Form N-CSRS JOHN HANCOCK MUNICIPAL For: Nov 30
A message to shareholders
John Hancock
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
Table of contents
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 1 |
Your fund at a glance
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks a high level of
current income that is largely exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS
OF 11/30/2021 (%)
The Bloomberg High Yield
Municipal Bond Index, formerly known as Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond Index, tracks the performance of municipal bonds rated below investment grade (BBB/Baa) and those that are unrated.
It is not possible to invest
directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.
The fund’s Morningstar
category average is a group of funds with similar investment objectives and strategies and is the equal-weighted return of all funds per category. Morningstar places funds in certain categories based on their
historical portfolio holdings. Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.
The past performance shown here
reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and
expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and
can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund’s objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund’s prospectus.
| 2 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Portfolio summary
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF
11/30/2021 (% of net assets)
QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF
11/30/2021 (% of net assets)
Ratings are from Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. If not available, we have used Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. In the absence of ratings from these agencies, we have used Fitch Ratings, Inc. “Not rated” securities
are those with no ratings available from these agencies. All ratings are as of 11-30-21 and do not reflect subsequent downgrades or upgrades, if any.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 3 |
SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF
11/30/2021 (% of net assets)
Notes about risk
The fund is subject to various risks
as described in the fund’s prospectus. 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, which may lead to less liquidity in certain instruments, industries, sectors or the markets generally, and may ultimately affect fund performance. For more
information, please refer to the “Principal risks” section of the prospectus.
| 4 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
A look at performance
TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2021
| Average annual total returns (%) with maximum sales charge | Cumulative total returns (%) with maximum sales charge | SEC 30-day yield (%) subsidized | SEC 30-day yield (%) unsubsidized† | Tax- equivalent subsidized yield (%)† | ||||||
| 1-year | 5-year | 10-year | 6-month | 5-year | 10-year | as of 11-30-21 | as of 11-30-21 | as of 11-30-21 | ||
| Class A | 3.27 | 4.63 | 4.50 | -2.39 | 25.42 | 55.35 | 1.52 | 1.42 | 2.57 | |
| Class C | 5.76 | 4.71 | 4.15 | 0.25 | 25.88 | 50.11 | 0.84 | 0.73 | 1.42 | |
| Class I1,2 | 7.85 | 5.69 | 5.03 | 1.83 | 31.90 | 63.29 | 1.72 | 1.72 | 2.91 | |
| Class R61,2 | 7.75 | 5.68 | 5.02 | 1.72 | 31.82 | 63.19 | 1.76 | 1.75 | 2.97 | |
| Index 1†† | 9.50 | 7.77 | 6.88 | 2.57 | 45.37 | 94.48 | — | — | — | |
| Index 2†† | 1.97 | 4.38 | 3.90 | 0.56 | 23.91 | 46.65 | — | — | — | |
Performance figures assume all
distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 4.0% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class C shares. The returns for Class A shares have
been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, effective 2-3-14. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to
Class I and Class R6 shares.
The expense ratios of the fund,
both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual fee waivers and expense limitations
in effect until September 30, 2022 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:
| Class A | Class C | Class I | Class R6 | |
| Gross (%) | 1.02 | 1.77 | 0.77 | 0.74 |
| Net (%) | 0.89 | 1.64 | 0.74 | 0.72 |
Please refer to the most recent
prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.
The returns reflect past results
and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to
market volatility and other factors, the fund’s current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call
800–225–5291 or visit the fund’s website at jhinvestments.com.
The performance table above and
the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund’s performance results reflect any applicable fee
waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.
† Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effect of reimbursements and waivers. Tax-equivalent yield is based on the maximum
federal income tax rate of 40.8%.
†† Index 1 is the Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond Index; Index 2 is the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index.
See the following page for
footnotes.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 5 |
This chart and table show what
happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we’ve shown
the same investment in two separate indexes.
| Start date | With maximum sales charge ($) | Without sales charge ($) | Index 1 ($) | Index 2 ($) | |
| Class C3 | 11-30-11 | 15,011 | 15,011 | 19,448 | 14,665 |
| Class I1,2 | 11-30-11 | 16,329 | 16,329 | 19,448 | 14,665 |
| Class R61,2 | 11-30-11 | 16,319 | 16,319 | 19,448 | 14,665 |
The values shown in the chart for
Class A shares with maximum sales charge have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the Class A shares’ maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, which became effective on 2-3-14.
The Bloomberg High Yield
Municipal Bond Index, formerly known as Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond Index, tracks the performance of municipal bonds rated below investment grade (BBB/Baa) and those that are unrated.
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond
Index, formerly known as Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, tracks the performance of the U.S. investment-grade tax-exempt bond market.
It is not possible to invest
directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.
Footnotes related to performance
pages
| 1 | Class I and Class R6 shares were first offered on 2-13-17 and 8-30-17, respectively. Returns prior to these dates are those of Class A shares that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise, returns would vary. |
| 2 | For certain types of investors, as described in the fund’s prospectus. |
| 3 | The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable. |
| 6 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
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 June 1, 2021, with the same investment held until November 30, 2021.
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 November 30, 2021, 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
June 1, 2021, with the same investment held until November 30, 2021. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that
these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 7 |
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 6-1-2021 | Ending value on 11-30-2021 | Expenses paid during period ended 11-30-20211 | Annualized expense ratio | ||
| Class A | Actual expenses/actual returns | $1,000.00 | $1,016.30 | $4.40 | 0.87% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,020.70 | 4.41 | 0.87% | |
| Class C | Actual expenses/actual returns | 1,000.00 | 1,012.50 | 8.17 | 1.62% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,016.90 | 8.19 | 1.62% | |
| Class I | Actual expenses/actual returns | 1,000.00 | 1,018.30 | 3.64 | 0.72% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,021.50 | 3.65 | 0.72% | |
| Class R6 | Actual expenses/actual returns | 1,000.00 | 1,017.20 | 3.49 | 0.69% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,021.60 | 3.50 | 0.69% |
| 1 | Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
| 8 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Fund’s investments
AS OF 11-30-21
(unaudited)
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Municipal bonds 94.6% | $168,390,345 | ||||
| (Cost $152,153,537) | |||||
| Arizona 1.5% | 2,648,533 | ||||
| Arizona Industrial Development Authority Macombs Facility Project, Series A | 4.000 | 07-01-51 | 500,000 | 553,073 | |
| Industrial Development Authority Education Revenue Refunding Facility American Leadership (A) | 4.000 | 06-15-57 | 1,000,000 | 1,021,104 | |
| Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority Education Revenue Arizona Autism Charter School Project (A) | 4.000 | 07-01-61 | 1,000,000 | 1,074,356 | |
| Arkansas 0.6% | 1,103,699 | ||||
| Arkansas Development Finance Authority Big River Steel Project, AMT (A) | 4.500 | 09-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,103,699 | |
| California 5.9% | 10,473,339 | ||||
| California Community Housing Agency Essential Housing Revenue Stoneridge Apartments, Series A (A) | 4.000 | 02-01-56 | 400,000 | 416,824 | |
| California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank Revenue Senior WFCS Portfolio PJS, Series A1 (A) | 5.000 | 01-01-56 | 250,000 | 281,435 | |
| California Public Finance Authority Senior Living Revenue Refunding Enso Village Project, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 11-15-46 | 100,000 | 114,789 | |
| California Public Finance Authority Senior Living Revenue Refunding Enso Village Project, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 11-15-56 | 700,000 | 799,784 | |
| City of Sacramento Greenbriar Community Facilities District No. 2018-3 | 4.000 | 09-01-50 | 400,000 | 449,476 | |
| CSCDA Community Improvement Authority California Essential Housing Revenue Altana Glendale, Series A-2 (A) | 4.000 | 10-01-56 | 500,000 | 519,779 | |
| CSCDA Community Improvement Authority California Essential Housing Revenue, Senior Pasadena Portfolio, Series A2 (A) | 3.000 | 12-01-56 | 700,000 | 636,143 | |
| CSCDA Community Improvement Authority California Essential Housing Revenue, The Link Glendale, Series A2 (A) | 4.000 | 07-01-56 | 400,000 | 413,843 | |
| Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp. Series A-1 | 3.500 | 06-01-36 | 665,000 | 671,796 | |
| Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp. Series A-2 | 5.300 | 06-01-37 | 1,000,000 | 1,022,078 | |
| Orange County Community Facilities District Esencia Villagers, Series A | 5.000 | 08-15-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,147,656 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 9 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| California (continued) | |||||
| River Islands Public Financing Authority Community Facilities District, No. 2003-1 | 5.500 | 09-01-45 | 795,000 | $831,425 | |
| River Islands Public Financing Authority Community Facilities District, No. 2003-1, Series A | 5.000 | 09-01-48 | 750,000 | 861,364 | |
| Southern California Public Power Authority Natural Gas Project Revenue, Series A | 5.250 | 11-01-26 | 1,500,000 | 1,814,736 | |
| Tobacco Securitization Authority of Northern California Tobacco Settlement Revenue (B) | 3.654 | 06-01-60 | 2,000,000 | 492,211 | |
| Colorado 6.0% | 10,674,827 | ||||
| Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority Special Revenue | 4.375 | 12-01-52 | 1,000,000 | 1,017,101 | |
| Colorado Health Facilities Authority Commonspirit Health Series A-2 | 4.000 | 08-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,139,389 | |
| Longs Peak Metropolitan District Colorado Limited Tax, GO (A) | 5.250 | 12-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,001,918 | |
| Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Revenue | 6.250 | 11-15-28 | 2,500,000 | 3,127,582 | |
| Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority Tax Increment Revenue Evraz Project, Series A (A) | 4.750 | 12-01-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,132,041 | |
| Rampart Range Metropolitan District No 5 Colorado Limited Tax Supported and Special Revenue | 4.000 | 12-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,022,774 | |
| Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board Series A | 5.000 | 12-01-47 | 1,500,000 | 1,572,087 | |
| Villages at Castle Rock Metropolitan District No. 6 Cobblestone Ranch Project, Series 2, GO (B) | 7.048 | 12-01-37 | 2,000,000 | 661,935 | |
| Connecticut 1.6% | 2,770,199 | ||||
| Steelpointe Infrastructure Improvement District Connecticut Special Obligation Revenue Steelpointe Harbor Project (A) | 4.000 | 04-01-51 | 1,630,000 | 1,696,768 | |
| Town of Hamden Whitney Center Project | 5.000 | 01-01-50 | 1,000,000 | 1,073,431 | |
| District of Columbia 2.8% | 4,948,645 | ||||
| District of Columbia KIPP DC Project | 4.000 | 07-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,139,721 | |
| Metropolitan Washington DC Airports Authority Highway Revenue Tolls, Series C (C) | 6.500 | 10-01-41 | 3,000,000 | 3,808,924 | |
| Florida 5.4% | 9,680,224 | ||||
| Celebration Pointe Community Development District No. 1 Alachua County (A) | 5.000 | 05-01-48 | 500,000 | 550,133 | |
| Charlotte County Industrial Development Authority Town and Country Utilities Project, AMT (A) | 5.000 | 10-01-49 | 500,000 | 552,351 |
| 10 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Florida (continued) | |||||
| County of Lake Imagine South Lake Charter School (A) | 5.000 | 01-15-54 | 625,000 | $696,935 | |
| Escambia County Health Facilities Authority Health Care Facility Revenue, Series A | 4.000 | 08-15-50 | 1,500,000 | 1,676,512 | |
| Florida Development Finance Corp. Educational Facilities Revenue Drs Kiran and Pallavi Patel 2017 (A) | 4.000 | 07-01-51 | 250,000 | 266,385 | |
| Florida Development Finance Corp. Solid Waste Disposal Revenue USA Inc. Project, AMT | 3.000 | 06-01-32 | 1,000,000 | 1,046,986 | |
| Hillsborough County Industrial Development Authority Tampa General Hospital Project, Series A | 4.000 | 08-01-50 | 1,000,000 | 1,154,010 | |
| Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding Toby and Leon Cooperman (D) | 4.000 | 06-01-31 | 750,000 | 797,624 | |
| Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority Sinai Residences Boca Raton Project, Series A | 7.500 | 06-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,045,540 | |
| Polk County Industrial Development Authority Mineral Development LLC, AMT (A) | 5.875 | 01-01-33 | 250,000 | 312,765 | |
| St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority Senior Living Revenue Vicars Landing Project, Series A | 4.000 | 12-15-50 | 500,000 | 542,565 | |
| Village Community Development District No. 12 (A) | 4.250 | 05-01-43 | 935,000 | 1,038,418 | |
| Georgia 2.0% | 3,606,813 | ||||
| Fulton County Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Authority Lenbrook Square Foundation, Inc. | 5.000 | 07-01-42 | 840,000 | 897,652 | |
| Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Series A | 5.000 | 05-15-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,493,638 | |
| Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Plant Vogtle Units 3&4 Project | 5.000 | 01-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,215,523 | |
| Illinois 9.3% | 16,602,028 | ||||
| Chicago Board of Education Series A, GO | 7.000 | 12-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,206,992 | |
| Chicago Board of Education Series D, GO | 5.000 | 12-01-46 | 500,000 | 597,277 | |
| City of Chicago Series A, GO | 5.000 | 01-01-31 | 1,000,000 | 1,238,484 | |
| City of Chicago Series A, GO | 6.000 | 01-01-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,239,214 | |
| Illinois Finance Authority Learn Charter School Project | 4.000 | 11-01-51 | 250,000 | 286,217 | |
| Illinois Finance Authority Learn Charter School Project | 4.000 | 11-01-56 | 655,000 | 743,685 | |
| Illinois Finance Authority Westminster Village, Series A | 5.250 | 05-01-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,060,717 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 11 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Illinois (continued) | |||||
| Illinois Sports Facilities Authority State Tax Supported (C) | 5.250 | 06-15-32 | 750,000 | $818,359 | |
| Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority Illinois Revenue Refunding Mccormick Place Expansion, Series A (D) | 4.000 | 06-15-52 | 1,500,000 | 1,693,064 | |
| Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority McCormick Place Project, Series B | 4.250 | 06-15-42 | 1,500,000 | 1,531,832 | |
| Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Series A | 4.000 | 01-01-39 | 1,500,000 | 1,762,662 | |
| State of Illinois Series A, GO | 5.000 | 10-01-28 | 1,250,000 | 1,539,857 | |
| State of Illinois, GO | 4.000 | 06-01-33 | 750,000 | 827,266 | |
| Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority Prairie Crossing Charter School Project (A) | 5.000 | 01-01-55 | 1,000,000 | 1,051,635 | |
| Village of Lincolnwood Il Tax Increment Allocation Revenue Note Certificates Participation North Lincoln Redevelopment Project Area, Series A (A) | 4.820 | 01-01-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,004,767 | |
| Indiana 1.2% | 2,092,803 | ||||
| Indiana Finance Authority BHI Senior Living | 5.000 | 11-15-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,146,441 | |
| Indiana Finance Authority Green Bond Polyflow Industry Project, AMT (A) | 7.000 | 03-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 946,362 | |
| Iowa 0.6% | 1,075,962 | ||||
| Iowa Finance Authority Northcrest, Inc. Project, Series A | 5.000 | 03-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,075,962 | |
| Kansas 0.3% | 550,934 | ||||
| City of Prairie Village Special Obligation Tax Increment Revenue Refunding Meadowbrook TIF Project (D) | 2.875 | 04-01-30 | 550,000 | 550,934 | |
| Kentucky 0.5% | 834,258 | ||||
| Kentucky Municipal Power Agency Prairie State Project, Series A | 4.000 | 09-01-45 | 750,000 | 834,258 | |
| Louisiana 1.8% | 3,189,989 | ||||
| Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Westlake Chemical Corp. Project | 3.500 | 11-01-32 | 1,000,000 | 1,096,120 | |
| St. James Parish NuStar Logistics LP Project (A) | 6.100 | 12-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,318,930 | |
| St. John Baptist Parish Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series B-1 | 2.125 | 06-01-37 | 750,000 | 774,939 |
| 12 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Maryland 1.4% | $2,524,566 | ||||
| Anne Arundel County Consolidated Special Taxing District Villages at 2 Rivers Project | 5.250 | 07-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,061,842 | |
| Maryland Economic Development Corp. Special Obligation Port Covington Project | 3.250 | 09-01-30 | 100,000 | 111,001 | |
| Maryland Economic Development Corp. Special Obligation Port Covington Project | 4.000 | 09-01-50 | 200,000 | 225,949 | |
| Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Meritus Medical Center | 5.000 | 07-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,125,774 | |
| Massachusetts 1.7% | 2,937,913 | ||||
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Green Bonds-Boston Medical Center, Series D | 5.000 | 07-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,132,206 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency NewBridge on the Charles, Inc. (A) | 5.000 | 10-01-47 | 750,000 | 810,002 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Orchard Cove, Inc. | 5.000 | 10-01-49 | 895,000 | 995,705 | |
| Michigan 2.2% | 3,946,152 | ||||
| City of Detroit, GO | 5.500 | 04-01-50 | 1,000,000 | 1,237,032 | |
| Michigan Finance Authority Local Government Loan Program, Series F-1 | 4.500 | 10-01-29 | 500,000 | 531,098 | |
| Michigan Mathematics & Science Initiative Public School Academy | 4.000 | 01-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,097,294 | |
| Summit Academy North Michigan Public School Academy Revenue Refunding | 4.000 | 11-01-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,080,728 | |
| Minnesota 2.0% | 3,509,232 | ||||
| City of Anoka Homestead at Anoka, Inc. Project | 4.750 | 11-01-35 | 500,000 | 539,449 | |
| City of Anoka Homestead at Anoka, Inc. Project | 5.500 | 11-01-46 | 500,000 | 547,035 | |
| Housing & Redevelopment Authority of The City of St. Paul Carondelet Village Project, Series A | 5.000 | 12-01-47 | 1,250,000 | 1,380,941 | |
| Woodbury Housing & Redevelopment Authority St. Therese of Woodbury | 5.125 | 12-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,041,807 | |
| Missouri 1.2% | 2,180,639 | ||||
| Health & Educational Facilities Authority Lutheran Senior Service Projects, Series A | 5.000 | 02-01-42 | 1,000,000 | 1,104,699 | |
| Lees Summit Industrial Development Authority John Knox Village, Series A | 5.000 | 08-15-46 | 1,000,000 | 1,075,940 | |
| Montana 0.4% | 661,794 | ||||
| Montana Facility Finance Authority Montana Children’s Home and Hospital | 4.000 | 07-01-50 | 600,000 | 661,794 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 13 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Nevada 0.3% | $511,244 | ||||
| City of Las Vegas Special Improvement District No. 816 Local Improvement Summerlin Village 22 | 3.125 | 06-01-46 | 500,000 | 511,244 | |
| New Hampshire 0.6% | 1,051,133 | ||||
| New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Covanta Project, AMT (A) | 4.875 | 11-01-42 | 500,000 | 521,133 | |
| New Hampshire Health & Education Facilities Authority Hillside Village, Series A (A)(E) | 6.125 | 07-01-52 | 1,000,000 | 530,000 | |
| New Jersey 3.1% | 5,543,795 | ||||
| Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Luxury Tax Revenue | 5.250 | 11-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,083,980 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority Port Newark Container Terminal LLC, AMT | 5.000 | 10-01-47 | 750,000 | 862,973 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority Revenue Refunding Municipal Rehabilitation, Series A | 5.250 | 04-01-28 | 400,000 | 500,608 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority School Facilities Construction | 4.000 | 06-15-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,124,044 | |
| New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority St. Joseph’s Healthcare System | 4.000 | 07-01-48 | 750,000 | 824,553 | |
| New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation System, Series A (D) | 4.000 | 06-15-42 | 1,000,000 | 1,147,637 | |
| New York 7.3% | 13,076,603 | ||||
| Build NYC Resource Corp. New York Revenue Seton Education Partners Brilla Project (A) | 4.000 | 11-01-41 | 250,000 | 282,509 | |
| Build NYC Resource Corp. New York Revenue Seton Education Partners Brilla Project (A) | 4.000 | 11-01-51 | 750,000 | 835,677 | |
| Build NYC Resource Corp. New York Revenue Shefa School Project, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 06-15-51 | 250,000 | 299,215 | |
| Erie Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp. Series A (A)(B) | 7.680 | 06-01-60 | 15,000,000 | 833,327 | |
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority Series D-1 | 5.000 | 11-15-39 | 750,000 | 830,587 | |
| Nassau County Tobacco Settlement Corp. Series D (B) | 6.716 | 06-01-60 | 12,000,000 | 946,998 | |
| New York Counties Tobacco Trust IV Series F (B) | 7.179 | 06-01-60 | 17,000,000 | 1,133,040 | |
| New York Liberty Development Corp. World Trade Center, Class 1-3 (A) | 5.000 | 11-15-44 | 850,000 | 928,126 | |
| New York Liberty Development Corp. World Trade Center, Class 2-3 (A) | 5.150 | 11-15-34 | 1,000,000 | 1,111,474 | |
| New York State Dormitory Authority Orange Regional Medical Center (A) | 5.000 | 12-01-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,130,908 |
| 14 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| New York (continued) | |||||
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Delta Airlines, Inc., Laguardia, AMT | 4.000 | 01-01-36 | 1,000,000 | $1,123,215 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Delta Airlines, Inc., Laguardia, AMT | 5.000 | 01-01-36 | 1,000,000 | 1,193,136 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. John F. Kennedy International Airport, AMT | 5.250 | 08-01-31 | 940,000 | 1,122,432 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. New York State Thruway Service Areas Project, AMT | 4.000 | 04-30-53 | 500,000 | 568,642 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Special Facility Revenue American Airlines Inc., JFK, AMT | 3.000 | 08-01-31 | 200,000 | 217,309 | |
| Niagara Area Development Corp. Covanta Project, Series A, AMT (A) | 4.750 | 11-01-42 | 500,000 | 520,008 | |
| Ohio 4.0% | 7,101,250 | ||||
| Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Series A-2, Class 1 | 3.000 | 06-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,030,320 | |
| Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Series A-2, Class 1 | 4.000 | 06-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,130,510 | |
| Northeast Ohio Medical University General Receipts Refunding, Series A | 4.000 | 12-01-35 | 250,000 | 289,598 | |
| Northeast Ohio Medical University General Receipts Refunding, Series A | 4.000 | 12-01-45 | 225,000 | 254,387 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Ohio Valley Electric Corp. Project | 3.250 | 09-01-29 | 1,000,000 | 1,083,257 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Ohio Valley Electric Corp. Project, Series B, AMT | 2.500 | 11-01-42 | 1,000,000 | 1,096,777 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Pratt Paper LLC Project, AMT (A) | 4.250 | 01-15-38 | 500,000 | 570,984 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Pratt Paper LLC Project, AMT (A) | 4.500 | 01-15-48 | 500,000 | 578,199 | |
| Southeastern Ohio Port Authority Marietta Memorial Hospital | 5.000 | 12-01-35 | 1,000,000 | 1,067,218 | |
| Oklahoma 0.3% | 547,482 | ||||
| Tulsa Industrial Authority University of Tulsa | 5.000 | 10-01-31 | 500,000 | 547,482 | |
| Oregon 0.6% | 1,132,162 | ||||
| Salem Hospital Facility Authority Capital Manor Project | 5.000 | 05-15-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,132,162 | |
| Pennsylvania 1.3% | 2,396,721 | ||||
| Bucks County Industrial Development Authority Hospital Revenue Grand View Hospital Project | 4.000 | 07-01-46 | 350,000 | 395,542 | |
| Lancaster County Hospital Authority Brethen Village Project | 5.125 | 07-01-37 | 1,000,000 | 1,134,803 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 15 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Pennsylvania (continued) | |||||
| Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development Charter School Revenue Philadelphia Electrical | 4.000 | 06-01-51 | 800,000 | $866,376 | |
| Puerto Rico 5.6% | 9,905,179 | ||||
| Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Series 2013A-RSA-1 (E) | 7.000 | 07-01-43 | 1,250,000 | 1,256,250 | |
| Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Series TT-RSA-1 (E) | 5.000 | 07-01-24 | 765,000 | 751,613 | |
| Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority Teodoro Moscoso Bridge, Series A (B) | 6.275 | 07-01-26 | 1,343,000 | 1,011,964 | |
| Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority Government Facilities, Series S-PSA (E) | 6.000 | 07-01-41 | 500,000 | 556,250 | |
| Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority Revenue Guaranteed Refunding Government Facilities, Series U (E) | 5.250 | 07-01-42 | 1,000,000 | 1,022,500 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 (B) | 2.291 | 07-01-31 | 1,000,000 | 802,329 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 (B) | 4.505 | 07-01-46 | 2,500,000 | 832,884 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 | 4.750 | 07-01-53 | 1,332,000 | 1,506,251 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 | 5.000 | 07-01-58 | 1,000,000 | 1,145,557 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-2 | 4.784 | 07-01-58 | 900,000 | 1,019,581 | |
| Rhode Island 1.6% | 2,764,583 | ||||
| Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Series A | 5.000 | 06-01-35 | 1,500,000 | 1,684,767 | |
| Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Series B | 4.500 | 06-01-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,079,816 | |
| South Carolina 1.2% | 2,113,892 | ||||
| South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority Episcopal Home at Still Hopes | 5.000 | 04-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,078,093 | |
| South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Revenue, AMT (A) | 6.500 | 06-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,035,799 | |
| Tennessee 2.7% | 4,730,321 | ||||
| Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Industrial Development Board Special Assessment Revenue South Nashville Central (A) | 4.000 | 06-01-51 | 500,000 | 514,344 | |
| Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp. Natural Gas Revenue, Series C | 5.000 | 02-01-25 | 3,720,000 | 4,215,977 |
| 16 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Texas 8.6% | $15,375,165 | ||||
| Board of Managers Joint Guadalupe County Hospital Mortgage Revenue | 5.000 | 12-01-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,071,737 | |
| Brazoria County Industrial Development Corp. Gladieux Metals Recycling, AMT | 7.000 | 03-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,107,642 | |
| City of Houston Airport System Revenue Special Facilities United Airlines, AMT | 4.000 | 07-15-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,065,431 | |
| City of Houston Airport System Revenue United Airlines, Inc. Terminal Projects, AMT | 6.625 | 07-15-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,006,001 | |
| City of Houston Airport System Revenue United Airlines, Inc. Terminal Projects, Series B-2, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-27 | 500,000 | 584,971 | |
| City of Houston Airport System Revenue United Airlines, Inc. Terminal Projects, Series C, AMT | 5.000 | 07-15-28 | 1,100,000 | 1,310,047 | |
| Gulf Coast Industrial Development Authority CITGO Petroleum Corp. Project, AMT | 4.875 | 05-01-25 | 500,000 | 507,572 | |
| Gulf Coast Industrial Development Authority CITGO Petroleum Corp. Project, AMT | 8.000 | 04-01-28 | 500,000 | 500,750 | |
| Mission Economic Development Corp. Natgasoline Project, AMT (A) | 4.625 | 10-01-31 | 1,500,000 | 1,577,812 | |
| New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Legacy Midtown Park Project, Series A | 5.500 | 07-01-54 | 500,000 | 526,921 | |
| New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Texas Senior Living Revenue Sanctuary LTC Project, Series A-1 | 5.500 | 01-01-57 | 1,000,000 | 1,001,365 | |
| New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Texas Senior Living Revenue Taxable Sanctuary LTC Project Series | 6.500 | 01-01-31 | 1,000,000 | 998,372 | |
| Port Beaumont Navigation District Dock & Wharf Facility Revenue Jefferson Gulf Coast Energy, AMT (A) | 2.875 | 01-01-41 | 500,000 | 493,565 | |
| Port Beaumont Navigation District Dock & Wharf Facility Revenue Jefferson Gulf Coast Energy, AMT (A) | 3.000 | 01-01-50 | 500,000 | 488,823 | |
| San Antonio Education Facilities Corp. Revenue Higher Education Hallmark University Project, Series A | 5.000 | 10-01-51 | 250,000 | 268,459 | |
| Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. Natural Gas Revenue, Series D | 6.250 | 12-15-26 | 1,520,000 | 1,753,147 | |
| Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. NTE Mobility Partners Segments LLC, AMT | 7.000 | 12-31-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,112,550 | |
| Utah 1.6% | 2,925,840 | ||||
| Military Installation Development Authority Utah Tax Allocation Revenue Hotel Tax, Series A-1 | 4.000 | 06-01-52 | 1,220,000 | 1,212,652 | |
| Utah Charter School Finance Authority St. George Campus Project, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 06-15-52 | 1,000,000 | 1,136,350 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 17 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Utah (continued) | |||||
| Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunication Revenue | 4.000 | 10-15-41 | 500,000 | $576,838 | |
| Vermont 0.4% | 788,699 | ||||
| Vermont Economic Development Authority Wake Robin Corporation Project, Series A | 5.000 | 05-01-47 | 710,000 | 788,699 | |
| Virginia 1.7% | 3,007,827 | ||||
| Alexandria Industrial Development Authority Goodwin House, Inc. | 5.000 | 10-01-50 | 1,000,000 | 1,114,373 | |
| James City County Economic Development Authority Residential Care Facility Revenue Windsormeade, Series A | 4.000 | 06-01-47 | 660,000 | 711,235 | |
| Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Series D (B) | 5.938 | 06-01-47 | 4,000,000 | 899,258 | |
| Virginia College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue Regent University Project | 4.000 | 06-01-46 | 250,000 | 282,961 | |
| Washington 0.6% | 1,003,055 | ||||
| Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District Refunding Subordinated Lodging Tax, Series B | 3.000 | 07-01-58 | 1,000,000 | 1,003,055 | |
| Wisconsin 4.7% | 8,402,845 | ||||
| Public Finance Authority Friends Homes (A) | 5.000 | 09-01-54 | 1,000,000 | 1,130,616 | |
| Public Finance Authority Retirement Facility Revenue Southminster (A) | 5.000 | 10-01-53 | 1,150,000 | 1,258,964 | |
| Public Finance Authority Rose Villa Project, Series A (A) | 5.750 | 11-15-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,077,432 | |
| Public Finance Authority Rose Villa Project, Series A (A) | 6.000 | 11-15-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,082,974 | |
| Public Finance Authority Wisconsin Revenue First Tier Mclemore Hotel (A) | 4.500 | 06-01-56 | 1,000,000 | 1,012,114 | |
| Public Finance Authority Wisconsin Revenue, Series A1 (A) | 5.000 | 01-01-56 | 200,000 | 222,666 | |
| Public Finance Authority Wisconsin Special Facility Revenue Senior Sky Harbor Capital LLC Aviation, AMT | 4.250 | 07-01-54 | 1,000,000 | 1,047,872 | |
| Public Finance Authority Wisconsin Student Housing Revenue Senior University Hawaii Foundation Project Series | 4.000 | 07-01-61 | 500,000 | 534,475 |
| 18 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Wisconsin (continued) | |||||
| Public Finance Authority Wisconsin Student Housing Revenue University Hawaii Foundation Project Subordinated Series | 5.250 | 07-01-61 | 250,000 | $257,580 | |
| Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue Hope Christian School Obligation | 4.000 | 12-01-56 | 750,000 | 778,152 | |
| Corporate bonds 0.3% | $502,863 | ||||
| (Cost $2,143,340) | |||||
| Health care 0.3% | 502,863 | ||||
| Health care providers and services 0.3% | |||||
| Tower Health | 4.451 | 02-01-50 | 566,000 | 502,863 | |
| Yield (%) | Shares | Value | |||
| Short-term investments 6.7% | $12,039,496 | ||||
| (Cost $12,039,903) | |||||
| Short-term funds 6.7% | |||||
| John Hancock Collateral Trust (F) | 0.0000(G) | 1,203,336 | 12,039,496 | ||
| Total investments (Cost $166,336,780) 101.6% | $180,932,704 | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities, net (1.6%) | (2,916,949) | ||||
| Total net assets 100.0% | $178,015,755 | ||||
| The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund. | |
| ^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. | |
| Security Abbreviations and Legend | |
| AMT | Interest earned from these securities may be considered a tax preference item for purpose of the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax. |
| GO | General Obligation |
| (A) | These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration. Rule 144A securities amounted to $37,934,185 or 21.3% of the fund’s net assets as of 11-30-21. |
| (B) | Zero coupon bonds are issued at a discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest periodically. Rate shown is the effective yield at period end. |
| (C) | Bond is insured by one or more of the companies listed in the insurance coverage table below. |
| (D) | Security purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. |
| (E) | Non-income producing - Issuer is in default. |
| (F) | Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. |
| (G) | The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 11-30-21. |
At 11-30-21, the aggregate cost
of investments for federal income tax purposes was $164,701,065. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $16,231,639, of which $17,072,407 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $840,768 related to gross
unrealized depreciation.
| Insurance coverage | As a % of total investments |
| Assured Guaranty Corp. | 2.1 |
| Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. | 0.5 |
| TOTAL | 2.6 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 19 |
Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES 11-30-21 (unaudited)
| Assets | |
| Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $154,296,877) | $168,893,208 |
| Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $12,039,903) | 12,039,496 |
| Total investments, at value (Cost $166,336,780) | 180,932,704 |
| Interest receivable | 1,938,259 |
| Receivable for fund shares sold | 697,782 |
| Receivable from affiliates | 1,112 |
| Other assets | 43,548 |
| Total assets | 183,613,405 |
| Liabilities | |
| Distributions payable | 17,953 |
| Payable for investments purchased | 1,012,030 |
| Payable for delayed delivery securities purchased | 4,150,740 |
| Payable for fund shares repurchased | 290,551 |
| Payable to affiliates | |
| Accounting and legal services fees | 8,497 |
| Transfer agent fees | 5,998 |
| Distribution and service fees | 11,124 |
| Trustees’ fees | 148 |
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 100,609 |
| Total liabilities | 5,597,650 |
| Net assets | $178,015,755 |
| Net assets consist of | |
| Paid-in capital | $159,950,380 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 18,065,375 |
| Net assets | $178,015,755 |
| 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 ($134,489,288 ÷ 16,255,612 shares)1 | $8.27 |
| Class C ($13,372,424 ÷ 1,616,203 shares)1 | $8.27 |
| Class I ($26,798,398 ÷ 3,233,964 shares) | $8.29 |
| Class R6 ($3,355,645 ÷ 404,759 shares) | $8.29 |
| Maximum offering price per share | |
| Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 96%)2 | $8.61 |
| 1 | Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. |
| 2 | On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced. |
| 20 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the six months ended 11-30-21 (unaudited)
| Investment income | |
| Interest | $3,329,050 |
| Dividends from affiliated investments | 975 |
| Total investment income | 3,330,025 |
| Expenses | |
| Investment management fees | 458,702 |
| Distribution and service fees | 233,547 |
| Accounting and legal services fees | 14,297 |
| Transfer agent fees | 34,627 |
| Trustees’ fees | 1,299 |
| Custodian fees | 21,695 |
| State registration fees | 38,369 |
| Printing and postage | 10,800 |
| Professional fees | 25,689 |
| Other | 9,186 |
| Total expenses | 848,211 |
| Less expense reductions | (81,936) |
| Net expenses | 766,275 |
| Net investment income | 2,563,750 |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on | |
| Unaffiliated investments | 1,860,377 |
| Affiliated investments | 656 |
| 1,861,033 | |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of | |
| Unaffiliated investments | (1,786,336) |
| Affiliated investments | (523) |
| (1,786,859) | |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | 74,174 |
| Increase in net assets from operations | $2,637,924 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 21 |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET
ASSETS
| Six months ended 11-30-21 (unaudited) | Year ended 5-31-21 | |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets | ||
| From operations | ||
| Net investment income | $2,563,750 | $5,151,419 |
| Net realized gain | 1,861,033 | 2,746,139 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (1,786,859) | 15,196,049 |
| Increase in net assets resulting from operations | 2,637,924 | 23,093,607 |
| Distributions to shareholders | ||
| From earnings | ||
| Class A | (1,954,594) | (4,092,891) |
| Class B1 | — | (6,140) |
| Class C | (156,027) | (468,259) |
| Class I | (321,826) | (516,238) |
| Class R6 | (45,477) | (77,303) |
| Total distributions | (2,477,924) | (5,160,831) |
| From fund share transactions | 20,581,827 | (2,438,333) |
| Total increase | 20,741,827 | 15,494,443 |
| Net assets | ||
| Beginning of period | 157,273,928 | 141,779,485 |
| End of period | $178,015,755 | $157,273,928 |
| 1 | Share class was redesignated during the period. Refer to Note 5 for further details. |
| 22 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Financial highlights
| CLASS A SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-18 | 5-31-17 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $8.26 | $7.32 | $8.06 | $7.93 | $8.01 | $8.33 |
| Net investment income2 | 0.13 | 0.28 | 0.30 | 0.32 | 0.34 | 0.34 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | —3 | 0.94 | (0.58) | 0.14 | (0.06) | (0.28) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.13 | 1.22 | (0.28) | 0.46 | 0.28 | 0.06 |
| Less distributions | ||||||
| From net investment income | (0.12) | (0.28) | (0.33) | (0.33) | (0.36) | (0.38) |
| From net realized gain | — | — | (0.13) | — | — | — |
| Total distributions | (0.12) | (0.28) | (0.46) | (0.33) | (0.36) | (0.38) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $8.27 | $8.26 | $7.32 | $8.06 | $7.93 | $8.01 |
| Total return (%)4,5 | 1.636 | 16.83 | (3.80) | 5.99 | 3.55 | 0.76 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $134 | $125 | $107 | $111 | $117 | $133 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | ||||||
| Expenses before reductions | 0.987 | 1.03 | 1.06 | 1.07 | 1.05 | 1.00 |
| Expenses including reductions | 0.877 | 0.89 | 0.92 | 0.93 | 0.91 | 0.89 |
| Net investment income | 3.097 | 3.48 | 3.79 | 4.10 | 4.31 | 4.24 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 19 | 34 | 52 | 41 | 8 | 27 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 3 | Less than $0.005 per share. |
| 4 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 5 | Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any. |
| 6 | Not annualized. |
| 7 | Annualized. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 23 |
| CLASS C SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-18 | 5-31-17 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $8.26 | $7.32 | $8.06 | $7.93 | $8.01 | $8.33 |
| Net investment income2 | 0.10 | 0.22 | 0.24 | 0.26 | 0.29 | 0.28 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | —3 | 0.94 | (0.58) | 0.14 | (0.07) | (0.28) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.10 | 1.16 | (0.34) | 0.40 | 0.22 | — |
| Less distributions | ||||||
| From net investment income | (0.09) | (0.22) | (0.27) | (0.27) | (0.30) | (0.32) |
| From net realized gain | — | — | (0.13) | — | — | — |
| Total distributions | (0.09) | (0.22) | (0.40) | (0.27) | (0.30) | (0.32) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $8.27 | $8.26 | $7.32 | $8.06 | $7.93 | $8.01 |
| Total return (%)4,5 | 1.256 | 15.96 | (4.52) | 5.20 | 2.78 | 0.00 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $13 | $15 | $20 | $29 | $35 | $43 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | ||||||
| Expenses before reductions | 1.737 | 1.78 | 1.81 | 1.82 | 1.80 | 1.75 |
| Expenses including reductions | 1.627 | 1.64 | 1.67 | 1.68 | 1.66 | 1.64 |
| Net investment income | 2.347 | 2.75 | 3.04 | 3.35 | 3.56 | 3.50 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 19 | 34 | 52 | 41 | 8 | 27 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 3 | Less than $0.005 per share. |
| 4 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 5 | Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any. |
| 6 | Not annualized. |
| 7 | Annualized. |
| 24 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| CLASS I SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-18 | 5-31-172 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $8.27 | $7.33 | $8.07 | $7.94 | $8.02 | $7.91 |
| Net investment income3 | 0.13 | 0.29 | 0.31 | 0.33 | 0.36 | 0.12 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 0.02 | 0.94 | (0.58) | 0.14 | (0.07) | 0.10 |
| Total from investment operations | 0.15 | 1.23 | (0.27) | 0.47 | 0.29 | 0.22 |
| Less distributions | ||||||
| From net investment income | (0.13) | (0.29) | (0.34) | (0.34) | (0.37) | (0.11) |
| From net realized gain | — | — | (0.13) | — | — | — |
| Total distributions | (0.13) | (0.29) | (0.47) | (0.34) | (0.37) | (0.11) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $8.29 | $8.27 | $7.33 | $8.07 | $7.94 | $8.02 |
| Total return (%)4 | 1.835 | 16.99 | (3.65) | 6.15 | 3.71 | 2.845 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $27 | $15 | $13 | $13 | $9 | $8 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | ||||||
| Expenses before reductions | 0.736 | 0.78 | 0.81 | 0.82 | 0.80 | 0.736 |
| Expenses including reductions | 0.726 | 0.74 | 0.77 | 0.78 | 0.76 | 0.736 |
| Net investment income | 3.226 | 3.62 | 3.94 | 4.23 | 4.47 | 4.966 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 19 | 34 | 52 | 41 | 8 | 277 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | The inception date for Class I shares is 2-13-17. |
| 3 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 4 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 5 | Not annualized. |
| 6 | Annualized. |
| 7 | Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-16 to 5-31-17. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 25 |
| CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-182 |
| Per share operating performance | |||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $8.28 | $7.34 | $8.08 | $7.94 | $8.08 |
| Net investment income3 | 0.14 | 0.29 | 0.32 | 0.33 | 0.28 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | —4 | 0.94 | (0.59) | 0.16 | (0.14) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.14 | 1.23 | (0.27) | 0.49 | 0.14 |
| Less distributions | |||||
| From net investment income | (0.13) | (0.29) | (0.34) | (0.35) | (0.28) |
| From net realized gain | — | — | (0.13) | — | — |
| Total distributions | (0.13) | (0.29) | (0.47) | (0.35) | (0.28) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $8.29 | $8.28 | $7.34 | $8.08 | $7.94 |
| Total return (%)5 | 1.726 | 17.01 | (3.61) | 6.31 | 1.806 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $3 | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | |||||
| Expenses before reductions | 0.707 | 0.75 | 0.78 | 0.79 | 0.777 |
| Expenses including reductions | 0.697 | 0.71 | 0.74 | 0.75 | 0.737 |
| Net investment income | 3.257 | 3.66 | 3.98 | 4.27 | 4.527 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 19 | 34 | 52 | 41 | 88 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | The inception date for Class R6 shares is 8-30-17. |
| 3 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 4 | Less than $0.005 per share. |
| 5 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 6 | Not annualized. |
| 7 | Annualized. |
| 8 | Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-17 to 5-31-18. |
| 26 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
Note 1—Organization
John Hancock High Yield Municipal
Bond Fund (the fund) is a series of John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust (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 a high level of current income that is largely exempt from federal income tax, consistent with the preservation of
capital. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests in medium-and lower-quality municipal securities. Investments in high yield securities involve greater degrees of credit and market risk than investments in
higher rated securities and tend to be more sensitive to market conditions.
The fund may offer multiple classes
of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain
investors. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class C shares convert to Class A shares eight 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 2—Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been
prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial
statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring
after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting
policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other
disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the
NYSE pursuant to the fund’s Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities,
the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which
takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker
supplied prices. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day.
Other portfolio securities and
assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund’s Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of
Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for
such securities existed.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy
to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities,
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
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 27 |
fund’s own assumptions in determining the
fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities
are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the
disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the
values by input classification of the fund’s investments as of November 30, 2021, by major security category or type:
| Total value at 11-30-21 | Level 1 quoted price | Level 2 significant observable inputs | Level 3 significant unobservable inputs | |
| Investments in securities: | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Municipal bonds | $168,390,345 | — | $168,390,345 | — |
| Corporate bonds | 502,863 | — | 502,863 | — |
| Short-term investments | 12,039,496 | $12,039,496 | — | — |
| Total investments in securities | $180,932,704 | $12,039,496 | $168,893,208 | — |
When-issued/delayed-delivery
securities. The fund may purchase or sell debt securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, or in a “To Be Announced” (TBA) or “forward commitment” transaction, with
delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. TBA securities resulting from these transactions are included in the portfolio or in a schedule to the portfolio (Sale Commitments
Outstanding). At the time a fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in its NAV. The price of such security and the date that
the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues until settlement takes place. At the
time that the fund enters into this type of transaction, the fund is required to have sufficient cash and/or liquid securities to cover its commitments.
Certain risks may arise upon
entering into when-issued or delayed-delivery securities transactions, including the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts, and the issuer’s failure to issue the securities
due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the securities purchased or sold prior to settlement date.
Security transactions and related
investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are
reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a
non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. 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 $1 billion
unsecured committed line of credit. Excluding commitments designated for a certain fund and subject to the needs of all other affiliated
| 28 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
funds, the fund can borrow up to an aggregate
commitment amount of $750 million, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. Prior to June 24, 2021, the fund could borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $850 million. 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 six months ended November 30, 2021, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the six months ended
November 30, 2021 were $1,903.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a
specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued
in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class.
Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense
rates applicable to each class.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income
tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
For federal income tax purposes, as
of May 31, 2021, the fund has a short-term capital loss carryforward of $63,745 available to offset future net realized capital gains. This carryforward does not expire.
As of May 31, 2021, the fund had no
uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund’s federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of
three years.
Distribution of income and
gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly.
Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
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.
Such distributions, 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. The final determination of tax characteristics of the fund’s distribution will occur at the end of the year and will subsequently be reported to shareholders.
Capital accounts within the
financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent
period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to characterization of distributions and accretion on debt securities.
Note 3—Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust’s
organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of
business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims
that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 29 |
Note 4—Fees 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, principally owned subsidiaries of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a)
0.5900% of the first $75 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, (b) 0.5200% of the next $75 million of the fund’s average daily net assets, (c) 0.4600% of the next $1.85 billion of the
fund’s average daily net assets, (d) 0.4400% of the next $2 billion of the fund’s average daily net assets; and (e) 0.4100% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $4 billion. The Advisor
has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of
the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed
to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate
net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the
six months ended November 30, 2021, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets, on an annualized basis. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2023, 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.
The Advisor contractually agrees to
reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class A, Class C, Class I, and Class R6 shares, in an amount equal to the amount by which the expenses of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R6 shares, as
applicable, exceed 0.89%, 1.64%, 0.74%, and 0.72%, respectively, of average daily net assets attributable to the class, excluding (a) taxes, (b) brokerage commissions, (c) interest expense, (d) litigation and
indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, (e) borrowing costs, (f) prime brokerage fees, (g) acquired fund fees and expenses paid
indirectly, and (h) short dividend expense. This agreement expires on September 30, 2022, 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 six months ended November
30, 2021, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
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 six months ended November 30, 2021, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.53% 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
| 30 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
the time the expense was incurred. These accounting
and legal services fees incurred, for the six months ended November 30, 2021, 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 C | 1.00% |
The fund’s Distributor has
contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class A and Class C shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor
based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $65,483 and $6,984 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the six months ended
November 30, 2021.
Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $61,956 for the six months ended November 30, 2021. Of this amount, $9,130
was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes and $52,826 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.
Class A and Class C shares may be
subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares purchased, including those that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more, and redeemed within one year of purchase are subject
to a 1.00% sales charge. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original
purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the six months
ended November 30, 2021, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $364 and $143 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively.
Transfer agent fees. The John Hancock group of funds has a complex-wide transfer agent agreement with John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), an affiliate of the Advisor. The transfer agent
fees paid to Signature Services are determined based on the cost to Signature Services (Signature Services Cost) of providing recordkeeping services. It also includes out-of-pocket expenses, including payments made to
third-parties for recordkeeping services provided to their clients who invest in one or more John Hancock funds. In addition, Signature Services Cost may be reduced by certain fees that Signature Services receives in
connection with retirement and small accounts. Signature Services Cost is calculated monthly and allocated, as applicable, to five categories of share classes: Retail Share and Institutional Share Classes of
Non-Municipal Bond Funds, Class R6 Shares, Retirement Share Classes and Municipal Bond Share Classes. Within each of these categories, the applicable costs are allocated to the affected John Hancock affiliated funds
and/or classes, based on the relative average daily net assets.
Class level expenses. Class level expenses for the six months ended November 30, 2021 were as follows:
| Class | Distribution and service fees | Transfer agent fees |
| Class A | $163,707 | $27,306 |
| Class C | 69,840 | 2,914 |
| Class I | — | 4,280 |
| Class R6 | — | 127 |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 31 |
| Class | Distribution and service fees | Transfer agent fees |
| Total | $233,547 | $34,627 |
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 5—Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the
six months ended November 30, 2021 and for the year ended May 31, 2021 were as follows:
| Six Months Ended 11-30-21 | Year Ended 5-31-21 | |||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |
| Class A shares | ||||
| Sold | 1,873,186 | $15,548,868 | 2,540,670 | $20,064,197 |
| Distributions reinvested | 223,194 | 1,849,557 | 486,961 | 3,869,965 |
| Repurchased | (978,581) | (8,108,663) | (2,485,224) | (19,623,934) |
| Net increase | 1,117,799 | $9,289,762 | 542,407 | $4,310,228 |
| Class B shares | ||||
| Sold | — | — | 18 | $140 |
| Distributions reinvested | — | — | 669 | 5,178 |
| Repurchased | — | — | (96,817) | (747,058) |
| Net decrease | — | — | (96,130) | $(741,740) |
| Class C shares | ||||
| Sold | 66,405 | $550,066 | 136,999 | $1,085,234 |
| Distributions reinvested | 18,653 | 154,671 | 57,680 | 456,498 |
| Repurchased | (249,428) | (2,074,324) | (1,122,789) | (8,798,617) |
| Net decrease | (164,370) | $(1,369,587) | (928,110) | $(7,256,885) |
| Class I shares | ||||
| Sold | 1,553,537 | $12,935,890 | 509,759 | $4,052,174 |
| Distributions reinvested | 38,617 | 320,220 | 64,389 | 512,640 |
| Repurchased | (195,017) | (1,616,907) | (448,139) | (3,563,317) |
| Net increase | 1,397,137 | $11,639,203 | 126,009 | $1,001,497 |
| Class R6 shares | ||||
| Sold | 135,661 | $1,129,449 | 104,705 | $820,354 |
| Distributions reinvested | 5,480 | 45,477 | 9,693 | 77,220 |
| Repurchased | (18,444) | (152,477) | (82,061) | (649,007) |
| Net increase | 122,697 | $1,022,449 | 32,337 | $248,567 |
| Total net increase (decrease) | 2,473,263 | $20,581,827 | (323,487) | $(2,438,333) |
Affiliates of the fund owned 9% of
shares of R6 on November 30, 2021. Such concentration of shareholders’ capital could have a material effect on the fund if such shareholders redeem from the fund.
| 32 | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
On June 25, 2020, the Board of
Trustees approved redesignations of certain share classes. As a result of the redesignations, Class B was terminated, and shareholders in this class became shareholders of the respective class identified below, with
the same or lower total net expenses. The following amount is included in the amount repurchased of the terminated class and the amount sold of the redesignated class.
| Redesignation | Effective date | Amount | |||||
| Class B shares as Class A shares | October 14, 2020 | $447,566 |
Note 6—Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities,
other than short-term investments, amounted to $44,114,958 and $31,433,395, respectively, for the six months ended November 30, 2021.
Note 7—State or region risk
To the extent that the fund invests
heavily in bonds from any given state or region, its performance could be disproportionately affected by factors particular to that state or region. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax-base
erosion, possible state constitutional limits on tax increases, detrimental budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes to the credit ratings assigned to those states’ municipal issuers.
Note 8—Investment in affiliated underlying funds
The fund may invest in affiliated
underlying funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. Information regarding the fund’s fiscal year to date purchases and sales of the affiliated underlying funds as well as income and capital
gains earned by the fund, if any, is as follows:
| Dividends and distributions | |||||||||
| Affiliate | Ending share amount | Beginning value | Cost of purchases | Proceeds from shares sold | Realized gain (loss) | Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | Income distributions received | Capital gain distributions received | Ending value |
| John Hancock Collateral Trust | 1,203,336 | $3,704,236 | $43,144,941 | $(34,809,814) | $656 | $(523) | $975 | — | $12,039,496 |
Note 9—Coronavirus (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, which may
lead to less liquidity in certain instruments, industries, sectors or the markets generally, and may ultimately affect fund performance.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 33 |
EVALUATION OF ADVISORY AND
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENTS BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
This section describes the
evaluation by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust (the Trust) of the Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) and
the Subadvisory Agreement (the Subadvisory Agreement) with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor), for John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (the fund). The Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory
Agreement are collectively referred to as the Agreements. Prior to the June 22-24, 2021 videoconference1 meeting at which the Agreements were approved, the Board also discussed and considered information regarding the proposed continuation of the
Agreements at a videoconference meeting held on May 25-26, 2021. The Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (the
"Independent Trustees") also met separately to evaluate and discuss the information presented, including with counsel to the Independent Trustees and a third-party consulting firm.
Approval of Advisory and Subadvisory
Agreements
At videoconference meetings held on
June 22-24, 2021, the Board, including the Trustees who are not parties to any Agreement or considered to be interested persons of the Trust under the 1940 Act, reapproved for an annual period the continuation of the
Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor and the Subadvisory Agreement between the Advisor and the Subadvisor with respect to the fund.
In considering the Advisory
Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board received in advance of the meetings a variety of materials relating to the fund, the Advisor and the Subadvisor, including comparative performance, fee and expense
information for a peer group of similar funds prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, performance information for an applicable benchmark index; and, with respect to the Subadvisor, comparative
performance information for comparably managed accounts, as applicable, and other information provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisor and
the Subadvisor under their respective Agreements, as well as information regarding the Advisor’s revenues and costs of providing services to the fund and any compensation paid to affiliates of the Advisor. At
the meetings at which the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement are considered, particular focus is given to information concerning fund performance, comparability of fees and total expenses, and
profitability. However, the Board noted that the evaluation process with respect to the Advisor and the Subadvisor is an ongoing one. In this regard, the Board also took into account discussions with management and
information provided to the Board (including its various committees) at prior meetings with respect to the services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor to the fund, including quarterly performance reports
prepared by management containing reviews of investment results and prior presentations from the Subadvisor with respect to the fund. The information received and considered by the Board in connection with the May and
June meetings and throughout the year was both written and oral. The Board noted the affiliation of the Subadvisor with the Advisor, noting any potential conflicts of interest. The Board also considered the nature,
quality, and extent of
1On June 19, 2020, as a result of health and safety measures put in place to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an exemptive order
(the “Order”) pursuant to Sections 6(c) and 38(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), that temporarily exempts registered investment management companies from
the in-person voting requirements under the 1940 Act, subject to certain requirements, including that votes taken pursuant to the Order are ratified at the next in-person meeting. The Board determined that reliance on
the Order was necessary or appropriate due to the circumstances related to current or potential effects of COVID-19 and therefore, the Board’s May and June meetings were held via videoconference in reliance on
the Order. This exemptive order supersedes, in part, a similar earlier exemptive order issued by the SEC.
| 34 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
non-advisory services, if any, to be provided to
the fund by the Advisor’s affiliates, including distribution services. The Board considered the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement separately in the course of its review. In doing so, the Board
noted the respective roles of the Advisor and Subadvisor in providing services to the fund.
Throughout the process, the Board
asked questions of and requested additional information from management. The Board is assisted by counsel for the Trust and the Independent Trustees are also separately assisted by independent legal counsel throughout
the process. The Independent Trustees also received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Agreements and discussed
the proposed continuation of the Agreements in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of management were present.
Approval of Advisory Agreement
In approving the Advisory Agreement
with respect to the fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered a variety of factors, including those discussed below. The Board also considered other factors (including conditions and trends
prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry) and did not treat any single factor as determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to different factors. The
Board’s conclusions may be based in part on its consideration of the advisory and subadvisory arrangements in prior years and on the Board’s ongoing regular review of fund performance and operations
throughout the year.
Nature, extent, and quality of services. Among the information received by the Board from the Advisor relating to the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the fund, the Board reviewed information provided by the
Advisor relating to its operations and personnel, descriptions of its organizational and management structure, and information regarding the Advisor’s compliance and regulatory history, including its Form ADV.
The Board also noted that on a regular basis it receives and reviews information from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) regarding the fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant
to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Advisor, and of the undertakings required of the Advisor in connection with those services, including maintaining and
monitoring its own and the fund’s compliance programs, risk management programs, liquidity management programs and cybersecurity programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other
developments. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the fund, including, but not limited to, general supervision of and coordination of the services
provided by the Subadvisor, and is also responsible for monitoring and reviewing the activities of the Subadvisor and third-party service providers. The Board also considered the significant risks assumed by the
Advisor in connection with the services provided to the fund including entrepreneurial risk in sponsoring new funds and ongoing risks including investment, operational, enterprise, litigation, regulatory and
compliance risks with respect to all funds.
In considering the nature, extent,
and quality of the services provided by the Advisor, the Trustees also took into account their knowledge of the Advisor’s management and the quality of the performance of the Advisor’s duties, through
Board meetings, discussions and reports during the preceding year and through each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the Trust and of the other trusts in the John Hancock group of funds complex (the John
Hancock Fund Complex).
In the course of their deliberations
regarding the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other things:
| (a) | the skills and competency with which the Advisor has in the past managed the Trust’s affairs and its subadvisory relationship, the Advisor’s oversight and monitoring of the Subadvisor’s investment performance and compliance programs, such as the Subadvisor’s compliance with fund policies and objectives, review of brokerage matters, including with respect to trade allocation and best execution and the Advisor’s timeliness in responding to performance issues; |
| (b) | the background, qualifications and skills of the Advisor’s personnel; |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 35 |
| (c) | the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures and its responsiveness to regulatory changes and fund industry developments; |
| (d) | the Advisor’s administrative capabilities, including its ability to supervise the other service providers for the fund, as well as the Advisor’s oversight of any securities lending activity, its monitoring of class action litigation and collection of class action settlements on behalf of the fund, and bringing loss recovery actions on behalf of the fund; |
| (e) | the financial condition of the Advisor and whether it has the financial wherewithal to provide a high level and quality of services to the fund; |
| (f) | the Advisor’s initiatives intended to improve various aspects of the Trust’s operations and investor experience with the fund; and |
| (g) | the Advisor’s reputation and experience in serving as an investment advisor to the Trust and the benefit to shareholders of investing in funds that are part of a family of funds offering a variety of investments. |
The Board concluded that the Advisor
may reasonably be expected to continue to provide a high quality of services under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund.
Investment performance. In considering the fund’s performance, the Board noted that it reviews at its regularly scheduled meetings information about the fund’s performance results. In
connection with the consideration of the Advisory Agreement, the Board:
| (a) | reviewed information prepared by management regarding the fund’s performance; |
| (b) | considered the comparative performance of an applicable benchmark index; |
| (c) | considered the performance of comparable funds, if any, as included in the report prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data; and |
| (d) | took into account the Advisor’s analysis of the fund’s performance and its plans and recommendations regarding the Trust’s subadvisory arrangements generally. |
The Board noted that while it found
the data provided by the independent third-party generally useful it recognized its limitations, including in particular that the data may vary depending on the end date selected and the results of the performance
comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group. The Board noted that the fund underperformed its benchmark index for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2020. The Board
also noted that the fund outperformed the peer group median for the one-year period and underperformed the peer group median for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2020. The Board took into
account management’s discussion of the factors that contributed to the fund’s performance relative to the benchmark index for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods and relative to the peer group
median for the three-, five- and ten-year periods, including the impact of past and current market conditions on the fund’s strategy and management’s outlook for the fund. The Board concluded that the
fund’s performance is being monitored and reasonably addressed, where appropriate.
Fees and expenses. The Board reviewed comparative information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, including, among other data, the fund’s contractual and net management fees
(and subadvisory fees, to the extent available) and total expenses as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the
management and advisory and subadvisory services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor. The Board considered the fund’s ranking within a smaller group of peer funds chosen by the independent third-party
provider, as well as the fund’s ranking within a broader
| 36 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
group of funds. In comparing the fund’s
contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Board noted that such fees include both advisory and administrative costs. The Board noted that net management fees and net total expenses for the
fund are higher than the peer group median.
The Board took into account
management’s discussion of the fund’s expenses. The Board also took into account management’s discussion with respect to the overall management fee and the fees of the Subadvisor, including the
amount of the advisory fee retained by the Advisor after payment of the subadvisory fee, in each case in light of the services rendered for those amounts and the risks undertaken by the Advisor. The Board also noted
that the Advisor pays the subadvisory fee. In addition, the Board took into account that management had agreed to implement an overall fee waiver across the complex, including the fund, which is discussed further
below. The Board also noted actions taken over the past several years to reduce the fund’s operating expenses. The Board also noted that, in addition, the Advisor is currently waiving fees and/or reimbursing
expenses with respect to the fund and that the fund has breakpoints in its contractual management fee schedule that reduce management fees as assets increase. The Board also noted that the fund’s distributor, an
affiliate of the Advisor, has agreed to waive a portion of its Rule 12b-1 fee for a share class of the fund. The Board noted that the fund has a voluntary fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement, which reduces certain
expenses of the fund. The Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor concerning the investment advisory fee charged by the Advisor or one of its advisory affiliates to other clients (including other funds in
the John Hancock Fund Complex) having similar investment mandates, if any. The Board considered any differences between the Advisor’s and Subadvisor’s services to the fund and the services they provide to
other comparable clients or funds. The Board concluded that the advisory fee paid with respect to the fund is reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the fund under the
Advisory Agreement.
Profitability/Fall out benefits. In considering the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from the Advisor’s relationship
with the Trust, the Board:
| (a) | reviewed financial information of the Advisor; |
| (b) | reviewed and considered information presented by the Advisor regarding the net profitability to the Advisor and its affiliates with respect to the fund; |
| (c) | received and reviewed profitability information with respect to the John Hancock Fund Complex as a whole and with respect to the fund; |
| (d) | received information with respect to the Advisor’s allocation methodologies used in preparing the profitability data and considered that the Advisor hired an independent third-party consultant to provide an analysis of the Advisor’s allocation methodologies; |
| (e) | considered that the John Hancock insurance companies that are affiliates of the Advisor, as shareholders of the Trust directly or through their separate accounts, receive certain tax credits or deductions relating to foreign taxes paid and dividends received by certain funds of the Trust and noted that these tax benefits, which are not available to participants in qualified retirement plans under applicable income tax law, are reflected in the profitability information reviewed by the Board; |
| (f) | considered that the Advisor also provides administrative services to the fund on a cost basis pursuant to an administrative services agreement; |
| (g) | noted that affiliates of the Advisor provide transfer agency services and distribution services to the fund, and that the fund’s distributor also receives Rule 12b-1 payments to support distribution of the fund; |
| (h) | noted that the fund’s Subadvisor is an affiliate of the Advisor; |
| (i) | noted that the Advisor also derives reputational and other indirect benefits from providing advisory services to the fund; |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 37 |
| (j) | noted that the subadvisory fee for the fund is paid by the Advisor; |
| (k) | considered the Advisor’s ongoing costs and expenditures necessary to improve services, meet new regulatory and compliance requirements, and adapt to other challenges impacting the fund industry; and |
| (l) | considered that the Advisor should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to the fund and the risks that it assumes as Advisor, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risk. |
Based upon its review, the Board
concluded that the level of profitability, if any, of the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from their relationship with the fund was reasonable and not excessive.
Economies of scale. In considering the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders, the
Board:
| (a) | considered that the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for certain funds of the John Hancock Fund Complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios) or otherwise reimburse the expenses of the participating portfolios (the reimbursement). 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; |
| (b) | reviewed the fund’s advisory fee structure and concluded that: (i) the fund’s fee structure contains breakpoints at the subadvisory fee level and that such breakpoints are reflected as breakpoints in the advisory fees for the fund; and (ii) although economies of scale cannot be measured with precision, these arrangements permit shareholders of the fund to benefit from economies of scale if the fund grows. The Board also took into account management’s discussion of the fund’s advisory fee structure; and |
| (c) | the Board also considered the effect of the fund’s growth in size on its performance and fees. The Board also noted that if the fund’s assets increase over time, the fund may realize other economies of scale. |
Approval of Subadvisory Agreement
In making its determination with
respect to approval of the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board reviewed:
| (1) | information relating to the Subadvisor’s business, including current subadvisory services to the Trust (and other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex); |
| (2) | the historical and current performance of the fund and comparative performance information relating to an applicable benchmark index and comparable funds; and |
| (3) | the subadvisory fee for the fund, including any breakpoints, and to the extent available, comparable fee information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data. |
Nature, extent, and quality of services. With respect to the services provided by the Subadvisor, the Board received information provided to the Board by the Subadvisor, including the Subadvisor’s Form ADV, as well as took
into account information presented throughout the past year. The Board considered the Subadvisor’s current level of staffing and its overall resources, as well as received information relating to the
Subadvisor’s compensation program. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor’s history and investment experience, as well as information regarding the qualifications, background, and responsibilities of the
Subadvisor’s investment and compliance personnel who provide services to the fund. The Board also considered, among other things, the Subadvisor’s compliance program and any disciplinary history. The Board
also considered the Subadvisor’s risk assessment and monitoring process.
| 38 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
The Board reviewed the Subadvisor’s
regulatory history, including whether it was involved in any regulatory actions or investigations as well as material litigation, and any settlements and amelioratory actions undertaken, as appropriate. The Board
noted that the Advisor conducts regular, periodic reviews of the Subadvisor and its operations, including regarding investment processes and organizational and staffing matters. The Board also noted that the
Trust’s CCO and his staff conduct regular, periodic compliance reviews with the Subadvisor and present reports to the Independent Trustees regarding the same, which includes evaluating the regulatory compliance
systems of the Subadvisor and procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with the federal securities laws. The Board also took into account the financial condition of the Subadvisor.
The Board considered the
Subadvisor’s investment process and philosophy. The Board took into account that the Subadvisor’s responsibilities include the development and maintenance of an investment program for the fund that is
consistent with the fund’s investment objective, the selection of investment securities and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of such securities, as well as the implementation of compliance
controls related to performance of these services. The Board also received information with respect to the Subadvisor’s brokerage policies and practices, including with respect to best execution and soft
dollars.
Subadvisor compensation. In considering the cost of services to be provided by the Subadvisor and the profitability to the Subadvisor of its relationship with the fund, the Board noted that the fees under the
Subadvisory Agreement are paid by the Advisor and not the fund. The Board also received information and took into account any other potential conflicts of interest the Advisor might have in connection with the
Subadvisory Agreement.
In addition, the Board considered
other potential indirect benefits that the Subadvisor and its affiliates may receive from the Subadvisor’s relationship with the fund, such as the opportunity to provide advisory services to additional funds in
the John Hancock Fund Complex and reputational benefits.
Subadvisory fees. The Board considered that the fund pays an advisory fee to the Advisor and that, in turn, the Advisor pays a subadvisory fee to the Subadvisor. As noted above, the Board also considered the
fund’s subadvisory fees as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund as included in the report prepared by the independent third-party provider of fund data, to the
extent available. The Board also noted that the limited size of the Lipper peer group was not sufficient for comparative purposes. The Board also took into account the subadvisory fees paid by the Advisor to the
Subadvisor with respect to the fund and compared them to fees charged by the Subadvisor to manage other subadvised portfolios and portfolios not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, as applicable.
Subadvisor performance. As noted above, the Board considered the fund’s performance as compared to the fund’s peer group median and the benchmark index and noted that the Board reviews information
about the fund’s performance results at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Board noted the Advisor’s expertise and resources in monitoring the performance, investment style and risk-adjusted performance
of the Subadvisor. The Board was mindful of the Advisor’s focus on the Subadvisor’s performance. The Board also noted the Subadvisor’s long-term performance record for similar accounts, as
applicable.
The Board’s decision to
approve the Subadvisory Agreement was based on a number of determinations, including the following:
| (1) | the Subadvisor has extensive experience and demonstrated skills as a manager; |
| (2) | the performance of the fund is being monitored and reasonably addressed, where appropriate; |
| (3) | the subadvisory fee is reasonable in relation to the level and quality of services being provided under the Subadvisory Agreement; and |
| (4) | noted that the subadvisory fees are paid by the Advisor not the fund and that the subadvisory fee breakpoints are reflected as breakpoints in the advisory fees for the fund in order to permit shareholders to benefit from economies of scale if the fund grows. |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 39 |
***
Based on the Board’s
evaluation of all factors that the Board deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the
Subadvisory Agreement would be in the best interest of the fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board, and the Independent Trustees voting separately, approved the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement
for an additional one-year period.
| 40 | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
More information
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 the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on our
website and the SEC’s website, sec.gov.
We make this information
on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.
| You can also contact us: | ||
| 800-225-5291 | Regular mail: | Express mail: |
| jhinvestments.com | John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 219909 Kansas City, MO 64121-9909 | John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 430 W 7th Street Suite 219909 Kansas City, MO 64105-1407 |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND | 41 |
John Hancock family of funds
A fund’s investment
objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial
professional, call John Hancock Investments at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
John Hancock 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 Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, Manulife
Investment Management (US) 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.
A trusted brand
John Hancock Investment Management
is a premier asset manager
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.
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.
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.
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world’s best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.
“A trusted brand” is
based on a survey of 6,651 respondents conducted by Medallia between 3/18/20 and 5/13/20.
John Hancock Investment Management
Distributors LLC, Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5010, 800-225-5291, jhinvestments.com
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5010, 800-225-5291, jhinvestments.com
Manulife Investment Management, the
Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investment Management & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by its affiliates under license.
NOT FDIC INSURED. MAY LOSE VALUE. NO
BANK GUARANTEE. NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
This report is for the information
of the shareholders of John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
| MF1949182 | 59SA 11/21 |
1/2022
A message to shareholders
John Hancock
Tax-Free Bond Fund
Table of contents
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 1 |
Your fund at a glance
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The fund seeks as high a level of
interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of capital.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS
OF 11/30/2021 (%)
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond
Index, formerly known as Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, tracks the performance of the U.S. investment-grade tax-exempt bond market.
It is not possible to invest
directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.
The fund’s Morningstar
category average is a group of funds with similar investment objectives and strategies and is the equal-weighted return of all funds per category. Morningstar places funds in certain categories based on their
historical portfolio holdings. Figures from Morningstar, Inc. include reinvested distributions and do not take into account sales charges. Actual load-adjusted performance is lower.
The past performance shown here
reflects reinvested distributions and the beneficial effect of any expense reductions, and does not guarantee future results. Performance of the other share classes will vary based on the difference in the fees and
expenses of those classes. Shares will fluctuate in value and, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current month-end performance may be lower or higher than the performance cited, and
can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291. For further information on the fund’s objectives, risks, and strategy, see the fund’s prospectus.
| 2 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Portfolio summary
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION AS OF
11/30/2021 (% of total investments)
QUALITY COMPOSITION AS OF
11/30/2021 (% of total investments)
Ratings are from Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. If not available, we have used Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. In the absence of ratings from these agencies, we have used Fitch Ratings, Inc. “Not rated” securities
are those with no ratings available from these agencies. All ratings are as of 11-30-21 and do not reflect subsequent downgrades or upgrades, if any.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 3 |
SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF
11/30/2021 (% of total investments)
Notes about risk
The fund is subject to various risks
as described in the fund’s prospectus. 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, which may lead to less liquidity in certain instruments, industries, sectors or the markets generally, and may ultimately affect fund performance. For more
information, please refer to the “Principal risks” section of the prospectus.
| 4 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
A look at performance
TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2021
| Average annual total returns (%) with maximum sales charge | Cumulative total returns (%) with maximum sales charge | SEC 30-day yield (%) subsidized | SEC 30-day yield (%) unsubsidized† | Tax- equivalent subsidized yield (%)† | ||||||
| 1-year | 5-year | 10-year | 6-month | 5-year | 10-year | as of 11-30-21 | as of 11-30-21 | as of 11-30-21 | ||
| Class A | 0.04 | 3.45 | 3.42 | -3.40 | 18.49 | 39.95 | 0.76 | 0.65 | 1.28 | |
| Class C | 2.39 | 3.52 | 3.06 | -0.68 | 18.90 | 35.24 | 0.05 | -0.06 | 0.08 | |
| Class I1,2 | 4.32 | 4.49 | 3.93 | 0.77 | 24.55 | 47.07 | 0.94 | 0.93 | 1.59 | |
| Class R61,2 | 4.36 | 4.46 | 3.92 | 0.79 | 24.38 | 46.87 | 0.97 | 0.96 | 1.64 | |
| Index†† | 1.97 | 4.38 | 3.90 | 0.56 | 23.91 | 46.65 | — | — | — | |
Performance figures assume all
distributions have been reinvested. Figures reflect maximum sales charges on Class A shares of 4.0% and the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on Class C shares. The returns for Class A shares have
been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, effective 2-3-14. Class C shares sold within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC. Sales charges are not applicable to
Class I and Class R6 shares.
The expense ratios of the fund,
both net (including any fee waivers and/or expense limitations) and gross (excluding any fee waivers and/or expense limitations), are set forth according to the most recent publicly available prospectuses for the fund and may differ from those disclosed in the Financial highlights tables in this report. Net expenses reflect contractual fee waivers and expense limitations
in effect until September 30, 2022 and are subject to change. Had the contractual fee waivers and expense limitations not been in place, gross expenses would apply. The expense ratios are as follows:
| Class A | Class C | Class I | Class R6 | |
| Gross (%) | 0.93 | 1.68 | 0.68 | 0.65 |
| Net (%) | 0.82 | 1.57 | 0.67 | 0.64 |
Please refer to the most recent
prospectus and annual or semiannual report for more information on expenses and any expense limitation arrangements for each class.
The returns reflect past results
and should not be considered indicative of future performance. The return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Due to
market volatility and other factors, the fund’s current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. For current to the most recent month-end performance data, please call
800–225–5291 or visit the fund’s website at jhinvestments.com.
The performance table above and
the chart on the next page do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The fund’s performance results reflect any applicable fee
waivers or expense reductions, without which the expenses would increase and results would have been less favorable.
† Unsubsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been without the effect of reimbursements and waivers. Tax-equivalent yield is based on the maximum
federal income tax rate of 40.8%.
†† Index is the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index.
See the following page for
footnotes.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 5 |
This chart and table show what
happened to a hypothetical $10,000 investment in John Hancock Tax-Free Bond Fund for the share classes and periods indicated, assuming all distributions were reinvested. For comparison, we’ve shown the same
investment in the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index.
| Start date | With maximum sales charge ($) | Without sales charge ($) | Index ($) | |
| Class C3 | 11-30-11 | 13,524 | 13,524 | 14,665 |
| Class I1,2 | 11-30-11 | 14,707 | 14,707 | 14,665 |
| Class R61,2 | 11-30-11 | 14,687 | 14,687 | 14,665 |
The values shown in the chart for
Class A shares with maximum sales charge have been adjusted to reflect the reduction in the Class A shares’ maximum sales charge from 4.5% to 4.0%, which became effective on 2-3-14.
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond
Index, formerly known as Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, tracks the performance of the U.S. investment-grade tax-exempt bond market.
It is not possible to invest
directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.
Footnotes related to performance
pages
| 1 | Class I and Class R6 shares were first offered on 2-13-17 and 8-30-17, respectively. Returns prior to these dates are those of Class A shares that have not been adjusted for class-specific expenses; otherwise returns would vary. |
| 2 | For certain types of investors, as described in the fund’s prospectus. |
| 3 | The contingent deferred sales charge is not applicable. |
| 6 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
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 June 1, 2021, with the same investment held until November 30, 2021.
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 November 30, 2021, 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
June 1, 2021, with the same investment held until November 30, 2021. Look in any other fund shareholder report to find its hypothetical example and you will be able to compare these expenses. Please remember that
these hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 7 |
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 6-1-2021 | Ending value on 11-30-2021 | Expenses paid during period ended 11-30-20211 | Annualized expense ratio | ||
| Class A | Actual expenses/actual returns | $1,000.00 | $1,005.90 | $4.02 | 0.80% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,021.10 | 4.05 | 0.80% | |
| Class C | Actual expenses/actual returns | 1,000.00 | 1,003.20 | 7.78 | 1.55% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,017.30 | 7.84 | 1.55% | |
| Class I | Actual expenses/actual returns | 1,000.00 | 1,007.70 | 3.27 | 0.65% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,021.80 | 3.29 | 0.65% | |
| Class R6 | Actual expenses/actual returns | 1,000.00 | 1,007.90 | 3.12 | 0.62% |
| Hypothetical example | 1,000.00 | 1,022.00 | 3.14 | 0.62% |
| 1 | Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
| 8 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Fund’s investments
AS OF 11-30-21
(unaudited)
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Municipal bonds 101.0% | $505,471,345 | ||||
| (Cost $467,363,846) | |||||
| Alabama 0.2% | 1,172,134 | ||||
| Southeast Energy Authority A Cooperative District Commodity Supply Revenue Alabama Project No. 1, Series A | 4.000 | 11-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,172,134 | |
| Alaska 0.9% | 4,450,436 | ||||
| Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority Series 4, AMT (A) | 5.000 | 12-01-34 | 2,165,000 | 2,527,693 | |
| Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority Series 4, AMT (A) | 5.000 | 12-01-35 | 1,160,000 | 1,353,113 | |
| Northern Tobacco Securitization Corp. Tobacco Settlement Revenue, Series B-1, Class 2 | 4.000 | 06-01-50 | 500,000 | 569,630 | |
| Arizona 1.6% | 7,791,068 | ||||
| Arizona Industrial Development Authority Equitable School Revolving Fund, Series A | 5.000 | 11-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,204,598 | |
| Arizona Industrial Development Authority Jerome Facilities Project, Series B | 4.000 | 07-01-51 | 500,000 | 530,414 | |
| City of Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp. Civic Plaza, Series B (A) | 5.500 | 07-01-28 | 1,000,000 | 1,276,014 | |
| Glendale Industrial Development Authority Senior Royal Oaks Life Care Community | 5.000 | 05-15-39 | 3,000,000 | 3,247,351 | |
| Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority Hospital Revenue Honorhealth, Series A | 4.000 | 09-01-37 | 515,000 | 619,241 | |
| Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority Hospital Revenue Honorhealth, Series A | 5.000 | 09-01-36 | 700,000 | 913,450 | |
| California 7.3% | 36,761,897 | ||||
| ABAG Finance Authority for Nonprofit Corporations Sharp HealthCare, Series A | 5.000 | 08-01-43 | 2,000,000 | 2,147,484 | |
| California County Tobacco Securitization Agency Kern County Tobacco Funding Corp. | 5.000 | 06-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,055,182 | |
| California Municipal Finance Authority Paradise Valley Estates Project, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 01-01-49 | 1,500,000 | 1,816,915 | |
| California Pollution Control Financing Authority Waste Management, Inc., Series A1, AMT | 3.375 | 07-01-25 | 2,000,000 | 2,183,642 | |
| California Pollution Control Financing Authority Waste Management, Inc., Series A3, AMT | 4.300 | 07-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,120,655 | |
| California State Public Works Board Lease Revenue, Series A (B) | 5.000 | 08-01-26 | 1,500,000 | 1,763,822 | |
| California State Public Works Board Lease Revenue, Series B | 5.000 | 10-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,117,480 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 9 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| California (continued) | |||||
| California State Public Works Board Various Correctional Facilities, Series A | 5.000 | 09-01-39 | 1,845,000 | $2,055,273 | |
| County of Sacramento Airport System Revenue | 4.000 | 07-01-39 | 1,900,000 | 2,255,197 | |
| County of San Bernardino Medical Center Financing Project | 5.500 | 08-01-22 | 1,285,000 | 1,330,456 | |
| Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp. Series A-1 | 5.000 | 06-01-47 | 3,000,000 | 3,064,923 | |
| Mount Diablo Unified School District Series B, GO (B) | 4.000 | 06-01-37 | 1,625,000 | 1,930,646 | |
| M-S-R Energy Authority Natural Gas Revenue, Series B | 6.500 | 11-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,601,163 | |
| M-S-R Energy Authority Natural Gas Revenue, Series B | 7.000 | 11-01-34 | 2,500,000 | 3,819,837 | |
| River Islands Public Financing Authority Community Facilities District, No. 2003-1 | 5.500 | 09-01-45 | 2,000,000 | 2,091,636 | |
| San Diego Unified School District Series I, GO (C) | 3.579 | 07-01-39 | 1,250,000 | 667,508 | |
| San Francisco City & County Public Utilities Commission Power Revenue Green Bonds, Series A | 5.000 | 11-01-45 | 1,500,000 | 1,710,068 | |
| San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency Highway Revenue Tolls, Series A | 5.000 | 01-15-44 | 4,500,000 | 5,030,010 | |
| Colorado 3.8% | 18,888,614 | ||||
| City & County of Denver Series A | 4.000 | 08-01-46 | 3,000,000 | 3,316,675 | |
| Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding and Improvement Frasier Meadows, Series A | 5.250 | 05-15-37 | 500,000 | 581,581 | |
| Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue Refunding and Improvement Frasier Meadows, Series A | 5.250 | 05-15-47 | 1,125,000 | 1,296,019 | |
| Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority Senior | 5.000 | 12-01-40 | 2,500,000 | 2,856,663 | |
| Park Creek Metropolitan District Senior Limited Property Tax Supported, Series A | 5.000 | 12-01-45 | 4,265,000 | 4,804,223 | |
| Public Authority for Colorado Energy Natural Gas Revenue | 6.250 | 11-15-28 | 3,500,000 | 4,378,615 | |
| Villages at Castle Rock Metropolitan District No. 6 Cobblestone Ranch Project, Series 2, GO (C) | 7.048 | 12-01-37 | 5,000,000 | 1,654,838 | |
| Connecticut 1.3% | 6,617,908 | ||||
| Connecticut State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Stamford Hospital, Series M (B) | 4.000 | 07-01-42 | 2,000,000 | 2,306,320 | |
| State of Connecticut Bradley International Airport CFC Revenue Ground Transportation Center Project, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-49 | 1,500,000 | 1,806,056 |
| 10 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Connecticut (continued) | |||||
| State of Connecticut Special Tax Revenue Series B | 5.000 | 10-01-36 | 1,000,000 | $1,252,780 | |
| State of Connecticut Special Tax Revenue Series B | 5.000 | 10-01-37 | 1,000,000 | 1,252,752 | |
| Delaware 0.6% | 2,765,837 | ||||
| Delaware State Economic Development Authority Acts Retirement Communities, Obligated Group, Series B | 5.000 | 11-15-48 | 1,250,000 | 1,432,195 | |
| Delaware Transportation Authority Transportation System | 3.000 | 07-01-35 | 1,225,000 | 1,333,642 | |
| District of Columbia 2.2% | 11,082,543 | ||||
| District of Columbia KIPP DC Project | 4.000 | 07-01-39 | 1,750,000 | 1,994,512 | |
| District of Columbia Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Asset Backed Bonds | 6.500 | 05-15-33 | 1,550,000 | 1,703,818 | |
| Metropolitan Washington DC Airports Authority Highway Revenue Tolls, Series B (A)(C) | 2.022 | 10-01-33 | 6,565,000 | 5,162,342 | |
| Metropolitan Washington DC Airports Authority Highway Revenue Tolls, Series C (A) | 6.500 | 10-01-41 | 1,750,000 | 2,221,871 | |
| Florida 5.6% | 28,109,930 | ||||
| Alachua County Health Facilities Authority Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, Inc., Project (B) | 4.000 | 10-01-40 | 1,250,000 | 1,354,340 | |
| Alachua County Health Facilities Authority Shands Teaching Hospital & Clinics | 5.000 | 12-01-44 | 2,000,000 | 2,235,122 | |
| City of Atlantic Beach Fleet Landing Project, Series A | 5.000 | 11-15-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,131,311 | |
| City of Atlantic Beach Fleet Landing Project, Series B-2 | 3.000 | 11-15-23 | 1,250,000 | 1,252,092 | |
| County of Lee Airport Revenue Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 10-01-32 | 2,750,000 | 3,606,356 | |
| County of Miami-Dade Seaport Department Series A-1, AMT (A) | 4.000 | 10-01-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,178,755 | |
| Hillsborough County Aviation Authority PFC Subordinated Tampa International Airport, AMT | 5.000 | 10-01-48 | 2,000,000 | 2,414,862 | |
| Miami Beach Health Facilities Authority Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Florida, Series B | 4.000 | 11-15-51 | 1,500,000 | 1,748,463 | |
| Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency City Center, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 02-01-44 | 2,500,000 | 2,718,103 | |
| Miami-Dade County Health Facilities Authority Nicklaus Children’s Hospital | 5.000 | 08-01-47 | 1,500,000 | 1,782,092 | |
| Orange County Health Facilities Authority Presbyterian Retirement Communities | 5.000 | 08-01-47 | 4,500,000 | 4,907,476 | |
| Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority Retirement Life Communities, Inc. | 5.000 | 11-15-32 | 1,715,000 | 2,024,731 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 11 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Florida (continued) | |||||
| Palm Beach County Health Facilities Authority Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton (B) | 4.000 | 06-01-26 | 300,000 | $318,379 | |
| Polk County Industrial Development Authority Mineral Development LLC, AMT (D) | 5.875 | 01-01-33 | 750,000 | 938,294 | |
| Village Community Development District No. 6 Special Assessment Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2017 (A) | 4.000 | 05-01-37 | 450,000 | 499,554 | |
| Georgia 3.4% | 16,990,412 | ||||
| Development Authority of Burke County Georgia Power Company Vogtle Project, Fifth Series 1995 | 2.200 | 10-01-32 | 500,000 | 500,253 | |
| Development Authority of Rockdale County Pratt Paper LLC Project, AMT (D) | 4.000 | 01-01-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,126,777 | |
| Fulton County Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Authority Lenbrook Square Foundation, Inc. | 5.000 | 07-01-42 | 3,000,000 | 3,205,900 | |
| Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Series A | 5.000 | 05-15-38 | 1,435,000 | 2,029,344 | |
| Main Street Natural Gas, Inc. Series A | 5.000 | 05-15-43 | 1,000,000 | 1,204,715 | |
| Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Electric, Power & Light Revenues, Series EE (A) | 7.250 | 01-01-24 | 2,000,000 | 2,280,800 | |
| Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Power Revenue, Series HH | 5.000 | 01-01-29 | 3,000,000 | 3,678,984 | |
| Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia Power Revenue, Series HH | 5.000 | 01-01-39 | 2,445,000 | 2,963,639 | |
| Guam 0.2% | 1,100,642 | ||||
| Guam International Airport Authority General, Series C, AMT (A) | 6.125 | 10-01-43 | 180,000 | 196,322 | |
| Guam International Airport Authority General, Series C, AMT, Prerefunded (A) | 6.125 | 10-01-43 | 820,000 | 904,320 | |
| Hawaii 0.1% | 607,625 | ||||
| State of Hawaii Harbor System Revenue Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-27 | 500,000 | 607,625 | |
| Illinois 10.7% | 53,437,944 | ||||
| Chicago Board of Education Dedicated Capital Improvement | 5.000 | 04-01-42 | 1,400,000 | 1,666,622 | |
| Chicago Board of Education Dedicated Capital Improvement | 6.000 | 04-01-46 | 3,500,000 | 4,235,651 | |
| Chicago Board of Education Dedicated Revenues, Series A, GO | 5.000 | 12-01-34 | 1,000,000 | 1,260,894 | |
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport Customer Facility Charge (A) | 5.500 | 01-01-43 | 2,000,000 | 2,105,732 | |
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 01-01-48 | 1,500,000 | 1,799,754 |
| 12 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Illinois (continued) | |||||
| Chicago O’Hare International Airport Series D | 5.250 | 01-01-42 | 3,670,000 | $4,410,211 | |
| City of Chicago Series A, GO | 5.000 | 01-01-31 | 1,000,000 | 1,238,484 | |
| City of Chicago Series A, GO | 5.000 | 01-01-33 | 540,000 | 541,668 | |
| City of Chicago Series A, GO | 5.250 | 01-01-35 | 1,000,000 | 1,008,320 | |
| City of Chicago Series C, GO | 5.000 | 01-01-22 | 1,555,000 | 1,560,818 | |
| City of Chicago Wastewater Transmission Revenue, Series C | 5.000 | 01-01-39 | 3,000,000 | 3,370,055 | |
| City of Chicago Waterworks Revenue | 3.150 | 11-01-24 | 500,000 | 536,606 | |
| Illinois Finance Authority 2020-Advocate Health Care Network | 4.000 | 06-01-47 | 1,065,000 | 1,085,180 | |
| Illinois Finance Authority 2020-Advocate Health Care Network, Prerefunded | 4.000 | 06-01-47 | 40,000 | 40,758 | |
| Illinois Finance Authority Advocate Health Care Network, Prerefunded | 4.000 | 06-01-47 | 1,895,000 | 1,930,908 | |
| Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Highway Revenue Tolls, Series A | 5.000 | 01-01-45 | 2,000,000 | 2,530,300 | |
| Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Series A | 4.000 | 01-01-39 | 2,000,000 | 2,346,987 | |
| Lake County Community Consolidated School District No. 24 Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series 2004, GO (A)(C) | 0.497 | 01-01-22 | 2,440,000 | 2,438,926 | |
| Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series A (B) | 4.000 | 12-15-47 | 1,000,000 | 1,132,540 | |
| Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Series A | 4.000 | 01-01-39 | 750,000 | 881,331 | |
| Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Series A | 5.000 | 01-01-32 | 905,000 | 1,105,558 | |
| Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Series A | 5.000 | 01-01-36 | 1,000,000 | 1,270,437 | |
| Sales Tax Securitization Corp. Series A | 5.000 | 01-01-48 | 4,000,000 | 4,791,898 | |
| State of Illinois Series A, GO | 5.000 | 10-01-28 | 1,750,000 | 2,155,800 | |
| State of Illinois Series A, GO | 5.000 | 05-01-34 | 2,000,000 | 2,400,365 | |
| State of Illinois Series B, GO | 4.000 | 11-01-35 | 2,000,000 | 2,305,747 | |
| State of Illinois, GO (A) | 4.000 | 02-01-31 | 1,000,000 | 1,133,792 | |
| State of Illinois, GO (A) | 5.500 | 07-01-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,077,126 | |
| State of Illinois, GO | 5.500 | 07-01-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,075,476 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 13 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Indiana 0.1% | $236,591 | ||||
| Indiana Finance Authority Green Bond Polyflow Industry Project, AMT (D) | 7.000 | 03-01-39 | 250,000 | 236,591 | |
| Kentucky 1.4% | 7,018,294 | ||||
| County of Trimble Louisville Gas and Electric Company, AMT | 1.300 | 09-01-44 | 2,500,000 | 2,520,054 | |
| Kentucky Municipal Power Agency Prairie State Project, Series A | 4.000 | 09-01-45 | 500,000 | 556,172 | |
| Kentucky Public Energy Authority Series C | 4.000 | 08-01-24 | 635,000 | 690,025 | |
| Kentucky Public Energy Authority Series C | 4.000 | 08-01-25 | 600,000 | 667,295 | |
| Kentucky Turnpike Authority Revitalization Projects, Series 2022-A (B) | 5.000 | 07-01-31 | 1,000,000 | 1,295,063 | |
| Kentucky Turnpike Authority Revitalization Projects, Series 2022-A (B) | 5.000 | 07-01-32 | 1,000,000 | 1,289,685 | |
| Louisiana 1.8% | 9,075,345 | ||||
| City of Shreveport Water & Sewer Revenue Water and Sewer Revenue and Refunding Bonds | 5.000 | 12-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,158,616 | |
| Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority Entergy Louisiana LLC Project, Series A | 2.000 | 06-01-30 | 770,000 | 778,457 | |
| Louisiana Public Facilities Authority Ochsner Clinic Foundation Project | 5.000 | 05-15-46 | 2,500,000 | 2,958,405 | |
| New Orleans Aviation Board Parking Facilities Corp. Consolidated Garage System (A) | 5.000 | 10-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,228,375 | |
| New Orleans Aviation Board Series B, AMT | 5.000 | 01-01-48 | 500,000 | 589,775 | |
| St. Charles Parish Valero Energy Corp. | 4.000 | 12-01-40 | 1,200,000 | 1,221,391 | |
| St. James Parish Nustar Logistics LP Project (D) | 5.850 | 08-01-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,140,326 | |
| Maryland 1.2% | 5,895,788 | ||||
| County of Howard Series A, GO | 4.000 | 08-15-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,213,784 | |
| Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Broadmead Issue, Series A | 5.000 | 07-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,143,345 | |
| Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority University of Maryland Medical System, Series B-1 | 5.000 | 07-01-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,132,168 | |
| University System of Maryland Auxiliary Facility & Tuition Revenue, Series A | 4.000 | 04-01-47 | 2,000,000 | 2,406,491 |
| 14 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Massachusetts 5.5% | $27,476,083 | ||||
| Commonwealth of Massachusetts Transportation Fund Revenue Rail Enhancement and Accelerated | 5.000 | 06-01-47 | 3,180,000 | 3,856,604 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Carleton-Willard Village Homes, Inc. | 5.000 | 12-01-42 | 1,050,000 | 1,208,739 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Series N | 5.000 | 12-01-46 | 3,000,000 | 3,535,824 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Green Bonds-Boston Medical Center, Series D | 5.000 | 07-01-44 | 2,500,000 | 2,830,515 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency NewBridge on the Charles, Inc. (D) | 5.000 | 10-01-47 | 2,060,000 | 2,224,804 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Suffolk University | 5.000 | 07-01-35 | 870,000 | 1,065,409 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency UMass Memorial Health Care, Series I | 5.000 | 07-01-46 | 1,500,000 | 1,757,202 | |
| Massachusetts Development Finance Agency Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 5.000 | 09-01-45 | 1,745,000 | 2,106,894 | |
| Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority Education Issue K Senior, Series A, AMT | 3.625 | 07-01-32 | 105,000 | 107,395 | |
| Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority Education Issue L Senior, Series B, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-24 | 350,000 | 385,262 | |
| Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority Education Loan Revenue, Issue I, AMT | 5.000 | 01-01-25 | 2,000,000 | 2,234,395 | |
| Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency Series 162 | 3.450 | 12-01-37 | 1,505,000 | 1,519,089 | |
| Massachusetts Port Authority BOSFuel Project, Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,240,678 | |
| Massachusetts Port Authority BOSFuel Project, Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,218,921 | |
| Massachusetts School Building Authority Series B | 5.000 | 11-15-36 | 1,820,000 | 2,184,352 | |
| Michigan 2.8% | 14,041,927 | ||||
| City of Detroit, GO | 5.000 | 04-01-24 | 300,000 | 326,319 | |
| City of Detroit, GO | 5.000 | 04-01-26 | 660,000 | 758,237 | |
| Detroit City School District School Building and Site Improvement, Series A, GO (A) | 5.250 | 05-01-32 | 1,280,000 | 1,721,279 | |
| Detroit Downtown Development Authority Catalyst Development Project, Series A (A) | 5.000 | 07-01-43 | 1,000,000 | 1,102,636 | |
| Great Lakes Water Authority Sewage Disposal System Revenue Series C | 5.000 | 07-01-35 | 4,000,000 | 4,734,296 | |
| Great Lakes Water Authority Water Supply System Revenue Series A | 5.000 | 07-01-45 | 500,000 | 631,721 | |
| Michigan Finance Authority Henry Ford Health System, Series A | 5.000 | 11-15-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,238,195 | |
| Michigan Finance Authority Local Government Loan Program (A) | 5.000 | 07-01-36 | 250,000 | 276,945 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 15 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Michigan (continued) | |||||
| Michigan Finance Authority Local Government Loan Program, Series F-1 | 4.500 | 10-01-29 | 1,500,000 | $1,593,295 | |
| Michigan Finance Authority McLaren Healthcare Hospital, Series A | 5.000 | 05-15-38 | 1,460,000 | 1,659,004 | |
| Minnesota 0.5% | 2,610,630 | ||||
| Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Series A | 2.950 | 02-01-46 | 1,105,089 | 1,131,265 | |
| Woodbury Housing & Redevelopment Authority St. Therese of Woodbury | 5.125 | 12-01-44 | 1,420,000 | 1,479,365 | |
| Mississippi 0.8% | 3,845,256 | ||||
| Mississippi Business Finance Corp. System Energy Resources, Inc., Project | 2.375 | 06-01-44 | 1,595,000 | 1,532,775 | |
| Mississippi Development Bank Magnolia Regional Health Center Project (D) | 4.000 | 10-01-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,077,692 | |
| State of Mississippi Series A | 5.000 | 10-15-37 | 1,000,000 | 1,234,789 | |
| Nevada 0.2% | 1,205,633 | ||||
| City of Henderson Series A1, GO | 4.000 | 06-01-36 | 1,000,000 | 1,205,633 | |
| New Jersey 4.2% | 20,910,281 | ||||
| Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Inc. Luxury Tax Revenue | 5.250 | 11-01-39 | 2,520,000 | 2,737,677 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority Port Newark Container Terminal LLC, AMT | 5.000 | 10-01-47 | 2,000,000 | 2,301,263 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority Revenue Refunding Municipal Rehabilitation, Series A | 5.250 | 04-01-28 | 1,600,000 | 2,002,433 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority Series DDD | 5.000 | 06-15-42 | 1,000,000 | 1,174,804 | |
| New Jersey Economic Development Authority The Geothals Bridge Replacement P3 Project, AMT | 5.375 | 01-01-43 | 1,500,000 | 1,649,829 | |
| New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation Program, Series AA | 5.000 | 06-15-44 | 1,415,000 | 1,549,747 | |
| New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation Program, Series AA | 5.250 | 06-15-43 | 1,000,000 | 1,224,622 | |
| New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation System, Series A (B) | 4.000 | 06-15-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,154,936 | |
| New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation System, Series A (B) | 4.000 | 06-15-41 | 1,000,000 | 1,151,365 | |
| New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Transportation System, Series C (A)(C) | 1.888 | 12-15-31 | 750,000 | 619,889 | |
| State of New Jersey Covid-19 Emergency, Series A, GO | 4.000 | 06-01-32 | 1,000,000 | 1,243,071 | |
| State of New Jersey Covid-19 Emergency, Series A, GO | 5.000 | 06-01-26 | 1,000,000 | 1,185,623 |
| 16 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| New Jersey (continued) | |||||
| Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Series B | 5.000 | 06-01-46 | 2,500,000 | $2,915,022 | |
| New Mexico 0.6% | 3,137,843 | ||||
| New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation Education Loan, Series A1, AMT | 3.875 | 04-01-34 | 3,000,000 | 3,137,843 | |
| New York 11.3% | 56,659,599 | ||||
| Chautauqua County Capital Resource Corp. NRG Energy Project | 1.300 | 04-01-42 | 2,000,000 | 2,008,700 | |
| City of New York Series C, GO | 4.000 | 08-01-36 | 1,500,000 | 1,797,889 | |
| Dutchess County Local Development Corp. Nuvance Health, Series B | 4.000 | 07-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,149,360 | |
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority Green Bond, Series A-2 | 5.000 | 11-15-27 | 1,250,000 | 1,484,552 | |
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority Green Bond, Series C-1 (A) | 4.000 | 11-15-46 | 2,300,000 | 2,673,349 | |
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority Green Bond, Series C-1 | 5.000 | 11-15-23 | 1,350,000 | 1,469,404 | |
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York Refunding, Series D | 5.000 | 11-15-30 | 500,000 | 520,535 | |
| Metropolitan Transportation Authority Series D-1 | 5.000 | 11-15-39 | 2,250,000 | 2,491,762 | |
| New York City Industrial Development Agency Yankee Stadium Project Pilot (A) | 5.000 | 03-01-28 | 350,000 | 433,360 | |
| New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Subordinated Bonds, Series A | 5.000 | 11-01-29 | 1,000,000 | 1,300,178 | |
| New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Subordinated Bonds, Series C-1 | 4.000 | 05-01-40 | 350,000 | 417,696 | |
| New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Subordinated Bonds, Series C-1 | 4.000 | 05-01-45 | 250,000 | 294,906 | |
| New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Subordinated Bonds, Series C-1 | 5.000 | 05-01-41 | 300,000 | 386,499 | |
| New York City Transitional Finance Authority Series A-3 | 4.000 | 05-01-41 | 3,000,000 | 3,511,110 | |
| New York City Water & Sewer System Series FF | 5.000 | 06-15-41 | 3,025,000 | 3,884,919 | |
| New York Liberty Development Corp. 1 World Trade Center Project | 5.000 | 12-15-41 | 5,000,000 | 5,011,635 | |
| New York Liberty Development Corp. 7 World Trade Center, Class 2 | 5.000 | 09-15-43 | 1,000,000 | 1,012,501 | |
| New York Liberty Development Corp. World Trade Center, Class 2-3 (D) | 5.150 | 11-15-34 | 2,500,000 | 2,778,686 | |
| New York Power Authority Series A | 4.000 | 11-15-45 | 500,000 | 590,667 | |
| New York State Dormitory Authority Garnet Health Medical Center (D) | 5.000 | 12-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,130,980 | |
| New York State Dormitory Authority Personal Income Tax Revenue, Series A | 4.000 | 03-15-37 | 1,000,000 | 1,196,636 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 17 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| New York (continued) | |||||
| New York State Dormitory Authority Teachers College (B) | 4.000 | 07-01-46 | 750,000 | $859,823 | |
| New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. Series A | 4.000 | 06-15-46 | 1,225,000 | 1,364,704 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. American Airlines, Inc., AMT | 2.250 | 08-01-26 | 500,000 | 517,757 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Delta Airlines, Inc., Laguardia, AMT | 4.000 | 01-01-36 | 2,000,000 | 2,246,430 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Laguardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-46 | 2,500,000 | 2,762,449 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. New York State Thruway Service Areas Project, AMT | 2.500 | 10-31-31 | 500,000 | 525,470 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Special Facility Revenue, AMT | 4.000 | 12-01-42 | 600,000 | 679,800 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Special Facility Revenue, AMT | 5.000 | 12-01-24 | 1,000,000 | 1,121,980 | |
| New York Transportation Development Corp. Special Facility Revenue, AMT | 5.000 | 12-01-25 | 1,000,000 | 1,153,210 | |
| Niagara Area Development Corp. Covanta Project, Series A, AMT (D) | 4.750 | 11-01-42 | 1,500,000 | 1,560,024 | |
| Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Bonds, Series 198 | 5.250 | 11-15-56 | 3,000,000 | 3,590,110 | |
| Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Consolidated Bonds, Series 222 | 4.000 | 07-15-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,196,336 | |
| Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority New York Payroll Mobility, Series A-1 | 4.000 | 05-15-46 | 250,000 | 296,023 | |
| Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority New York Revenues General MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A | 4.000 | 11-15-54 | 500,000 | 585,035 | |
| Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority New York Revenues General MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A | 5.000 | 11-15-49 | 500,000 | 637,116 | |
| Westchester County Local Development Corp. Purchase Senior Learning Community Inc., Project, Series B | 3.600 | 07-01-29 | 2,000,000 | 2,018,008 | |
| Ohio 3.7% | 18,623,814 | ||||
| American Municipal Power, Inc. Prairie State Energy Campus Project, Series A | 4.000 | 02-15-35 | 890,000 | 1,050,685 | |
| Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Series A-2, Class 1 | 4.000 | 06-01-48 | 2,000,000 | 2,261,020 | |
| Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Cleveland Museum of Natural History | 4.000 | 07-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,164,761 | |
| County of Hamilton Refunding and Improvement Life Enriching Community | 5.000 | 01-01-46 | 1,000,000 | 1,089,494 | |
| County of Hamilton TriHealth, Inc. Obligation Group Project, Series A | 5.000 | 08-15-42 | 4,000,000 | 4,762,066 |
| 18 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Ohio (continued) | |||||
| Lancaster Port Authority Series A | 5.000 | 08-01-49 | 1,000,000 | $1,133,333 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority American Electric Power Company | 1.900 | 05-01-26 | 2,000,000 | 2,059,674 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority American Electric Power Company, AMT | 2.100 | 04-01-28 | 1,500,000 | 1,552,351 | |
| Ohio Air Quality Development Authority Pratt Paper LLC Project, AMT (D) | 4.250 | 01-15-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,141,969 | |
| State of Ohio Portsmouth Bypass Project, AMT (A) | 5.000 | 12-31-35 | 750,000 | 844,968 | |
| State of Ohio Portsmouth Bypass Project, AMT | 5.000 | 06-30-53 | 1,410,000 | 1,563,493 | |
| Oklahoma 1.5% | 7,417,685 | ||||
| Oklahoma Development Finance Authority Gilcrease Expressway West Project-P3, AMT | 1.625 | 07-06-23 | 2,500,000 | 2,514,826 | |
| Oklahoma Development Finance Authority OU Medicine Project, Series B | 5.250 | 08-15-43 | 2,150,000 | 2,639,710 | |
| Tulsa County Industrial Authority Montereau, Inc., Project | 5.250 | 11-15-37 | 1,000,000 | 1,136,880 | |
| Tulsa County Industrial Authority Montereau, Inc., Project | 5.250 | 11-15-45 | 1,000,000 | 1,126,269 | |
| Oregon 1.2% | 5,834,565 | ||||
| City of Forest Grove Pacific University, Series 2022-A (B) | 4.000 | 05-01-34 | 840,000 | 953,263 | |
| City of Forest Grove Pacific University, Series 2022-A (B) | 4.000 | 05-01-37 | 635,000 | 718,665 | |
| Port of Portland Airport Revenue Portland International Airport, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,218,921 | |
| Port of Portland Airport Revenue Series 24B, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-42 | 2,500,000 | 2,943,716 | |
| Pennsylvania 3.4% | 16,756,851 | ||||
| Allegheny County Airport Authority Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 01-01-56 | 2,000,000 | 2,474,780 | |
| Allegheny County Sanitary Authority Series A | 5.000 | 06-01-26 | 500,000 | 593,786 | |
| Berks County Industrial Development Authority Tower Health Project | 5.000 | 11-01-47 | 1,390,000 | 1,544,240 | |
| Chester County Industrial Development Authority Longwood Gardens, Inc., Project | 4.000 | 12-01-46 | 1,250,000 | 1,479,918 | |
| City of Philadelphia Series A, GO | 5.000 | 07-15-38 | 2,000,000 | 2,196,589 | |
| Lancaster County Hospital Authority Brethren Village Project | 5.250 | 07-01-41 | 1,260,000 | 1,429,577 | |
| Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority PPL Electric Utilities Corp. | 0.400 | 10-01-23 | 1,000,000 | 998,398 | |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Highway Revenue Tolls, Series A | 5.000 | 12-01-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,249,573 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 19 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Pennsylvania (continued) | |||||
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Highway Revenue Tolls, Series C | 5.000 | 12-01-44 | 1,630,000 | $1,836,218 | |
| Philadelphia Gas Works Company 1998 General Ordinance | 5.000 | 08-01-47 | 2,500,000 | 2,953,772 | |
| Puerto Rico 2.9% | 14,670,704 | ||||
| Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority Government Facilities, Series S-PSA (E) | 6.000 | 07-01-41 | 2,500,000 | 2,781,250 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 (C) | 2.291 | 07-01-31 | 2,843,000 | 2,281,022 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 | 4.500 | 07-01-34 | 2,000,000 | 2,183,034 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 (C) | 4.505 | 07-01-46 | 985,000 | 328,156 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-1 | 4.750 | 07-01-53 | 1,324,000 | 1,497,204 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-2 | 4.329 | 07-01-40 | 3,000,000 | 3,360,023 | |
| Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue, Series A-2 | 4.329 | 07-01-40 | 2,000,000 | 2,240,015 | |
| Rhode Island 0.5% | 2,505,172 | ||||
| Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp. Series B | 4.500 | 06-01-45 | 2,320,000 | 2,505,172 | |
| South Carolina 0.2% | 1,036,495 | ||||
| South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority Green Bond Last Step Recycling Project, Series A, AMT (D) | 6.250 | 06-01-40 | 1,000,000 | 1,036,495 | |
| Tennessee 1.4% | 7,233,754 | ||||
| Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Series A | 5.000 | 07-01-46 | 2,050,000 | 2,406,518 | |
| Tennergy Corp. Series A | 5.000 | 02-01-50 | 2,000,000 | 2,240,756 | |
| Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp. Commodity Project Revenue, Series A | 5.000 | 05-01-52 | 2,000,000 | 2,586,480 | |
| Texas 9.6% | 47,781,214 | ||||
| Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Series A | 5.000 | 01-01-40 | 500,000 | 579,134 | |
| Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Series A | 5.000 | 01-01-45 | 500,000 | 579,134 | |
| Central Texas Turnpike System Series C | 5.000 | 08-15-42 | 2,000,000 | 2,236,059 | |
| City of Austin Electric Utility Revenue (A) | 5.000 | 11-15-37 | 5,000,000 | 5,216,349 | |
| City of Dallas Waterworks & Sewer System Revenue Series C | 4.000 | 10-01-49 | 1,000,000 | 1,191,737 |
| 20 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Texas (continued) | |||||
| City of Houston Airport System Revenue United Airlines, Inc. Terminal Projects, Series C, AMT | 5.000 | 07-15-28 | 4,400,000 | $5,240,188 | |
| City of Houston Airport System Revenue United Airlines, Inc., AMT | 4.750 | 07-01-24 | 1,315,000 | 1,393,284 | |
| City of San Antonio Electric & Gas Systems Revenue | 5.000 | 02-01-48 | 5,000,000 | 5,278,700 | |
| County of Collin, GO | 3.000 | 02-15-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,096,163 | |
| County of Collin, GO | 3.000 | 02-15-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,093,999 | |
| Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Series D | 5.250 | 11-01-32 | 5,000,000 | 5,455,196 | |
| Grand Parkway Transportation Corp. Highway Revenue Tolls, Series B | 5.000 | 04-01-53 | 4,000,000 | 4,341,541 | |
| Gulf Coast Industrial Development Authority CITGO Petroleum Corp. Project, AMT | 8.000 | 04-01-28 | 600,000 | 600,900 | |
| Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. First Mortgage, Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc. Project | 5.000 | 01-01-48 | 1,000,000 | 1,095,876 | |
| Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Tax Increment Contract Revenue | 4.000 | 09-01-32 | 175,000 | 205,567 | |
| Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Tax Increment Contract Revenue | 4.000 | 09-01-33 | 380,000 | 445,516 | |
| Lower Colorado River Authority LCRA Transmission Services Corp. | 5.000 | 05-15-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,179,988 | |
| Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1 Center Power and Light Company, AMT | 0.900 | 05-01-30 | 500,000 | 501,653 | |
| New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Westminster Manor Project | 4.000 | 11-01-36 | 1,800,000 | 1,938,564 | |
| North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue Refunding System, Series A | 4.000 | 01-01-44 | 2,525,000 | 2,926,321 | |
| Spring Independent School District School Building, GO | 5.000 | 08-15-42 | 1,500,000 | 1,763,311 | |
| Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. III Gas Supply Revenue | 5.000 | 12-15-29 | 500,000 | 626,813 | |
| Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. III Gas Supply Revenue | 5.000 | 12-15-32 | 300,000 | 395,538 | |
| Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Segment 3C Project, AMT | 5.000 | 06-30-58 | 2,000,000 | 2,399,683 | |
| Utah 1.8% | 8,958,288 | ||||
| City of Salt Lake City Airport Revenue Series A, AMT | 5.000 | 07-01-42 | 2,000,000 | 2,389,783 | |
| County of Utah IHC Health Services, Inc., Series A | 4.000 | 05-15-43 | 1,000,000 | 1,176,369 | |
| County of Utah IHC Health Services, Inc., Series B | 5.000 | 05-15-60 | 600,000 | 716,315 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 21 |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Utah (continued) | |||||
| Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunication Revenue | 4.000 | 10-15-29 | 600,000 | $710,248 | |
| Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunication Revenue | 4.000 | 10-15-31 | 460,000 | 544,237 | |
| Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications & Franchise Tax Revenue | 4.000 | 10-15-44 | 500,000 | 582,014 | |
| Utah Infrastructure Agency Telecommunications & Franchise Tax Revenue | 4.000 | 10-15-48 | 500,000 | 579,351 | |
| Utah Transit Authority Sales Tax Revenue | 4.000 | 12-15-31 | 2,000,000 | 2,259,971 | |
| Virgin Islands 0.1% | 501,289 | ||||
| Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Series A-1 | 5.000 | 10-01-39 | 500,000 | 501,289 | |
| Virginia 1.6% | 8,180,142 | ||||
| Alexandria Industrial Development Authority Goodwin House, Inc. | 5.000 | 10-01-50 | 1,700,000 | 1,894,435 | |
| Arlington County Industrial Development Authority Virginia Hospital Center | 4.000 | 07-01-38 | 1,000,000 | 1,184,926 | |
| Virginia College Building Authority Educational Facilities Revenue 21st Century College and Equipment Program, Series A | 3.000 | 02-01-41 | 2,000,000 | 2,209,422 | |
| Virginia Small Business Financing Authority LifeSpire of Virginia, Inc. | 4.000 | 12-01-51 | 1,000,000 | 1,109,609 | |
| Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Transform 66 P3 Project, AMT | 5.000 | 12-31-52 | 1,500,000 | 1,781,750 | |
| Washington 2.5% | 12,658,990 | ||||
| City of Bellevue Forward Delivery, GO (B) | 4.000 | 12-01-40 | 1,250,000 | 1,497,609 | |
| City of Bellevue Forward Delivery, GO (B) | 4.000 | 12-01-42 | 1,450,000 | 1,729,447 | |
| City of Bellevue Forward Delivery, GO (B) | 4.000 | 12-01-43 | 1,000,000 | 1,189,260 | |
| City of Seattle Series A, GO | 4.000 | 12-01-38 | 885,000 | 1,086,585 | |
| Energy Northwest Columbia Generating Station | 4.000 | 07-01-39 | 1,000,000 | 1,200,220 | |
| Lakewood Water District Series B | 3.125 | 12-01-48 | 2,420,000 | 2,593,193 | |
| Snohomish County Housing Authority Carvel Apartments Project | 4.000 | 04-01-44 | 2,000,000 | 2,211,714 | |
| Washington State Housing Finance Commission Municipal Certificates, Series A-1 | 3.500 | 12-20-35 | 992,991 | 1,150,962 | |
| West Virginia 0.5% | 2,292,223 | ||||
| West Virginia Parkways Authority Turnpike Toll Revenue | 4.000 | 06-01-47 | 2,000,000 | 2,292,223 |
| 22 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| Rate (%) | Maturity date | Par value^ | Value | ||
| Wisconsin 1.8% | $9,129,899 | ||||
| Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Green Bond, Series A, GO | 3.000 | 10-01-35 | 1,500,000 | 1,681,030 | |
| Public Finance Authority Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst (D) | 5.250 | 05-15-47 | 1,015,000 | 1,107,678 | |
| Public Finance Authority Rose Villa Project, Series A (D) | 5.000 | 11-15-24 | 600,000 | 633,146 | |
| Public Finance Authority Rose Villa Project, Series A (D) | 5.750 | 11-15-44 | 1,000,000 | 1,077,432 | |
| Public Finance Authority Waste Management, Inc. Project, Series A2, AMT | 2.875 | 05-01-27 | 3,000,000 | 3,236,875 | |
| Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority Rogers Memorial Hospital, Inc., Series A | 5.000 | 07-01-49 | 300,000 | 348,087 | |
| Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority St. John’s Communities, Inc. (B) | 4.000 | 09-15-41 | 500,000 | 524,792 | |
| Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority St. John’s Communities, Inc. (B) | 4.000 | 09-15-45 | 500,000 | 520,859 | |
| Corporate bonds 0.4% | $1,776,900 | ||||
| (Cost $1,772,858) | |||||
| Health care 0.4% | 1,776,900 | ||||
| Health care providers and services 0.4% | |||||
| Tower Health | 4.451 | 02-01-50 | 2,000,000 | 1,776,900 | |
| Yield (%) | Shares | Value | |||
| Short-term investments 1.7% | $8,492,491 | ||||
| (Cost $8,492,754) | |||||
| Short-term funds 1.7% | |||||
| John Hancock Collateral Trust (F) | 0.0000(G) | 848,816 | 8,492,491 | ||
| Total investments (Cost $477,629,458) 103.1% | $515,740,736 | ||||
| Other assets and liabilities, net (3.1%) | (15,328,159) | ||||
| Total net assets 100.0% | $500,412,577 | ||||
| The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value of the category as a percentage of the net assets of the fund. | |
| ^All par values are denominated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. | |
| Security Abbreviations and Legend | |
| AMT | Interest earned from these securities may be considered a tax preference item for purpose of the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax. |
| GO | General Obligation |
| (A) | Bond is insured by one or more of the companies listed in the insurance coverage table below. |
| (B) | Security purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. |
| (C) | Zero coupon bonds are issued at a discount from their principal amount in lieu of paying interest periodically. Rate shown is the effective yield at period end. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 23 |
| (D) | These securities are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration. |
| (E) | Non-income producing - Issuer is in default. |
| (F) | Investment is an affiliate of the fund, the advisor and/or subadvisor. |
| (G) | The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of 11-30-21. |
| Insurance Coverage | As a % of total investments |
| Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. | 4.3 |
| National Public Finance Guarantee Corp. | 1.6 |
| Assured Guaranty Corp. | 1.4 |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. | 0.4 |
| California Mortgage Insurance | 0.4 |
| Build America Mutual Assurance Company | 0.1 |
| TOTAL | 8.2 |
| 24 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
DERIVATIVES
FUTURES
| Open contracts | Number of contracts | Position | Expiration date | Notional basis^ | Notional value^ | Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Futures | 450 | Short | Mar 2022 | $(58,133,556) | $(58,865,625) | $(732,069) |
| $(732,069) |
^ Notional basis refers to the
contractual amount agreed upon at inception of open contracts; notional value represents the current value of the open contract.
At 11-30-21, the aggregate cost
of investments for federal income tax purposes was $475,499,400. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated to $39,509,267, of which $40,631,213 related to gross unrealized appreciation and $1,121,946 related to gross
unrealized depreciation.
See Notes to financial statements
regarding investment transactions and other derivatives information.
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 25 |
Financial statements
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES 11-30-21 (unaudited)
| Assets | |
| Unaffiliated investments, at value (Cost $469,136,704) | $507,248,245 |
| Affiliated investments, at value (Cost $8,492,754) | 8,492,491 |
| Total investments, at value (Cost $477,629,458) | 515,740,736 |
| Collateral held at broker for futures contracts | 800,000 |
| Interest receivable | 5,745,517 |
| Receivable for fund shares sold | 579,540 |
| Receivable for delayed delivery securities sold | 584,745 |
| Receivable from affiliates | 1,195 |
| Other assets | 61,571 |
| Total assets | 523,513,304 |
| Liabilities | |
| Payable for futures variation margin | 239,030 |
| Distributions payable | 97,423 |
| Payable for delayed delivery securities purchased | 22,080,278 |
| Payable for fund shares repurchased | 488,248 |
| Payable to affiliates | |
| Accounting and legal services fees | 24,770 |
| Transfer agent fees | 16,849 |
| Distribution and service fees | 11,947 |
| Trustees’ fees | 250 |
| Other liabilities and accrued expenses | 141,932 |
| Total liabilities | 23,100,727 |
| Net assets | $500,412,577 |
| Net assets consist of | |
| Paid-in capital | $461,968,117 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 38,444,460 |
| Net assets | $500,412,577 |
| 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 ($449,150,400 ÷ 44,596,029 shares)1 | $10.07 |
| Class C ($14,549,677 ÷ 1,444,879 shares)1 | $10.07 |
| Class I ($21,900,356 ÷ 2,170,975 shares) | $10.09 |
| Class R6 ($14,812,144 ÷ 1,468,088 shares) | $10.09 |
| Maximum offering price per share | |
| Class A (net asset value per share ÷ 96%)2 | $10.49 |
| 1 | Redemption price per share is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. |
| 2 | On single retail sales of less than $100,000. On sales of $100,000 or more and on group sales the offering price is reduced. |
| 26 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the six months ended 11-30-21 (unaudited)
| Investment income | |
| Interest | $8,285,249 |
| Dividends from affiliated investments | 727 |
| Total investment income | 8,285,976 |
| Expenses | |
| Investment management fees | 1,374,632 |
| Distribution and service fees | 640,190 |
| Accounting and legal services fees | 42,397 |
| Transfer agent fees | 102,013 |
| Trustees’ fees | 3,880 |
| Custodian fees | 39,079 |
| State registration fees | 41,993 |
| Printing and postage | 13,133 |
| Professional fees | 26,790 |
| Other | 14,670 |
| Total expenses | 2,298,777 |
| Less expense reductions | (257,856) |
| Net expenses | 2,040,921 |
| Net investment income | 6,245,055 |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on | |
| Unaffiliated investments | 3,077,700 |
| Affiliated investments | (546) |
| Futures contracts | 503,413 |
| 3,580,567 | |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of | |
| Unaffiliated investments | (5,946,021) |
| Affiliated investments | (430) |
| Futures contracts | (636,345) |
| (6,582,796) | |
| Net realized and unrealized loss | (3,002,229) |
| Increase in net assets from operations | $3,242,826 |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 27 |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET
ASSETS
| Six months ended 11-30-21 (unaudited) | Year ended 5-31-21 | |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets | ||
| From operations | ||
| Net investment income | $6,245,055 | $13,312,420 |
| Net realized gain | 3,580,567 | 7,194,054 |
| Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (6,582,796) | 22,390,313 |
| Increase in net assets resulting from operations | 3,242,826 | 42,896,787 |
| Distributions to shareholders | ||
| From earnings | ||
| Class A | (6,233,144) | (12,496,467) |
| Class B | — | (6,309)1 |
| Class C | (150,955) | (448,632) |
| Class I | (280,026) | (493,190) |
| Class R6 | (198,903) | (318,048) |
| Total distributions | (6,863,028) | (13,762,646) |
| From fund share transactions | 8,304,006 | (3,252,446) |
| Total increase | 4,683,804 | 25,881,695 |
| Net assets | ||
| Beginning of period | 495,728,773 | 469,847,078 |
| End of period | $500,412,577 | $495,728,773 |
| 1 | Share class was redesignated during the period. Refer to Note 6 for further details. |
| 28 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Financial highlights
| CLASS A SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-18 | 5-31-17 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $10.14 | $9.55 | $9.83 | $9.65 | $9.85 | $10.18 |
| Net investment income2 | 0.13 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 0.34 | 0.35 | 0.36 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.06) | 0.60 | (0.28) | 0.18 | (0.19) | (0.33) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.07 | 0.87 | 0.01 | 0.52 | 0.16 | 0.03 |
| Less distributions | ||||||
| From net investment income | (0.14) | (0.28) | (0.29) | (0.34) | (0.36) | (0.36) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $10.07 | $10.14 | $9.55 | $9.83 | $9.65 | $9.85 |
| Total return (%)3,4 | 0.595 | 9.34 | 0.09 | 5.55 | 1.62 | 0.34 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $449 | $450 | $417 | $439 | $460 | $505 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | ||||||
| Expenses before reductions | 0.916 | 0.93 | 0.93 | 0.93 | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| Expenses including reductions | 0.806 | 0.82 | 0.82 | 0.83 | 0.81 | 0.81 |
| Net investment income | 2.516 | 2.75 | 2.97 | 3.52 | 3.60 | 3.58 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 8 | 20 | 54 | 33 | 11 | 26 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 3 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 4 | Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any. |
| 5 | Not annualized. |
| 6 | Annualized. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 29 |
| CLASS C SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-18 | 5-31-17 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $10.14 | $9.55 | $9.83 | $9.65 | $9.85 | $10.18 |
| Net investment income2 | 0.09 | 0.20 | 0.22 | 0.26 | 0.28 | 0.28 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.06) | 0.60 | (0.28) | 0.19 | (0.20) | (0.32) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.03 | 0.80 | (0.06) | 0.45 | 0.08 | (0.04) |
| Less distributions | ||||||
| From net investment income | (0.10) | (0.21) | (0.22) | (0.27) | (0.28) | (0.29) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $10.07 | $10.14 | $9.55 | $9.83 | $9.65 | $9.85 |
| Total return (%)3,4 | 0.325 | 8.42 | (0.65) | 4.76 | 0.86 | (0.41) |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $15 | $15 | $27 | $33 | $39 | $52 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | ||||||
| Expenses before reductions | 1.666 | 1.68 | 1.68 | 1.68 | 1.67 | 1.67 |
| Expenses including reductions | 1.556 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 1.58 | 1.56 | 1.56 |
| Net investment income | 1.766 | 2.02 | 2.23 | 2.77 | 2.85 | 2.82 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 8 | 20 | 54 | 33 | 11 | 26 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 3 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 4 | Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if any. |
| 5 | Not annualized. |
| 6 | Annualized. |
| 30 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| CLASS I SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-18 | 5-31-172 |
| Per share operating performance | ||||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $10.16 | $9.57 | $9.84 | $9.66 | $9.86 | $9.70 |
| Net investment income3 | 0.14 | 0.29 | 0.31 | 0.35 | 0.37 | 0.12 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.06) | 0.60 | (0.27) | 0.19 | (0.20) | 0.15 |
| Total from investment operations | 0.08 | 0.89 | 0.04 | 0.54 | 0.17 | 0.27 |
| Less distributions | ||||||
| From net investment income | (0.15) | (0.30) | (0.31) | (0.36) | (0.37) | (0.11) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $10.09 | $10.16 | $9.57 | $9.84 | $9.66 | $9.86 |
| Total return (%)4 | 0.775 | 9.38 | 0.35 | 5.71 | 1.77 | 2.815 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | ||||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $22 | $18 | $15 | $13 | $8 | $7 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | ||||||
| Expenses before reductions | 0.666 | 0.68 | 0.68 | 0.68 | 0.67 | 0.656 |
| Expenses including reductions | 0.656 | 0.67 | 0.67 | 0.68 | 0.66 | 0.656 |
| Net investment income | 2.666 | 2.90 | 3.13 | 3.66 | 3.74 | 4.056 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 8 | 20 | 54 | 33 | 11 | 267 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | The inception date for Class I shares is 2-13-17. |
| 3 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 4 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 5 | Not annualized. |
| 6 | Annualized. |
| 7 | Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-16 to 5-31-17. |
| SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 31 |
| CLASS R6 SHARES Period ended | 11-30-211 | 5-31-21 | 5-31-20 | 5-31-19 | 5-31-182 |
| Per share operating performance | |||||
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $10.16 | $9.57 | $9.85 | $9.67 | $9.90 |
| Net investment income3 | 0.14 | 0.29 | 0.31 | 0.35 | 0.28 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.06) | 0.60 | (0.28) | 0.19 | (0.23) |
| Total from investment operations | 0.08 | 0.89 | 0.03 | 0.54 | 0.05 |
| Less distributions | |||||
| From net investment income | (0.15) | (0.30) | (0.31) | (0.36) | (0.28) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $10.09 | $10.16 | $9.57 | $9.85 | $9.67 |
| Total return (%)4 | 0.795 | 9.42 | 0.28 | 5.74 | 0.555 |
| Ratios and supplemental data | |||||
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $15 | $12 | $9 | $8 | $7 |
| Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets): | |||||
| Expenses before reductions | 0.636 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.646 |
| Expenses including reductions | 0.626 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.636 |
| Net investment income | 2.696 | 2.92 | 3.14 | 3.69 | 3.816 |
| Portfolio turnover (%) | 8 | 20 | 54 | 33 | 117 |
| 1 | Six months ended 11-30-21. Unaudited. |
| 2 | The inception date for Class R6 shares is 8-30-17. |
| 3 | Based on average daily shares outstanding. |
| 4 | Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the applicable periods. |
| 5 | Not annualized. |
| 6 | Annualized. |
| 7 | Portfolio turnover is shown for the period from 6-1-17 to 5-31-18. |
| 32 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
Note 1—Organization
John Hancock Tax-Free Bond Fund (the
fund) is a series of John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust (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 as high a level of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of capital.
The fund may offer multiple classes
of shares. The shares currently outstanding are detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities. Class A and Class C shares are offered to all investors. Class I shares are offered to institutions and certain
investors. Class R6 shares are only available to certain retirement plans, institutions and other investors. Class C shares convert to Class A shares eight 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.
On December 9, 2021, the Board of
Trustees approved that the name of the fund will change to John Hancock Municipal Opportunities Fund. This name change will be effective on January 10, 2022.
Note 2—Significant accounting policies
The financial statements have been
prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP), which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions as of the date of the financial
statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant. The fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of US GAAP.
Events or transactions occurring
after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting
policies of the fund:
Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. In case of emergency or other
disruption resulting in the NYSE not opening for trading or the NYSE closing at a time other than the regularly scheduled close, the net asset value (NAV) may be determined as of the regularly scheduled close of the
NYSE pursuant to the fund’s Valuation Policies and Procedures.
In order to value the securities,
the fund uses the following valuation techniques: Debt obligations are typically valued based on evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing vendor. Independent pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing, which
takes into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, as well as broker
supplied prices. Investments by the fund in open-end mutual funds, including John Hancock Collateral Trust (JHCT), are valued at their respective NAVs each business day. Futures contracts whose settlement prices are
determined as of the close of the NYSE are typically valued based on the settlement price while other futures contracts are typically valued at the last traded price on the exchange on which they trade.
Other portfolio securities and
assets, for which reliable market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the fund’s Pricing Committee following procedures established by the Board of
Trustees. The frequency with which these fair valuation procedures are used cannot be predicted and fair value of securities may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for
such securities existed.
The fund uses a three-tier hierarchy
to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities,
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
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 33 |
pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an
evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the fund’s own assumptions in
determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events or trends, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for
valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. Changes in valuation techniques and related inputs may result in transfers into or out of an assigned
level within the disclosure hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the
values by input classification of the fund’s investments as of November 30, 2021, by major security category or type:
| Total value at 11-30-21 | Level 1 quoted price | Level 2 significant observable inputs | Level 3 significant unobservable inputs | |
| Investments in securities: | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Municipal bonds | $505,471,345 | — | $505,471,345 | — |
| Corporate bonds | 1,776,900 | — | 1,776,900 | — |
| Short-term investments | 8,492,491 | $8,492,491 | — | — |
| Total investments in securities | $515,740,736 | $8,492,491 | $507,248,245 | — |
| Derivatives: | ||||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Futures | $(732,069) | $(732,069) | — | — |
When-issued/delayed-delivery
securities. The fund may purchase or sell debt securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, or in a “To Be Announced” (TBA) or “forward commitment” transaction, with
delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. TBA securities resulting from these transactions are included in the portfolio or in a schedule to the portfolio (Sale Commitments
Outstanding). At the time a fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in its NAV. The price of such security and the date that
the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues until settlement takes place. At the
time that the fund enters into this type of transaction, the fund is required to have sufficient cash and/or liquid securities to cover its commitments.
Certain risks may arise upon
entering into when-issued or delayed-delivery securities transactions, including the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts, and the issuer’s failure to issue the securities
due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the securities purchased or sold prior to settlement date.
Security transactions and related
investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily NAV calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are
reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Interest income includes coupon interest and amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts on debt securities. Debt obligations may be placed in a
non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by stopping current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful. 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
| 34 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
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 $1 billion
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 $750 million,
subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. Prior to June 24, 2021, the fund could borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $850 million. 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 six months ended November 30, 2021, the fund had no borrowings under the line of credit. Commitment fees for the six months ended November 30, 2021 were
$2,280.
Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a
specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued
in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the fund level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class.
Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are charged daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense
rates applicable to each class.
Federal income taxes. The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income
tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
For federal income tax purposes, as
of May 31, 2021, the fund has a short-term capital loss carryforward of $4,989,424 available to offset future net realized capital gains. This carryforward does not expire.
As of May 31, 2021, the fund had no
uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The fund’s federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of
three years.
Distribution of income and
gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly.
Capital gain distributions, if any, are typically distributed annually.
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.
Such distributions, 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. The final determination of tax characteristics of the fund’s distribution will occur at the end of the year and will subsequently be reported to shareholders.
Capital accounts within the
financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent
period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to accretion on debt securities.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 35 |
Note 3—Derivative instruments
The fund may invest in derivatives
in order to meet its investment objective. Derivatives include a variety of different instruments that may be traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market, on a regulated exchange or through a clearing facility. The
risks in using derivatives vary depending upon the structure of the instruments, including the use of leverage, optionality, the liquidity or lack of liquidity of the contract, the creditworthiness of the counterparty
or clearing organization and the volatility of the position. Some derivatives involve risks that are potentially greater than the risks associated with investing directly in the referenced securities or other
referenced underlying instrument. Specifically, the fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty to an OTC derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor
its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction.
Certain derivatives are traded or
cleared on an exchange or central clearinghouse. Exchange-traded or centrally-cleared transactions generally present less counterparty risk to a fund than OTC transactions. The exchange or clearinghouse stands between
the fund and the broker to the contract and therefore, credit risk is generally limited to the failure of the exchange or clearinghouse and the clearing member.
Futures. A futures contract is a contractual agreement to buy or sell a particular currency or financial instrument at a pre-determined price in the future. Futures are traded on an exchange and
cleared through a central clearinghouse. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets and contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to
movements in the underlying financial instrument and potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of assets and liabilities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the fund to the risk of loss
up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the fund to unlimited risk of loss.
Upon entering into a futures
contract, the fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities. The amount of required margin is set by the broker and is generally based on a percentage of the contract
value. The margin deposit must then be maintained at the established level over the life of the contract. Cash that has been pledged by the fund, if any, is detailed in the Statement of assets and liabilities as
Collateral held at broker for futures contracts. Securities pledged by the fund, if any, are identified in the Fund’s investments. Subsequent payments, referred to as variation margin, are made or received by
the fund periodically and are based on changes in the market value of open futures contracts. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and unrealized gain or loss is recorded by the fund. Payable for futures
variation margin is included on the Statement of assets and liabilities. When the contract is closed, the fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it
was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
During the six months ended November
30, 2021, the fund used futures contracts to manage the duration of the fund. The fund held futures contracts with USD notional values ranging from $58.9 million to $60.1 million as measured at each quarter end.
Fair value of derivative instruments
by risk category
The table below summarizes the fair
value of derivatives held by the fund at November 30, 2021 by risk category:
| Risk | Statement of assets and liabilities location | Financial instruments location | Assets derivatives fair value | Liabilities derivatives fair value |
| Interest rate | Receivable/payable for futures variation margin1 | Futures | — | $(732,069) |
| 1 | Reflects cumulative appreciation/depreciation on open futures as disclosed in the Derivatives section of Fund’s investments. Only the period end variation margin receivable/payable is separately reported on the Statement of assets and liabilities. |
| 36 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Effect of derivative instruments on
the Statement of operations
The table below summarizes the net
realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six months ended November 30, 2021:
| Statement of operations location - Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
| Risk | Futures contracts |
| Interest rate | $503,413 |
The table below summarizes the net
change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six months ended November 30,
2021:
| Statement of operations location - Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
| Risk | Futures contracts |
| Interest rate | $(636,345) |
Note 4—Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust’s
organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the fund. Additionally, in the normal course of
business, the fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims
that may be made against the fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 5—Fees 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, principally owned subsidiaries of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A), which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
Management fee. The fund has an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the fund pays a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent on an annual basis to the sum of: (a)
0.550% of the first $500 million of the fund’s average daily net assets; (b) 0.500% of the next $500 million of the fund’s average daily net assets; (c) 0.450% of the next $2 billion of the fund’s
average daily net assets; and (d) 0.425% of the fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $3 billion. The Advisor has a subadvisory agreement with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, an indirectly owned
subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation and an affiliate of the Advisor. The fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.
The Advisor has contractually agreed
to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock group of funds complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate
net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. During the
six months ended November 30, 2021, this waiver amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets, on an annualized basis. This arrangement expires on July 31, 2023, 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.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 37 |
For the six months ended November
30, 2021, the expense reductions described above amounted to the following:
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 six months ended November 30, 2021, were equivalent to a net annual effective rate of 0.54% 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 six months ended November 30, 2021, 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 C | 1.00% |
The fund’s Distributor has
contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule12b-1 fees for Class A and Class C shares. The current waiver agreement expires on September 30, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the Distributor
based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at the time. This contractual waiver amounted to $225,998 and $7,519 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the six months ended
November 30, 2021.
Sales charges. Class A shares are assessed up-front sales charges, which resulted in payments to the Distributor amounting to $113,837 for the six months ended November 30, 2021. Of this amount, $16,036
was retained and used for printing prospectuses, advertising, sales literature and other purposes and $97,801 was paid as sales commissions to broker-dealers.
Class A and Class C shares may be
subject to contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs). Certain Class A shares purchased, including those that are acquired through purchases of $1 million or more, and redeemed within one year of purchase are subject
to a 1.00% sales charge. Class C shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC. CDSCs are applied to the lesser of the current market value at the time of redemption or the original
purchase cost of the shares being redeemed. Proceeds from CDSCs are used to compensate the Distributor for providing distribution-related services in connection with the sale of these shares. During the six months
ended November 30, 2021, CDSCs received by the Distributor amounted to $2,713 for Class A. There were no CDSCs received by the Distributor for Class C shares.
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
| 38 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
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 six months ended November 30, 2021 were as follows:
| Class | Distribution and service fees | Transfer agent fees |
| Class A | $564,995 | $94,260 |
| Class C | 75,195 | 3,137 |
| Class I | — | 4,021 |
| Class R6 | — | 595 |
| Total | $640,190 | $102,013 |
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 6—Fund share transactions
Transactions in fund shares for the
six months ended November 30, 2021 and for the year ended May 31, 2021 were as follows:
| Six Months Ended 11-30-21 | Year Ended 5-31-21 | |||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |
| Class A shares | ||||
| Sold | 1,958,937 | $19,825,417 | 4,588,023 | $45,551,148 |
| Distributions reinvested | 555,263 | 5,613,107 | 1,125,137 | 11,195,290 |
| Repurchased | (2,253,798) | (22,784,583) | (5,059,105) | (50,393,259) |
| Net increase | 260,402 | $2,653,941 | 654,055 | $6,353,179 |
| Class B shares | ||||
| Distributions reinvested | — | — | 519 | $5,094 |
| Repurchased | — | — | (107,434) | (1,051,196) |
| Net decrease | — | — | (106,915) | $(1,046,102) |
| Class C shares | ||||
| Sold | 90,355 | $915,340 | 84,642 | $843,820 |
| Distributions reinvested | 14,509 | 146,645 | 43,573 | 432,054 |
| Repurchased | (177,995) | (1,802,136) | (1,481,914) | (14,689,807) |
| Net decrease | (73,131) | $(740,151) | (1,353,699) | $(13,413,933) |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 39 |
| Six Months Ended 11-30-21 | Year Ended 5-31-21 | |||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |
| Class I shares | ||||
| Sold | 460,388 | $4,649,988 | 644,176 | $6,473,950 |
| Distributions reinvested | 27,056 | 273,911 | 48,464 | 483,191 |
| Repurchased | (125,689) | (1,274,917) | (449,504) | (4,482,534) |
| Net increase | 361,755 | $3,648,982 | 243,136 | $2,474,607 |
| Class R6 shares | ||||
| Sold | 380,846 | $3,863,014 | 431,976 | $4,300,811 |
| Distributions reinvested | 19,647 | 198,855 | 31,849 | 317,688 |
| Repurchased | (130,537) | (1,320,635) | (225,297) | (2,238,696) |
| Net increase | 269,956 | $2,741,234 | 238,528 | $2,379,803 |
| Total net increase (decrease) | 818,982 | $8,304,006 | (324,895) | $(3,252,446) |
On June 25, 2020, the Board of
Trustees approved redesignations of certain share classes. As a result of the redesignations, Class B was terminated, and shareholders in this class became shareholders of the respective class identified below, with
the same or lower total net expenses. The following amount is included in the amount repurchased of the terminated class and the amount sold of the redesignated class.
| Redesignation | Effective date | Amount | |||||
| Class B shares as Class A shares | October 14, 2020 | $582,389 |
Note 7—Purchase and sale of securities
Purchases and sales of securities,
other than short-term investments, amounted to $61,524,446 and $37,803,402, respectively, for the six months ended November 30, 2021.
Note 8—State or region risk
To the extent that the fund invests
heavily in bonds from any given state or region, its performance could be disproportionately affected by factors particular to that state or region. These factors may include economic or political changes, tax-base
erosion, possible state constitutional limits on tax increases, detrimental budget deficits and other financial difficulties, and changes to the credit ratings assigned to those states’ municipal issuers.
Note 9—Investment in affiliated underlying funds
The fund may invest in affiliated
underlying funds that are managed by the Advisor and its affiliates. Information regarding the fund’s fiscal year to date purchases and sales of the affiliated underlying funds as well as income and capital
gains earned by the fund, if any, is as follows:
| Dividends and distributions | |||||||||
| Affiliate | Ending share amount | Beginning value | Cost of purchases | Proceeds from shares sold | Realized gain (loss) | Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | Income distributions received | Capital gain distributions received | Ending value |
| John Hancock Collateral Trust | 848,816 | $8,078,966 | $44,937,538 | $(44,523,037) | $(546) | $(430) | $727 | — | $8,492,491 |
| 40 | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Note 10—Coronavirus (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, which may
lead to less liquidity in certain instruments, industries, sectors or the markets generally, and may ultimately affect fund performance.
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK Tax-Free Bond Fund | 41 |
EVALUATION OF ADVISORY AND
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENTS BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
This section describes the
evaluation by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust (the Trust) of the Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the Advisor) and
the Subadvisory Agreement (the Subadvisory Agreement) with Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC (the Subadvisor), for John Hancock Tax-Free Bond Fund (the fund). The Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement are
collectively referred telephonic1o as the Agreements. Prior to the June 22-24, 2021 meeting at which the Agreements were approved, the Board also discussed and considered
information regarding the proposed continuation of the Agreements at a telephonic meeting held on May 25-26, 2021. The Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust as defined by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (the "Independent Trustees") also met separately to evaluate and discuss the information presented, including with counsel to the Independent Trustees and a third-party consulting
firm.
Approval of Advisory and Subadvisory
Agreements
At videoconference meetings held on
June 22-24, 2021, the Board, including the Trustees who are not parties to any Agreement or considered to be interested persons of the Trust under the 1940 Act, reapproved for an annual period the continuation of the
Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor and the Subadvisory Agreement between the Advisor and the Subadvisor with respect to the fund.
In considering the Advisory
Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board received in advance of the meetings a variety of materials relating to the fund, the Advisor and the Subadvisor, including comparative performance, fee and expense
information for a peer group of similar funds prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, performance information for an applicable benchmark index; and, with respect to the Subadvisor, comparative
performance information for comparably managed accounts, as applicable, and other information provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisor and
the Subadvisor under their respective Agreements, as well as information regarding the Advisor’s revenues and costs of providing services to the fund and any compensation paid to affiliates of the Advisor. At
the meetings at which the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement are considered, particular focus is given to information concerning fund performance, comparability of fees and total expenses, and
profitability. However, the Board noted that the evaluation process with respect to the Advisor and the Subadvisor is an ongoing one. In this regard, the Board also took into account discussions with management and
information provided to the Board (including its various committees) at prior meetings with respect to the services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor to the fund, including quarterly performance reports
prepared by management containing reviews of investment results and prior presentations from the Subadvisor with respect to the fund. The information received and considered by the Board in connection with the May and
June meetings and throughout the year was both written and oral. The Board noted the affiliation of the Subadvisor with the Advisor, noting any potential conflicts of interest. The Board also considered the nature,
quality, and extent of non-advisory services, if any, to be provided to the fund by the Advisor’s affiliates, including distribution services. The Board considered the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory
Agreement separately in the course of its review. In doing so, the Board noted the respective roles of the Advisor and Subadvisor in providing services to the fund.
1On June 19, 2020, as a result of health and safety measures put in place to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an exemptive order
(the “Order”) pursuant to Sections 6(c) and 38(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), that temporarily exempts registered investment management companies from
the in-person voting requirements under the 1940 Act, subject to certain requirements, including that votes taken pursuant to the Order are ratified at the next in-person meeting. The Board determined that reliance on
the Order was necessary or appropriate due to the circumstances related to current or potential effects of COVID-19 and therefore, the Board’s May and June meetings were held via videoconference in reliance on
the Order. This exemptive order supersedes, in part, a similar earlier exemptive order issued by the SEC.
| 42 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
Throughout the process, the Board
asked questions of and requested additional information from management. The Board is assisted by counsel for the Trust and the Independent Trustees are also separately assisted by independent legal counsel throughout
the process. The Independent Trustees also received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Agreements and discussed
the proposed continuation of the Agreements in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of management were present.
Approval of Advisory Agreement
In approving the Advisory Agreement
with respect to the fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered a variety of factors, including those discussed below. The Board also considered other factors (including conditions and trends
prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry) and did not treat any single factor as determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to different factors. The
Board’s conclusions may be based in part on its consideration of the advisory and subadvisory arrangements in prior years and on the Board’s ongoing regular review of fund performance and operations
throughout the year.
Nature, extent, and quality of services. Among the information received by the Board from the Advisor relating to the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the fund, the Board reviewed information provided by the
Advisor relating to its operations and personnel, descriptions of its organizational and management structure, and information regarding the Advisor’s compliance and regulatory history, including its Form ADV.
The Board also noted that on a regular basis it receives and reviews information from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) regarding the fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant
to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Advisor, and of the undertakings required of the Advisor in connection with those services, including maintaining and
monitoring its own and the fund’s compliance programs, risk management programs, liquidity management programs and cybersecurity programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other
developments. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the fund, including, but not limited to, general supervision of and coordination of the services
provided by the Subadvisor, and is also responsible for monitoring and reviewing the activities of the Subadvisor and third-party service providers. The Board also considered the significant risks assumed by the
Advisor in connection with the services provided to the fund including entrepreneurial risk in sponsoring new funds and ongoing risks including investment, operational, enterprise, litigation, regulatory and
compliance risks with respect to all funds.
In considering the nature, extent,
and quality of the services provided by the Advisor, the Trustees also took into account their knowledge of the Advisor’s management and the quality of the performance of the Advisor’s duties, through
Board meetings, discussions and reports during the preceding year and through each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the Trust and of the other trusts in the John Hancock group of funds complex (the John
Hancock Fund Complex).
In the course of their deliberations
regarding the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other things:
| (a) | the skills and competency with which the Advisor has in the past managed the Trust’s affairs and its subadvisory relationship, the Advisor’s oversight and monitoring of the Subadvisor’s investment performance and compliance programs, such as the Subadvisor’s compliance with fund policies and objectives, review of brokerage matters, including with respect to trade allocation and best execution and the Advisor’s timeliness in responding to performance issues; |
| (b) | the background, qualifications and skills of the Advisor’s personnel; |
| (c) | the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures and its responsiveness to regulatory changes and fund industry developments; |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 43 |
| (d) | the Advisor’s administrative capabilities, including its ability to supervise the other service providers for the fund, as well as the Advisor’s oversight of any securities lending activity, its monitoring of class action litigation and collection of class action settlements on behalf of the fund, and bringing loss recovery actions on behalf of the fund; |
| (e) | the financial condition of the Advisor and whether it has the financial wherewithal to provide a high level and quality of services to the fund; |
| (f) | the Advisor’s initiatives intended to improve various aspects of the Trust’s operations and investor experience with the fund; and |
| (g) | the Advisor’s reputation and experience in serving as an investment advisor to the Trust and the benefit to shareholders of investing in funds that are part of a family of funds offering a variety of investments. |
The Board concluded that the Advisor
may reasonably be expected to continue to provide a high quality of services under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund.
Investment performance. In considering the fund’s performance, the Board noted that it reviews at its regularly scheduled meetings information about the fund’s performance results. In connection with
the consideration of the Advisory Agreement, the Board:
| (a) | reviewed information prepared by management regarding the fund’s performance; |
| (b) | considered the comparative performance of an applicable benchmark index; |
| (c) | considered the performance of comparable funds, if any, as included in the report prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data; and |
| (d) | took into account the Advisor’s analysis of the fund’s performance and its plans and recommendations regarding the Trust’s subadvisory arrangements generally. |
The Board noted that while it found
the data provided by the independent third-party generally useful it recognized its limitations, including in particular that the data may vary depending on the end date selected and the results of the performance
comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group. The Board noted that the fund underperformed its benchmark index and its peer group median for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended
December 31, 2020. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the factors that contributed to the fund’s performance for the benchmark index and peer group median relative to the one-, three-,
five- and ten-year periods, including the impact of past and current market conditions on the fund’s strategy and management’s outlook for the fund. The Board took into account management’s
discussion of the reasons for the fund’s recent underperformance relative to the peer group. The Board concluded that the fund’s performance is being monitored and reasonably addressed, where
appropriate.
Fees and expenses. The Board reviewed comparative information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, including, among other data, the fund’s contractual and net management fees
(and subadvisory fees, to the extent available) and total expenses as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the
management and advisory and subadvisory services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisor. The Board considered the fund’s ranking within a smaller group of peer funds chosen by the independent third-party
provider, as well as the fund’s ranking within a broader group of funds. In comparing the fund’s contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Board noted that such fees include
both advisory and administrative costs. The Board noted that net management fees and net total expenses for the fund were higher than the peer group median.
| 44 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
The Board took into account
management’s discussion of the fund’s expenses. The Board also took into account management’s discussion with respect to the overall management fee and the fees of the Subadvisor, including the
amount of the advisory fee retained by the Advisor after payment of the subadvisory fee, in each case in light of the services rendered for those amounts and the risks undertaken by the Advisor. The Board also noted
that the Advisor pays the subadvisory fee. In addition, the Board took into account that management had agreed to implement an overall fee waiver across the complex, including the fund, which is discussed further
below. The Board also noted actions taken over the past several years to reduce the fund’s operating expenses. The Board also noted that, in addition, the Advisor is currently waiving fees and/or reimbursing
expenses with respect to the fund and that the fund has breakpoints in its contractual management fee schedule that reduce management fees as assets increase. The Board also noted that the fund’s distributor, an
affiliate of the Advisor, has agreed to waive a portion of its Rule 12b-1 fee for a share class of the fund. The Board noted that the fund has a voluntary fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement, which reduces certain
expenses of the fund. The Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor concerning the investment advisory fee charged by the Advisor or one of its advisory affiliates to other clients (including other funds in
the John Hancock Fund Complex) having similar investment mandates, if any. The Board considered any differences between the Advisor’s and Subadvisor’s services to the fund and the services they provide to
other comparable clients or funds. The Board concluded that the advisory fee paid with respect to the fund is reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the fund under the
Advisory Agreement.
Profitability/Fall out benefits. In considering the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from the Advisor’s relationship
with the Trust, the Board:
| (a) | reviewed financial information of the Advisor; |
| (b) | reviewed and considered information presented by the Advisor regarding the net profitability to the Advisor and its affiliates with respect to the fund; |
| (c) | received and reviewed profitability information with respect to the John Hancock Fund Complex as a whole and with respect to the fund; |
| (d) | received information with respect to the Advisor’s allocation methodologies used in preparing the profitability data and considered that the Advisor hired an independent third-party consultant to provide an analysis of the Advisor’s allocation methodologies; |
| (e) | considered that the John Hancock insurance companies that are affiliates of the Advisor, as shareholders of the Trust directly or through their separate accounts, receive certain tax credits or deductions relating to foreign taxes paid and dividends received by certain funds of the Trust and noted that these tax benefits, which are not available to participants in qualified retirement plans under applicable income tax law, are reflected in the profitability information reviewed by the Board; |
| (f) | considered that the Advisor also provides administrative services to the fund on a cost basis pursuant to an administrative services agreement; |
| (g) | noted that affiliates of the Advisor provide transfer agency services and distribution services to the fund, and that the fund’s distributor also receives Rule 12b-1 payments to support distribution of the fund; |
| (h) | noted that the fund’s Subadvisor is an affiliate of the Advisor; |
| (i) | noted that the Advisor also derives reputational and other indirect benefits from providing advisory services to the fund; |
| (j) | noted that the subadvisory fee for the fund is paid by the Advisor; |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 45 |
| (k) | considered the Advisor’s ongoing costs and expenditures necessary to improve services, meet new regulatory and compliance requirements, and adapt to other challenges impacting the fund industry; and |
| (l) | considered that the Advisor should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits in exchange for the level of services it provides to the fund and the risks that it assumes as Advisor, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risk. |
Based upon its review, the Board
concluded that the level of profitability, if any, of the Advisor and its affiliates (including the Subadvisor) from their relationship with the fund was reasonable and not excessive.
Economies of scale. In considering the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the fund grows and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders, the
Board:
| (a) | considered that the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee for certain funds of the John Hancock Fund Complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios) or otherwise reimburse the expenses of the participating portfolios (the reimbursement). 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; |
| (b) | reviewed the fund’s advisory fee structure and concluded that: (i) the fund’s fee structure contains breakpoints at the subadvisory fee level and that such breakpoints are reflected as breakpoints in the advisory fees for the fund; and (ii) although economies of scale cannot be measured with precision, these arrangements permit shareholders of the fund to benefit from economies of scale if the fund grows. The Board also took into account management’s discussion of the fund’s advisory fee structure; and |
| (c) | the Board also considered the effect of the fund’s growth in size on its performance and fees. The Board also noted that if the fund’s assets increase over time, the fund may realize other economies of scale. |
Approval of Subadvisory Agreement
In making its determination with
respect to approval of the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board reviewed:
| (1) | information relating to the Subadvisor’s business, including current subadvisory services to the Trust (and other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex); |
| (2) | the historical and current performance of the fund and comparative performance information relating to an applicable benchmark index and comparable funds; and |
| (3) | the subadvisory fee for the fund, including any breakpoints, and to the extent available, comparable fee information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data. |
Nature, extent, and quality of services. With respect to the services provided by the Subadvisor, the Board received information provided to the Board by the Subadvisor, including the Subadvisor’s Form ADV, as well as took
into account information presented throughout the past year. The Board considered the Subadvisor’s current level of staffing and its overall resources, as well as received information relating to the
Subadvisor’s compensation program. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor’s history and investment experience, as well as information regarding the qualifications, background, and responsibilities of the
Subadvisor’s investment and compliance personnel who provide services to the fund. The Board also considered, among other things, the Subadvisor’s compliance program and any disciplinary history. The Board
also considered the Subadvisor’s risk assessment and monitoring process. The Board reviewed the Subadvisor’s regulatory history, including whether it was involved in any regulatory actions or
investigations as well as material litigation, and any settlements and amelioratory actions undertaken, as
| 46 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
appropriate. The Board noted that the Advisor
conducts regular, periodic reviews of the Subadvisor and its operations, including regarding investment processes and organizational and staffing matters. The Board also noted that the Trust’s CCO and his staff
conduct regular, periodic compliance reviews with the Subadvisor and present reports to the Independent Trustees regarding the same, which includes evaluating the regulatory compliance systems of the Subadvisor and
procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with the federal securities laws. The Board also took into account the financial condition of the Subadvisor.
The Board considered the
Subadvisor’s investment process and philosophy. The Board took into account that the Subadvisor’s responsibilities include the development and maintenance of an investment program for the fund that is
consistent with the fund’s investment objective, the selection of investment securities and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of such securities, as well as the implementation of compliance
controls related to performance of these services. The Board also received information with respect to the Subadvisor’s brokerage policies and practices, including with respect to best execution and soft
dollars.
Subadvisor compensation. In considering the cost of services to be provided by the Subadvisor and the profitability to the Subadvisor of its relationship with the fund, the Board noted that the fees under the
Subadvisory Agreement are paid by the Advisor and not the fund. The Board also received information and took into account any other potential conflicts of interest the Advisor might have in connection with the
Subadvisory Agreement.
In addition, the Board considered
other potential indirect benefits that the Subadvisor and its affiliates may receive from the Subadvisor’s relationship with the fund, such as the opportunity to provide advisory services to additional funds in
the John Hancock Fund Complex and reputational benefits.
Subadvisory fees. The Board considered that the fund pays an advisory fee to the Advisor and that, in turn, the Advisor pays a subadvisory fee to the Subadvisor. As noted above, the Board also considered the
fund’s subadvisory fees as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund as included in the report prepared by the independent third-party provider of fund data, to the
extent available. The Board also noted that the limited size of the Lipper peer group was not sufficient for comparative purposes. The Board also took into account the subadvisory fees paid by the Advisor to the
Subadvisor with respect to the fund and compared them to fees charged by the Subadvisor to manage other subadvised portfolios and portfolios not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, as applicable.
Subadvisor performance. As noted above, the Board considered the fund’s performance as compared to the fund’s peer group median and the benchmark index and noted that the Board reviews information
about the fund’s performance results at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Board noted the Advisor’s expertise and resources in monitoring the performance, investment style and risk-adjusted performance
of the Subadvisor. The Board was mindful of the Advisor’s focus on the Subadvisor’s performance. The Board also noted the Subadvisor’s long-term performance record for similar accounts, as
applicable.
The Board’s decision to
approve the Subadvisory Agreement was based on a number of determinations, including the following:
| (1) | the Subadvisor has extensive experience and demonstrated skills as a manager; |
| (2) | the performance of the fund is being monitored and reasonably addressed, where appropriate; |
| (3) | the subadvisory fee is reasonable in relation to the level and quality of services being provided under the Subadvisory Agreement; and |
| (4) | noted that the subadvisory fees are paid by the Advisor not the fund and that the subadvisory fee breakpoints are reflected as breakpoints in the advisory fees for the fund in order to permit shareholders to benefit from economies of scale if the fund grows. |
***
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 47 |
Based on the Board’s
evaluation of all factors that the Board deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the
Subadvisory Agreement would be in the best interest of the fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board, and the Independent Trustees voting separately, approved the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreement
for an additional one-year period.
| 48 | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | SEMIANNUAL REPORT |
More information
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 the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on our
website and the SEC’s website, sec.gov.
We make this information
on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-225-5291.
| You can also contact us: | ||
| 800-225-5291 | Regular mail: | Express mail: |
| jhinvestments.com | John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. P.O. Box 219909 Kansas City, MO 64121-9909 | John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. 430 W 7th Street Suite 219909 Kansas City, MO 64105-1407 |
| SEMIANNUAL REPORT | JOHN HANCOCK TAX-FREE BOND FUND | 49 |
John Hancock family of funds
A fund’s investment
objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial
professional, call John Hancock Investments at 800-225-5291, or visit our website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.
John Hancock 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 Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC, Manulife
Investment Management (US) 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.
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with a heritage of financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping
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we do. It’s why we support the role of professional financial advice
and operate with the highest standards of conduct and integrity.
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.
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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.
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a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world’s best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world’s best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.
“A trusted brand” is
based on a survey of 6,651 respondents conducted by Medallia between 3/18/20 and 5/13/20.
John Hancock Investment Management
Distributors LLC, Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5010, 800-225-5291, jhinvestments.com
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-5010, 800-225-5291, jhinvestments.com
Manulife Investment Management, the
Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investment Management & Stylized M Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by its affiliates under license.
NOT FDIC INSURED. MAY LOSE VALUE. NO
BANK GUARANTEE. NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
This report is for the information
of the shareholders of John Hancock Tax-Free Bond Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
| MF1949206 | 52SA 11/21 |
1/2022
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