John Hancock Alternative Asset Allocation Fund honored at Institutional Investor U.S. Investment Management Awards

BOSTON, May 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Institutional Investor recognized John Hancock Investments at the 7^th Annual U.S. Investment Management Awards in New York City last week, as John Hancock Alternative Asset Allocation Fund took top honors in the Global Balanced/Tactical Asset Allocation category. The event recognizes U.S. money managers in 39 asset classes who stood out in the eyes of the investor community for their exceptional performance, risk management, and service.

John Hancock Alternative Asset Fund, designed to provide instant diversification by investing across alternative asset classes and investment strategies, is managed by Robert M. Boyda, Marcelle Daher, CFA, and Nathan W. Thooft, CFA, of John Hancock Asset Management.

"We congratulate Bob, Marcelle and Nate on receiving this well-deserved recognition and on the strong risk-adjusted results they've delivered to the fund's shareholders over time," said Andrew G. Arnott, president and CEO of John Hancock Investments. "As an investment firm, upholding the proud tradition to John Hancock Investments comes down to one thing: putting shareholders first. We believe that if our shareholders are successful, then we will be successful. By addressing a specific investor need for a one-stop alternative allocation solution, John Hancock Alternative Asset Allocation Fund is but one example across our diverse lineup of strategies that embodies this aspiration."

The fund seeks long-term growth of capital by investing in a number of alternative investment approaches, including foreign currency, global macro strategies, merger arbitrage, momentum or trend-following strategies, long/short equity, and unconstrained bond strategies. In addition, the fund may invest in alternative asset classes such as commodities, commodity-related equities, listed infrastructure, global real estate, and natural resources. These alternative or nontraditional investments generally have relatively low correlations with the broad U.S. stock and bond markets.

In choosing the award winners, Institutional Investor magazine's editorial and research teams identified a short list of top-performing managers in several investment categories, in consultation with eVestment's research team. Strategies were analyzed based on factors such as one-, three- and five-year performance, Sharpe ratios, information ratios, standard deviation, and upside market capture. Each category was analyzed based on the factors used by institutional investors in their own searches on eVestment. More than 1,000 leading U.S. pension plans, foundations, endowments, and other institutional investors were surveyed and asked to vote for up to three of the top performing managers in each strategy in which they invested during the past year.

John Hancock Alternative Asset Allocation Fund is available in the following share classes:  A:JAAAX; C:JAACX; I:JAAIX; R2:JAAPX; R4:JAASX; R6:JAARX.

The fund's performance depends on the advisor's skill in determining asset class allocations, the mix of underlying funds, and the performance of those underlying funds. The fund is subject to the same risks as the underlying funds and exchange-traded funds in which it invests: Stocks and bonds can decline due to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, or economic developments; foreign investing, especially in emerging markets, has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability; the securities of small companies are subject to higher volatility than those of larger, more established companies; and high-yield bonds are subject to additional risks, such as increased risk of default. Liquidity—the extent to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively affecting its market value, if at all—may be impaired by reduced trading volume, heightened volatility, rising interest rates, and other market conditions. Currency transactions are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. The fund's losses could exceed the amount invested in its currency instruments. Please see the fund's prospectus for additional risks.

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 1-800-225-5291, or visit jhinvestments.com.  Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

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

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were $904 billion (US $697 billion) as at March 31, 2016. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

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

SOURCE John Hancock Investments

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