EX-99.(D).7 5 e363235_ex99-d7.htm SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Exhibit 99.(d).7

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST

 

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

AGREEMENT made as of the 18th day of December, 2013, between John Hancock Advisers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser"), and Wellington Management Company, LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership (the "Subadviser"). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.APPOINTMENT OF SUBADVISER

 

The Subadviser undertakes to act as investment subadviser to, and, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of John Hancock Investment Trust (the "Trust") and the terms of this Agreement, to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of each of the portfolios of the Trust specified in Appendix A to this Agreement as it shall be amended by the Adviser and the Subadviser from time to time (the "Portfolio" or "Portfolios"). The Subadviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or Adviser in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent unless expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust and Adviser.

 

2.SERVICES TO BE RENDERED BY THE SUBADVISER TO THE TRUST

 

a.Subject always to the direction and control of the Trustees of the Trust, the Subadviser will manage the investments and determine the composition of the assets of the Portfolios. In fulfilling its obligations to manage the investments and reinvestments of the assets of the Portfolios, the Subadviser will:

 

i.obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, statistical, financial and other information affecting the economy generally and individual companies or industries the securities of which are included in the Portfolios or are under consideration for inclusion in the Portfolios;

 

ii.formulate and implement a continuous investment program for each Portfolio consistent with the investment objectives and related investment policies for each such Portfolio as described in the Trust's registration statement, as amended;

 

iii.take whatever steps are necessary to implement these investment programs by the purchase and sale of securities including the placing of orders for such purchases and sales;

 

iv.regularly report to the Trustees of the Trust with respect to the implementation of these investment programs; and

 

v.make recommendations, in accordance with procedures and methods established by the Trustees of the Trust, for the fair value of securities held by the Portfolios for which market quotations are not readily available for purposes of enabling the Trust's Custodian to calculate net asset value.

 

 
 

 

b.The Subadviser, at its expense, will furnish (i) all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of personnel required for it to execute its duties faithfully, and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the investment affairs of the Portfolios (excluding determination of net asset value and shareholder accounting services).

 

c.The Subadviser will select brokers, dealers, futures commission merchants and other counterparties to effect all transactions for the Portfolios, including without limitation, with respect to transactions in securities, derivatives, foreign currency exchange, commodities  and/or any other investments.  The Subadviser will place all orders with brokers, dealers, counterparties or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions, spreads and other financial and non-financial terms, as applicable.  The Subadviser will always seek the best possible price and execution in the circumstances in all transactions.  Subject to the foregoing, the Subadviser is directed at all times to seek to execute transactions for the Portfolios in accordance with its trading policies, as disclosed by the Subadviser to the Portfolios from time to time, but in all cases subject to policies and practices established by the Portfolios and described in the Trust’s registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser may pay a broker-dealer that provides research and brokerage services a higher spread or commission for a particular transaction than otherwise might have been charged by another broker-dealer to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and by the Trust’s registration statement, if the Subadviser determines that the higher spread or commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services that such broker-dealer provides, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to accounts managed by the Subadviser. The Subadviser may use for the benefit of the Subadviser’s other clients, or make available to companies affiliated with the Subadviser or to its directors for the benefit of its clients, any such brokerage and research services that the Subadviser obtains from brokers or dealers.

 

d.The Subadviser will maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Portfolios as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act") and Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Investment Advisers Act") and the rules thereunder.

 

e.The Subadviser shall vote proxies relating to the Portfolios' investment securities in accordance with the Trust's proxy voting policies and procedures, which provide that the Subadviser shall vote all proxies relating to securities held by the Portfolios and, subject to the Trust's policies and procedures, shall use proxy voting policies and procedures adopted by the Subadviser in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act. The Subadviser shall review its proxy voting activities on a periodic basis with the Trustees.

 

 
 

 

3.COMPENSATION OF SUBADVISER

 

The Adviser will pay the Subadviser with respect to each Portfolio the compensation specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.

 

4.LIABILITY OF SUBADVISER

 

Neither the Subadviser nor any of its partners or employees shall be liable to the Adviser or Trust for any loss suffered by the Adviser or Trust resulting from its acts or omissions as Subadviser to the Portfolios, except for losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of, or from reckless disregard of, the duties of the subadviser or any of its partners or employees.

 

5.SUPPLEMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Subadviser may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated with the Subadviser to better enable it to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the Subadviser.

 

6.REGULATION

 

The Subadviser shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any information, reports or other material which any such body by reason of this Agreement may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

 

7.DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Portfolio on the later of: (i) its execution, (ii) approval of the Agreement by the Trustees of the Trust and (iii) disclosure of the terms of the Agreement in the Prospectus of the Trust. The Agreement will continue in effect for a period more than two years from the date of its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually either by the Trustees of the Trust or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each of the Portfolios, provided that in either event such continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any required shareholder approval of the Agreement or of any continuance of the Agreement shall be effective with respect to any Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series (as defined in Rule 18f-2 (h) under the Investment Company Act) of shares of that Portfolio votes to approve the Agreement or its continuance, notwithstanding that the Agreement or its continuance may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of (a) any other Portfolio affected by the Agreement or (b) all the portfolios of the Trust.

 

 
 

 

If any required shareholder approval of this Agreement or any continuance of the Agreement is not obtained, the Subadviser will continue to act as investment subadviser with respect to such Portfolio pending the required approval of the Agreement or its continuance or of a new contract with the Subadviser or a different adviser or subadviser or other definitive action; provided, that the compensation received by the Subadviser in respect of such Portfolio during such period is in compliance with Rule 15a-4 under the Investment Company Act.

 

This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Trustees of the Trust, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or with respect to any Portfolio by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio, on sixty days' written notice to the Adviser and the Subadviser, or by the Adviser or Subadviser, on sixty days' written notice to the Trust and the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act) or in the event the Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust terminates for any reason.

 

8.PROVISION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY SUBADVISER

 

The Subadviser will promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

a.the Subadviser fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Subadviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

b.the Subadviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Trust; and

 

c.the managing general partner or controlling partner of the Subadviser or the portfolio manager of any Portfolio changes.

 

9.SALES LITERATURE

 

The Adviser will not use the Subadviser's name in Trust literature without prior review and approval by the Subadviser, which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

10.AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any required shareholder approval shall be effective with respect to any Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Portfolio vote to approve the amendment, notwithstanding that the amendment may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of (a) any other Portfolio affected by the amendment or (b) all the portfolios of the Trust.

 

 
 

  

11.ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the Portfolios listed in Appendix A.

 

12.HEADINGS

 

The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.

 

13.NOTICES

 

All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered or mailed to the last known business address of the Trust or applicable party in person or by registered mail or a private mail or delivery service providing the sender with notice of receipt. Notice shall be deemed given on the date delivered or mailed in accordance with this paragraph.

 

14.SEVERABILITY

 

Should any portion of this Agreement for any reason be held to be void in law or in equity, the Agreement shall be construed, insofar as is possible, as if such portion had never been contained herein.

 

15.GOVERNING LAW

 

The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

 

16.LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto (the "Declaration"), is on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name "John Hancock Investment Trust" refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property, for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim, in connection with the affairs of the Trust or any portfolio thereof, but only the assets belonging to the Trust, or to the particular portfolio with respect to which such obligation or claim arose, shall be liable.

 

 
 

  

18.CONFIDENTIALITY OF TRUST PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Subadviser agrees to treat the Trust’s portfolio holdings as confidential information in accordance with the Subadviser's "Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy and Procedures" (the "Subadviser Policy"), as may be amended from time to time, and to prohibit its employees from trading on any such confidential information. The Subadviser acknowledges the provisions of the Trust's "Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings" (the "Trust Policy") regarding non-disclosure of confidential information. Consistent with the Subadviser Policy, the Subadviser will not release the Trust's confidential portfolio holdings information to any third party except at the direction of the Adviser. The Adviser hereby represents and warrants that it shall not instruct the Subadviser to release such information to any third party unless the Adviser or Subadviser has entered into a confidentiality agreement with such third party of the type contemplated under the Trust Policy.

 

19.CONSULTATION WITH SUBADVISERS TO OTHER TRUST PORTFOLIOS

 

As required by Rule 17a- 10 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Subadviser is prohibited from consulting with the entities listed below concerning transactions for a Portfolio in securities or other assets:

 

1.other subadvisers to a Portfolio;

 

2.other subadvisers to a Trust portfolio; and

 

3.other subadvisers to a portfolio under common control with the Portfolio.

 

20.COMPLIANCE

 

Upon execution of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with the Subadviser’s written policies and procedures ("Compliance Policies") as required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall promptly submit to the Adviser: (i) any material changes to the Compliance Policies, (ii) notification of the existence of a regulatory examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission and documentation describing the results of any such examination of the Subadviser if such results could have a material adverse impact on Subadviser's ability to provide the services contemplated herein to the Trust, (iii) documentation of any formal review of the Subadviser's Compliance Policies and (iv) notification of any material compliance matter that relates to the services provided by the Subadviser to the Trust including but not limited to any material violation of the Compliance Policies or of the Subadviser's code of ethics by parties directly involved in providing services to the Trust. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall provide the Adviser with any certifications, information and access to personnel and resources (including those resources that will permit testing of the Compliance Policies by the Adviser) that the Adviser may reasonably request to enable the Trust to comply with Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act.

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first mentioned above.

 

  JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Leo Zerilli
    Leo Zerilli
    Senior Vice President and
    Chief Investment Officer
     
  WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLP
     
  By: /s/ David K. Eikenberry
    Name: David K. Eikenberry
    Title:  Senior Vice President

  

 
 

 

APPENDIX A

 

The Subadviser shall serve as investment subadviser for each Portfolio of the Trust listed below. The Adviser will pay the Subadviser, as full compensation for all services provided under this Agreement with respect to each Portfolio, the fee computed separately for such Portfolio at an annual rate as follows (the “Subadviser Fee”):

 

Portfolio 

First

$250 million of

Net Assets

  

Excess Over

$250 million of

Net Assets

 
           
John Hancock Enduring Equity Fund   [   ]%   [   ]%

 

Portfolio  All Asset Levels 
      
John Hancock Seaport Fund   [   ]%