John Hancock Closed-End Funds Declare Monthly Distributions

John Hancock Investment Management, a division of Manulife Investment Management, has announced the monthly distributions for several of its closed-end funds. These distributions are part of the funds' managed distribution plans, which aim to provide a stable income stream to investors. The declared distributions for January 2025 are as follows:

1. John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (HEQ):
* Distribution: $0.2500 per share
* Change from previous distribution: No change
* Market price as of Dec 31, 2024: $10.05
* Annualized current distribution rate at market: 9.95%
2. John Hancock Income Securities Trust (JHS):
* Distribution: $0.2017 per share
* Change from previous distribution: $0.0885 increase
* Market price as of Dec 31, 2024: $10.50
* Annualized current distribution rate at market: 7.02%
3. John Hancock Investors Trust (JHI):
* Distribution: $0.3455 per share
* Change from previous distribution: $0.0321 increase
* Market price as of Dec 31, 2024: $12.61
* Annualized current distribution rate at market: 9.72%
4. John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (BTO):
* Distribution: $0.6500 per share
* Change from previous distribution: No change
* Market price as of Dec 31, 2024: $26.89
* Annualized current distribution rate at market: 9.67%



The declared distributions for these funds align with their historical trends and market expectations. The annualized current distribution rates at market for these funds range from 7.02% to 9.95%, which is generally higher than those of similar funds or market benchmarks. This may appeal to investors seeking income-oriented investments. However, investors should be aware of the potential risks associated with these higher yields and conduct thorough research before investing.



In conclusion, the John Hancock closed-end funds have declared monthly distributions for January 2025, with the HEQ and BTO funds maintaining their fixed distribution amounts, while JHS and JHI funds have increased their distributions. These distributions align with the funds' historical trends and market expectations, offering higher yields compared to similar funds or market benchmarks. Investors should carefully evaluate the risks and potential returns before making investment decisions.