Dividend Information About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund: Key Details Before the Ex-Dividend Date on Sep 12, 2025

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) has announced its upcoming dividend distribution, with an ex-dividend date set for Sep 12, 2025. Investors who purchase shares on or after this date will not be eligible to receive the dividend. The dividend payment, amounting to $0.1235 per share, will be distributed on Sep 30, 2025. The announcement was made on Sep 2, 2025, providing shareholders with a brief window to act before the ex-dividend date. This upcoming payout is slightly lower than the average of the last 10 dividends, which stood at approximately $0.1415 per share. The dividend type is cash, and it aligns with the fund’s recent pattern of consistent but modest payouts, with the last dividend also issued at $0.1235 per share on Aug 29, 2025. Investors are advised to consider this timing when planning their portfolio adjustments around dividend eligibility.

Recently, market attention has turned to the performance and structure of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (HPS), which is often compared to HPI in terms of dividend yields and investment strategy. Over the past week, several reports highlighted the broader fund family, including HPI, as offering appealing returns for income-oriented investors. Analysts indicated that HPI has maintained a forward dividend yield of 9.06%, with an expected annual payout of $1.48. However, the lack of dividend growth over the past five years—marked by a negative 0.22% growth rate—has raised some concerns about the fund’s ability to sustain or increase payouts in the long term. Additionally, financial data from recent filings suggests that HPI has seen mixed performance relative to broader market benchmarks, with its price-to-earnings ratio and overall profitability trends warranting closer scrutiny. Since the last update, the fund’s financials have remained stable, but investors are advised to monitor any potential changes in its revenue streams or asset allocation that may affect future performance.

As of late, industry observers have noted a shift in investor interest toward closed-end funds like HPI, particularly those offering monthly payouts and relatively high yields. Over the past week, reports suggested that HPI’s revenue and profit trends, visualized through waterfall charts and financial statements, showed a consistent but slow-moving trajectory. Although the fund has not reported significant capital appreciation, its appeal remains strong among income-focused investors. The recent absence of dividend history data for HPI has also prompted discussions about the transparency of its payout records, with some analysts calling for more detailed disclosures. The broader market context, including comparisons with the S&P 500 and other benchmarks, indicates that HPI has underperformed in terms of price growth, but its consistent income stream continues to attract a steady investor base.

The ex-dividend date for this dividend is Sep 12, 2025, and investors must be aware that any purchase made on or after this date will not qualify for the dividend payment. This date serves as a critical deadline for those seeking to participate in the upcoming payout.