John Hancock Investments Posts Another Record Year in 2015

BOSTON, Feb. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Investments posted record gross flows of $28.2 billion in 2015 as well as strong net inflows in a year marked by flat or negative equity markets and rising volatility. Its record gross flows, which increased 14 percent over the prior year, were achieved in an industry that experienced net outflows for the year.¹  2015 represented the sixth consecutive year of record gross flows for John Hancock Investments.  

Assets under management reached a record $83.6 billion, up 12 percent from 2014, and for the 17^th consecutive quarter John Hancock Investments' net flows were positive.  Moreover, the firm's 12-month trailing organic growth rate through December 2015 (calculated as net new flows as a percentage of beginning assets) was 15 percent compared with an industry decline of one percent.

Andrew G. Arnott, President & CEO, noted:  "Our very strong results for 2015 have been driven by solid investment performance across asset classes and a strong product line-up.  But our success is also due to our manager-of-managers model that has allowed us to build a full suite of investment capabilities ranging from what are considered traditional asset classes all the way through alternatives.  Going forward, we will continue our focus on building investment solutions that reflect investor needs. Investors and financial advisors increasingly have turned to our unique approach because they value the more than 25 years' experience in manager research and oversight we put into every one of our funds."

"In 2016, key priorities for us will be the expansion of our newly launched exchange-traded fund (ETF) and offshore businesses," Mr. Arnott added.

Milestones for John Hancock Investments last year included the September launch of six 'strategic beta' multifactor ETFs. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP — a company regarded as one of the pioneers in strategic beta investing— was selected to design all six underlying indexes in line with Dimensional's time-tested factor-based approach.

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

John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC has been authorized in Ireland as a UCITS fund pursuant to the European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulation 2011, as amended. Authorization of John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC by the Central Bank of Ireland is not an endorsement or guarantee, nor is the Central Bank of Ireland responsible for the contents of any marketing material or the fund's prospectus. Authorization by the Central Bank of Ireland shall not constitute a warranty as to the performance of John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC, and the Central Bank of Ireland shall not be liable for the performance of John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC. Shares of John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC are only available for certain non-U.S. persons in select transactions outside the United States, or, in limited circumstances, otherwise in transactions that are exempt in reliance on Regulation S from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such other laws, as may be applicable. John Hancock Worldwide Investors, PLC is registered for public offer and sale only in the Republic of Ireland. Fund shares may be otherwise sold on a private-placement basis depending on the jurisdiction.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, (member FINRA/SIPC) and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Funds, 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 Large Cap ETF, John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF, John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF, John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF, John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF and John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. There is no guarantee strategies will be successful.

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/etf. 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 C$935 billion (US$676 billion) as at December 31, 2015.  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

¹ Source:  Strategic Insight:  ICI Confidential.  Direct Sold mutual funds, fund-of-funds and ETF's are excluded. Organic sales growth rate is calculated as net new flows divided by beginning period assets. Industry data through December 2015.

SOURCE John Hancock Investments