class R4                 (2,085,673 )               (3,068,524 )
  Class R5                 (2,319,657 )               (3,917,043 )
  Class R6                 (51,259,792 )               (35,963,782 )
  Class NAV                 (14,229,834 )               (13,573,944 )
  From net realized gain      
  Class A                 (58,300,473 )                
  Class B                 (490,339 )                
  Class C                 (13,067,228 )                
  Class I                 (309,060,194 )                
  Class I2                 (2,645,177 )                
  Class R1                 (1,040,482 )                
  Class R2                 (6,239,501 )                
  Class R3                 (742,753 )                
  Class R4                 (10,400,536 )                
  Class R5                 (9,594,792 )                
  Class R6                 (203,358,352 )                
  Class NAV                 (55,543,200 )                
  Total distributions                 (825,117,767 )               (168,536,905 )
  From fund share transactions                 (268,015,446 )               (841,850,128 )
  Total increase                 659,111,664                 1,353,666,922  
  Net assets                                      
  Beginning of year                 14,340,329,495                 12,986,662,573  
  End of year                 $14,999,441,159                 $14,340,329,495  
  Undistributed net investment income                 $43,143,711                 $27,495,582  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       19


Financial highlights

                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class A Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.71                 $17.64                 $19.44                 $18.94                 $15.94  
  Net investment income1                       0.20                 0.18                 0.16                 0.20                 0.12  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.39                 3.08                 (1.18 )               1.19                 3.85  
  Total from investment operations                       2.59                 3.26                 (1.02 )               1.39                 3.97  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.18 )               (0.19 )               (0.19 )               (0.10 )               (0.09 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.19 )               (0.19 )               (0.78 )               (0.89 )               (0.97 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $22.11                 $20.71                 $17.64                 $19.44                 $18.94  
  Total return (%)2,3                       12.42                 18.50                 (5.29 )               7.53                 25.30  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1,289                 $1,449                 $2,375                 $2,705                 $2,702  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.06                 1.07                 1.08                 1.08                 1.12  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.05                 1.06                 1.07                 1.08                 1.11  
        Net investment income                       0.92                 0.96                 0.87                 1.04                 0.68  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       20


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class B Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $19.52                 $16.64                 $18.38                 $18.00                 $15.24  
  Net investment income (loss)1                       0.03                 0.03                 0.02                 0.04                 (0.03 )
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.24                 2.91                 (1.12 )               1.13                 3.67  
  Total from investment operations                       2.27                 2.94                 (1.10 )               1.17                 3.64  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.02 )               (0.06 )               (0.05 )                                
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.03 )               (0.06 )               (0.64 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $20.76                 $19.52                 $16.64                 $18.38                 $18.00  
  Total return (%)2,3                       11.61                 17.66                 (6.02 )               6.68                 24.21  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $9                 $13                 $14                 $19                 $19  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.81                 1.82                 1.85                 1.91                 1.96  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.80                 1.81                 1.84                 1.90                 1.96  
        Net investment income (loss)                       0.16                 0.18                 0.09                 0.20                 (0.17 )
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       21


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class C Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $19.57                 $16.69                 $18.43                 $18.03                 $15.26  
  Net investment income (loss)1                       0.03                 0.03                 0.02                 0.07                 (0.02 )
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.25                 2.91                 (1.12 )               1.12                 3.67  
  Total from investment operations                       2.28                 2.94                 (1.10 )               1.19                 3.65  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.02 )               (0.06 )               (0.05 )                                
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.03 )               (0.06 )               (0.64 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $20.82                 $19.57                 $16.69                 $18.43                 $18.03  
  Total return (%)2,3                       11.58                 17.61                 (6.00 )               6.78                 24.25  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $275                 $293                 $309                 $302                 $171  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.81                 1.82                 1.83                 1.84                 1.88  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.80                 1.81                 1.82                 1.83                 1.88  
        Net investment income (loss)                       0.16                 0.18                 0.12                 0.35                 (0.09 )
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       22


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class I Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.12                 $17.14                 $18.91                 $18.44                 $15.54  
  Net investment income1                       0.25                 0.22                 0.20                 0.25                 0.17  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.32                 3.00                 (1.14 )               1.16                 3.75  
  Total from investment operations                       2.57                 3.22                 (0.94 )               1.41                 3.92  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.23 )               (0.24 )               (0.24 )               (0.15 )               (0.14 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.24 )               (0.24 )               (0.83 )               (0.94 )               (1.02 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.45                 $20.12                 $17.14                 $18.91                 $18.44  
  Total return (%)2                       12.71                 18.80                 (5.02 )               7.86                 25.61  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $6,988                 $7,540                 $6,730                 $7,026                 $3,671  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.81                 0.81                 0.81                 0.81                 0.83  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.80                 0.80                 0.80                 0.81                 0.83  
        Net investment income                       1.17                 1.18                 1.13                 1.34                 0.96  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       23


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class I2 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.12                 $17.14                 $18.92                 $18.45                 $15.55  
  Net investment income1                       0.25                 0.22                 0.20                 0.24                 0.17  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.32                 3.00                 (1.15 )               1.17                 3.75  
  Total from investment operations                       2.57                 3.22                 (0.95 )               1.41                 3.92  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.23 )               (0.24 )               (0.24 )               (0.15 )               (0.14 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.24 )               (0.24 )               (0.83 )               (0.94 )               (1.02 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.45                 $20.12                 $17.14                 $18.92                 $18.45  
  Total return (%)2                       12.71                 18.80                 (5.07 )               7.85                 25.63  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $54                 $54                 $49                 $89                 $75  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.81                 0.81                 0.82                 0.84                 0.87  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.80                 0.80                 0.81                 0.83                 0.85  
        Net investment income                       1.16                 1.18                 1.11                 1.28                 0.96  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       24


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R1 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.09                 $17.13                 $18.90                 $18.43                 $15.54  
  Net investment income1                       0.11                 0.10                 0.09                 0.12                 0.04  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.32                 2.98                 (1.15 )               1.15                 3.75  
  Total from investment operations                       2.43                 3.08                 (1.06 )               1.27                 3.79  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.10 )               (0.12 )               (0.12 )               (0.01 )               (0.02 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.11 )               (0.12 )               (0.71 )               (0.80 )               (0.90 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.41                 $20.09                 $17.13                 $18.90                 $18.43  
  Total return (%)2                       11.99                 18.00                 (5.66 )               7.09                 24.69  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $21                 $27                 $26                 $22                 $13  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.46                 1.47                 1.48                 1.54                 1.67  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.45                 1.46                 1.47                 1.53                 1.57  
        Net investment income                       0.52                 0.53                 0.48                 0.63                 0.22  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       25


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R2 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.10                 $17.13                 $18.90                 $18.44                 $15.55  
  Net investment income1                       0.16                 0.14                 0.13                 0.19                 0.08  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.33                 2.99                 (1.14 )               1.14                 3.75  
  Total from investment operations                       2.49                 3.13                 (1.01 )               1.33                 3.83  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.15 )               (0.16 )               (0.17 )               (0.08 )               (0.06 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.16 )               (0.16 )               (0.76 )               (0.87 )               (0.94 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.43                 $20.10                 $17.13                 $18.90                 $18.44  
  Total return (%)2                       12.30                 18.32                 (5.42 )               7.39                 24.98  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $135                 $135                 $136                 $120                 $38  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.21                 1.21                 1.22                 1.25                 1.33  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.20                 1.21                 1.21                 1.24                 1.32  
        Net investment income                       0.76                 0.78                 0.74                 0.99                 0.45  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       26


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R3 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.09                 $17.12                 $18.89                 $18.43                 $15.54  
  Net investment income1                       0.13                 0.12                 0.10                 0.14                 0.06  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.32                 2.99                 (1.14 )               1.15                 3.74  
  Total from investment operations                       2.45                 3.11                 (1.04 )               1.29                 3.80  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.12 )               (0.14 )               (0.14 )               (0.04 )               (0.03 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.13 )               (0.14 )               (0.73 )               (0.83 )               (0.91 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.41                 $20.09                 $17.12                 $18.89                 $18.43  
  Total return (%)2                       12.10                 18.17                 (5.57 )               7.20                 24.81  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $16                 $22                 $30                 $28                 $15  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.35                 1.36                 1.37                 1.43                 1.57  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.34                 1.35                 1.37                 1.42                 1.47  
        Net investment income                       0.63                 0.66                 0.57                 0.73                 0.35  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       27


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R4 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.12                 $17.14                 $18.92                 $18.45                 $15.54  
  Net investment income1                       0.22                 0.19                 0.18                 0.25                 0.13  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.32                 3.00                 (1.16 )               1.12                 3.76  
  Total from investment operations                       2.54                 3.19                 (0.98 )               1.37                 3.89  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.20 )               (0.21 )               (0.21 )               (0.11 )               (0.10 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.21 )               (0.21 )               (0.80 )               (0.90 )               (0.98 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.45                 $20.12                 $17.14                 $18.92                 $18.45  
  Total return (%)2                       12.54                 18.63                 (5.22 )               7.67                 25.44  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $231                 $286                 $268                 $228                 $75  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.06                 1.07                 1.06                 1.08                 1.11  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.95                 0.96                 0.96                 0.97                 1.01  
        Net investment income                       1.02                 1.03                 1.00                 1.31                 0.75  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       28


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R5 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.15                 $17.16                 $18.94                 $18.47                 $15.57  
  Net investment income1                       0.26                 0.23                 0.21                 0.24                 0.18  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.32                 3.00                 (1.15 )               1.19                 3.76  
  Total from investment operations                       2.58                 3.23                 (0.94 )               1.43                 3.94  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.24 )               (0.24 )               (0.25 )               (0.17 )               (0.16 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.25 )               (0.24 )               (0.84 )               (0.96 )               (1.04 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.48                 $20.15                 $17.16                 $18.94                 $18.47  
  Total return (%)2                       12.73                 18.88                 (5.02 )               7.98                 25.71  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $198                 $200                 $275                 $376                 $591  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.76                 0.76                 0.77                 0.73                 0.74  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.75                 0.75                 0.76                 0.72                 0.73  
        Net investment income                       1.22                 1.27                 1.16                 1.27                 1.05  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       29


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R6 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.14                 $17.16                 $18.94                 $18.47                 $15.57  
  Net investment income1                       0.27                 0.24                 0.23                 0.31                 0.19  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.33                 3.00                 (1.15 )               1.12                 3.75  
  Total from investment operations                       2.60                 3.24                 (0.92 )               1.43                 3.94  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.25 )               (0.26 )               (0.27 )               (0.17 )               (0.16 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.26 )               (0.26 )               (0.86 )               (0.96 )               (1.04 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.48                 $20.14                 $17.16                 $18.94                 $18.47  
  Total return (%)2                       12.84                 18.97                 (5.00 )               7.99                 25.72  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $4,564                 $3,077                 $2,024                 $1,444                 $356  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.71                 0.72                 0.72                 0.72                 0.74  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.70                 0.69                 0.69                 0.69                 0.73  
        Net investment income                       1.25                 1.27                 1.26                 1.63                 1.06  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       30


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class NAV Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $20.15                 $17.16                 $18.94                 $18.47                 $15.57  
  Net investment income1                       0.27                 0.24                 0.23                 0.27                 0.19  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       2.34                 3.01                 (1.15 )               1.16                 3.75  
  Total from investment operations                       2.61                 3.25                 (0.92 )               1.43                 3.94  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.26 )               (0.26 )               (0.27 )               (0.17 )               (0.16 )
  From net realized gain                       (1.01 )                               (0.59 )               (0.79 )               (0.88 )
  Total distributions                       (1.27 )               (0.26 )               (0.86 )               (0.96 )               (1.04 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $21.49                 $20.15                 $17.16                 $18.94                 $18.47  
  Total return (%)2                       12.85                 18.95                 (4.95 )               7.98                 25.73  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1,219                 $1,245                 $750                 $844                 $543  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.70                 0.70                 0.70                 0.69                 0.71  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.69                 0.69                 0.69                 0.69                 0.71  
        Net investment income                       1.28                 1.27                 1.25                 1.45                 1.09  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       45                 65                 61                 44                 45  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       31


Notes to financial statements

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Funds III (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek to provide long-term growth of capital primarily through investment in equity securities. Current income is a secondary objective.

The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class B and Class I2 shares are closed to new investors. Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are available only to certain retirement and 529 plans. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class NAV shares are offered to John Hancock affiliated funds of funds, retirement plans for employees of John Hancock and/or Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC), and certain 529 plans. Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ. Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. Effective May 1, 2018, Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.

Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.

In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities,including exchange-traded funds, held by the fund are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing vendor.

In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       32


valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

As of March 31, 2018, all investments are categorized as Level 1 under the hierarchy described above.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Foreign taxes are provided for based on the fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

Securities lending. The fund may lend its securities to earn additional income. The fund receives cash collateral from the borrower in an amount not less than the market value of the loaned securities. The fund will invest collateral in JHCT, an affiliate of the fund, which has a floating NAV and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment company. JHCT invests in short-term money market investments. The fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by JHCT with respect to the cash collateral.

The fund has the right to recall loaned securities on demand. If a borrower fails to return loaned securities when due, then the lending agent is responsible and indemnifies the fund for the lent securities. The lending agent uses the collateral received from the borrower to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement securities, the lending agent is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of JHCT.

Although the risk of the loss of the securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the borrower and through lending agent indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the borrower fails to return the securities on a timely basis. The fund receives compensation for lending its securities by retaining a portion of the return on the investment of the collateral and compensation from fees earned from borrowers of the securities. Securities lending income received by the fund is net of fees retained by the securities lending agent. Net income received from JHCT is a component of securities lending income as recorded on the Statement of operations.

Obligations to repay collateral received by the fund are shown on the Statement of assets and liabilities as Payable upon return of securities loaned and are secured by the loaned securities. As of March 31, 2018, the fund loaned common stocks valued at $103,475,153 and received $105,912,583 of cash collateral.

Foreign investing. Assets, including investments and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the value of securities is reflected as a component of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Foreign investments are subject to a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.

Funds that invest internationally generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. securities. Risks can result from differences in economic and political conditions, regulations, market practices (including higher transaction costs), accounting standards and other factors.

Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income and/or capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries in which the fund invests. Taxes are accrued based upon investment income, realized gains or unrealized appreciation.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       33


Line of credit. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Effective June 29, 2017, the fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. Prior to June 29, 2017, the fund had a similar agreement that enabled it to participate in a $1 billion unsecured committed line of credit. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the fund had no borrowings under either line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended March 31, 2018 were $33,926.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of March 31, 2018, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

The tax character of distributions for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

     
  March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Ordinary Income $154,634,740 $168,536,905
Long-Term Capital Gain 670,483,027
Total $825,117,767 $168,536,905

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of March 31, 2018, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $51,041,578 of undistributed ordinary income and $603,595,847 of undistributed long-term capital gains.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       34


Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to wash sale loss deferrals and treatment of a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for tax purposes.

Note 3 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 4 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Funds, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of MFC.

Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a) 0.750% of the first $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (b) 0.725% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (c) 0.700% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (d) 0.675% of the next $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; (e) 0.650% of the next $10 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; and (f) 0.625% of the fund's average daily net assets in excess of $12.5 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Orix Corporation of Japan.The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended March 31, 2018, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund's average net assets. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the Advisor upon notice to the fund and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain total operating expenses at 0.85% for Class I2 shares, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly and short dividend expense. The expense limitation expires on June 30, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time.

Prior to July 1, 2017, the Advisor had contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse all class specific expenses for Class R6 shares of the fund to the extent they exceeded 0.00% of average net assets. This expense limitation expired on June 30, 2017.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       35


For the year ended March 31, 2018, these expense reductions amounted to the following:

         
Class Expense reduction   Class Expense reduction
Class A $116,012   Class R3 $1,531
Class B 909   Class R4 20,957
Class C 23,630   Class R5 17,250
Class I 601,565   Class R6 443,086
Class I2 4,659   Class NAV 104,134
Class R1 2,068   Total $1,347,286
Class R2 11,485      

Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.

The investment management fees, including the impact of waiver and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.65% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans with respect to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class R2, Class R3 and Class R4 pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. In addition, under a service plan for Class R1, Class R2, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5, the fund pays for certain other services. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares.

             
Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fee   Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fee
Class A 0.30%   Class R2 0.25% 0.25%
Class B 1.00%   Class R3 0.50% 0.15%
Class C 1.00%   Class R4 0.25% 0.10%
Class R1 0.50% 0.25%   Class R5 0.05%

Class A shares are currently charged 0.25% for Rule 12b-1 fees.

The fund's Distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement expires on June 30, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $253,496 for Class R4 shares for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $1,728,212 for the year ended March 31, 2018. Of this amount, $281,586 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes, $1,434,408 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers and $12,218 was paid as sales commissions to sales personnel of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor.

Class A, Class B and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class B shares that are redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to CDSCs, at declining rates, beginning at 5.00%. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       36


applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended March 31, 2018, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $6,437, $6,124 and $18,784 for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock Group of Funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.

Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended March 31, 2018 were:

     
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $3,498,748 $1,553,183
Class B 109,816 12,201
Class C 2,849,211 316,327
Class I 7,746,079
Class I2 60,021
Class R1 187,413 3,232
Class R2 692,317 17,816
Class R3 118,880 2,401
Class R4 883,846 32,810
Class R5 107,273 26,711
Class R6 496,207
Total $8,447,504 $10,266,988

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.

Interfund lending program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, no interfund loans were outstanding. The fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:

         
Borrower
or lender
Weighted average
loan balance
Days
outstanding
Weighted average
interest rate
Interest income
Lender $33,275,320 1 1.250% $1,155

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       37


Note 5 — Fund share transactions

Transactions in fund shares for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class A shares                                      
  Sold     10,973,065     $241,480,220                 20,539,114     $388,446,807  
  Distributions reinvested     3,011,965     67,377,662                 802,052     16,169,365  
  Repurchased     (25,654,811 )   (568,429,293 )               (86,000,334 )   (1,631,815,250 )
  Net decrease     (11,669,781 )   ($259,571,411 )               (64,659,168 )   ($1,227,199,078 )
  Class B shares                                      
  Sold     16,805     $353,704                 53,502     $983,572  
  Distributions reinvested     22,214     467,613                 1,954     37,205  
  Repurchased     (225,602 )   (4,635,062 )               (262,674 )   (4,703,935 )
  Net decrease     (186,583 )   ($3,813,745 )               (207,218 )   ($3,683,158 )
  Class C shares                                      
  Sold     1,511,123     $31,416,419                 2,294,799     $41,457,536  
  Distributions reinvested     578,627     12,214,821                 40,366     770,594  
  Repurchased     (3,816,343 )   (78,646,192 )               (5,884,477 )   (105,397,298 )
  Net decrease     (1,726,593 )   ($35,014,952 )               (3,549,312 )   ($63,169,168 )
  Class I shares                                      
  Sold     92,274,463     $1,981,049,277                 144,377,699     $2,676,144,389  
  Distributions reinvested     15,102,029     327,563,002                 3,746,922     73,327,256  
  Repurchased     (156,390,264 )   (3,346,189,465 )               (166,091,633 )   (3,115,519,988 )
  Net decrease     (49,013,772 )   ($1,037,577,186 )               (17,967,012 )   ($366,048,343 )
  Class I2 shares                                      
  Sold     65,839     $1,390,004                 132,018     $2,457,900  
  Distributions reinvested     150,160     3,256,976                 31,696     620,294  
  Repurchased     (357,450 )   (7,805,895 )               (368,108 )   (6,547,472 )
  Net decrease     (141,451 )   ($3,158,915 )               (204,394 )   ($3,469,278 )
  Class R1 shares                                      
  Sold     246,467     $5,240,651                 392,546     $7,252,549  
  Distributions reinvested     28,587     620,061                 5,244     102,673  
  Repurchased     (636,210 )   (13,683,427 )               (581,190 )   (10,847,710 )
  Net decrease     (361,156 )   ($7,822,715 )               (183,400 )   ($3,492,488 )
  Class R2 shares                                      
  Sold     1,051,606     $22,447,026                 1,364,536     $25,299,713  
  Distributions reinvested     249,395     5,409,378                 46,808     916,021  
  Repurchased     (1,736,841 )   (37,158,770 )               (2,602,693 )   (48,478,299 )
  Net decrease     (435,840 )   ($9,302,366 )               (1,191,349 )   ($22,262,565 )
  Class R3 shares                                      
  Sold     155,826     $3,325,836                 372,780     $6,931,485  
  Distributions reinvested     38,322     830,435                 9,224     180,427  
  Repurchased     (532,390 )   (11,226,104 )               (1,024,533 )   (19,234,010 )
  Net decrease     (338,242 )   ($7,069,833 )               (642,529 )   ($12,122,098 )

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       38


                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class R4 shares                                      
  Sold     1,866,517     $39,964,628                 2,587,790     $47,469,756  
  Distributions reinvested     575,401     12,486,208                 156,717     3,068,524  
  Repurchased     (5,898,214 )   (125,068,187 )               (4,194,749 )   (77,959,405 )
  Net decrease     (3,456,296 )   ($72,617,351 )               (1,450,242 )   ($27,421,125 )
  Class R5 shares                                      
  Sold     2,193,508     $47,435,860                 3,586,479     $65,382,957  
  Distributions reinvested     548,547     11,914,449                 199,923     3,916,493  
  Repurchased     (3,483,426 )   (75,192,002 )               (9,858,738 )   (189,143,056 )
  Net decrease     (741,371 )   ($15,841,693 )               (6,072,336 )   ($119,843,606 )
  Class R6 shares                                      
  Sold     84,664,767     $1,831,004,704                 59,716,606     $1,122,362,824  
  Distributions reinvested     11,292,223     245,154,164                 1,819,568     35,627,141  
  Repurchased     (36,244,284 )   (782,537,323 )               (26,759,489 )   (498,284,467 )
  Net increase     59,712,706     $1,293,621,545                 34,776,685     $659,705,498  
  Class NAV shares                                      
  Sold     1,555,054     $33,747,759                 22,946,485     $438,822,065  
  Distributions reinvested     3,212,386     69,773,034                 692,902     13,573,944  
  Repurchased     (9,836,981 )   (213,367,617 )               (5,578,239 )   (105,240,728 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (5,069,541 )   ($109,846,824 )               18,061,148     $347,155,281  
  Total net decrease     (13,427,920 )   ($268,015,446 )               (43,289,127 )   ($841,850,128 )

Affiliates of the fund owned 87% of shares of Class NAV on March 31, 2018. Such concentration of shareholders' capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.

Note 6 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, amounted to $6,550,521,942 and $7,776,166,253, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Note 7 — Industry or sector risk

The fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund's assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund's NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors.

Note 8 — Investment by affiliated funds

Certain investors in the fund are affiliated funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. The affiliated funds do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, this investment may represent a significant portion of the fund's net assets. At March 31, 2018 funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex held 7.0% of the fund's net assets. At March 31, 2018, there were no affiliated funds with an ownership of 5% or more of the fund's net assets.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       39


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Funds III and Shareholders of John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the fund's investments, of John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Funds III, referred to hereafter as the "Fund") as of March 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2018, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2018 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
May 10, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       40


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 March 31, 2018.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

The fund paid $723,946,123 in capital gain dividends.

Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2018 Form 1099-DIV in early 2019. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2018.

Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       41


Trustees and Officers

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

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 221
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 221
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014), Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 1988); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (2005-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (2005-2010; 2012-2014 and since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 221
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee
Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Chairman (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 1986); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       42


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Theron S. Hoffman,2 Born: 1947 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, T. Hoffman Associates, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2003); Director, The Todd Organization (consulting firm) (2003-2010); President, Westport Resources Management (investment management consulting firm) (2006-2008); Board Member, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Operating Head, Putnam Investments (2000-2003); Executive Vice President, The Thomson Corp. (financial and legal information publishing) (1997-2000). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 221
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (since 2014); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); and Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

     
James M. Oates, Born: 1946 2012 221

Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (2014-2016), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (2015-2016), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2016).


     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992) and Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       43


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2008 221
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (since 2012), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (since 2011), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (since 2012) and Finance Committee Chairman (since 2014), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

Non-Independent Trustees4

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 221

President and Non-Independent Trustee
Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2017).


     
Warren A. Thomson, Born: 1955 2012 221
Non-Independent Trustee
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (since 2009); Chairman, Manulife Asset Management (since 2001, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, Manulife Asset Management Limited (since 2006); Director and Chairman, Hancock Natural Resources Group, Inc. (since 2013). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       44


Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
John J. Danello, Born: 1955 2014
Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer
Vice President and Chief Counsel, John Hancock Wealth Management (since 2005); Senior Vice President (since 2007) and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2010), John Hancock Funds, LLC and The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC; Senior Vice President (since 2006, including prior positions) and Chief Legal Officer and Secretary (since 2014), John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014); Vice President, John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (since 2010); and Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2014, including prior positions) of John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC.

   
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2006
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2007, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2007-2009 and since 2010, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

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 Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 "John Hancock retail funds" comprises John Hancock Funds III and 40 other John Hancock funds consisting of 30 series of other John Hancock trusts and 10 closed-end funds.
4 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       45


More information

   

Trustees

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

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

John J. Danello
Senior Vice President, Secretary,
and Chief Legal Officer

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadvisor

Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.

Principal distributor

John Hancock Funds, LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterehouseCoopers LLP

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee
#Effective 6-20-17

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

The fund's complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The fund's Form N-Q is available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.

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

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

Regular mail:

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

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Suite 55913
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK DISCIPLINED VALUE FUND       46


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Balanced

Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Value

New Opportunities

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

Strategic Growth

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Growth

Value Equity

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Greater China Opportunities

International Growth

International Small Company

International Value Equity

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Global Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Spectrum Income

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Enduring Assets

Financial Industries

Global Absolute Return Strategies

Global Conservative Absolute Return

Global Focused Strategies

Natural Resources

Redwood

Regional Bank

Seaport

Technical Opportunities

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


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Income Allocation

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

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

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

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


John Hancock Investments

A trusted brand

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

A better way to invest

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

Results for investors

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

jhsocialmedialogo.jpg

     
 
jhbclogo.jpg
John Hancock Funds, LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
601 Congress Street n Boston, MA 02210-2805
800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com
  This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
  MF444961 340A 3/18
5/18


John Hancock

International Value Equity Fund

Annual report 3/31/18

jhreport_intl-cover.jpg


jhreport_letter.jpg

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

The markets spent much of 2017 on an upward trajectory, fueled by broad-based expansion of economic growth, supportive monetary policy, and benign inflation. Global equities rose throughout most of the period and outperformed U.S. equities. As the global economy continued to gain momentum, central banks began to normalize their long-standing accommodative monetary policies with the U.S. Federal Reserve leading this charge.

However, two significant developments materialized in early 2018 that bear watching. The first was a pronounced and sudden correction in most international equity indexes, with stocks selling off 10% from their peaks before stabilizing. The second is that the growth prospects in developed international markets, which had been quite promising, cooled. While many indicators remain positive, the likelihood of continued volatility remains higher now than a year ago.

While the global equity markets delivered positive results for the overall period, it's important for investors to be cognizant of the downside risks. Your best resource in unpredictable markets is your financial advisor, who can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable turbulence along the way.

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

Sincerely,

andrewarnott_sig.jpg

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

This commentary reflects the CEO's views, which are subject to change at any time. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of a loss. It is not possible to invest directly into an index. For more up-to-date information, please visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
International Value Equity Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
4   Discussion of fund performance
8   A look at performance
10   Your expenses
12   Fund's investments
16   Financial statements
20   Financial highlights
27   Notes to financial statements
36   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
37   Tax information
38   Trustees and Officers
42   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


jh366a_aatrbar.jpg

The MSCI World ex-USA Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States.

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

Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.

1 After the close of business on 2-11-11, holders of the former Optique International Value Fund became owners of an equal number of full and fractional Class A shares of John Hancock International Value Equity Fund, which were first offered on 2-14-11. Class A shares' performance shown above for periods prior to this date reflects the historical performance of Optique International Value Fund.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Global equities rallied

The combination of accelerating economic growth, rising corporate earnings, and robust investor sentiment helped propel the fund's benchmark, the MSCI World ex-USA Index, to a gain.

Value significantly underperformed growth

Value stocks lagged in the annual period, creating a headwind for the fund relative to its benchmark, which mixes value and growth.

Mixed results from stock selection

The fund benefited from the outperformance of investments in energy and financials, but positioning in information technology, consumer discretionary, and healthcare detracted.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


jh3357_sectorcomppie.jpg

A note about risks

Foreign investing has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. Value stocks may not increase in price as anticipated or may decline further in value. The stock prices of midsize companies can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large companies. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Derivatives transactions, such as hedging and other strategic transactions, may increase a fund's volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund's principal investment. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       3


Discussion of fund performance

An interview with Portfolio Manager Wendell L. Perkins, CFA, John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

wendelllperkins.jpg

Wendell L. Perkins, CFA
Portfolio Manager
John Hancock Asset Management

Can you describe the market environment during the 12 months ended March 31, 2018?

International equities performed well in the annual period, as measured by the 14.46% gain of the fund's benchmark, the MSCI World ex-USA Index. Investors were encouraged by the emergence of synchronized growth across Europe, Japan, and most emerging markets. This favorable trend represented a contrast to the backdrop that had been in place since the 2007/2008 financial crisis, when most foreign economies struggled to post positive growth even as the United States staged a recovery.

Stocks were further boosted by rising corporate earnings and investors' continued confidence in global central banks' ability to maintain a gradual approach to tightening monetary policy. While volatility picked up in February and March on concerns that higher inflation might upset the interest-rate outlook, the markets finished comfortably in positive territory on the strength of their earlier gains.

What factors led to the fund's underperformance versus its benchmark?

Class A shares generated an absolute return of 11.06% (excluding sales charges), but trailed the index due largely to our emphasis on value stocks. The growth style outpaced value by a wide margin, as investors demonstrated a clear preference for faster-growing companies and momentum-driven stocks over those with more attractive valuations. This put the fund at a disadvantage relative to broader market indexes that incorporate both the growth and value styles.

The return gap between growth and value was perhaps most apparent in technology. The top performers in the sector were generally the types of richly valued, high-momentum, and/or cyclical stocks we seek to avoid. Conversely, our value-oriented strategy led us to invest in steady, undervalued low-tech companies such as Fujitsu Ltd. (Japan) and SAP SE (Germany), which posted gains but were unable to keep up with the sector's headline return. The fund also lost some ground

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       4


through a position in Ingenico Group SA, a French provider of payment technologies that lagged after its guidance for 2018 came in below analyst expectations. We continued to hold all three stocks at the close of the period.

Investments in the consumer discretionary sector lagged, as well. The French multinational publishing firm Lagardere SCA was a key detractor. The company uses the cash flow from its slower-growing businesses to reinvest in higher-growth opportunities, such as retail outlets at airports. This strategy has worked well and helped Lagardere to produce healthy earnings and robust free cash flow. However, the stock—while producing a narrow gain—was nonetheless unable to keep pace with the many higher-growth companies represented in the consumer discretionary sector. We continued to hold the position on the belief that Lagardere is an underappreciated, undervalued company. Publicis Groupe SA, which we continued to hold, and Debenhams PLC, which we sold, were additional detractors in the sector.

Holdings in healthcare also underperformed, led by the Israel-based generic drug producer Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd. We have since sold Teva from the portfolio. Shares of the biopharmaceuticals developer Shire PLC (Ireland) also lost ground due to worries about its product pipeline, but we think the stock is trading at a valuation that's far too low for a large, global healthcare company with improving fundamentals. The German company Merck KGaA, which was pressured by challenges in its materials business, was another underperformer of note. Believing the stock had fallen to levels that fail to reflect the company's long-term growth prospects, we maintained the fund's position.

TOP 10 HOLDINGS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


   
Nestle SA 1.1
SAP SE 1.1
Novartis AG 1.1
BHP Billiton, Ltd. 1.1
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC 1.1
HSBC Holdings PLC 1.0
Toyota Motor Corp. 1.0
Unilever PLC 1.0
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. 1.0
Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Company, Ltd. 1.0
TOTAL 10.5
As a percentage of net assets.
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       5


What aspects of the fund's positioning helped relative performance?

Stock selection in energy made a strong contribution to results. We held a number of stocks that gained an outsize benefit from the rally in oil prices, including Royal Dutch Shell PLC (Netherlands), Santos Ltd. (Australia), CNOOC, Ltd. (China), and Husky Energy, Inc. (Canada). All investments in the sector registered double-digit returns, helping the fund's energy portfolio produce a gain well above the energy stocks in the index.

The financials sector proved to be an additional area of strength for the fund, highlighted by a position in the Singapore-based bank DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. The stock was very inexpensive coming into the period due to concerns about China's growth outlook that existed in late 2016, and we used this as an opportunity to initiate a position. DBS has since rebounded to a more reasonable valuation as worries about China waned and the company reported strong earnings, rising loan growth, and improving credit quality. The Dutch insurance company Aegon NV also outpaced the overall financials sector, as its ability to raise premiums fed through to its bottom line. DNB ASA (Norway) and Julius Baer Gruppe, Ltd. (Switzerland) were additional winners in financials.

Outside of these two sectors, Smurfit Kappa Group PLC—an Ireland-based producer of paper-based packaging—was one of the fund's top performers amid rising demand for packaging stemming from the growth of e-commerce. Additionally, Smurfit received an unsolicited bid from International Paper (not held by the fund). The fund's holdings in Akzo Nobel NV (Netherlands) and Unilever PLC (U.K.) were also boosted by takeover talk during the period.

While we don't look for takeover candidates when selecting investments for the portfolio, our focus on undervalued companies often leads us to stocks that are also attractive to corporate buyers or

TOP 10 COUNTRIES AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


   
Japan 21.0
United Kingdom 13.0
France 11.6
Germany 11.2
Canada 7.6
Switzerland 6.4
Netherlands 4.6
Hong Kong 4.1
Australia 4.0
Ireland 1.9
TOTAL 85.4
As a percentage of net assets.  
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.  

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       6


private equity firms. The fund's performance in the information technology sector was aided by positions in Hitachi, Ltd., whose shares surged due to better-than-expected operating performance that was driven by lower costs and growth in its Internet of Things segment.

Did you make any notable changes in the portfolio during the course of the year?

We maintained a steady approach with a continued emphasis on stock selection. We kept the fund's sector and geographic weightings fairly close to those of the benchmark, a strategy that we think will lead to a greater impact from selection over time. Accordingly, the portfolio shifts largely occurred at the individual company level as we sought to add undervalued stocks and sell or trim those that had reached full valuations or experienced a meaningful fundamental change.

The interval from late 2016 through January of this year was a highly unusual time for the global markets. Stocks rose steadily with few interruptions to the rally, reflecting the backdrop of supportive news flow and hearty investor sentiment. This type of environment typically represents a challenge for our strategy, since investors tend to gravitate toward higher-risk, higher-momentum companies while overlooking the value stocks that make up the fund. In contrast, the final two months of the period brought rising risk and a resumption of market volatility. We view this as a favorable development, as the fund tends to deliver better results in the type of up-and-down markets in which fundamentals typically play a larger role in the performance of individual stocks.

With this as the backdrop, we believe our bottom-up approach has positioned the fund to capitalize on more challenging market conditions, particularly if the wide gap in returns between the growth and value styles begins to close.

MANAGED BY


   
  wendellperkins.jpg Wendell L. Perkins, CFA
On the fund since 1998
Investing since 1985
  edwardmaraccini.jpg Edward Maraccini, CFA
On the fund since 2007
Investing since 1995
  margaretmckay.jpg Margaret McKay, CFA
On the fund since 2001
Investing since 1992

jhassetmanagement_logo.jpg

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Wendell L. Perkins, CFA, John Hancock Asset Management, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       7


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MARCH 31, 2018 


                 
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
 
  1-year 5-year 10-year     5-year 10-year
Class A1,2 5.50 3.65 1.90     19.62 20.73
Class C1,2 9.29 4.14 2.14     22.47 23.62
Class I1,2,3 11.30 5.00 2.64     27.63 29.83
Class R21,2,3 10.86 4.60 2.37     25.20 26.37
Class R41,2,3 11.24 4.89 2.51     26.99 28.18
Class R61,2,3 11.56 5.14 2.64     28.51 29.71
Class NAV1,2,3 11.42 5.20 2.73     28.83 30.85
Index 1 14.46 6.55 3.10     37.30 35.71
Index 2 12.32 6.04 2.72     34.05 30.77

Performance figures assume all distributions are reinvested. Figures reflect the maximum sales charge on Class A shares of 5% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class C shares. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class R2, Class R4, Class R6, and Class NAV shares.

The expense ratios of the fund, both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until June 30, 2018 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

               
  Class A Class C Class I Class R2 Class R4 Class R6 Class NAV
Gross (%) 1.33 2.08 1.07 1.47 1.32 0.97 0.95
Net (%) 1.33 2.08 1.07 1.47 1.22 0.97 0.95

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

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

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

Index 1 is the MSCI World ex-USA Index; Index 2 is the MSCI World ex-USA Value Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       8


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock International Value Equity Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in two separate indexes.

jh366a_growthof10k.jpg

           
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index 1 ($) Index 2 ($)
Class C1,2,4 3-31-08 12,362 12,362 13,571 13,077
Class I1,2,3 3-31-08 12,983 12,983 13,571 13,077
Class R21,2,3 3-31-08 12,637 12,637 13,571 13,077
Class R41,2,3 3-31-08 12,818 12,818 13,571 13,077
Class R61,2,3 3-31-08 12,971 12,971 13,571 13,077
Class NAV1,2,3 3-31-08 13,085 13,085 13,571 13,077

The MSCI World ex-USA Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States of America.

The MSCI World ex-USA Value Index (gross of foreign withholding taxes on dividends) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States of America, that have higher than average value characteristics.

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

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 Class A and Class I shares were first offered on 2-14-11; Class C shares were first offered on 8-28-14; Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6 shares were first offered on 7-2-13; Class NAV shares were first offered on 12-16-11. Returns shown prior to Class A and Class I shares' commencement date are those of Optique International Value Fund (the predecessor fund). Returns shown prior to Class C, Class R2, Class R4, Class R6, and Class NAV shares' commencement dates are those of the predecessor fund (prior to 2-14-11) and the fund's Class A shares (from 2-14-11), that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
2 In October 2011, the advisor made a voluntary payment to the fund of $6,950, or approximately $0.018 per share. Without this payment, performance would have been lower.
3 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
4 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       9


Your expenses

These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Understanding fund expenses

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:

Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.

We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.

Actual expenses/actual returns

The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund's actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund's actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018.

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 March 31, 2018, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the "expenses paid" for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:

jhintl_expense-example.jpg

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund's ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund's hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class's actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the fund's actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       10


SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART


           
  Account
value on
10-1-2017
Ending
value on
3-31-2018
Expenses
paid during
period ended
3-31-20181
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,013.20 $6.52 1.30%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,018.40 6.54 1.30%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,009.40 10.27 2.05%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,014.70 10.30 2.05%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,014.30 5.27 1.05%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.70 5.29 1.05%
Class R2 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,011.70 7.27 1.45%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,017.70 7.29 1.45%
Class R4 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,013.90 5.47 1.09%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.50 5.49 1.09%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,015.30 4.82 0.96%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.10 4.83 0.96%
Class NAV Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,015.50 4.72 0.94%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.20 4.73 0.94%

1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       11


Fund’s investments  
AS OF 3-31-18
        Shares Value
Common stocks 95.9%         $616,915,404
(Cost $554,320,399)          
Australia 4.0%         25,699,026
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd.       249,353 5,189,867
BHP Billiton, Ltd.       307,488 6,815,617
Coca-Cola Amatil, Ltd.       575,717 3,855,190
National Australia Bank, Ltd.       239,979 5,297,900
Santos, Ltd. (A)       1,151,226 4,540,452
Belgium 1.1%         6,915,724
bpost SA       169,077 3,819,916
Ontex Group NV       115,863 3,095,808
Canada 7.6%         48,710,894
Bank of Montreal       76,470 5,776,428
CGI Group, Inc., Class A (A)       99,266 5,724,736
Fairfax Financial Holdings, Ltd.       10,241 5,191,206
Goldcorp, Inc.       394,695 5,450,090
Husky Energy, Inc. (B)       362,391 5,186,859
IGM Financial, Inc. (B)       152,159 4,448,969
Magna International, Inc.       102,687 5,784,139
Suncor Energy, Inc.       155,656 5,375,197
The Toronto-Dominion Bank       101,737 5,773,270
Chile 0.8%         5,300,251
Antofagasta PLC       409,956 5,300,251
China 1.3%         8,397,703
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., H Shares       3,878,279 3,440,356
CNOOC, Ltd.       3,348,000 4,957,347
Denmark 0.9%         6,147,511
Carlsberg A/S, Class B       51,489 6,147,511
France 11.6%         74,416,107
AXA SA       199,426 5,301,349
BNP Paribas SA       77,047 5,713,866
Carrefour SA       152,099 3,154,521
Engie SA       336,524 5,619,449
ICADE       57,024 5,536,156
Ingenico Group SA       55,399 4,496,582
Lagardere SCA       175,332 5,008,214
Orange SA       326,044 5,542,052
Pernod Ricard SA       35,999 5,994,136
Publicis Groupe SA       79,794 5,556,206
Sanofi       59,663 4,787,369
Schneider Electric SE       69,724 6,139,998
12 JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
France (continued)          
TOTAL SA       101,436 $5,814,286
Vinci SA       58,398 5,751,923
Germany 11.2%         71,815,359
Allianz SE       25,814 5,835,447
BASF SE       56,752 5,755,644
Bayer AG       45,524 5,132,097
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG       56,789 6,176,932
E.ON SE       487,968 5,422,350
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Company KGaA       60,325 6,161,165
Gerresheimer AG       65,448 5,378,201
Merck KGaA       54,017 5,182,825
METRO AG       161,558 2,858,012
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG       25,533 5,937,487
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE       155,723 5,393,704
SAP SE       67,772 7,114,838
Siemens AG       42,843 5,466,657
Hong Kong 4.1%         26,341,399
China Mobile, Ltd.       532,582 4,881,324
CLP Holdings, Ltd.       495,227 5,049,339
Guangdong Investment, Ltd.       3,946,098 6,251,672
Hang Lung Group, Ltd.       1,643,113 5,388,556
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings, Ltd.       1,190,702 4,770,508
Ireland 1.9%         12,202,699
Shire PLC       108,748 5,412,357
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC       167,793 6,790,342
Italy 0.6%         3,877,458
Eni SpA       220,119 3,877,458
Japan 21.0%         134,840,969
Alps Electric Company, Ltd.       176,900 4,379,011
Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc.       183,631 5,942,980
Bridgestone Corp.       125,786 5,533,810
East Japan Railway Company       58,263 5,447,234
Fujitsu, Ltd.       742,197 4,510,281
Hirose Electric Company, Ltd.       40,998 5,663,837
Hitachi, Ltd.       757,629 5,518,272
Honda Motor Company, Ltd.       180,342 6,242,826
Isuzu Motors, Ltd.       352,507 5,400,929
Japan Tobacco, Inc.       157,398 4,496,391
Keisei Electric Railway Company, Ltd.       183,578 5,650,756
Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Company, Ltd.       150,514 6,377,200
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.       554,940 5,403,157
Mitsubishi Corp.       222,009 5,976,274
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.       336,380 5,459,633
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND 13

 

        Shares Value
Japan (continued)          
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.       848,610 $5,639,537
Mitsui Fudosan Company, Ltd.       258,885 6,249,809
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.       3,242,084 5,908,304
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.       126,225 5,888,784
ORIX Corp.       330,600 5,924,673
Seven & i Holdings Company, Ltd.       137,248 5,878,653
Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd.       886,395 5,142,601
Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.       141,021 5,572,665
Toyota Motor Corp.       102,159 6,633,352
Netherlands 4.6%         29,433,180
Aegon NV       827,176 5,580,812
Akzo Nobel NV       64,000 6,046,914
Heineken Holding NV       59,468 6,131,715
ING Groep NV       323,407 5,457,566
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A Shares       195,126 6,216,173
Norway 0.8%         5,061,224
DNB ASA       256,951 5,061,224
Singapore 1.7%         11,234,712
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.       308,921 6,525,138
Sembcorp Industries, Ltd.       1,969,316 4,709,574
Spain 1.6%         10,646,444
Banco Santander SA       820,272 5,368,997
Telefonica SA       532,706 5,277,447
Sweden 1.7%         11,149,532
Modern Times Group MTG AB, B Shares       123,513 5,022,428
Trelleborg AB, B Shares       243,157 6,127,104
Switzerland 6.4%         41,405,603
Adecco Group AG       77,718 5,535,856
Credit Suisse Group AG (A)       294,699 4,949,477
Julius Baer Group, Ltd. (A)       94,753 5,831,241
LafargeHolcim, Ltd. (A)       104,121 5,705,276
Nestle SA       90,109 7,122,353
Novartis AG       87,800 7,101,341
Roche Holding AG       22,494 5,160,059
United Kingdom 13.0%         83,319,609
AstraZeneca PLC       86,125 5,920,326
Aviva PLC       727,475 5,077,101
Barclays PLC       1,993,252 5,824,481
BP PLC       754,450 5,088,832
GlaxoSmithKline PLC       285,231 5,539,470
HSBC Holdings PLC       712,325 6,689,225
Imperial Brands PLC       132,114 4,498,406
14 JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
United Kingdom (continued)          
Informa PLC       626,931 $6,317,038
Kingfisher PLC       1,244,253 5,104,288
Meggitt PLC       827,508 5,020,090
RPC Group PLC       497,339 5,407,007
Smiths Group PLC       277,954 5,912,444
Standard Chartered PLC       513,786 5,149,338
Unilever PLC       117,879 6,537,855
Vodafone Group PLC       1,912,888 5,233,708
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Securities lending collateral 1.5%         $9,435,682
(Cost $9,437,967)          
John Hancock Collateral Trust (C) 1.8276(D)   943,398 9,435,682
    
  Yield* (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Short-term investments 3.0%         $19,145,000
(Cost $19,144,384)          
U.S. Government Agency 2.7%         17,175,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. Discount Note 1.500 04-02-18   1,460,000 1,460,000
Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Note 1.400 04-02-18   15,715,000 15,715,000
    
        Par value^ Value
Repurchase agreement 0.3%         1,970,000
Barclays Capital Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement dated 3-29-18 at 1.750% to be repurchased at $1,970,383 on 4-2-18, collateralized by $2,046,800 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.875% due 4-30-22 (valued at $2,009,828, including interest)       1,970,000 1,970,000
Total investments (Cost $582,902,750) 100.4%     $645,496,086
Other assets and liabilities, net (0.4%)     (2,419,809)
Total net assets 100.0%         $643,076,277
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
(A) Non-income producing security.
(B) A portion of this security is on loan as of 3-31-18.
(C) Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. This security represents the investment of cash collateral received for securities lending.
(D) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 3-31-18.
* Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.
At 3-31-18, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $583,666,256. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $61,829,830, of which $88,884,815 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $27,054,985 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND 15

Financial statements

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 3-31-18


                             
   
                       
  Assets              
  Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $573,464,783) including $8,876,260 of securities loaned           $636,060,404  
  Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $9,437,967)           9,435,682  
  Total investments, at value (Cost $582,902,750)           645,496,086  
  Cash           4,717,377  
  Foreign currency, at value (Cost $72,683)           72,678  
  Receivable for fund shares sold           66,651  
  Dividends and interest receivable           2,944,522  
  Receivable for securities lending income           8,386  
  Other receivables and prepaid expenses           56,054  
  Total assets           653,361,754  
  Liabilities              
  Payable for fund shares repurchased           647,803  
  Payable upon return of securities loaned           9,437,983  
  Payable to affiliates              
  Accounting and legal services fees           35,536  
  Transfer agent fees           2,305  
  Distribution and service fees           174  
  Trustees' fees           613  
  Other liabilities and accrued expenses           161,063  
  Total liabilities           10,285,477  
  Net assets           $643,076,277  
  Net assets consist of              
  Paid-in capital           $582,785,758  
  Undistributed net investment income           2,036,522  
  Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions           (4,388,960 )
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies           62,642,957  
  Net assets           $643,076,277  
                 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       16


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)


                             
  Net asset value per share              
  Based on net asset value and shares outstanding - The fund has an unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value              
  Class A ($18,972,186 ÷ 2,229,223 shares)1           $8.51  
  Class C ($1,040,363 ÷ 121,011 shares)1           $8.60  
  Class I ($4,031,930 ÷ 473,251 shares)           $8.52  
  Class R2 ($838,711 ÷ 98,215 shares)           $8.54  
  Class R4 ($47,546 ÷ 5,574 shares)           $8.53  
  Class R6 ($4,519,901 ÷ 531,417 shares)           $8.51  
  Class NAV ($613,625,640 ÷ 72,050,859 shares)           $8.52  
  Maximum offering price per share              
  Class A (net assets value per share ÷ 95%)2           $8.96  

                                         
  1     Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.              
  2     On single retail sales of less than $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   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       17


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS   For the year ended 3-31-18


                             
   
   
                       
  Investment income                    
  Dividends                 $21,192,187  
  Non-cash dividends                 3,852,055  
  Securities lending                 304,744  
  Interest                 191,463  
  Less foreign taxes withheld                 (1,838,190 )
  Total investment income                 23,702,259  
  Expenses                    
  Investment management fees                 5,669,380  
  Distribution and service fees                 60,516  
  Accounting and legal services fees                 106,794  
  Transfer agent fees                 27,441  
  Trustees' fees                 11,957  
  State registration fees                 99,381  
  Printing and postage                 31,948  
  Professional fees                 71,087  
  Custodian fees                 242,621  
  Other                 25,186  
  Total expenses                 6,346,311  
  Less expense reductions                 (54,874 )
  Net expenses                 6,291,437  
  Net investment income                 17,410,822  
  Realized and unrealized gain (loss)                    
  Net realized gain (loss) on                    
  Unaffiliated investments and foreign currency transactions                 14,426,975  
  Affiliated investments                 (6,228 )
                    14,420,747  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of                    
  Unaffiliated investments and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies                 40,485,094  
  Affiliated investments                 (2,285 )
                    40,482,809  
  Net realized and unrealized gain                 54,903,556  
  Increase in net assets from operations                 $72,314,378  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       18


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

     
     
                       
                    Year ended 3-31-18                       Year ended 3-31-17        
  Increase (decrease) in net assets                                      
  From operations                                      
  Net investment income                 $17,410,822                 $11,945,223  
  Net realized gain                 14,420,747                 3,847,805  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 40,482,809                 60,307,496  
  Increase in net assets resulting from operations                 72,314,378                 76,100,524  
  Distributions to shareholders                                      
  From net investment income      
  Class A                 (553,845 )               (296,601 )
  Class C                 (22,558 )               (5,101 )
  Class I                 (139,684 )               (52,380 )
  Class R2                 (23,444 )               (11,361 )
  Class R4                 (1,563 )               (1,634 )
  Class R6                 (120,140 )               (10,496 )
  Class NAV                 (20,681,950 )               (11,935,754 )
  From net realized gain      
  Class A                 (259,963 )                
  Class C                 (13,874 )                
  Class I                 (60,903 )                
  Class R2                 (11,569 )                
  Class R4                 (691 )                
  Class R6                 (50,845 )                
  Class NAV                 (8,716,889 )                
  Total distributions                 (30,657,918 )               (12,313,327 )
  From fund share transactions                 (28,505,232 )               61,738,752  
  Total increase                 13,151,228                 125,525,949  
  Net assets                                      
  Beginning of year                 629,925,049                 504,399,100  
  End of year                 $643,076,277                 $629,925,049  
  Undistributed net investment income                 $2,036,522                 $2,277,501  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       19


Financial highlights

                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class A Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.01                 $7.20                 $8.29                 $9.33                 $8.66  
  Net investment income1                       0.20  2               0.14                 0.12                 0.13                 0.17  3
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.68                 0.79                 (0.89 )               (0.41 )               0.97  
  Total from investment operations                       0.88                 0.93                 (0.77 )               (0.28 )               1.14  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.26 )               (0.12 )               (0.11 )               (0.19 )               (0.09 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )               (0.38 )
  Total distributions                       (0.38 )               (0.12 )               (0.32 )               (0.76 )               (0.47 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.51                 $8.01                 $7.20                 $8.29                 $9.33  
  Total return (%)4,5                       11.06                 13.09                 (9.46 )               (2.45 )               13.51  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $19                 $18                 $25                 $22                 $18  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.31                 1.35                 1.39                 1.53                 1.63  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.30                 1.34                 1.38                 1.52                 1.60  
        Net investment income                       2.28  2               1.89                 1.57                 1.50                 1.85  3
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25                 38  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect a special dividend received by the fund which amounted to $0.04 and 0.41%, respectively.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  5     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       20


                                                                                                                                                                             
   
   
   
  Class C Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.09                 $7.27                 $8.35                 $9.63  
  Net investment income2                       0.13  3               0.08                 0.06                 0.01  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.70                 0.81                 (0.90 )               (0.60 )
  Total from investment operations                       0.83                 0.89                 (0.84 )               (0.59 )
  Less distributions                                                                                
  From net investment income                       (0.20 )               (0.07 )               (0.03 )               (0.12 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )
  Total distributions                       (0.32 )               (0.07 )               (0.24 )               (0.69 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.60                 $8.09                 $7.27                 $8.35  
  Total return (%)4,5                       10.29                 12.30                 (10.19 )               (5.72 ) 6
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1                 $1                  7                7
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                    
        Expenses before reductions                       2.06                 2.10                 3.23                 13.81  8
        Expenses including reductions                       2.05                 2.09                 2.21                 2.35  8
        Net investment income                       1.45  3               1.03                 0.70                 0.11  8
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25  9

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class C shares is 8-28-14.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  5     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  6     Not annualized.              
  7     Less than $500,000.              
  8     Annualized.              
  9     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-14 to 3-31-15.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       21


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class I Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.02                 $7.20                 $8.29                 $9.33                 $8.66  
  Net investment income1                       0.23  2               0.16                 0.15                 0.18                 0.20  3
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.67                 0.80                 (0.91 )               (0.44 )               0.97  
  Total from investment operations                       0.90                 0.96                 (0.76 )               (0.26 )               1.17  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.28 )               (0.14 )               (0.12 )               (0.21 )               (0.12 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )               (0.38 )
  Total distributions                       (0.40 )               (0.14 )               (0.33 )               (0.78 )               (0.50 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.52                 $8.02                 $7.20                 $8.29                 $9.33  
  Total return (%)4                       11.30                 13.52                 (9.29 )               (2.20 )               13.87  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $4                 $5                 $2                 $3                 $8  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.06                 1.09                 1.28                 1.41                 1.46  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.05                 1.08                 1.14                 1.29                 1.29  
        Net investment income                       2.69  2               2.16                 1.87                 1.93                 2.20  3
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25                 38  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect a special dividend received by the fund which amounted to $0.04 and 0.41%, respectively.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       22


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R2 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.04                 $7.23                 $8.31                 $9.35                 $8.53  
  Net investment income2                       0.18  3               0.13                 0.11                 0.11                 0.19  4
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.69                 0.80                 (0.89 )               (0.40 )               1.09  
  Total from investment operations                       0.87                 0.93                 (0.78 )               (0.29 )               1.28  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.25 )               (0.12 )               (0.09 )               (0.18 )               (0.08 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )               (0.38 )
  Total distributions                       (0.37 )               (0.12 )               (0.30 )               (0.75 )               (0.46 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.54                 $8.04                 $7.23                 $8.31                 $9.35  
  Total return (%)5                       10.86                 12.94                 (9.53 )               (2.63 )               15.38  6
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1                 $1                 $1                 $2                 $1  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.46                 1.46                 1.68                 2.76                 5.96  7
        Expenses including reductions                       1.45                 1.46                 1.55                 1.68                 1.68  7
        Net investment income                       2.11  3               1.73                 1.41                 1.20                 2.84  4,7
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25                 38  8

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R2 shares is 7-2-13.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  4     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect a special dividend received by the fund which amounted to $0.04 and 0.41%, respectively.              
  5     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  6     Not annualized.              
  7     Annualized.              
  8     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-13 to 3-31-14.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       23


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R4 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.03                 $7.21                 $8.30                 $9.34                 $8.53  
  Net investment income2                       0.23  3               0.15                 0.14                 0.15                 0.10  4
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.67                 0.81                 (0.90 )               (0.42 )               1.20  
  Total from investment operations                       0.90                 0.96                 (0.76 )               (0.27 )               1.30  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.28 )               (0.14 )               (0.12 )               (0.20 )               (0.11 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )               (0.38 )
  Total distributions                       (0.40 )               (0.14 )               (0.33 )               (0.77 )               (0.49 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.53                 $8.03                 $7.21                 $8.30                 $9.34  
  Total return (%)5                       11.24                 13.44                 (9.34 )               (2.36 )               15.55  6
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                        7                7                7                7                7
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.21                 1.24                 3.82                 18.12                 15.49  8
        Expenses including reductions                       1.10                 1.13                 1.22                 1.43                 1.43  8
        Net investment income                       2.69  3               2.03                 1.78                 1.67                 1.43  4,8
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25                 38  9

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R4 shares is 7-2-13.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  4     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect a special dividend received by the fund which amounted to $0.04 and 0.41%, respectively.              
  5     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  6     Not annualized.              
  7     Less than $500,000.              
  8     Annualized.              
  9     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-13 to 3-31-14.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       24


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class R6 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.00                 $7.20                 $8.28                 $9.33                 $8.53  
  Net investment income2                       0.17  3               0.15                 0.25                 0.10                 0.12  4
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.75                 0.80                 (0.98 )               (0.34 )               1.20  
  Total from investment operations                       0.92                 0.95                 (0.73 )               (0.24 )               1.32  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.29 )               (0.15 )               (0.14 )               (0.24 )               (0.14 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )               (0.38 )
  Total distributions                       (0.41 )               (0.15 )               (0.35 )               (0.81 )               (0.52 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.51                 $8.00                 $7.20                 $8.28                 $9.33  
  Total return (%)5                       11.56                 13.36                 (8.97 )               (2.04 )               15.83  6
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $5                 $1                  7               $4                  7
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.96                 0.99                 1.16                 2.32                 16.37  8
        Expenses including reductions                       0.95                 0.97                 0.97                 1.04                 1.10  8
        Net investment income                       1.89  3               2.02                 2.95                 1.15                 1.76  4,8
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25                 38  9

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R6 shares is 7-2-13.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  4     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect a special dividend received by the fund which amounted to $0.04 and 0.41%, respectively.              
  5     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              
  6     Not annualized.              
  7     Less than $500,000.              
  8     Annualized.              
  9     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-13 to 3-31-14.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       25


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class NAV Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $8.01                 $7.20                 $8.29                 $9.34                 $8.66  
  Net investment income1                       0.23  2               0.16                 0.16                 0.18                 0.21  3
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       0.69                 0.80                 (0.90 )               (0.42 )               0.99  
  Total from investment operations                       0.92                 0.96                 (0.74 )               (0.24 )               1.20  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.29 )               (0.15 )               (0.14 )               (0.24 )               (0.14 )
  From net realized gain                       (0.12 )                               (0.21 )               (0.57 )               (0.38 )
  Total distributions                       (0.41 )               (0.15 )               (0.35 )               (0.81 )               (0.52 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $8.52                 $8.01                 $7.20                 $8.29                 $9.34  
  Total return (%)4                       11.42                 13.64                 (9.09 )               (2.03 )               14.23  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $614                 $605                 $476                 $417                 $433  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.95                 0.98                 0.99                 1.04                 1.03  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.94                 0.97                 0.98                 1.03                 1.03  
        Net investment income                       2.65  2               2.12                 2.00                 2.05                 2.37  3
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       20                 27                 18                 25                 38  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect non-recurring income received by the fund which amounted to $0.05 and 0.58%, respectively.              
  3     Net investment income (loss) per share and ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets reflect a special dividend received by the fund which amounted to $0.04 and 0.41%, respectively.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       26


Notes to financial statements

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock International Value Equity Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Funds III (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently offered by the Trust are detailed in the Statements of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R2 and R4 shares are available only to certain retirement plans. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class NAV shares are offered to John Hancock affiliated funds of funds and certain 529 plans. Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ. Effective May 1, 2018, Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.

Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.

In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities held by the fund are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Investments by the fund in open-end management investment companies are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Debt obligations are valued based on the evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor or from broker-dealers. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing vendor.

In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed. Trading in foreign securities may be completed before the scheduled daily close of trading on the NYSE. Significant events at the issuer or market level may affect the values of securities between the time when the valuation of the securities is generally determined and the close of the NYSE. If a significant event occurs, these securities may be fair valued, as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee, following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The fund uses fair value adjustment

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       27


factors provided by an independent pricing vendor to value certain foreign securities in order to adjust for events that may occur between the close of foreign exchanges or markets and the close of the NYSE.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of March 31, 2018, by major security category or type:

           
  Total
value at
3-31-18
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
Common stocks        
  Australia $25,699,026 $25,699,026
  Belgium 6,915,724 6,915,724
  Canada 48,710,894 $48,710,894
  Chile 5,300,251 5,300,251
  China 8,397,703 8,397,703
  Denmark 6,147,511 6,147,511
  France 74,416,107 74,416,107
  Germany 71,815,359 71,815,359
  Hong Kong 26,341,399 26,341,399
  Ireland 12,202,699 12,202,699
  Italy 3,877,458 3,877,458
  Japan 134,840,969 134,840,969
  Netherlands 29,433,180 29,433,180
  Norway 5,061,224 5,061,224
  Singapore 11,234,712 11,234,712
  Spain 10,646,444 10,646,444
  Sweden 11,149,532 11,149,532
  Switzerland 41,405,603 41,405,603
  United Kingdom 83,319,609 83,319,609
Securities lending collateral 9,435,682 9,435,682
Short-term investments 19,145,000 19,145,000
Total investments in securities $645,496,086 $58,146,576 $587,349,510

Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian, or for tri-party repurchase agreements, collateral is held at a third-party custodian bank in a segregated account for the benefit of the fund. The

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       28


collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.

Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, assets and liabilities resulting from repurchase agreements are not offset in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay back claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Foreign taxes are provided for based on the fund's understanding of the tax rules and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which it invests. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

Securities lending. The fund may lend its securities to earn additional income. The fund receives cash collateral from the borrower in an amount not less than the market value of the loaned securities. The fund will invest its collateral in JHCT, an affiliate of the fund, which has a floating NAV and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment company. JHCT invests in short-term money market investments. The fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by JHCT with respect to the cash collateral.

The fund has the right to recall loaned securities on demand. If a borrower fails to return loaned securities when due, then the lending agent is responsible and indemnifies the fund for the lent securities. The lending agent uses the collateral received from the borrower to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement securities, the lending agent is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of JHCT.

Although the risk of the loss of the securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the borrower and through lending agent indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the borrower fails to return the securities on a timely basis. The fund receives compensation for lending its securities by retaining a portion of the return on the investment of the collateral and compensation from fees earned from borrowers of the securities. Securities lending income received by the fund is net of fees retained by the securities lending agent. Net income received from JHCT is a component of securities lending income as recorded on the Statement of operations.

Obligations to repay collateral received by the fund are shown on the Statement of assets and liabilities as Payable upon return of securities loaned and are secured by the loaned securities. As of March 31, 2018, the fund loaned common stocks valued at $8,876,260 and received $9,437,983 of cash collateral.

Foreign investing. Assets, including investments and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the value of securities is reflected as a component of the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Foreign investments are subject to a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.

Funds that invest internationally generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. securities. These risks are heightened for investments in emerging markets. Risks can result from differences in economic and political conditions, regulations, market practices (including higher transaction costs), accounting standards and other factors.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       29


Foreign taxes. The fund may be subject to withholding tax on income and/or capital gains or repatriation taxes imposed by certain countries in which the fund invests. Taxes are accrued based upon investment income, realized gains or unrealized appreciation.

Line of credit. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Effective June 29, 2017, the fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. Prior to June 29, 2017, the fund had a similar agreement that enabled it to participate in a $1 billion unsecured committed line of credit. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the fund had no borrowings under either line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended March 31, 2018 were $3,610.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

For federal income tax purposes, as of March 31, 2018, the fund has no capital loss carryforward. Net capital losses of $4,034,038 that are the result of security transactions occurring after October 31, 2017, are treated as occurring on April 1, 2018, the first day of the fund's next taxable year.

As of March 31, 2018, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       30


The tax character of distributions for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

     
  March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Ordinary Income $26,305,034 $12,313,327
Long-Term Capital Gain 4,352,884
Total $30,657,918 $12,313,327

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. Qualified late year ordinary losses are treated as occurring on March 31, 2018, the first day of the funds' next taxable year. As of March 31, 2018, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $2,445,105 of undistributed ordinary income.

Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to investments in passive foreign investment companies and wash sale loss deferrals.

Note 3 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 4 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC).

Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a) 0.900% of the first $100 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (b) 0.850% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (c) 0.800% of the next $400 million of the fund's average daily net assets; and (d) 0.750% of the fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1 billion. Prior to July 1, 2017, the management fee structure was (a) 0.900% of the first $100 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (b) 0.875% of the next $900 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (c) 0.850% of the next $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; (d) 0.825% of the next $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; (e) 0.800% of the next $1 billion of the fund's average daily net assets; and (f) 0.775% of the fund's average daily net assets in excess of $4 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended March 31, 2018, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund's average net assets. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the Advisor upon notice to the fund and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       31


Prior to July 1, 2017, the Advisor contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse all class-specific expenses for Class R6 shares to the extent they exceeded 0.00% of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) attributable to the class.

The expense reductions described above amounted to the following for the year ended March 31, 2018:

         
Class Expense reduction   Class Expense reduction
Class A $1,553   Class R4 $7
Class C 78   Class R6 226
Class I 408   Class NAV 52,446
Class R2 71   Total $54,789

Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.

The investment management fees, including the impact of the waivers and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.85% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans with respect to Class A, Class C, Class R2 and Class R4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. In addition, under a service plan for Class R2 and Class R4 shares, the fund pays for certain other services. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares:

             
Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fee   Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fee
Class A 0.30%   Class R2 0.25% 0.25%
Class C 1.00%   Class R4 0.25% 0.10%

Class A shares are currently charged 0.25% of Rule 12b-1 fees.

The fund's Distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement expires on June 30, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $85 for Class R4 shares for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $31,170 for the year ended March 31, 2018. Of this amount, $5,355 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes, $25,815 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.

Class A and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended March 31, 2018, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $59 and $1,023 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       32


Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock Group of Funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.

Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended March 31, 2018 were:

     
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $46,733 $20,749
Class C 9,321 1,034
Class I 5,254
Class R2 4,249 109
Class R4 213 11
Class R6 284
Total $60,516 $27,441

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.

Interfund lending program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. Any open loans at period end are presented under the caption Payable for interfund lending in the Statement of assets and liabilities. The fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:

         
Borrower
or lender
Weighted average
loan balance
Days
outstanding
Weighted average
interest rate
Interest income
Lender $8,749,400 1 1.020% $248

Note 5 — Fund share transactions

Transactions in fund shares for the year ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class A shares                                      
  Sold     646,978     $5,608,564                 500,739     $3,759,558  
  Distributions reinvested     95,071     813,808                 39,485     296,922  
  Repurchased     (771,923 )   (6,678,773 )               (1,708,637 )   (12,642,491 )
  Net decrease     (29,874 )   ($256,401 )               (1,168,413 )   ($8,586,011 )

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       33


                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class C shares                                      
  Sold     56,126     $492,502                 66,211     $500,683  
  Distributions reinvested     4,202     36,432                 670     5,101  
  Repurchased     (36,006 )   (315,204 )               (31,331 )   (233,589 )
  Net increase     24,322     $213,730                 35,550     $272,195  
  Class I shares                                      
  Sold     327,557     $2,800,572                 589,714     $4,514,221  
  Distributions reinvested     23,424     200,508                 6,965     52,380  
  Repurchased     (458,183 )   (4,022,572 )               (304,224 )   (2,287,859 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (107,202 )   ($1,021,492 )               292,455     $2,278,742  
  Class R2 shares                                      
  Sold     13,784     $119,684                 11,417     $85,795  
  Distributions reinvested     4,076     35,013                 1,507     11,361  
  Repurchased     (18,812 )   (164,911 )               (20,153 )   (150,412 )
  Net decrease     (952 )   ($10,214 )               (7,229 )   ($53,256 )
  Class R4 shares                                      
  Repurchased     (6,149 )   (55,402 )                    
  Net increase (decrease)     (6,149 )   ($55,402 )                    
  Class R6 shares                                      
  Sold     477,632     $4,209,811                 115,910     $867,371  
  Distributions reinvested     19,998     170,985                 1,399     10,496  
  Repurchased     (73,043 )   (643,292 )               (34,521 )   (258,715 )
  Net increase     424,587     $3,737,504                 82,788     $619,152  
  Class NAV shares                                      
  Sold     4,503,520     $37,260,549                 19,105,581     $142,061,646  
  Distributions reinvested     3,434,444     29,398,839                 1,589,315     11,935,754  
  Repurchased     (11,326,932 )   (97,772,345 )               (11,371,273 )   (86,789,470 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (3,388,968 )   ($31,112,957 )               9,323,623     $67,207,930  
  Total net increase (decrease)     (3,084,236 )   ($28,505,232 )               8,558,774     $61,738,752  

Affiliates of the fund owned 100%, 28% and 100% of shares of Class R4, Class R6 and Class NAV, respectively, on March 31, 2018. Such concentration of shareholders' capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.

Note 6 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term investments, amounted to $172,065,525 and $125,244,702, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2018.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       34


Note 7 — Investment by affiliated funds

Certain investors in the fund are affiliated funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. The affiliated funds do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, this investment may represent a significant portion of the fund's net assets. At March 31, 2018, funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex held 95.5% of the fund's net assets. The following funds had an affiliate ownership of 5% or more of the fund's net assets:

   
Fund Affiliated concentration
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Growth Portfolio 33.8%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio 21.4%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Aggressive Portfolio 12.0%
John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Lifestyle Growth MVP 5.1%

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       35


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Funds III and Shareholders of John Hancock International Value Equity Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the fund's investments, of John Hancock International Value Equity Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Funds III, referred to hereafter as the "Fund") as of March 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2018, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

May 10, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       36


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 March 31, 2018.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

Income derived from foreign sources was $21,173,340. The fund intends to pass through foreign tax credits of $1,265,263.

The fund paid $4,352,884 in capital gain dividends.

Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2018 Form 1099-DIV in early 2019. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2018.

Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       37


Trustees and Officers

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

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 221
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 221
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014), Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 1988); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (2005-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (2005-2010; 2012-2014 and since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 221
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee
Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Chairman (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 1986); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       38


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Theron S. Hoffman,2 Born: 1947 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, T. Hoffman Associates, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2003); Director, The Todd Organization (consulting firm) (2003-2010); President, Westport Resources Management (investment management consulting firm) (2006-2008); Board Member, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Operating Head, Putnam Investments (2000-2003); Executive Vice President, The Thomson Corp. (financial and legal information publishing) (1997-2000). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 221
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (since 2014); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); and Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

     
James M. Oates, Born: 1946 2012 221

Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (2014-2016), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (2015-2016), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2016).


     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992) and Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       39


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2008 221
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (since 2012), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (since 2011), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (since 2012) and Finance Committee Chairman (since 2014), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

Non-Independent Trustees4

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 221

President and Non-Independent Trustee
Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2017).


     
Warren A. Thomson, Born: 1955 2012 221
Non-Independent Trustee
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (since 2009); Chairman, Manulife Asset Management (since 2001, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, Manulife Asset Management Limited (since 2006); Director and Chairman, Hancock Natural Resources Group, Inc. (since 2013). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       40


Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
John J. Danello, Born: 1955 2014
Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer
Vice President and Chief Counsel, John Hancock Wealth Management (since 2005); Senior Vice President (since 2007) and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2010), John Hancock Funds, LLC and The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC; Senior Vice President (since 2006, including prior positions) and Chief Legal Officer and Secretary (since 2014), John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014); Vice President, John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (since 2010); and Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2014, including prior positions) of John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC.

   
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2006
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2007, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2007-2009 and since 2010, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

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 Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 "John Hancock retail funds" comprises John Hancock Funds III and 40 other John Hancock funds consisting of 30 series of other John Hancock trusts and 10 closed-end funds.
4 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       41


More information

   

Trustees

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

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

John J. Danello
Senior Vice President, Secretary,
and Chief Legal Officer

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadvisor

John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

Principal distributor

John Hancock Funds, LLC

Custodian

Citibank, N.A.

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee
#Effective 6-20-17

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

The fund's complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The fund's Form N-Q is available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.

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

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

Regular mail:

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

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Suite 55913
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND       42


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Balanced

Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Value

New Opportunities

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

Strategic Growth

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Growth

Value Equity

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Greater China Opportunities

International Growth

International Small Company

International Value Equity

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Global Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Spectrum Income

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Enduring Assets

Financial Industries

Global Absolute Return Strategies

Global Conservative Absolute Return

Global Focused Strategies

Natural Resources

Redwood

Regional Bank

Seaport

Technical Opportunities

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


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Income Allocation

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

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

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

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


John Hancock Investments

A trusted brand

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

A better way to invest

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

Results for investors

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

jhsocialmedialogo.jpg

     
 
jhbclogo.jpg
John Hancock Funds, LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
601 Congress Street n Boston, MA 02210-2805
800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com
  This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock International Value Equity Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
  MF444966 366A 3/18
5/18


John Hancock

Strategic Growth Fund

Annual report 3/31/18

jhreport_equity-cover.jpg


jhreport_letter.jpg

A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

After an extended period of relative calm in equity markets around the world dating to early 2017, volatility returned in a meaningful way in the last few months of the reporting period. Stocks declined as investors reacted to a potential trade war between the United States and China and the prospect of rising inflation, even if that inflation was rising from historically low levels. While some in the asset management community believe the sell-off will be temporary, we have suggested for some time that the era of extremely low volatility would eventually come to an end, and that now appears to be the case.

Ultimately, the asset prices of stocks are underpinned by fundamentals, and the good news is that those continue to appear supportive. Unemployment remained close to historic lows, consumer confidence rose, and the housing market continued to notch steady gains. One moderating factor was the U.S. Federal Reserve's steady tightening of monetary policy. While higher interest rates alone may not cause the economy to pull back, markets will be closely attuned to any sign of policymakers quickening the pace of interest-rate increases in the year ahead.

Your best resource in unpredictable markets is your financial advisor, who can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable turbulence along the way.

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

Sincerely,

andrewarnott_sig.jpg

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

This commentary reflects the CEO's views, which are subject to change at any time. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of a loss. It is not possible to invest directly into an index. For more up-to-date information, please visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Strategic Growth Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
4   Discussion of fund performance
8   A look at performance
10   Your expenses
12   Fund's investments
16   Financial statements
20   Financial highlights
27   Notes to financial statements
36   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
37   Tax information
38   Trustees and Officers
42   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


jh393a_aatrbar.jpg

The Russell 1000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

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

Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower. Since-inception returns for the Morningstar fund category average are not available.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


Relative outperformance

The fund's Class A shares (excluding sales charges) outpaced its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the period.

Strong stock picking helped

Effective security selection shaped the fund's results, especially in the consumer staples, industrials, and information technology sectors.

A few challenges

Stock picking in healthcare and financials was modestly offsetting negative factors for relative performance.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


jh2y77_sectorcomppie.jpg

A note about risks

Growth stocks may be more susceptible to earnings disappointments. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Foreign investing has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. 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, and investments focused on one sector may fluctuate more widely than investments in a wider variety of sectors. Derivatives transactions, such as hedging and other strategic transactions, may increase a fund's volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund's principal investment. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       3


Discussion of fund performance

An interview with Portfolio Manager W. Shannon Reid, CFA, John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

wshannonreid.jpg

W. Shannon Reid, CFA
Portfolio Manager
John Hancock Asset Management

How did the fund perform during the 12 months ended March 31, 2018?

The fund's Class A shares (excluding sales charges) outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index. For most of this reporting period, the fund benefited from a strong market environment. A series of positive economic reports appeared to indicate synchronized global growth, while many U.S. companies were reporting healthy quarterly profits and revenue. Stock prices received an added boost late in 2017 when long-anticipated federal tax reform legislation was passed into law. The centerpiece of the legislation was a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, which boosted optimism about corporate profitability.

Investors' confidence in the global economic and stock market backdrop spilled into 2018. However, during the period's final two months, volatility returned to financial markets and stocks gave back a portion of their earlier gains. Investors' concerns included the potential for higher inflation and interest rates, an emerging trade war with China, and the possibility that economic growth had peaked.

What factors enabled the fund's outperformance?

Effective security selection, especially in the consumer staples, industrials, and information technology sectors, was the primary factor behind the fund's relative outperformance. In contrast, stock picking in healthcare and financials hampered relative performance, as did a small cash stake in an environment of sharply rising stock prices.

Which individual stocks were among the fund's top relative contributors?

Many of the fund's top individual contributors came from the information technology sector, the strongest-performing major category in the benchmark during the period. The top individual contributor was ServiceNow, Inc., a provider of enterprise cloud computing services that continued to benefit from strong business execution. ServiceNow has been a major beneficiary of the global

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       4


"Effective security selection, especially in the consumer staples, industrials, and information technology sectors, was the primary factor behind the fund's relative outperformance."
trend toward cloud computing, as more companies shift IT data and software to the cloud, rather than operating data centers on-site.

Other fund holdings benefited from the growth of cloud computing. For example, RingCentral, Inc., a provider of software for business communications, generated very strong financial results and forecast 2018 profits exceeding analysts' expectations. Software manufacturer Microsoft Corp. continued to strengthen its market position in cloud computing; additionally, it has benefited from a successful shift toward online, subscription-based software, which provides a steady revenue stream. Meanwhile, the leading cloud computing company, Amazon.com, Inc., was another contributor for the fund; its Amazon Web Services segment continued to be a source of strength for the online retail giant, which also benefited from a healthy holiday shopping season.

The fund also benefited from its position in software company MuleSoft, Inc., which in March agreed to be acquired by salesforce.com, Inc., itself a smaller relative contributor for the fund. We sold MuleSoft shortly after the acquisition announcement.

Elsewhere, in the industrials sector, where our stock selection was especially favorable, a position in construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, Inc. added to results. Caterpillar reported better-than-expected financial performance for the period. Also contributing was Rockwell Collins, Inc., a provider of aviation products to businesses and government customers, which agreed to be acquired by United Technologies—also held by the fund—last September. We sold Rockwell Collins from the fund prior to period end.

Which stocks detracted from relative performance?

The biggest relative detractor this period was Allergan PLC. This pharmaceutical manufacturer struggled throughout the period, partly because investors became concerned about the competitive threat to Restasis, a dry-eye medication and one of Allergan's most important products; Restasis, which had been patent protected until 2024, lost a challenge from a generic competitor last fall, which in part led Allergan to reduce its earnings guidance.

Also in the healthcare sector, biotechnology company Celgene Corp. detracted from results, as its

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       5


"... we think the global economy remains strong and that recent market volatility may create opportunities for us to find interesting investment ideas at more compelling valuations."
shares fell after the FDA refused to review the company's multiple sclerosis drug, Ozanimod, for approval due to insufficient data. We added exposure to Celgene in February, as we believed the stock's decline had shifted the risk/reward balance in investors' favor.

In consumer discretionary, O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., a provider of aftermarket auto parts, weighed on relative performance. O'Reilly shares fell sharply in the first half of the period, as the company reported weak financial results that disappointed investors. In our view, however, the company's problems were transitory in nature. As O'Reilly stock bounced back from its July lows, the fund was able to make back a significant portion of its prior loss.

Another challenge for relative performance was the fund's substantial underweighting in benchmark component The Boeing Company. Shares of the aircraft manufacturer were up 90% on strong financial results, and the fund's more limited exposure to the stock hampered results in relative terms.

How was the fund positioned as of period end?

The fund's largest sector overweighting was in the information technology sector, which made up 41.6% of the portfolio's net assets. In technology, we continued to find a number of attractive

TOP 10 HOLDINGS AS OF 3/31/18 (%)


   
Microsoft Corp. 7.3
Amazon.com, Inc. 5.9
Apple, Inc. 4.7
Facebook, Inc., Class A 4.4
Alphabet, Inc., Class C 4.1
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 3.4
Visa, Inc., Class A 3.2
Alphabet, Inc., Class A 2.8
NVIDIA Corp. 2.4
FedEx Corp. 2.4
TOTAL 40.6
As a percentage of net assets.
Cash and cash equivalents are not included.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       6


companies with strong underlying business fundamentals, good growth prospects, and reasonable, if not necessarily cheap, valuations.

Meanwhile, the fund's largest relative underweighting was in consumer staples, which made up only 2.2% of the portfolio at period end. In this sector, we saw few investment opportunities that struck us as compelling. Unlike information technology, we saw most stocks in this sector as hampered by deteriorating fundamentals, slowing growth, and relatively expensive valuations.

At period end, we saw trade-related rhetoric between the United States and China as a vulnerability for the market. We also saw continued tightening monetary conditions on the part of the U.S. Federal Reserve and other global central banks. Even against that backdrop, we think the global economy remains strong and that recent market volatility may create opportunities for us to find interesting investment ideas at more compelling valuations.

MANAGED BY


   
  wshannonreid.jpg W. Shannon Reid, CFA
On the fund since 2011
Investing since 1981
  davidmchow.jpg David M. Chow, CFA
On the fund since 2011
Investing since 1992
  curtisifill.jpg Curtis Ifill, CFA
On the fund since 2011
Investing since 1996
  jayzelko.jpg Jay Zelko
On the fund since 2011
Investing since 1987

jhassetmanagement_logo.jpg

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of W. Shannon Reid, CFA, John Hancock Asset Management, and are subject to change. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund's investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       7


A look at performance

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED  MARCH 31, 2018 


               
Average annual total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  Cumulative total returns (%)
with maximum sales charge
  1-year 5-year Since
inception1
    5-year Since
inception1
Class A 15.82 13.75 15.03     90.46 141.06
Class C2 19.95 14.30 15.48     95.10 146.93
Class I3 22.12 15.26 16.34     103.39 158.82
Class R22,3 21.68 14.85 15.91     99.79 152.86
Class R42,3 22.05 15.01 16.05     101.25 154.72
Class R62,3 22.26 15.20 16.19     102.85 156.74
Class NAV3 22.30 15.44 16.52     104.99 161.30
Index 21.25 15.53 17.10     105.83 169.53

Performance figures assume all distributions are reinvested. Figures reflect the maximum sales charge on Class A shares of 5% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class C shares. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to Class I, Class R2, Class R4, Class R6, and Class NAV 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 those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual expense limitations in effect until June 30, 2018 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:

               
  Class A Class C Class I Class R2 Class R4 Class R6 Class NAV
Gross (%) 1.11 1.86 0.85 1.25 1.10 0.75 0.73
Net (%) 1.11 1.86 0.85 1.25 1.00 0.75 0.73

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

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

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

Index is the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

See the following page for footnotes.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       8


This chart and table show what happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Strategic Growth Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we've shown the same investment in the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

jh393a_growthof10k.jpg

         
  Start date With maximum
sales charge ($)
Without
sales charge ($)
Index ($)
Class C2,4 12-20-11 24,693 24,693 26,953
Class I3 12-20-11 25,882 25,882 26,953
Class R22,3 12-20-11 25,286 25,286 26,953
Class R42,3 12-20-11 25,472 25,472 26,953
Class R62,3 12-20-11 25,674 25,674 26,953
Class NAV3 12-20-11 26,130 26,130 26,953

The Russell 1000 Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

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

Footnotes related to performance pages

1 From 12-20-11.
2 Class C shares were first offered on 8-28-14; Class R2, Class R4, and Class R6 shares were first offered on 3-27-15. Returns prior to these dates are those of Class A shares that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary.
3 For certain types of investors, as described in the fund's prospectuses.
4 The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       9


Your expenses

These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing operating expenses of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Understanding fund expenses

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs:

Transaction costs, which include sales charges (loads) on purchases or redemptions (varies by share class), minimum account fee charge, etc.
Ongoing operating expenses, including management fees, distribution and service fees (if applicable), and other fund expenses.

We are presenting only your ongoing operating expenses here.

Actual expenses/actual returns

The first line of each share class in the table on the following page is intended to provide information about the fund's actual ongoing operating expenses, and is based on the fund's actual return. It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018.

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 March 31, 2018, by $1,000.00, then multiply it by the "expenses paid" for your share class from the table. For example, for an account value of $8,600.00, the operating expenses should be calculated as follows:

jhequity_expense-example.jpg

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second line of each share class in the table on the following page allows you to compare the fund's ongoing operating expenses with those of any other fund. It provides an example of the fund's hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each class's actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% annualized return before expenses (which is not the fund's actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2017, with the same investment held until March 31, 2018. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

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

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       10


SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART


           
  Account
value on
10-1-2017
Ending
value on
3-31-2018
Expenses
paid during
period ended
3-31-20181
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,088.20 $5.67 1.09%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,019.50 5.49 1.09%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,084.20 9.56 1.84%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,015.80 9.25 1.84%
Class I Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,089.70 4.38 0.84%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.70 4.23 0.84%
Class R2 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,087.10 6.45 1.24%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,018.70 6.24 1.24%
Class R4 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,089.20 5.05 0.97%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,020.10 4.89 0.97%
Class R6 Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,089.90 3.86 0.74%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,021.20 3.73 0.74%
Class NAV Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,090.20 3.80 0.73%
  Hypothetical example for comparison purposes 1,000.00 1,021.30 3.68 0.73%

1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       11


Fund’s investments  
AS OF 3-31-18
        Shares Value
Common stocks 94.3%         $1,733,676,863
(Cost $1,157,365,616)          
Consumer discretionary 17.4%     320,031,379
Auto components 1.8%      
Aptiv PLC     380,594 32,339,072
Hotels, restaurants and leisure 1.0%      
Las Vegas Sands Corp.     259,576 18,663,514
Internet and direct marketing retail 8.9%      
Amazon.com, Inc. (A)     74,688 108,098,930
Booking Holdings, Inc. (A)     16,494 34,313,953
Netflix, Inc. (A)     68,986 20,375,015
Leisure products 1.6%      
Polaris Industries, Inc. (B)     263,194 30,140,977
Media 1.1%      
Comcast Corp., Class A     592,177 20,234,688
Specialty retail 3.0%      
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.     414,930 14,543,298
Lowe's Companies, Inc.     122,893 10,783,861
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (A)     123,446 30,538,071
Consumer staples 2.2%     41,071,751
Beverages 1.2%      
Monster Beverage Corp. (A)     407,071 23,288,532
Food and staples retailing 1.0%      
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (A)     757,700 17,783,219
Energy 0.7%     13,569,275
Oil, gas and consumable fuels 0.7%      
Devon Energy Corp.     426,841 13,569,275
Financials 3.2%     59,391,273
Banks 1.5%      
Bank of America Corp.     956,144 28,674,759
Capital markets 1.7%      
Morgan Stanley     569,246 30,716,514
Health care 12.4%     226,766,284
Biotechnology 2.0%      
Celgene Corp. (A)     417,487 37,244,015
Health care equipment and supplies 1.2%      
Boston Scientific Corp. (A)     627,235 17,136,060
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (A)     10,260 4,235,636
Health care providers and services 5.0%      
Anthem, Inc.     130,083 28,579,235
12 JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

        Shares Value
Health care (continued)      
Health care providers and services (continued)      
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.     295,822 $63,305,908
Life sciences tools and services 2.2%      
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (A)     157,784 15,480,188
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.     122,109 25,210,624
Pharmaceuticals 2.0%      
Allergan PLC     136,417 22,957,617
Mylan NV (A)     306,461 12,617,001
Industrials 12.9%     237,743,064
Aerospace and defense 5.8%      
General Dynamics Corp.     128,937 28,482,183
Northrop Grumman Corp.     54,799 19,131,427
Raytheon Company     124,190 26,802,686
The Boeing Company     69,880 22,912,254
United Technologies Corp.     75,334 9,478,524
Air freight and logistics 2.4%      
FedEx Corp.     183,379 44,031,132
Machinery 1.6%      
Caterpillar, Inc.     197,920 29,169,450
Road and rail 2.2%      
CSX Corp.     413,495 23,035,806
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.     396,623 18,248,624
Trading companies and distributors 0.9%      
United Rentals, Inc. (A)     95,241 16,450,978
Information technology 41.6%     764,381,775
Internet software and services 13.6%      
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (A)     49,437 51,273,090
Alphabet, Inc., Class C (A)     73,351 75,682,828
eBay, Inc. (A)     571,626 23,002,230
Facebook, Inc., Class A (A)     500,780 80,019,636
MongoDB, Inc. (A)(B)     257,977 11,196,202
Nutanix, Inc., Class A (A)     195,824 9,616,917
IT services 5.5%      
Ex-Sigma LLC (A)(C)(D)     510 1,416,355
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (A)     534,164 40,527,023
Visa, Inc., Class A     487,757 58,345,492
Semiconductors and semiconductor equipment 2.7%      
NVIDIA Corp.     193,817 44,886,079
Texas Instruments, Inc.     39,551 4,108,953
Software 15.1%      
Activision Blizzard, Inc.     338,559 22,839,190
Electronic Arts, Inc. (A)     265,151 32,146,907
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND 13

 

        Shares Value
Information technology (continued)      
Software (continued)      
Microsoft Corp.     1,477,193 $134,823,405
RingCentral, Inc., Class A (A)     216,473 13,746,036
salesforce.com, Inc. (A)     372,274 43,295,466
ServiceNow, Inc. (A)     190,794 31,566,867
Technology hardware, storage and peripherals 4.7%      
Apple, Inc.     511,915 85,889,099
Materials 2.6%     47,138,548
Chemicals 2.6%      
DowDuPont, Inc.     568,113 36,194,479
The Sherwin-Williams Company     27,910 10,944,069
Real estate 1.3%     23,583,514
Equity real estate investment trusts 1.3%      
Equinix, Inc.     56,401 23,583,514
    
    Yield (%)   Shares Value
Securities lending collateral 0.7%         $12,081,922
(Cost $12,083,733)          
John Hancock Collateral Trust (E)   1.8276(F)   1,207,975 12,081,922
    
  Yield* (%) Maturity date   Par value^ Value
Short-term investments 5.6%         $103,214,072
(Cost $103,214,072)          
U.S. Government Agency 4.4%         81,582,072
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. Discount Note 1.500 04-02-18   6,933,000 6,932,711
Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Note 1.200 04-02-18   47,565,000 47,563,414
Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Note 1.400 04-02-18   27,087,000 27,085,947
    
        Par value^ Value
Repurchase agreement 1.2%         21,632,000
Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 3-29-18 at 0.740% to be repurchased at $21,633,779 on 4-2-18, collateralized by $21,455,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 3.625% due 2-15-20 (valued at $22,068,077, including interest)       21,632,000 21,632,000
    
Total investments (Cost $1,272,663,421) 100.6%       $1,848,972,857
Other assets and liabilities, net (0.6%)       (11,787,405)
Total net assets 100.0%         $1,837,185,452
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
14 JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Security Abbreviations and Legend
(A) Non-income producing security.
(B) A portion of this security is on loan as of 3-31-18.
(C) Direct placement securities are restricted as to resale, and the fund has limited rights to registration under the Securities Act of 1933. For more information on this security refer to the Notes to financial statements.
(D) Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
(E) Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. This security represents the investment of cash collateral received for securities lending.
(F) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 3-31-18.
* Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.
At 3-31-18, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,277,633,691. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $571,339,166, of which $592,811,047 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $21,471,881 related to gross unrealized depreciation.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND 15

Financial statements

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 3-31-18


                       
   
   
  Assets              
  Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $1,260,579,688) including $11,838,250 of securities loaned           $1,836,890,935  
  Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $12,083,733)           12,081,922  
  Total investments, at value (Cost $1,272,663,421)           1,848,972,857  
  Cash           497,491  
  Receivable for fund shares sold           52,659  
  Dividends and interest receivable           215,593  
  Receivable for securities lending income           7,641  
  Other receivables and prepaid expenses           125,083  
  Total assets           1,849,871,324  
  Liabilities              
  Payable for fund shares repurchased           228,518  
  Payable upon return of securities loaned           12,084,000  
  Payable to affiliates              
  Accounting and legal services fees           103,441  
  Transfer agent fees           39,653  
  Distribution and service fees           220  
  Trustees' fees           1,290  
  Other liabilities and accrued expenses           228,750  
  Total liabilities           12,685,872  
  Net assets           $1,837,185,452  
  Net assets consist of              
  Paid-in capital           $1,134,976,176  
  Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments           125,899,840  
  Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments           576,309,436  
  Net assets           $1,837,185,452  
                 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       16


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)


                       
  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 ($379,145,077 ÷ 21,138,242 shares)1           $17.94  
  Class C ($17,603,066 ÷ 993,688 shares)1           $17.71  
  Class I ($20,043,783 ÷ 1,110,290 shares)           $18.05  
  Class R2 ($800,315 ÷ 44,258 shares)           $18.08  
  Class R4 ($742,656 ÷ 41,068 shares)           $18.08  
  Class R6 ($9,215,866 ÷ 509,635 shares)           $18.08  
  Class NAV ($1,409,634,689 ÷ 77,992,876 shares)           $18.07  
  Maximum offering price per share              
  Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 95%)2           $18.88  

                                   
  1     Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.              
  2     On single retail sales of less than $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   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       17


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS   For the year ended 3-31-18


                                   
   
   
                             
  Investment income                    
  Dividends                 $20,964,432  
  Interest                 570,455  
  Securities lending                 292,056  
  Total investment income                 21,826,943  
  Expenses                    
  Investment management fees                 13,396,634  
  Distribution and service fees                 1,105,722  
  Accounting and legal services fees                 313,512  
  Transfer agent fees                 448,643  
  Trustees' fees                 30,128  
  State registration fees                 94,210  
  Printing and postage                 81,557  
  Professional fees                 67,507  
  Custodian fees                 246,955  
  Other                 49,588  
  Total expenses                 15,834,456  
  Less expense reductions                 (161,842 )
  Net expenses                 15,672,614  
  Net investment income                 6,154,329  
  Realized and unrealized gain (loss)                    
  Net realized gain (loss) on                    
  Unaffiliated investments                 319,100,061  
  Affiliated investments                 (6,455 )
                    319,093,606  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of                    
  Unaffiliated investments                 69,919,917  
  Affiliated investments                 (1,562 )
                    69,918,355  
  Net realized and unrealized gain                 389,011,961  
  Increase in net assets from operations                 $395,166,290  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       18


STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS 

   
   
                       
                    Year ended 3-31-18                       Year ended 3-31-17        
  Increase (decrease) in net assets                                      
  From operations                                      
  Net investment income                 $6,154,329                 $10,838,848  
  Net realized gain                 319,093,606                 119,734,708  
  Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 69,918,355                 140,636,838  
  Increase in net assets resulting from operations                 395,166,290                 271,210,394  
  Distributions to shareholders                                      
  From net investment income      
  Class A                 (639,234 )               (855,968 )
  Class I                 (59,195 )               (56,175 )
  Class R2                 (575 )               (2,001 )
  Class R4                 (828 )               (1,064 )
  Class R6                 (41,600 )               (3,723 )
  Class NAV                 (7,398,368 )               (9,806,198 )
  From net realized gain      
  Class A                 (48,412,616 )               (11,508,730 )
  Class C                 (2,323,098 )               (556,546 )
  Class I                 (1,898,081 )               (377,009 )
  Class R2                 (98,002 )               (34,722 )
  Class R4                 (33,305 )               (8,259 )
  Class R6                 (1,091,224 )               (20,753 )
  Class NAV                 (187,258,888 )               (54,659,622 )
  Total distributions                 (249,255,014 )               (77,890,770 )
  From fund share transactions                 (279,918,632 )               82,979,324  
  Total increase (decrease)                 (134,007,356 )               276,298,948  
  Net assets                                      
  Beginning of year                 1,971,192,808                 1,694,893,860  
  End of year                 $1,837,185,452                 $1,971,192,808  
  Undistributed net investment income                                 $1,277,457  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       19


Financial highlights

                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class A Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $16.89                 $15.33                 $16.44                 $15.50                 $12.62  
  Net investment income (loss)1                       0.01                 0.04                 0.03                 0.03                 (0.04 )
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.62                 2.12                 (0.24 )               2.14                 3.46  
  Total from investment operations                       3.63                 2.16                 (0.21 )               2.17                 3.42  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.03 )               (0.04 )               (0.05 )                                
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )               (1.23 )               (0.54 )
  Total distributions                       (2.58 )               (0.60 )               (0.90 )               (1.23 )               (0.54 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $17.94                 $16.89                 $15.33                 $16.44                 $15.50  
  Total return (%)2,3                       21.91                 14.34                 (1.45 )               14.68                 27.27  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $379                 $343                 $18                 $18                 $10  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       1.10                 1.11                 1.19                 1.33                 1.51  
        Expenses including reductions                       1.09                 1.10                 1.18                 1.30                 1.30  
        Net investment income (loss)                       0.03                 0.27                 0.20                 0.16                 (0.29 )
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 109                 91  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       20


                                                                                                                                                                             
   
   
   
  Class C Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $16.80                 $15.32                 $16.51                 $16.49  
  Net investment loss2                       (0.13 )               (0.08 )               (0.09 )               (0.04 )
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.59                 2.12                 (0.25 )               1.29  
  Total from investment operations                       3.46                 2.04                 (0.34 )               1.25  
  Less distributions                                                                                
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )               (1.23 )
  Total distributions                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )               (1.23 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $17.71                 $16.80                 $15.32                 $16.51  
  Total return (%)3,4                       20.95                 13.53                 (2.24 )               8.20  5
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $18                 $17                 $1                 $1  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                    
        Expenses before reductions                       1.85                 1.86                 2.50                 7.03  6
        Expenses including reductions                       1.84                 1.85                 1.94                 2.05  6
        Net investment loss                       (0.72 )               (0.48 )               (0.54 )               (0.42 6
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 109  7

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class C shares is 8-28-14.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.              
  4     Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.              
  5     Not annualized.              
  6     Annualized.              
  7     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-14 to 3-31-15.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       21


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class I Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $16.98                 $15.41                 $16.53                 $15.58                 $12.67  
  Net investment income1                       0.06                 0.08                 0.08                 0.10                 0.01  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.64                 2.13                 (0.24 )               2.14                 3.47  
  Total from investment operations                       3.70                 2.21                 (0.16 )               2.24                 3.48  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.08 )               (0.08 )               (0.11 )               (0.06 )               (0.03 )
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )               (1.23 )               (0.54 )
  Total distributions                       (2.63 )               (0.64 )               (0.96 )               (1.29 )               (0.57 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $18.05                 $16.98                 $15.41                 $16.53                 $15.58  
  Total return (%)2                       22.12                 14.70                 (1.17 )               15.07                 27.68  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $20                 $17                 $10                 $12                 $2  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.84                 0.85                 0.90                 1.50                 2.62  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.83                 0.84                 0.88                 0.94                 0.94  
        Net investment income                       0.31                 0.47                 0.50                 0.62                 0.09  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 109                 91  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       22


                                                                                                                                                                             
   
   
   
  Class R2 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $17.02                 $15.44                 $16.55                 $16.50  
  Net investment income (loss)2                       (0.02 )               0.03                 0.01                  3
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.64                 2.14                 (0.25 )               0.05  
  Total from investment operations                       3.62                 2.17                 (0.24 )               0.05  
  Less distributions                                                                                
  From net investment income                       (0.01 )               (0.03 )               (0.02 )                
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )                
  Total distributions                       (2.56 )               (0.59 )               (0.87 )                
  Net asset value, end of period                       $18.08                 $17.02                 $15.44                 $16.55  
  Total return (%)4                       21.68                 14.30                 (1.63 )               0.30  5
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1                 $1                  6                6
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                    
        Expenses before reductions                       1.22                 1.18                 4.73                 15.09  7
        Expenses including reductions                       1.21                 1.17                 1.32                 13.96  7
        Net investment income (loss)                       (0.11 )               0.19                 0.06                  7,8
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 109  9

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R2 shares is 3-27-15.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Less than $0.005 per share.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.              
  5     Not annualized.              
  6     Less than $500,000.              
  7     Annualized.              
  8     Less than 0.005%.              
  9     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-14 to 3-31-15.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       23


                                                                                                                                                                             
   
   
   
  Class R4 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $17.01                 $15.43                 $16.55                 $16.50  
  Net investment income2                       0.03                 0.07                 0.04                  3
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.65                 2.14                 (0.25 )               0.05  
  Total from investment operations                       3.68                 2.21                 (0.21 )               0.05  
  Less distributions                                                                                
  From net investment income                       (0.06 )               (0.07 )               (0.06 )                
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )                
  Total distributions                       (2.61 )               (0.63 )               (0.91 )                
  Net asset value, end of period                       $18.08                 $17.01                 $15.43                 $16.55  
  Total return (%)4                       22.05                 14.60                 (1.47 )               0.30  5
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1                  6                6                6
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                    
        Expenses before reductions                       1.06                 1.02                 4.73                 15.09  7
        Expenses including reductions                       0.95                 0.91                 1.13                 1.18  7
        Net investment income                       0.18                 0.44                 0.25                 0.18  7
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 1098  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R4 shares is 3-27-15.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Less than $0.005 per share.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.              
  5     Not annualized.              
  6     Less than $500,000.              
  7     Annualized.              
  8     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-14 to 3-31-15.  

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       24


                                                                                                                                                                             
   
   
   
  Class R6 Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15 1
  Per share operating performance                                                                                
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $17.01                 $15.42                 $16.55                 $16.50  
  Net investment income2                       0.05                 0.09                 0.10                  3
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.67                 2.16                 (0.25 )               0.05  
  Total from investment operations                       3.72                 2.25                 (0.15 )               0.05  
  Less distributions                                                                                
  From net investment income                       (0.10 )               (0.10 )               (0.13 )                
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )                
  Total distributions                       (2.65 )               (0.66 )               (0.98 )                
  Net asset value, end of period                       $18.08                 $17.01                 $15.42                 $16.55  
  Total return (%)4                       22.26                 14.87                 (1.09 )               0.30  5
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $9                 $1                  6                6
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                    
        Expenses before reductions                       0.75                 0.75                 4.75                 15.91  7
        Expenses including reductions                       0.74                 0.73                 0.73                 0.81  7
        Net investment income                       0.25                 0.50                 0.65                 0.63  7
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 109  8

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     The inception date for Class R6 shares is 3-27-15.              
  2     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  3     Less than $0.005 per share.              
  4     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the period.              
  5     Not annualized.              
  6     Less than $500,000.              
  7     Annualized.              
  8     The portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 4-1-14 to 3-31-15.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       25


                                                                                                                                                                                                     
         
         
         
  Class NAV Shares Period ended     3-31-18           3-31-17           3-31-16           3-31-15           3-31-14  
  Per share operating performance                                                                                                  
  Net asset value, beginning of period                       $17.00                 $15.42                 $16.55                 $15.58                 $12.67  
  Net investment income1                       0.07                 0.10                 0.10                 0.12                 0.04  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments                       3.65                 2.14                 (0.25 )               2.17                 3.47  
  Total from investment operations                       3.72                 2.24                 (0.15 )               2.29                 3.51  
  Less distributions                                                                                                  
  From net investment income                       (0.10 )               (0.10 )               (0.13 )               (0.09 )               (0.06 )
  From net realized gain                       (2.55 )               (0.56 )               (0.85 )               (1.23 )               (0.54 )
  Total distributions                       (2.65 )               (0.66 )               (0.98 )               (1.32 )               (0.60 )
  Net asset value, end of period                       $18.07                 $17.00                 $15.42                 $16.55                 $15.58  
  Total return (%)2                       22.30                 14.81                 (1.09 )               15.43                 27.88  
  Ratios and supplemental data                                                                                                  
  Net assets, end of period (in millions)                       $1,410                 $1,592                 $1,666                 $2,078                 $1,452  
  Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                                                                                      
        Expenses before reductions                       0.73                 0.73                 0.74                 0.72                 0.74  
        Expenses including reductions                       0.73                 0.73                 0.74                 0.72                 0.73  
        Net investment income                       0.40                 0.61                 0.64                 0.72                 0.26  
  Portfolio turnover (%)                       83                 94                 90                 109                 91  

                                                                                                                                                                       
  1     Based on average daily shares outstanding.              
  2     Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.              

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       26


Notes to financial statements

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Strategic Growth Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Funds III (the Trust), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The investment objective of the fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently offered are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain investors. Class R2 and Class R4 shares are available only to certain retirement and 529 plans. Class R6 shares are available only to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class NAV shares are offered to John Hancock affiliated funds of funds, retirement plans for employees of John Hancock and/or Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC), and certain 529 plans. Shareholders of each class have exclusive voting rights to matters that affect that class. The distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees for each class may differ. Effective May 1, 2018, Class C Shares convert to Class A Shares ten years after purchase.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.

Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE pursuant to the fund's Valuation Policies and Procedures.

In order to value the securities, the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Equity securities held by the fund are typically valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or principal market where the security trades. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, the securities are valued using the last available bid price. Investments by the fund in open-end management investment companies, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Debt obligations are valued based on the evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor or from broker-dealers. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker supplied prices.

In certain instances, the Pricing Committee may determine to value equity securities using prices obtained from another exchange or market if trading on the exchange or market on which prices are typically obtained did not open for trading as scheduled, or if trading closed earlier than scheduled, and trading occurred as normal on another exchange or market.

Other portfolio securities and assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund's Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.

The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities

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valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the fund's investments as of March 31, 2018 by major security category or type:

           
  Total
value at
3-31-18
Level 1
quoted
price
Level 2
significant
observable
inputs
Level 3
significant
unobservable
inputs
Investments in securities:        
Assets        
  Common stocks        
  Consumer discretionary $320,031,379 $320,031,379
  Consumer staples 41,071,751 41,071,751
  Energy 13,569,275 13,569,275
  Financials 59,391,273 59,391,273
  Health care 226,766,284 226,766,284
  Industrials 237,743,064 237,743,064
  Information technology 764,381,775 762,965,420 $1,416,355
  Materials 47,138,548 47,138,548
  Real estate 23,583,514 23,583,514
Securities lending collateral 12,081,922 12,081,922
Short-term investments 103,214,072 $103,214,072
Total investments in securities $1,848,972,857 $1,744,342,430 $103,214,072 $1,416,355

Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part of the caption related to the repurchase agreement.

Repurchase agreements are typically governed by the terms and conditions of the Master Repurchase Agreement and/or Global Master Repurchase Agreement (collectively, MRA). Upon an event of default, the non-defaulting party may close out all transactions traded under the MRA and net amounts owed. Absent an event of default, assets and liabilities resulting from repurchase agreements are not offset in the Statement of assets and liabilities. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline or the counterparty may have insufficient assets to pay back claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income, net of withholding taxes, is recorded when the fund becomes aware of the dividends. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.

Securities lending. The fund may lend its securities to earn additional income. The fund receives cash collateral from the borrower in an amount not less than the market value of the loaned securities. The fund will invest collateral in JHCT, an affiliate of the fund, which has a floating NAV and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an

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investment company. JHCT invests in short-term money market investments. The fund will receive the benefit of any gains and bear any losses generated by JHCT with respect to the cash collateral.

The fund has the right to recall loaned securities on demand. If a borrower fails to return loaned securities when due, then the lending agent is responsible and indemnifies the fund for the lent securities. The lending agent uses the collateral received from the borrower to purchase replacement securities of the same issue, type, class and series of the loaned securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement securities, the lending agent is responsible for satisfying the shortfall but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any decrease in the value of JHCT.

Although the risk of the loss of the securities lent is mitigated by receiving collateral from the borrower and through lending agent indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering securities or could experience a lower than expected return if the borrower fails to return the securities on a timely basis. The fund receives compensation for lending their securities by retaining a portion of the return on the investment of the collateral and compensation from fees earned from borrowers of the securities. Securities lending income received by the fund is net of fees retained by the securities lending agent. Net income received from JHCT is a component of securities lending income as recorded on the Statement of operations.

Obligations to repay collateral received by the fund are shown on the Statements of assets and liabilities as Payable upon return of securities loaned and are secured by the loaned securities. As of March 31, 2018, the fund loaned common stocks valued at $11,838,250 and received $12,084,000 of cash collateral.

Line of credit. The fund may have the ability to borrow from banks for temporary or emergency purposes, including meeting redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely sale of securities. Pursuant to the fund's custodian agreement, the custodian may loan money to the fund to make properly authorized payments. The fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses. The custodian may have a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any fund property that is not otherwise segregated or pledged, to the extent of any overdraft, and to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Effective June 29, 2017, the fund and other affiliated funds have entered into a syndicated line of credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent that enables them to participate in a $750 million unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $500 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. A commitment fee payable at the end of each calendar quarter, based on the average daily unused portion of the line of credit, is charged to each participating fund based on a combination of fixed and asset based allocations and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statement of operations. Prior to June 29, 2017, the fund had a similar agreement that enabled it to participate in a $1 billion unsecured committed line of credit. For the year ended March 31, 2018, the fund had no borrowings under either line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended March 31, 2018 were $6,420.

Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.

Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

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As of March 31, 2018, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares and pays dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

The tax character of distributions for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

     
  March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Ordinary Income $101,174,268 $16,265,008
Long term capital gains 148,080,746 61,625,762
Total $249,255,014 $77,890,770

Distributions paid by the fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class. As of March 31, 2018, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $46,940,980 of undistributed ordinary income and $83,929,130 of undistributed long-term capital gain.

Such distributions and distributable earnings, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the fund's financial statements as a return of capital.

Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to wash sale loss deferrals and treatment of a portion of the proceeds from redemptions as distributions for tax purposes.

Note 3 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Note 4 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Funds, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the fund. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of MFC.

Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a) 0.725% of the first $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (b) 0.700% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; (c) 0.675% of the next $500 million of the fund's average daily net assets; and (d) 0.650% of the fund's average daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with John Hancock Asset Management, a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated

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among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the year ended March 31, 2018, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund's average net assets. This arrangement may be amended or terminated at any time by the Advisor upon notice to the fund and with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Prior to July 1, 2017, the Adviser had contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse all class specific expenses for Class R6 shares of the fund to the extent they exceed 0.00% of average net assets. This expense limitation expired on June 30, 2017.

For the year ended March 31, 2018, these expense reductions amounted to the following:

   
Class Expense reduction
Class A $30,718
Class C 1,465
Class I 1,418
Class R2 69
Class R4 37
Class R6 425
Class NAV 127,265
Total $161,397

Expenses waived or reimbursed in the current fiscal period are not subject to recapture in future fiscal periods.

The investment management fees, including the impact of waiver and reimbursements as described above, incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.68% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the fund reimburses the Advisor for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, compliance, accounting and recordkeeping services to the fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These expenses are allocated to each share class based on its relative net assets at the time the expense was incurred. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the year ended March 31, 2018 amounted to an annual rate of 0.02% of the fund's average daily net assets.

Distribution and service plans. The fund has a distribution agreement with the Distributor. The fund has adopted distribution and service plans with respect to Class A, Class C, Class R2 and Class R4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. In addition, under a service plan for Class R2 and Class R4 shares, the fund pays for certain other services. The fund may pay up to the following contractual rates of distribution and service fees under these arrangements, expressed as an annual percentage of average daily net assets for each class of the fund's shares.

             
Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fees   Class Rule 12b-1 fee Service fees
Class A 0.30%   Class R2 0.25% 0.25%
Class C 1.00%   Class R4 0.25% 0.10%

Currently only 0.25% is charged to Class A shares for Rule 12b-1 fees.

The fund's Distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement expires on June 30, 2018, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $445 for Class R4 shares for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $169,116 for the year ended March 31,2018. Of this amount, $27,291 was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes, $110,845 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers and $30,980 was paid as sales commissions to sales personnel of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor.

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Class A and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more and are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% sales charge. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the year ended March 31,2018, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $767 and $406 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively.

Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock Group of Funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.

Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the year ended March 31, 2018 were:

     
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $924,020 $410,054
Class C 176,381 19,571
Class I 18,292
Class R2 3,936 108
Class R4 1,385 57
Class R6 561
Total $1,105,722 $448,643

Trustee expenses. The fund compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Advisor or its affiliates. The costs of paying Trustee compensation and expenses are allocated to the fund based on its net assets relative to other funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex.

Interfund lending program. Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with certain other funds advised by the Advisor or its affiliates, may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the funds to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating affiliated funds. At period end, no interfund loans were outstanding. The fund's activity in this program during the period for which loans were outstanding was as follows:

         
Borrower
or lender
Weighted average
loan balance
Days
outstanding
Weighted average
interest rate
Interest income
Lender $10,618,546 1 1.250% $369

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Note 5 — Fund share transactions

Transactions in fund shares for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

                                                     
                 
              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class A shares                                      
  Sold     1,039,343     $19,029,957                 749,612     $11,943,328  
  Issued in reorganization (Note 9)                         21,468,382     331,978,464  
  Distributions reinvested     2,710,777     47,547,047                 761,147     11,919,564  
  Repurchased     (2,937,346 )   (53,736,643 )               (3,839,049 )   (61,321,302 )
  Net increase     812,774     $12,840,361                 19,140,092     $294,520,054  
  Class C shares                                      
  Sold     50,898     $915,997                 62,516     $988,888  
  Issued in reorganization (Note 9)                         1,055,831     16,315,435  
  Distributions reinvested     122,678     2,129,676                 31,916     498,210  
  Repurchased     (173,793 )   (3,143,990 )               (212,680 )   (3,370,383 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (217 )   ($98,317 )               937,583     $14,432,150  
  Class I shares                                      
  Sold     673,531     $12,351,454                 943,754     $15,295,486  
  Issued in reorganization (Note 9)                         281,166     4,371,431  
  Distributions reinvested     107,940     1,904,068                 26,643     419,092  
  Repurchased     (668,515 )   (12,591,106 )               (893,470 )   (14,057,354 )
  Net increase     112,956     $1,664,416                 358,093     $6,028,655  
  Class R2 shares                                      
  Sold     3,784     $70,322                 10,833     $173,528  
  Issued in reorganization (Note 9)                         58,403     909,678  
  Distributions reinvested     5,477     96,893                 1,620     25,559  
  Repurchased     (24,349 )   (437,248 )               (17,571 )   (285,072 )
  Net increase (decrease)     (15,088 )   ($270,033 )               53,285     $823,693  
  Class R4 shares                                      
  Sold     41,193     $764,704                 224     $3,588  
  Issued in reorganization (Note 9)                         8,608     134,034  
  Distributions reinvested     1,562     27,614                 123     1,938  
  Repurchased     (16,615 )   (326,060 )               (88 )   (1,395 )
  Net increase     26,140     $466,258                 8,867     $138,165  
  Class R6 shares                                      
  Sold     455,630     $8,785,087                 47,217     $771,958  
  Issued in reorganization (Note 9)                         362,123     5,636,589  
  Distributions reinvested     64,110     1,132,824                 1,300     20,472  
  Repurchased     (67,149 )   (1,256,900 )               (359,657 )   (5,600,153 )
  Net increase     452,591     $8,661,011                 50,983     $828,866  

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              Year ended  3-31-18                       Year ended  3-31-17  
        Shares     Amount                 Shares     Amount  
  Class NAV shares                                      
  Sold     1,264,023     $22,615,331                 1,762,330     $28,246,290  
  Distributions reinvested     11,022,495     194,657,256                 4,095,668     64,465,820  
  Repurchased     (27,937,248 )   (520,454,915 )               (20,225,859 )   (326,504,369 )
  Net decrease     (15,650,730 )   ($303,182,328 )               (14,367,861 )   ($233,792,259 )
  Total net increase (decrease)     (14,261,574 )   ($279,918,632 )               6,181,042     $82,979,324  

Affiliates of the fund owned 6%, 13% and 100% of shares of Class R4, Class R6 and Class NAV, respectively, on March 31, 2018. Such concentration of shareholders' capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.

Note 6 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, amounted to $1,566,550,502 and $2,105,748,945, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2018.

Note 7 — Industry or sector risk

The fund may invest a large percentage of its assets in one or more particular industries or sectors of the economy. If a large percentage of the fund's assets are economically tied to a single or small number of industries or sectors of the economy, the fund will be less diversified than a more broadly diversified fund, and it may cause the fund to underperform if that industry or sector underperforms. In addition, focusing on a particular industry or sector may make the fund's NAV more volatile. Further, a fund that invests in particular industries or sectors is particularly susceptible to the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors affecting those industries or sectors.

Note 8 — Investment by affiliated funds

Certain investors in the fund are affiliated funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. The affiliated funds do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, this investment may represent a significant portion of the fund's net assets. At March 31, 2018, funds within the John Hancock group of funds complex held 76.7% of the fund's net assets. The following funds had an affiliate ownership of 5% or more of the fund's net assets:

   
Fund Affiliate concentration
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Growth Portfolio 18.5%
John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Lifestyle Growth MVP 14.9%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio 13.2%
John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Lifestyle Balanced MVP 9.6%
John Hancock Funds II Multimanager Lifestyle Aggressive Portfolio 7.8%

Note 9 — Direct placement securities

The fund may hold private placement securities which are restricted as to resale and the fund has limited rights to registration under the Securities Act of 1933. The following table summarizes the direct placement securities held at March 31, 2018.

             
Issuer,
description
Acquisition
date
Acquisition
cost
Beginning
share
amount
Ending
share
amount
Value as a
percentage
of fund's
net assets
Value
as of
3-31-18
Ex-Sigma LLC 10-31-14 $4,726,919 510 510 0.08% $1,416,355

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Note 10 — Reorganization

On March 30, 2016, the shareholders of John Hancock Select Growth Fund (the Acquired Portfolio) voted to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the Agreement) which provided for an exchange of shares of the fund (the Acquiring Portfolio) with a value equal to the net assets transferred.

The Agreement provided for (a) the acquisition of all the assets, subject to all of the liabilities, of the Acquired Portfolio in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Portfolio with a value equal to the net assets transferred; (b) the liquidation of the Acquired Portfolio; and (c) the distribution to Acquired Portfolio's shareholders of the Acquiring Portfolio's shares. The reorganization was intended to consolidate the Acquired Portfolio with a portfolio with similar investment objectives and achieve economies of scale. As a result of the reorganization, the Acquiring Portfolio is the legal and accounting survivor.

Based on the opinion of tax counsel, the reorganization qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes with no gain or loss recognized by the Acquired Portfolio or its shareholders. Thus, the investments were transferred to the Acquiring Portfolio at the Acquired Portfolio's identified cost. All distributable amounts of net income and realized gains from the Acquired Portfolio were distributed prior to the reorganization. In addition, the expenses of the reorganization were borne by the Acquired Portfolio. The effective time of the reorganization occurred immediately after the close of regularly scheduled trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 22, 2016. The following outlines the reorganization:

               
Acquiring
Portfolio
Acquired
Portfolio
Net asset
value of
the Acquired
Portfolio
Appreciation
of the
Acquired
Portfolio
investment
Shares
redeemed
by the
Acquired
Portfolio
Shares
issued
by the
Acquiring
Portfolio
Acquiring
Portfolio net
assets prior
to combination
Acquiring
Portfolio
total net
assets after
combination
Strategic Growth Fund Select Growth Fund $359,345,631 $15,546,164 18,553,593 23,234,513 $1,692,096,430 $2,051,442,061

See Note 5 for capital shares issued in connection with the above referenced reorganization.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       35


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Funds III and Shareholders of John Hancock Strategic Growth Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the fund's investments, of John Hancock Strategic Growth Fund (one of the funds constituting John Hancock Funds III, referred to hereafter as the "Fund") as of March 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2018, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2018 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and broker. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

May 10, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the John Hancock group of funds since 1988.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       36


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 March 31, 2018.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.

The fund reports the maximum amount allowable of its net taxable income as qualified dividend income as provided in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

The fund paid $163,158,030 in capital gain dividends.

Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2018 Form 1099-DIV in early 2019. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2018.

Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       37


Trustees and Officers

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

Independent Trustees

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Hassell H. McClellan, Born: 1945 2012 221
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 2008); Director, The Barnes Group (since 2010); Associate Professor, The Wallace E. Carroll School of Management, Boston College (retired 2013). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 221
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014), Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 1988); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Foresters Financial (since 2018); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zillion Group, Inc. (formerly HealthFleet, Inc.) (healthcare) (2014-2018); Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Life Insurance Division of Genworth Financial, Inc. (insurance) (January 2014-July 2014); Senior Executive Vice President, Manulife Financial Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (2005-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (2005-2010; 2012-2014 and since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 221
Trustee
Consultant (financial, accounting, and auditing matters) (since 1999); Certified Public Accountant; Partner, Arthur Andersen (independent public accounting firm) (prior to 1999); Director, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (since 2004); Director, Symetra Financial Corporation (2010-2016); Director, PMA Capital Corporation (2004-2010). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds III (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee
Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Chairman (since 2009) and Director (since 2006), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance); Director, Southwest Airlines (since 2000); former Director, LIN Television (2009-2014). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 1986); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2006 and since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       38


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Theron S. Hoffman,2 Born: 1947 2012 221
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, T. Hoffman Associates, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2003); Director, The Todd Organization (consulting firm) (2003-2010); President, Westport Resources Management (investment management consulting firm) (2006-2008); Board Member, Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Operating Head, Putnam Investments (2000-2003); Executive Vice President, The Thomson Corp. (financial and legal information publishing) (1997-2000). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015); Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2008).

     
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 221
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (since 2014); Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (2002-2011); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Assistance Corporation (1996-2009); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002-2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (health benefits company) (2007-2011). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); and Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

     
James M. Oates, Born: 1946 2012 221

Trustee
Managing Director, Wydown Group (financial consulting firm) (since 1994); Chairman and Director, Emerson Investment Management, Inc. (2000-2015); Independent Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) (financial services company) (1997-2011); Director, Stifel Financial (since 1996); Director, Investor Financial Services Corporation (1995-2007); Director, Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-2014); Director/Trustee, Virtus Funds (since 1988). Trustee (since 2014) and Chairperson of the Board (2014-2016), John Hancock Collateral Trust; Trustee (since 2015) and Chairperson of the Board (2015-2016), John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust; Trustee (since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee (2005-2006 and since 2012) and Chairperson of the Board (2012-2016), John Hancock Funds III; Trustee (since 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016), John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Trustee (since 2005) and Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Funds II (2005-2016).


     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 2006 221
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (until 2010); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Partner, Right Funding, LLC (2014-2017); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991). Trustee (since 1992) and Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), John Hancock retail funds3; Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock retail funds3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       39


Independent Trustees (continued)

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2008 221
Trustee
Director and Audit Committee Chairman (since 2012), and Member, Audit Committee and Finance Committee (since 2011), NCH Healthcare System, Inc. (holding company for multi-entity healthcare system); Director and Member (since 2012) and Finance Committee Chairman (since 2014), The Moorings, Inc. (nonprofit continuing care community); Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG LLP (KPMG) (2002-2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998-2002); Chairman and Treasurer, Westchester County, New York, Chamber of Commerce (1986-1992); Director, Treasurer, and Chairman of Audit and Finance Committees, Putnam Hospital Center (1989-1995); Director and Chairman of Fundraising Campaign, United Way of Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York (1990-1995). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2008); Trustee, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

Non-Independent Trustees4

     
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s) and other
directorships during past 5 years
Trustee
of the
Trust
since1
Number of John
Hancock funds
overseen by
Trustee
Andrew G. Arnott, Born: 1971 2017 221

President and Non-Independent Trustee
Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Funds, LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014). Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2017).


     
Warren A. Thomson, Born: 1955 2012 221
Non-Independent Trustee
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Manulife Financial Corporation and The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (since 2009); Chairman, Manulife Asset Management (since 2001, including prior positions); Director and Chairman, Manulife Asset Management Limited (since 2006); Director and Chairman, Hancock Natural Resources Group, Inc. (since 2013). Trustee, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, and John Hancock Funds II (since 2012); Trustee, John Hancock Collateral Trust (since 2014); Trustee, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2015).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       40


Principal officers who are not Trustees

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
John J. Danello, Born: 1955 2014
Senior Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer
Vice President and Chief Counsel, John Hancock Wealth Management (since 2005); Senior Vice President (since 2007) and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2010), John Hancock Funds, LLC and The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC; Senior Vice President (since 2006, including prior positions) and Chief Legal Officer and Secretary (since 2014), John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Funds II and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust; Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014); Vice President, John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company (since 2009); Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (since 2010); and Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel (2007-2014, including prior positions) of John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC.

   
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2006
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Advisers, LLC, and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock retail funds,3 John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (since 2007); Chief Financial Officer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (since 2007); Treasurer, John Hancock retail funds3 (since 2007, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust and John Hancock Funds II (2007-2009 and since 2010, including prior positions); Treasurer, John Hancock Collateral Trust and John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust (since 2014).

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 Trust and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-225-5291.

1 Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee's death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Mr. Boyle has served as Trustee at various times prior to the date listed in the table.
2 Member of the Audit Committee.
3 "John Hancock retail funds" comprises John Hancock Funds III and 40 other John Hancock funds consisting of 30 series of other John Hancock trusts and 10 closed-end funds.
4 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       41


More information

   

Trustees

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

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

John J. Danello
Senior Vice President, Secretary,
and Chief Legal Officer

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Advisers, LLC

Subadvisor

John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

Principal distributor

John Hancock Funds, LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Transfer agent

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.

Legal counsel

K&L Gates LLP

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee
#Effective 6-20-17

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

The fund's complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The fund's Form N-Q is available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room.

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

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

Regular mail:

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

Express mail:

John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
Suite 55913
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND       42


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Balanced

Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Value

New Opportunities

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

Strategic Growth

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Growth

Value Equity

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Greater China Opportunities

International Growth

International Small Company

International Value Equity

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Global Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Spectrum Income

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Enduring Assets

Financial Industries

Global Absolute Return Strategies

Global Conservative Absolute Return

Global Focused Strategies

Natural Resources

Redwood

Regional Bank

Seaport

Technical Opportunities

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


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Income Allocation

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

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

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

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


John Hancock Investments

A trusted brand

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

A better way to invest

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

Results for investors

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

jhsocialmedialogo.jpg

     
 
jhbclogo.jpg
John Hancock Funds, LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
601 Congress Street n Boston, MA 02210-2805
800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com
  This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Strategic Growth Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
  MF444968 393A 3/18
5/18


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

As of the end of the year, March 31, 2018, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (respectively, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer, the “Covered Officers”). A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

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

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a) Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audits of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements amounted to the following for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

Fund March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Disciplined Value Fund $      37,595 $      36,684
Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund 48,292 47,920
International Value Equity Fund 54,959 53,611
Small Company Fund 45,636 44,491
Strategic Growth Fund 41,312 38,866
Total $ 227,794 $ 221,572

(b) Audit-Related Services
Audit-related fees for assurance and related services by the principal accountant are billed to the registrant or to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser ("control affiliates") that provides ongoing services to the registrant. The nature of the services provided was affiliated service provider internal controls reviews and merger related fees. Amounts billed to the registrant were as follows:

Fund March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Disciplined Value Fund $      540 $      510
Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund 540 510
International Value Equity Fund 540 510
Small Company Fund 5,277 510
Strategic Growth Fund 540 510
Total $ 7,437 $ 2,550

Amounts billed to control affiliates were $110,200 and $106,517 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


(c) Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“tax fees”) amounted to the following for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The nature of the services comprising the tax fees was the review of the registrant’s tax returns and tax distribution requirements. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

Fund March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Disciplined Value Fund $      3,725 $      3,647
Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund 3,725 4,337
International Value Equity Fund 4,275 4,197
Small Company Fund 3,725 3,647
Strategic Growth Fund 3,725 12,097
Total $ 19,175 $ 27,925

(d) All Other Fees
The nature of the services comprising all other fees is advisory services provided to the investment manager. Other fees amounted to the following for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Fund March 31, 2018 March 31, 2017
Disciplined Value Fund $      221 $      832
Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund 221 832
International Value Equity Fund 221 832
Small Company Fund 221 832
Strategic Growth Fund 221 832
Total $ 1,105 $ 4,160

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

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

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

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

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

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


(f) According to the registrant’s principal accountant for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, the percentage of hours spent on the audit of the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons who were not full-time, permanent employees of principal accountant was less than 50%.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant and rendered to the registrant's control affiliates were $7,692,718 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 and $5,908,499 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

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

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

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

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

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

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

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

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

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

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


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

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

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

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

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

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

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


SIGNATURES

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

John Hancock Funds III

   
By:     /s/ Andrew Arnott
Andrew Arnott
President
  
Date:    

May 10, 2018

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
By:      /s/ Andrew Arnott
Andrew Arnott
President
  
Date:    

May 10, 2018


   
By:     /s/ Charles A. Rizzo
Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
 
Date:    

May 10, 2018