John Hancock Investments Enters UCITS Business

One of the fastest-growing asset managers establishes funds for non-US residents

BOSTON, June 29, 2015 /CNW/ -- John Hancock Investments today announced the launch of John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC, a Dublin-domiciled UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) platform designed to extend the reach of firm's signature manager-of-managers approach. Effective today, the firm will make available four of its highly rated investment strategies targeted at non-US residents and UCITS model programs of our U.S. distribution partners.

As part of its commitment to this strategic market, John Hancock Investments has hired industry veteran Angela Billick to lead the UCITS product platform. Mrs. Billick will leverage her nearly 20 years of international business development experience in UCITS to serve the needs of investors.

"We are pleased to be able to provide our industry-leading manager selection and oversight capabilities to a new market," said Andrew G. Arnott, President and CEO. "Our new UCITS platform is a natural continuation of the rapid growth we have experienced in the United States and a reflection of the strong demand we have received from our US broker/dealer partner firms for offshore funds that mirror some of our most popular US mutual funds."

John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC is making available four of the firm's most sought-after strategies in a choice of five UCITS share classes.  These initial strategies are managed by portfolio teams at Manulife Asset Management and GMO Europe LLC:

• John Hancock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund
• John Hancock High Yield Fund
• John Hancock U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund
• John Hancock Global Equity (Ex.-U.S.) Fund

"We believe these four strategies help address today's investor need for new sources of income, along with proven equity strategies with a measure of downside protection," said Leo M. Zerilli, CIMA, head of investments at John Hancock Investments. "These are not simply challenges for U.S. investors; these are global challenges."

John Hancock Investments is a premier asset manager with a unique manager-of-managers approach, whereby the firm builds funds based on investor needs, then searches the globe for the best managers with proven track records to lead those funds. John Hancock Investments has more than 165 professionals specializing in manager research and oversight, vetting over 250 investment strategies annually and overseeing relationships with 72 portfolio teams at 27 elite firms worldwide.

The firm's diverse investment capabilities and risk-adjusted performance have contributed to its position as one of the industry's fastest-growing asset managers. John Hancock Investments is ranked #9 in the industry for 12-month net flows [Source:  Strategic Insight, Simfund, as of 3/31/15. Intermediary-sold channel excludes direct-sold channel, ETFs, closed-end funds, 529 share classes, non-John Hancock-affiliated funds of funds, money market funds, and John Hancock Class 1, Class 5, and Class NAV shares].

More than half of the world's mutual fund assets reside outside the United States. The UCITS market is estimated to consist of more than $8 trillion in assets, according to the European Fund and Asset Management Association.

Additional information is available at: jhinvestments.com.

The Central Bank of Ireland has authorized John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC as an open-ended investment company with variable capital constituted as an umbrella fund with segregated liability between its subfunds under the laws of Ireland. Authorization by the Central Bank of Ireland shall not constitute a warranty as to the performance of John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC and the Central Bank of Ireland shall not be liable for the performance of the John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC.

This notice does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy Shares in the sub-fund.  The Shares of the sub-fund will only be available for certain non-U.S. residents in select transactions outside the United States, or, in limited circumstances, in transactions that are exempt in reliance on Regulation S from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such other laws as may be applicable. 

About John Hancock Investments
John Hancock has helped individuals and institutions build and protect wealth since 1862. Today, we are one of America's strongest and most-recognized brands. As a manager of managers, John Hancock Investments searches the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized expertise for every fund we offer, then we apply vigorous investment oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising standards. Our unique approach to asset management has led to a diverse set of investments deeply rooted in investor needs, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes. John Hancock Investments managed nearly $130 billion in assets as of March 31, 2015.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada, and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents, and distribution partners. Assets under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were C$821 billion (US$648 billion) as of March 31, 2015. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments,  401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Investments