N-CSR 1 d374974.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- 2485

John Hancock Current Interest
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Schiavone

Treasurer

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116


(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: March 31
   
Date of reporting period: March 31, 2020

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.


John Hancock

Money Market Fund

Annual report 3/31/2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling John Hancock Investment Management at 800-225-5291 (Class A, Class B and Class C shares) or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

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A message to shareholders

Dear shareholder,

Global financial markets were on pace to deliver strong returns during the 12 months ended March 31, 2020, until heightened fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) sent markets tumbling during the last five weeks of the period. Investors reacted by exiting higher-risk assets and moving into cash, leading to a liquidity crunch in the fixed-income markets. After the longest bull market in U.S. history, we're now in bear market territory.

In response to the sell-off, the U.S. Federal Reserve acted quickly, lowering interest rates to zero and reinstating quantitative easing, as well as announcing its plans to shore up short-term debt. These steps, along with the passage of an estimated $2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill, helped lift the markets in the final two weeks of March, while credit spreads rebounded off their highs as liquidity concerns eased.

The continued spread of COVID-19, trade disputes, rising unemployment, and other geopolitical tensions may continue to create uncertainty among businesses and investors. Your financial professional can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to seek to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way.      

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

Sincerely,

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

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.


John Hancock
Money Market Fund

Table of contents

     
2   Your fund at a glance
5   Manager's discussion of fund performance
7   Your expenses
9   Fund's investments
13   Financial statements
16   Financial highlights
19   Notes to financial statements
25   Report of independent registered public accounting firm
26   Tax information
27   Statement regarding liquidity risk management
30   Trustees and Officers
34   More information

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       1


Your fund at a glance

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE


The fund seeks the maximum current income that is consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital.

MATURITY COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/2020


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ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       2


PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS


The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) enacted significant interest-rate cuts over the course of the period

The federal funds rate, which stood at a target range of 2.25% to 2.50% when the period began, was cut to a range of 0.00% to 0.25% by the end of March 2020.

The spread of COVID-19 was the primary factor in the dramatic policy shift

The shutdowns associated with the coronavirus led to sharp reductions in the economic growth outlook, prompting the Fed to act quickly to head off a potential crisis.

The fund maintained a steady approach

The portfolio was positioned with above-average interest-rate sensitivity throughout the year, with an ongoing focus on liquidity and diversification.

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF 3/31/2020 (%)


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ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       3


A note about risks

The fund may be subject to various risks as described in the fund's prospectus. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange-trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the fund's performance, resulting in losses to your investment. For more information, please refer to the "Principal risks" section of the prospectus. 

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       4


Manager's discussion of fund performance

Can you describe some of the key events during the 12 months ended March 31, 2020?

Money market yields fell dramatically over the course of the year. When the annual period began, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) was in the midst of a pivot from a long cycle of interest-rate increases to a series of rate cuts. The Fed lowered interest rates three times in 2019, with quarter-point reductions at its July, September, and October meetings, and it ended the calendar year with a target range of 1.50% to 1.75%. These cuts reflected the backdrop of slow economic growth and low inflation that was in place at this time.

In mid-September, the Fed also started carrying out open market operations to inject liquidity into the banking system and keep short-term interest rates within its target range. While investors generally viewed this move as being purely technical in nature, it was the first time the Fed had to conduct open market operations since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Market conditions changed dramatically in the final three months of the period. As the spread of COVID-19 accelerated and economic activity ground to a halt, investors became increasingly concerned about the potential long-term fallout of the pandemic. The Fed responded by cutting its target range by 50 basis points (one half of a percentage point) on March 3, 2020, followed by another 100 basis points on March 15. The target range stood at a range of 0.00% to 0.25% at the end of March, and the consensus expectation called for the Fed to hold at this level for the immediate future given the likelihood of a sharp downturn in economic growth.

In addition to slashing interest rates, the Fed introduced several programs intended to maintain liquidity in the money markets, including the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility, the Commercial Paper Funding Facility, and the Primary Dealer Credit Facility. These facilities were designed to help the market continue to function during the crisis. While market conditions seemed to stabilize somewhat in late March, it was not yet known what the full extent of the pandemic would be or how much economic pain would be required to defeat it.

In this environment, the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)—a key basis for money market rates—fell from 2.49% on March 31, 2019, to 0.99% at the

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       5


close of the period. The three-month LIBOR declined from 2.60% to 1.45% in the same span.

Given the uncertain backdrop for financial markets and the flat-to-inverted yield curve (i.e., higher yields for shorter-dated securities), cash flooded into money market funds throughout the annual period. Money market assets increased over $1.4 trillion in the 12-month interval, bringing the total invested in the category to $4.6 trillion.

How would you characterize the fund's positioning?

We kept the portfolio's duration (interest-rate sensitivity) on the higher end of the possible range throughout the course of the period based on our expectation that the Fed would continue to cut rates. The fund maintained a longer duration at the end of the period, as we sought to lock in higher yields for as long as possible. As always, we continued to emphasize liquidity and diversification.

MANAGED BY


 
Team of U.S. research analysts and portfolio managers

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The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Jeffrey N. Given, CFA, Manulife Investment 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 MONEY MARKET FUND       6


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, 2019, with the same investment held until March 31, 2020.
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, 2020, 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:
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 class’s actual return). It assumes an account value of $1,000.00 on October 1, 2019, with the same investment held until March 31, 2020. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND 7

 

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 prospectus for details regarding transaction costs.
SHAREHOLDER EXPENSE EXAMPLE CHART

    Account
value on
10-1-2019
Ending
value on
3-31-2020
Expenses
paid during
period ended
3-31-20201
Annualized
expense
ratio
Class A Actual expenses/actual returns $1,000.00 $1,005.40 $2.81 0.56%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.20 2.83 0.56%
Class B Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,005.40 2.81 0.56%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.20 2.83 0.56%
Class C Actual expenses/actual returns 1,000.00 1,005.40 2.81 0.56%
  Hypothetical example 1,000.00 1,022.20 2.83 0.56%
    
1 Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
8 JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Fund’s investments  
AS OF 3-31-20
  Maturity date Yield (%)   Par value^ Value
U.S. Government Agency 80.7% $686,085,371
(Cost $686,085,371)          
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (SOFR + 0.100%) (A) 04-01-21 to 08-23-21 0.112   7,000,000 7,000,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (Prime rate - 3.020%) (A) 09-01-20 0.233   2,474,000 2,474,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (Prime rate - 3.010%) (A) 05-20-20 0.243   6,134,000 6,134,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (1 month LIBOR + 0.030%) (A) 11-20-20 0.814   5,192,000 5,192,000
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (1 month LIBOR + 0.040%) (A) 07-24-20 1.039   4,349,000 4,348,231
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (1 month LIBOR + 0.140%) (A) 06-02-20 1.535   2,042,000 2,042,728
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (1 month LIBOR + 0.060%) (A) 10-01-20 to 04-01-21 1.021 to 1.690   8,898,000 8,897,184
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. 04-01-20 to 03-18-21 0.010 to 1.421   54,508,000 54,385,792
Federal Farm Credit Bank (U.S. Federal Funds Effective Rate + 0.060%) (A) 04-09-20 0.152   2,188,000 2,188,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (U.S. Federal Funds Effective Rate + 0.085%) (A) 03-10-21 0.177   6,287,000 6,287,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (U.S. Federal Funds Effective Rate + 0.095%) (A) 07-26-21 0.188   4,907,000 4,907,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (U.S. Federal Funds Effective Rate + 0.100%) (A) 12-16-20 0.198   4,000,000 3,999,851
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 3.050%) (A) 12-11-20 0.208   3,899,000 3,898,864
Federal Farm Credit Bank (U.S. Federal Funds Effective Rate + 0.120%) (A) 02-09-21 0.218   3,186,000 3,185,865
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 3.010%) (A) 06-07-21 0.243   3,606,000 3,606,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 month USBMMY + 0.160%) (A) 01-19-21 0.248   2,217,000 2,217,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 2.950%) (A) 07-20-20 0.253   2,059,000 2,059,317
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 2.960%) (A) 07-09-20 0.305   10,526,000 10,525,673
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND 9

 

  Maturity date Yield (%)   Par value^ Value
Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 month USBMMY + 0.140%) (A) 05-28-21 0.309   2,662,000 $2,659,522
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 2.980%) (A) 11-12-20 0.313   224,000 223,945
Federal Farm Credit Bank (SOFR + 0.120%) (A) 03-18-21 0.335   350,000 349,317
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 2.915%) (A) 12-17-20 0.345   3,500,000 3,499,877
Federal Farm Credit Bank (Prime rate - 2.930%) (A) 08-27-20 to 09-24-20 0.223 to 0.330   3,394,000 3,394,548
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.015%) (A) 03-17-21 0.810   826,000 826,130
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.090%) (A) 12-13-21 0.928   300,000 299,852
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.270%) (A) 05-25-21 1.027   1,298,000 1,301,041
Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 month LIBOR + 0.010%) (A) 09-20-21 1.081   1,230,000 1,231,074
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.030%) (A) 05-03-21 1.567   3,897,000 3,897,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.035%) (A) 01-19-21 to 05-13-21 0.796 to 0.843   5,821,000 5,821,000
Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 month LIBOR) (A) 11-16-21 1.674   328,000 328,216
Federal Farm Credit Bank (3 month LIBOR - 0.135%) (A) 10-29-20 1.676   5,456,000 5,455,558
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.025%) (A) 08-25-20 to 01-22-21 0.967 to 0.990   3,632,000 3,631,903
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.080%) (A) 07-26-21 to 08-25-21 1.018 to 1.041   3,943,000 3,943,001
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR - 0.080%) (A) 05-11-20 to 06-01-20 0.728 to 1.600   3,270,000 3,269,606
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.110%) (A) 03-25-21 to 12-10-21 0.986 to 1.071   6,556,000 6,556,038
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.010%) (A) 07-30-20 to 04-19-21 0.849 to 0.933   9,152,000 9,152,527
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.160%) (A) 01-25-21 to 10-04-21 1.031 to 1.682   1,896,000 1,896,314
Federal Farm Credit Bank (1 month LIBOR) (A) 04-27-20 to 12-22-21 0.714 to 1.040   19,795,000 19,794,303
Federal Farm Credit Bank 04-13-20 to 03-11-21 0.101 to 1.871   75,258,000 75,022,251
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.025%) (A) 04-22-20 0.025   9,235,000 9,235,056
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.040%) (A) 08-25-20 0.031   3,415,000 3,415,271
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.045%) (A) 08-14-20 0.056   6,770,000 6,770,000
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.080%) (A) 05-11-20 0.072   240,000 240,005
10 JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Maturity date Yield (%)   Par value^ Value
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.020%) (A) 05-14-20 to 08-19-20 0.030 to 0.072   4,275,000 $4,274,993
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.030%) (A) 08-05-20 to 09-04-20 0.041 to 0.061   13,195,000 13,194,550
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.050%) (A) 01-22-21 0.104   10,255,000 10,251,419
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.105%) (A) 10-01-20 0.117   2,170,000 2,170,000
Federal Home Loan Bank (SOFR + 0.100%) (A) 12-23-20 0.129   8,095,000 8,093,980
Federal Home Loan Bank (1 month LIBOR - 0.123%) (A) 04-24-20 0.254   4,405,000 4,406,564
Federal Home Loan Bank (3 month LIBOR - 0.095%) (A) 09-13-21 0.741   2,735,000 2,732,914
Federal Home Loan Bank (3 month LIBOR - 0.135%) (A) 12-18-20 0.762   6,745,000 6,745,136
Federal Home Loan Bank (1 month LIBOR - 0.025%) (A) 04-20-20 0.773   480,000 479,996
Federal Home Loan Bank (1 month LIBOR - 0.040%) (A) 04-17-20 0.780   280,000 279,999
Federal Home Loan Bank (1 month LIBOR + 0.050%) (A) 05-20-21 0.832   1,400,000 1,400,036
Federal Home Loan Bank (3 month LIBOR - 0.175%) (A) 05-08-20 1.506   12,405,000 12,405,932
Federal Home Loan Bank 04-01-20 to 03-08-21 0.030 to 1.796   269,123,000 268,978,156
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (SOFR + 0.150%) (A) 03-04-22 0.162   2,574,000 2,574,000
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 04-20-20 to 02-16-21 0.408 to 1.726   9,718,000 9,744,392
Federal National Mortgage Association (SOFR + 0.060%) (A) 07-30-20 0.011   1,387,000 1,387,274
Federal National Mortgage Association (SOFR + 0.070%) (A) 12-11-20 0.081   1,000,000 1,000,000
Federal National Mortgage Association 04-08-20 to 02-26-21 0.010 to 1.672   30,401,000 30,404,170
U.S. Government 5.8% $49,709,034
(Cost $49,709,034)          
U.S. Treasury Bill 04-28-20 to 05-26-20 0.000 to 0.015   33,596,100 33,595,692
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note 04-15-20 (3.198)   1,250,036 1,251,631
U.S. Treasury Note (3 month USBMMY + 0.139%) (A) 04-30-21 0.198   2,729,300 2,730,154
U.S. Treasury Note (3 month USBMMY + 0.300%) (A) 10-31-21 0.260   2,747,200 2,752,837
U.S. Treasury Note 09-30-20 to 11-30-20 1.612 to 1.625   9,355,600 9,378,720
    
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND 11

 

        Par value^ Value
Repurchase agreement 12.7% $107,937,000
(Cost $107,937,000)          
Barclays Tri-Party Repurchase Agreement dated 3-31-20 at 0.010% to be repurchased at $20,000,006 on 4-1-20, collateralized by $20,534,075 U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Notes, 1.250% due 7-15-20 (valued at $20,400,067)       20,000,000 20,000,000
Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 3-31-20 at 0.000% to be repurchased at $87,937,000 on 4-1-20, collateralized by $86,080,000 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.875% due 4-30-22 (valued at $89,696,996)       87,937,000 87,937,000
Total investments (Cost $843,731,405) 99.2% $843,731,405
Other assets and liabilities, net 0.8% 6,590,957
Total net assets 100.0% $850,322,362
    
The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund. Maturity date represents the final legal maturity date on the security.
^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Security Abbreviations and Legend
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
USBMMY U.S. Treasury Bill Money Market Yield
(A) Variable rate obligation.
At 3-31-20, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $843,731,405.
12 JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial statements  
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 3-31-20

Assets  
Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $735,794,405) $735,794,405
Repurchase agreements, at value (Cost $107,937,000) 107,937,000
Total investments, at value (Cost $843,731,405) 843,731,405
Cash 611
Interest receivable 617,458
Receivable for fund shares sold 8,195,412
Receivable from affiliates 10,073
Other assets 69,683
Total assets 852,624,642
Liabilities  
Distributions payable 2,755
Payable for fund shares repurchased 2,054,289
Payable to affiliates  
Accounting and legal services fees 36,721
Transfer agent fees 79,617
Distribution and service fees 10,073
Trustees' fees 521
Other liabilities and accrued expenses 118,304
Total liabilities 2,302,280
Net assets $850,322,362
Net assets consist of  
Paid-in capital $850,321,635
Total distributable earnings (loss) 727
Net assets $850,322,362
 
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 ($834,953,922 ÷ 834,953,112 shares) $1.00
Class B ($865,217 ÷ 865,264 shares)1 $1.00
Class C ($14,503,223 ÷ 14,503,265 shares)1 $1.00
    
1 Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund 13

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended  3-31-20

Investment income  
Interest $13,431,545
Expenses  
Investment management fees 2,504,367
Distribution and service fees 1,786,086
Accounting and legal services fees 128,905
Transfer agent fees 825,586
Trustees' fees 12,596
Custodian fees 108,716
State registration fees 130,291
Printing and postage 100,163
Professional fees 36,546
Other 21,547
Total expenses 5,654,803
Less expense reductions (1,835,954)
Net expenses 3,818,849
Net investment income 9,612,696
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)  
Net realized gain (loss) on  
Unaffiliated investments 8,720
  8,720
Increase in net assets from operations $9,621,416
14 JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS  

  Year ended
3-31-20
Year ended
3-31-19
Increase (decrease) in net assets    
From operations    
Net investment income $9,612,696 $8,809,473
Net realized gain 8,720 330
Increase in net assets resulting from operations 9,621,416 8,809,803
Distributions to shareholders    
From earnings    
Class A (9,445,136) (8,584,928)
Class B (18,704) (32,931)
Class C (154,778) (191,434)
Total distributions (9,618,618) (8,809,293)
From fund share transactions 223,600,320 108,786,883
Total increase 223,603,118 108,787,393
Net assets    
Beginning of year 626,719,244 517,931,851
End of year $850,322,362 $626,719,244
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund 15

 

Financial highlights  
CLASS A SHARES Period ended 3-31-20 3-31-19 3-31-18 3-31-17 3-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Net investment income1 0.014 0.016 0.006 2 2
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 2 2 2 2 2
Total from investment operations 0.014 0.016 0.006 2 2
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.014) (0.016) (0.006) 2 2
Net asset value, end of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Total return (%)3 1.45 1.56 0.59 4 0.02 4 0.01 4
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $835 $613 $500 $490 $417
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 0.82 0.83 0.81 0.86 1.00
Expenses including reductions 0.56 0.57 0.55 4 0.47 4 0.30 4
Net investment income 1.42 1.57 0.57 4 0.04 4 0.01 4
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Less than $0.0005 per share.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Includes the impact of waivers and/or reimbursements in order to maintain a zero or positive yield. See Note 4.
16 JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLASS B SHARES Period ended 3-31-20 3-31-19 3-31-18 3-31-17 3-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Net investment income1 0.015 0.015 0.004 2 2
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (0.001) 3 0.001 0.001 2 2
Total from investment operations 0.014 0.016 0.005 2 2
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.014) (0.016) (0.005) 2 2
Net asset value, end of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Total return (%)4,5 1.45 1.57 0.46 6 0.01 6 0.01 6
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $1 $2 $3 $4 $7
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.57 1.58 1.56 1.62 1.75
Expenses including reductions 0.56 0.57 0.67 6 0.48 6 0.30 6
Net investment income 1.51 1.51 0.42 6 0.01 6 0.01 6
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Less than $0.0005 per share.
3 The amount shown for a share outstanding does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the fund.
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 Includes the impact of waivers and/or reimbursements in order to maintain a zero or positive yield. See Note 4.
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund 17

 

CLASS C SHARES Period ended 3-31-20 3-31-19 3-31-18 3-31-17 3-31-16
Per share operating performance          
Net asset value, beginning of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Net investment income1 0.014 0.016 0.006 2 2
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments 2 2 2 2 2
Total from investment operations 0.014 0.016 0.006 2 2
Less distributions          
From net investment income (0.014) (0.016) (0.006) 2 2
Net asset value, end of period $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Total return (%)3,4 1.45 1.56 0.60 5 0.02 5 0.01 5
Ratios and supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions) $15 $12 $15 $20 $25
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):          
Expenses before reductions 1.57 1.58 1.56 1.62 1.75
Expenses including reductions 0.56 0.57 0.55 5 0.47 5 0.31 5
Net investment income 1.45 1.55 0.55 5 0.03 5 0.01 5
    
1 Based on average daily shares outstanding.
2 Less than $0.0005 per share.
3 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods.
4 Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any.
5 Includes the impact of waivers and/or reimbursements in order to maintain a zero or positive yield. See Note 4.
18 JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund |ANNUAL REPORT SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Notes to financial statements  
Note 1Organization
John Hancock Money Market Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Current Interest (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 the maximum current income that is consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. The fund intends to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. Although the fund seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price, the value of the fund’s shares could go down in price, meaning that you can lose money by investing in the fund.
The fund may offer multiple classes of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A shares are offered to all investors. Class B and Class C shares are closed to new investors. Class B shares convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. Class C shares convert to Class A shares ten years after purchase (certain exclusions may apply). 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.
Note 2Significant 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. Securities in the fund’s portfolio are valued at amortized cost, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which approximates market value. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost on the date of purchase and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of the difference between the principal amount due at maturity and the cost of the security to the fund. The fund seeks to maintain a constant per share of $1.00, but there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities, including registered investment companies. Level 2 includes securities valued using other significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may 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, 2020, all investments are categorized as Level 2 under the hierarchy described above.
Repurchase agreements. The fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral that is held in a segregated account by the fund's custodian, or for tri-party repurchase agreements, collateral is held at a third-party custodian bank in a segregated account for the benefit of the fund. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. Collateral received by the fund for repurchase agreements is disclosed in the Fund's investments as part
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund 19

 

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 claims resulting from close-out of the transactions.
Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are recorded as of the date of purchase, sale or maturity. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation.
Overdraft. 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.
Line of credit. 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. For the year ended March 31, 2020, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the year ended March 31, 2020 were $3,701.
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, 2020, the fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund's federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
20 JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

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 dividends from net investment income daily and pays monthly, as long as class income exceeds class expense on each day. Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
The tax character of distributions for the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
  March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019
Ordinary income $9,618,618 $8,809,293
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, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis consisted of $3,482 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. The fund had no material book-tax differences at March 31, 2020.
Note 3Guarantees 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 4Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the fund. John Hancock Investment Management 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. Prior to June 28, 2019, the Advisor was known as John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Distributor was known as John Hancock Funds, LLC.
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) 0.500% of the first $500 million of the fund’s aggregate net assets; (b) 0.425% of the next $250 million of the fund’s aggregate net assets; (c) 0.375% of the next $250 million of the fund’s aggregate net assets; (d) 0.350% of the next $500 million of the fund’s aggregate net assets; (e) 0.325% of the next $500 million of the fund’s aggregate net assets; (f) 0.300% of the next $500 million of the fund’s aggregate net assets; and (g) 0.275% of the fund’s aggregate net assets in excess of $2.5 billion. Aggregate net assets include the net assets of the fund and Money Market Trust, a series of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Advisor. Prior to May 7, 2019, Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC was known as John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund 21

 

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, 2020, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
For the year ended March 31, 2020, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
Class Expense reduction
Class A $48,994
Class B 91
Class Expense reduction
Class C $783
Total $49,868
 
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, 2020, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.36% 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, 2020 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 for certain classes as detailed below pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay the Distributor for services provided as the distributor of shares of the fund. 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
Class A 0.25%
Class B 1.00%
Class C 1.00%
The Distributor has contractually agreed to waive Rule 12b-1 fees on Class A, Class B and Class C shares to the extent necessary to achieve aggregate fees paid to the Distributor of 0.00%. This agreement expires on July 31, 2021, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The total amounts waived by the Distributor were $1,667,001, $12,386 and $106,699, for Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2020.
Sales charges. Class B and Class C shares may be subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). 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 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, 2020, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $3 and $1,202 for Class B and Class C shares, respectively.
22 JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

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, 2020 were as follows:
Class Distribution and service fees Transfer agent fees
Class A $1,667,001 $811,157
Class B 12,386 1,495
Class C 106,699 12,934
Total $1,786,086 $825,586
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.
Note 5Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
  Year Ended 3-31-20 Year Ended 3-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class A shares        
Sold 576,881,810 $576,881,810 378,388,879 $378,388,879
Distributions reinvested 9,323,926 9,323,926 8,486,577 8,486,577
Repurchased (364,050,959) (364,050,959) (274,220,549) (274,220,549)
Net increase 222,154,777 $222,154,777 112,654,907 $112,654,907
Class B shares        
Sold 435,746 $435,746 726,323 $726,323
Distributions reinvested 17,101 17,101 30,122 30,122
Repurchased (1,344,998) (1,344,998) (1,812,130) (1,812,130)
Net decrease (892,151) $(892,151) (1,055,685) $(1,055,685)
  ANNUAL REPORT |JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund 23

 

  Year Ended 3-31-20 Year Ended 3-31-19
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Class C shares        
Sold 10,358,817 $10,358,817 11,188,006 $11,188,006
Distributions reinvested 148,615 148,615 181,039 181,039
Repurchased (8,169,738) (8,169,738) (14,181,384) (14,181,384)
Net increase (decrease) 2,337,694 $2,337,694 (2,812,339) $(2,812,339)
Total net increase 223,600,320 $223,600,320 108,786,883 $108,786,883
Note 6LIBOR discontinuation risk
LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. Following allegations of rate manipulation and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This event will likely cause LIBOR to cease to be published. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, although regulators have suggested alternative rates, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any replacement rate.
It is uncertain what impact the discontinuation of LIBOR will have on the use of LIBOR as a reference rate for securities in which the fund invests. It is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, but neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. In addition, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks and the effectiveness of one alternative reference rate versus multiple alternative reference rates in new or existing financial instruments and products has not been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR's usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR's deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate.
Note 7Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
The novel COVID-19 disease has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and affect fund performance.
24 JOHN HANCOCK Money Market Fund |ANNUAL REPORT  

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Current Interest and Shareholders of John Hancock Money Market Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the Fund’s investments, of John Hancock Money Market Fund (the "Fund") as of March 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2020, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2020, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2020 (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, 2020, 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, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2020 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, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and broker; when replies were not received from the broker, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
May 13, 2020
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 MONEY MARKET FUND 25

 

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, 2020.
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 reports the maximum amount allowable of its Section 199A dividends as defined in Proposed Treasury Regulation §1.199A-3(d).
Eligible shareholders will be mailed a 2020 Form 1099-DIV in early 2021. This will reflect the tax character of all distributions paid in calendar year 2020.
Please consult a tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of your investment in the fund.
26 JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND |ANNUAL REPORT  

STATEMENT REGARDING LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT


Operation of the Liquidity Risk Management Program

This section describes operation and effectiveness of the Liquidity Risk Management Program (LRMP) established in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Liquidity Rule). The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Fund in the John Hancock Group of Funds (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds) that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule has appointed John Hancock Investment Management, LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers, LLC (together, the Advisor) to serve as Administrator of the LRMP with respect to each of the Funds, including John Hancock Money Market Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. In order to provide a mechanism and process to perform the functions necessary to administer the LRMP, the Advisor established the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). The Fund's subadvisor, Manulife Investment Management (the Subadvisor) executes the day-to-day investment management and security-level activities of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of the LRMP, subject to the supervision of the Advisor and the Board.

The Committee holds monthly meetings to: (1) review the day-to-day operations of the LRMP; (2) review and approve month end liquidity classifications; (3) review quarterly testing and determinations, as applicable; and (4) review other LRMP related material. The Committee also conducts daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual quantitative and qualitative assessments of each subadvisor to a Fund that is subject to the requirements of the Liquidity Rule and is a part of the LRMP to monitor investment performance issues, risks and trends. In addition, the Committee may conduct ad-hoc reviews and meetings with subadvisors as issues and trends are identified, including potential liquidity and valuation issues.

The Committee provided the Board at an in-person meeting held on March 15-18, 2020 with a written report which addressed the Committee's assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the implementation and operation of the LRMP and any material changes to the LRMP. The report, which covered the period December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019, included an assessment of important aspects of the LRMP including, but not limited to:

•  Operation of the Fund's Redemption-In-Kind Procedures;

•  Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (HLIM) determination;

•  Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments;

•  Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size (RATS) determination;

•  Security-level liquidity classifications; and

•  Liquidity risk assessment.

The report also covered material liquidity matters which occurred or were reported during this period applicable to the Fund, if any, and the Committee's actions to address such matters.

Redemption-In-Kind Procedures

Rule 22e-4 requires any fund that engages in or reserves the right to engage in in-kind redemptions to adopt and implement written policies and procedures regarding in-kind redemptions as part of the management of its liquidity risk. These procedures address the process for redeeming in kind, as well as the circumstances under which the Fund would consider redeeming in kind. Anticipated large redemption activity will be evaluated to identify situations where redeeming in securities instead of cash may be appropriate.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       27


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the implementation and operation of the Redemption-In-Kind Procedures and determined they are operating in a manner that such procedures are adequate and effective to manage in-kind redemptions on behalf of the Fund as part of the LRMP.

Highly Liquid Investment Minimum determination

The Committee uses an HLIM model to determine a Fund's HLIM. This process incorporates the Fund's investment strategy, historical redemptions, liquidity classification rollup percentages and cash balances, redemption policy, access to funding sources, distribution channels and client concentrations. If the Fund falls below its established HLIM for a period greater than 7 consecutive calendar days, the Committee prepares a report to the Board within one business day following the seventh consecutive calendar day with an explanation of how the Fund plans to restore its HLIM within a reasonable period of time.

Based on the HLIM model, the Committee has determined that the Fund qualifies as a Primarily Highly Liquid Fund (PHLF). It is therefore not required to establish a HLIM. The Fund is tested quarterly to confirm its PHLF status.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to HLIM and PHLF determinations, and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments

Rule 22e-4 sets an aggregate illiquid investment limit of 15% for a fund. Funds are prohibited from acquiring an illiquid investment if this results in greater than 15% of its net assets being classified as illiquid. When applying this limit, the Committee defines "illiquid investment" to mean any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If a 15% illiquid investment limit breach occurs for longer than 1 business day, the Fund is required to notify the Board and provide a plan on how to bring illiquid investments within the 15% threshold, and after 7 days confidentially notify the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

In February 2019, as a result of extended security markets closures in connection with the Chinese New Year in certain countries, the SEC released guidance, and the Committee approved and adopted an Extended Market Holiday Policy to plan for and monitor known Extended Market Holidays (defined as all expected market holiday closures spanning four or more calendar days).

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to the 15% illiquid investment limit and determined such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LMRP.

Reasonably Anticipated Trade Size determination

In order to assess the liquidity risk of a Fund, the Committee considers the impact on the Fund that redemptions of a RATS would have under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Modelling the Fund's RATS requires quantifying cash flow volatility and analyzing distribution channel concentration and redemption risk. The model is designed to estimate the amount of assets that the Fund could reasonably anticipate trading on a given day, during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, to satisfy redemption requests.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       28


As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to RATS determinations and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at making RATS determinations as part of the LRMP.

Security-level liquidity classifications

When classifying the liquidity of portfolio securities, the Fund adheres to the liquidity classification procedures established by the Advisor. In assigning a liquidity classification to Fund portfolio holdings, the following key inputs, among others, are considered: the Fund's RATS, feedback from the applicable Subadvisor on market-, trading- and investment-specific considerations, an assessment of current market conditions and fund portfolio holdings, and a value impact standard. The Subadvisor also provides position-level data to the Committee for use in monthly classification reconciliation in order to identify any classifications that may need to be changed as a result of the above considerations.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed the policies and procedures in place with respect to security-level liquidity classifications and determined that such policies and procedures are operating in a manner that is adequate and effective as part of the LRMP.

Liquidity risk assessment

The Committee periodically reviews and assesses, the Fund's liquidity risk, including its investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions (including whether the investment strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund, the extent to which the strategy involves a relatively concentrated portfolio or large positions in particular issuers, and the use of borrowings for investment purposes and derivatives), cash flow analysis during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions, and holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements and other funding sources.

The Committee also monitors global events, such as the COVID-19 Coronavirus, that could impact the markets and liquidity of portfolio investments and their classifications.

As part of its annual assessment of the LRMP, the Committee reviewed Fund-Level Liquidity Risk Assessment Reports for each of the Funds and determined that the investment strategy for each Fund continues to be appropriate for an open-ended structure.

Adequacy and Effectiveness

Based on the review and assessment conducted by the Committee, the Committee has determined that the LRMP has been implemented, and is operating in a manner that is adequate and effective at assessing and managing the liquidity risk of each Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       29


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 204
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 2005) and Chairperson of the Board (since 2017) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Charles L. Bardelis,2 Born: 1941 2012 204
Trustee
Director, Island Commuter Corp. (marine transport). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1988).

     
James R. Boyle, Born: 1959 2015 204
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, President and Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (1999-2012); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (2005-2010). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (2005-2014 and since 2015).

     
Peter S. Burgess,2 Born: 1942 2012 204
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 of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2005).

     
William H. Cunningham, Born: 1944 2006 204
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 of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 1986).

     
Grace K. Fey, Born: 1946 2012 204
Trustee
Chief Executive Officer, Grace Fey Advisors (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, Frontier Capital Management Company (1988-2007); Director, Fiduciary Trust (since 2009). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       30


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
Deborah C. Jackson, Born: 1952 2008 204
Trustee
President, Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts (since 2011); Board of Directors, Massachusetts Women's Forum (since 2018); Board of Directors, National Association of Corporate Directors/New England (since 2015); Board of Directors, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts (2014-2017); 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 of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

     
James M. Oates,2 Born: 1946 2012 204
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 2004) and Chairperson of the Board (2005-2016) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Steven R. Pruchansky, Born: 1944 2006 204
Trustee and Vice Chairperson of the Board
Managing Director, Pru Realty (since 2017); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2014); 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), Chairperson of the Board (2011-2012), and Vice Chairperson of the Board (since 2012) of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex.

     
Gregory A. Russo, Born: 1949 2008 204
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 (2012-2018) and Finance Committee Chairman (2014-2018), 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 of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2008).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       31


Non-Independent Trustees3

     
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 204
President and Non-Independent Trustee
Head of Wealth and Asset Management, United States and Europe, for John Hancock and Manulife (since 2018); Executive Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2009, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC (since 2005, including prior positions); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2006, including prior positions); President, John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC (since 2004, including prior positions); President of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2017).

     
Marianne Harrison, Born: 1963 2018 204
Non-Independent Trustee
President and CEO, John Hancock (since 2017); President and CEO, Manulife Canadian Division (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, CAE Inc. (since 2019); Member, Board of Directors, MA Competitive Partnership Board (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) (since 2018); Member, Board of Directors, Communitech, an industry-led innovation center that fosters technology companies in Canada (2017-2019); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Assurance Canada (2015-2017); Board Member, St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation (2014-2017); Member, Board of Directors, Manulife Bank of Canada (2013-2017); Member, Standing Committee of the Canadian Life & Health Assurance Association (2013-2017); Member, Board of Directors, John Hancock USA, John Hancock Life & Health, John Hancock New York (2012-2013). Trustee of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018).

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
Francis V. Knox, Jr., Born: 1947 2006
Chief Compliance Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer, various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex, John Hancock Investment Management LLC, and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2005).

   
Charles A. Rizzo, Born: 1957 2007
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2008); Senior Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2008); Chief Financial Officer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007).

   
Salvatore Schiavone, Born: 1965 2010
Treasurer
Assistant Vice President, John Hancock Financial Services (since 2007); Vice President, John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2007); Treasurer of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2007, including prior positions).

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       32


Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

   
Name, year of birth
Position(s) held with Trust
Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years
Officer
of the
Trust
since
Christopher (Kit) Sechler, Born: 1973 2018
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Vice President and Deputy Chief Counsel, John Hancock Investments (since 2015); Assistant Vice President and Senior Counsel (2009-2015), John Hancock Investment Management; Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of various trusts within the John Hancock Fund Complex (since 2018); Assistant Secretary of John Hancock Investment Management LLC and John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC (since 2009).

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

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 The Trustee is a Non-Independent Trustee due to current or former positions with the Advisor and certain affiliates.
ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       33


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
Marianne Harrison
Deborah C. Jackson
James M. Oates*
Gregory A. Russo

Officers

Andrew G. Arnott
President

Francis V. Knox, Jr.
Chief Compliance Officer

Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer

Christopher (Kit) Sechler
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Investment advisor

John Hancock Investment Management LLC

Subadvisor

Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC

Principal distributor

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors 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

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

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of each month are filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The fund's Form N-MFP filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund 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.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Suite 55913
Quincy, MA 02169-0953

ANNUAL REPORT   |   JOHN HANCOCK MONEY MARKET FUND       34


John Hancock family of funds

 

     

DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS



Blue Chip Growth

Classic Value

Disciplined Value

Disciplined Value Mid Cap

Equity Income

Financial Industries

Fundamental All Cap Core

Fundamental Large Cap Core

New Opportunities

Regional Bank

Small Cap Core

Small Cap Growth

Small Cap Value

U.S. Global Leaders Growth

U.S. Quality Growth

GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS



Disciplined Value International

Emerging Markets

Emerging Markets Equity

Fundamental Global Franchise

Global Equity

Global Shareholder Yield

Global Thematic Opportunities

International Dynamic Growth

International Growth

International Small Company

 

INCOME FUNDS



Bond

California Tax-Free Income

Emerging Markets Debt

Floating Rate Income

Government Income

High Yield

High Yield Municipal Bond

Income

Investment Grade Bond

Money Market

Short Duration Bond

Short Duration Credit Opportunities

Strategic Income Opportunities

Tax-Free Bond

ALTERNATIVE AND SPECIALTY FUNDS



Absolute Return Currency

Alternative Asset Allocation

Alternative Risk Premia

Diversified Macro

Infrastructure

Multi-Asset Absolute Return

Seaport Long/Short

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 Investment Management at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.


     

ASSET ALLOCATION



Balanced

Multi-Asset High Income

Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios

Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios

Multimanager Lifestyle Portfolios

Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios

Retirement Income 2040

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS



John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Media and
Communications ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND
GOVERNANCE FUNDS



ESG All Cap Core

ESG Core Bond

ESG International Equity

ESG Large Cap Core

CLOSED-END FUNDS



Financial Opportunities

Hedged Equity & Income

Income Securities Trust

Investors Trust

Preferred Income

Preferred Income II

Preferred Income III

Premium Dividend

Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield

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

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

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


John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

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

A better way to invest

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

Results for investors

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

jhdigest_backcover-logo.jpg

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com

This report is for the information of the shareholders of John Hancock Money Market Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

mimlogo_digest.jpg

   
MF1149223 44A 3/20
5/2020


 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

 

As of the end of the year, March 31, 2020, 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 audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements amounted to $31,586 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and $30,238 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 for John Hancock Money Market Fund. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

 

(b) Audit-Related Services

Audit-related fees for assurance and related services by the principal accountant are billed to the registrant or to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser ("control affiliates") that provides ongoing services to the registrant. The nature of the services provided was affiliated service provider internal controls reviews. Amounts billed to the registrant amounted to $616 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and $571 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. Amounts billed to control affiliates were $116,467 and $113,000 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, 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 $2,858 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and $2,775 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019. The nature of the services comprising the tax fees was the review of the registrant’s tax returns and tax distribution requirements. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the registrant’s audit committee.

 

(d) All Other Fees

The nature of the services comprising all other fees is advisory services provided to the investment manager. Other fees amounted to $91 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and $102 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 and were billed to the registrant or to the control affiliates.

 

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

The trust’s Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (the “Auditor”) relating to the operations or financial reporting of the funds. Prior to the commencement of any audit or non-audit services to a fund, the Audit Committee reviews the services to determine whether they are appropriate and permissible under applicable law.


The trust’s Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures to, among other purposes, provide a framework for the Committee’s consideration of audit-related and non-audit services by the Auditor. The policies and procedures require that any audit-related and non-audit service provided by the Auditor and any non-audit service provided by the Auditor to a fund service provider that relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of a fund are subject to approval by the Audit Committee before such service is provided. Audit-related services provided by the Auditor that are expected to exceed $25,000 per 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, 2020, 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 $1,084,932 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and $889,301 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.

 

(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 - Chairman

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 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 Current Interest

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrew Arnott

______________________________

Andrew Arnott

President

 

 

Date: May 12, 2020

 

 

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 12, 2020

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles A. Rizzo

______________________________

Charles A. Rizzo

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Date: May 12, 2020