EX-99.(H).6 5 e448748_ex99-h6.htm EXPENSE LIMITATION LETTER AGREEMENT AND VOLUNTARY EXPENSE LIMITATION NOTICE

 

Exhibit 99.(h).6

 

John Hancock Advisers, LLC

601 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210

 

 

June 23, 2016

 

To the Trustees of

John Hancock Funds

601 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210

 

Re:Expense Limitation Letter Agreement and Voluntary Expense Limitation Notice

 

With reference to each of the Advisory Agreements approved by the Board or entered into by and between John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”) and each of the trusts listed in Appendix A to this letter (each, a “Trust” and collectively, the “Trusts”), on behalf of each of their respective series listed in Appendix A (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), we hereby notify you as follows:

 

1.  The Adviser agrees to contractually waive its advisory fees or, to the extent necessary, reimburse other expenses of each Fund as set forth in Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D, Appendix E, Appendix F and Appendix G hereto.

 

2.  The Adviser agrees to voluntarily waive its advisory fees or, to the extent necessary, reimburse other expenses of each Fund as set forth in Appendix H, Appendix I and Appendix J hereto.

 

3.  We understand and intend that the Trusts will rely on this undertaking in overseeing the preparation and filing of Post-effective Amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Trusts and the Funds with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in accruing each Fund’s expenses for purposes of calculating its net and gross asset value per share, and for other purposes permitted under Form N-1A and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and we expressly permit the Trusts so to rely.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey H. Long
    Jeffrey H. Long
    Chief Financial Officer

 

Agreed and Accepted
on behalf of each applicable Trust listed in Appendix A

 

By: /s/ Charles A. Rizzo  
  Charles A. Rizzo  
  Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

 

A copy of the document establishing each Trust is filed with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed by the officer in his capacity as such and not as an individual and is not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trusts individually but only upon the assets of the Funds.

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

TRUSTS and Funds

 

JOHN HANCOCK BOND TRUST

John Hancock Focused High Yield Fund

John Hancock Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund

John Hancock Global Short Duration Credit Fund

John Hancock Government Income Fund

John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND

John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK CAPITAL SERIES

John Hancock Classic Value Fund

John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK CURRENT INTEREST

John Hancock Money Market Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF

 

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST

John Hancock Balanced Fund

John Hancock Disciplined Value International Fund

John Hancock Emerging Markets Equity Fund

John Hancock Enduring Assets Fund

John Hancock ESG All Cap Core Fund

John Hancock ESG Large Cap Core Fund

John Hancock Fundamental Large Cap Core Fund

John Hancock Global Focused Strategies Fund

John Hancock Global Real Estate Fund

John Hancock Seaport Fund

John Hancock Small Cap Core Fund

John Hancock Value Equity Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST II

John Hancock Financial Industries Fund

 

 A-1 
 

 

John Hancock Regional Bank Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT TRUST III

John Hancock Greater China Opportunities Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK MUNICIPAL SECURITIES TRUST

John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

John Hancock Tax-Free Bond Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK SOVEREIGN BOND FUND

John Hancock Bond Fund

 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES

John Hancock Income Fund

 

 A-2 
 

 

APPENDIX B

 

Fund Level Contractual Limitation on Fund Level Expenses

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

The Adviser contractually agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, 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) Rule 12b-1 fees, (f) transfer agent fees and service fees, (g) shareholder servicing fees, (h) borrowing costs, (i) prime brokerage fees, (j) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (k) short dividend expense.

 

“Expense Limit” means the percentage of a Fund’s average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) set forth below.

 

The current expense limitation agreement expires on the date specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

 

 

 

Fund

Limit on Fund Level
Expenses
Expiration Date of
Expense Limit
Disciplined Value International Fund 0.95% 2/28/20181
ESG All Cap Core Fund 0.81% 2/28/2018
ESG Large Cap Core Fund 0.81% 2/28/2018
Global Focused Strategies Fund 1.62% 2/28/2018
Global Real Estate Fund 0.95% 4/30/2017
Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund 0.78% 9/30/20172
Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.42% 9/30/20173

 

 

1 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the contractual limit on fund level expenses for Disciplined Value International Fund to February 28, 2018, effective upon the current expiration date of February 28, 2017.

2 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the contractual limit on fund level expenses for Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund to September 30, 2017, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

3 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the contractual limit on fund level expenses (0.42%) for Investment Grade Bond Fund with an expiration date of September 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2016.

 

 B-1 
 

 

APPENDIX C

 

Fund Level Contractual Limitation on Total Operating Expenses

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

The Adviser contractually agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, 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.

 

“Expense Limit” means the percentage of a Fund’s average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) set forth below.

 

The current expense limitation agreement expires on the date specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

 

 

 

Fund

Limit on Fund Level
Expenses
Expiration Date of
Expense Limit
John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF 0.35% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF 0.45% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Energy ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Industrials ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Materials ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017
John Hancock Multifactor Utilities ETF 0.50% 8/31/2017

 

 C-1 
 

 

APPENDIX D

 

Class Level Contractual Total Operating Expense Limitations

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

“Expenses” means all the expenses of a class of shares of a Fund (including those expenses of the Fund attributable to such class) but excluding: (i) taxes; (ii) portfolio brokerage commissions; (iii) interest expense; (iv) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business; (v) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly; (vi) borrowing costs; (vii) prime brokerage fees; (viii) short dividend expense; and (ix) fees under any agreements or plans of the Fund dealing with services for shareholders and others with beneficial interests in shares of the Fund.

 

“Expense Limit” means the percentage of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) attributable to a class of shares of the Funds set forth below.

 

The Adviser contractually agrees to waive advisory fees or, if necessary, reimburse expenses or make payment to a specific class of shares of the Fund (up to the amount of the expenses relating solely to such class of shares), in an amount equal to the amount by which the Expenses of such class of shares exceed the Expense Limit for such class set forth in the table below. The current expense limitation agreements expire on the dates specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

 

The Expense Limit for the classes of shares of the Funds indicated below for the purposes of this Appendix shall be as follows:

 

  Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Expiration
Date of
Expense
Limit
Fund A B C I R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6  
Emerging Markets Equity Fund 1.50% N/A 2.20% 1.25% N/A 1.60% N/A 1.35% N/A N/A 2/28/2017
Enduring Assets Fund N/A N/A 2.60% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/28/2017
Fundamental Large Cap Core Fund N/A 1.82% 1.82% 0.78% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/28/2017
Global Real Estate Fund 1.30% N/A 2.05% 1.05% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4/30/2017
Greater China Opportunities Fund N/A N/A N/A 1.34% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/28/2017
Value Equity Fund 1.45% N/A 2.15% 1.15% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/28/2017

 

 D-1 
 

 

  Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Expiration
Date of
Expense
Limit
Fund A B C I R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6  
Focused High Yield Fund N/A N/A N/A 0.72% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9/30/20171
Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund 1.14% N/A 1.89% 0.89% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9/30/20172
Government Income Fund 0.98% N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 9/30/20173

 

 

1 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the class level contractual total operating expense limitation for Class I shares of Focused High Yield Fund to September 30, 2017, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

2 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the class level contractual total operating expense limitations for Class A, Class C and Class I shares of Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund to September 30, 2017, each effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

3 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the class level contractual total operating expense limitation for Class A shares of Government Income Fund to September 30, 2017, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

 

 D-2 
 

 

APPENDIX E

 

Class Specific Contractual Expense Limitations

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

Except as noted, the Adviser contractually agrees to waive and/or reimburse all class-specific expenses for the share classes of the Fund listed in the table below, including Rule 12b-1 fees, transfer agency fees and service fees, shareholder servicing fees and other class-specific expenses, as applicable (“Class Level Expenses”), to the extent they exceed the amount of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) attributable to the class set forth in the table (the “Class Expense Waiver”).

 

The current expense limitation agreements expire on the dates specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

 

 

 

Fund

Class R6 Expiration Date of
Expense Limit
Balanced Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Classic Value Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Disciplined Value International Fund 0.00% 2/28/20181
Emerging Markets Equity Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Enduring Assets Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
ESG All Cap Core Fund 0.00% 2/28/2018
ESG Large Cap Core Fund 0.00% 2/28/2018
Fundamental Large Cap Core Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Global Focused Strategies Fund 0.00% 2/28/2018
Global Real Estate Fund 0.00% 4/30/2017
Seaport Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Small Cap Equity Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Value Equity Fund 0.00% 2/28/2017
Bond Fund 0.00% 9/30/20172
Focused High Yield Fund 0.00% 9/30/20173
Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund 0.00% 9/30/20172
Income Fund 0.00% 9/30/20172
Investment Grade Bond Fund 0.00% 9/30/20172

 

 

1 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the class specific contractual expense limitation for Class R6 shares of Disciplined Value International Fund to February 28, 2018, effective upon the current expiration date of February 28, 2017.

2 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the class specific contractual expense limitations for Class R6 shares of Bond Fund, Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund, Income Fund and Investment Grade Bond Fund to September 30, 2017, each effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

3 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the class specific contractual expense limitation (0.00%) for Class R6 shares of Focused High Yield Fund with an expiration date of September 30, 2017, effective as of the commencement of operations of Class R6 shares of Focused High Yield Fund.

 

 E-1 
 

 

APPENDIX F

 

Fund Level Contractual Limit on Other Expenses

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

The Adviser contractually agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, 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) advisory fees, (f) Rule 12b-1 fees, (g) transfer agent fees and service fees, (h) shareholder servicing fees, (i) borrowing costs, (j) prime brokerage fees, (k) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (l) short dividend expense.

 

“Expense Limit” means the percentage of a Fund’s average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) set forth below.

 

The current expense limitation agreement expires on the date specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

 

 

 

Fund

Limit on Other
Expenses
Expiration Date of
Expense Limit
Greater China Opportunities Fund 0.30% February 28, 2017
Value Equity Fund1 0.04% February 28, 2018

 

 

1 At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the contractual limit on other expenses (0.04%) for Value Equity Fund with an expiration date of February 28, 2018, effective July 1, 2016.

 

 F-1 
 

 

APPENDIX G

 

Fund Level Contractual Investment Management Fee Waivers

 

The Adviser agrees to limit John Hancock Money Market Fund’s management fee to a maximum annual rate of 0.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The limitation will continue until at least July 31, 2017.*

 

*  At the March 8-10, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the expiration date (to July 31, 2017) of the management fee limitation, effective upon the current expiration date of July 31, 2016.

 

The Adviser agrees to limit John Hancock Value Equity Fund’s management fee to a maximum annual rate of 0.66% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The limitation will continue until at least February 28, 2018.*

 

*  At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the lowering of the advisory fee cap (to 0.66%) and the extension of the expiration date (to February 28, 2018) of the management fee limitation, each effective July 1, 2016.

 

The Adviser agrees to limit John Hancock Government Income Fund’s management fee to a maximum annual rate of 0.53% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The limitation will continue until at least September 30, 2017.*

 

*  At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the expiration date (to September 30, 2017) of the management fee limitation, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

 

The Adviser agrees to reduce John Hancock Bond Fund’s management fee by an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The reduction will continue until at least September 30, 2017.*

 

*  At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the extension of the expiration date (to September 30, 2017) of the advisory fee waiver, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2016.

 

The Adviser agrees to reduce John Hancock Enduring Assets Fund’s management fee by an annual rate of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The reduction will continue until at least February 28, 2018.*

 

*    At the June 20-23, 2016 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the advisory fee waiver (0.20%) for John Hancock Enduring Assets Fund with an expiration date of February 28, 2018, effective July 1, 2016.

 

 G-1 
 

 

APPENDIX H

 

Class Level Voluntary Total Operating Expense Limitations

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

“Expenses” means all the expenses of a class of shares of the Fund (including those expenses of the Fund attributable to such class) but excluding: (i) taxes; (ii) portfolio brokerage commissions; (iii) interest expense; (iv) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business; (v) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly; (vi) short dividend expense; and (vii) fees under any agreements or plans of the Fund dealing with services for shareholders and others with beneficial interests in shares of the Fund.

 

“Expense Limit” means the percentage of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) attributable to a class of shares of the Fund set forth below.

 

The Adviser voluntarily agrees to waive advisory fees or, if necessary, reimburse expenses or make payment to a specific class of shares of the Fund (up to the amount of the expenses relating solely to such class of shares), in an amount equal to the amount by which the Expenses of such class of shares exceed the Expense Limit for such class set forth in the table below.

 

The Expense Limit for the classes of shares of the Fund indicated below for the purposes of this Appendix shall be as follows:

 

  Classes                   Expiration
Date of Expense
Limit*
Fund A B C I R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6  
Financial Industries Fund

 

 

N/A

 

 

2.15%

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 
Small Cap Core Fund

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

1.20%

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

*These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be amended or terminated at any time by the Adviser on notice to the Trust.

 

For John Hancock Money Market Fund, the Adviser and its affiliates may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees (including, but not limited to, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees) and/or reimburse certain expenses to the extent necessary to assist the Fund in attempting to avoid a negative yield. In addition, the Adviser and its affiliates have voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of their fees (including, but not limited to, Rule 12b-1 fees) and/or reimburse certain expenses to the extent necessary to assist the fund in attempting to achieve a positive yield. These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be amended or terminated at any time by the Adviser on notice to the Trust.

 

 H-1 
 

 

APPENDIX I

 

Fund Level Voluntary Limit on Other Expenses

 

For purposes of this Appendix:

 

The Adviser voluntarily agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, 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) advisory fees, (f) Rule 12b-1 fees, (g) transfer agent fees and service fees, (h) shareholder servicing fees, (i) borrowing costs, (j) prime brokerage fees, (k) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (l) short dividend expense.

 

 

 

Fund

Limit on Other
Expenses
Expiration Date of
Expense Limit*
Enduring Assets Fund 0.25%  
Global Conservative Absolute Return Fund 0.25%  
Seaport Fund 0.25%  

 

*    These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be amended or terminated at any time by the Adviser on notice to the Trust.

 

 I-1 
 

 

APPENDIX J

 

Fund Level Voluntary Investment Management Fee Waivers

 

None.

 

 J-1