John Hancock Investments Named 'Best New ETF Issuer' at ETF.com Awards

BOSTON, March 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Investments was named "Best New ETF Issuer" for 2015 at the third annual ETF.com Awards event last week in New York City. The award honors the "new ETF issuer that has done the most to improve investor outcomes through product introductions, product performance, fund management, investor support and innovation."  

The ETF.com citation read:  "John Hancock's high-profile entry into the ETF market is notable for its partnership with Dimensional Fund Advisors, which powers the methodology behind the John Hancock ETFs. The multifactor methodology, emphasizing value as well as profit factors, makes DFA-style exposures available to all investors for the first time; traditionally, DFA funds were only available to advisors operating inside the DFA program."

John Hancock Investments in September of 2015 launched six strategic beta John Hancock Multifactor ETFs, with underlying indexes designed by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP — a company regarded as one of the pioneers in strategic beta investing—in line with Dimensional's time-tested factor-based approach. Each passively managed John Hancock Multifactor ETF seeks to provide investment results that closely correspond, before fees and expenses, to the performance of a Dimensional-designed index.

"We're honored to receive this recognition from ETF.com, as we bring our manager-of-managers approach to the world of strategic beta ETFs," said Andrew G. Arnott, President & CEO of John Hancock Investments. "Investors are facing a proliferation of ETF strategies today, and many investors are looking for more than just low-cost access to markets. For those reasons, we wanted to develop an ETF product that seeks to address investor needs for performance potential, backed by an investment approach rooted in decades of academic research."

John Hancock Investments' Multifactor ETFs include:   

• John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (NYSE Arca: JHML)
• John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSE Arca: JHMM)
• John Hancock Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF (NYSE Arca: JHMC)
• John Hancock Multifactor Financials ETF (NYSE Arca: JHMF)
• John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF (NYSE Arca: JHMH)
• John Hancock Multifactor Technology ETF (NYSE Arca: JHMT)

Finalists for "Best New ETF Issuer" included:  BioShares. Lattice Strategies, Legg Mason, and Pacer Financial.

Founded in 2001, ETF.com is a source for information on exchange-traded funds, and for news, analysis and education about ETFs on its website (ETF.com) and print publication (ETF Report). The third annual ETF.com Awards honored products, people and companies that made a difference in the ETF industry in 2015.

Large company stocks could fall out of favor. The stock prices of midsize and small companies can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large companies, and value stocks may decline in price. A portfolio concentrated in one industry or sector or that holds a limited number of securities may fluctuate more than a diversified portfolio. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market, and a fund's holdings and returns may deviate from those of its index. These variations may be greater when markets are volatile or subject to unusual conditions. Errors in the construction or calculation of a fund's index may occur from time to time. Please see the funds' prospectuses for additional risks.

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Neither John Hancock Advisers, LLC nor Dimensional Fund Advisors LP guarantees the accuracy and/or completeness of an index (each an underlying index) or any data included therein, and neither John Hancock Advisers, LLC nor Dimensional Fund Advisors LP shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Neither John Hancock Advisers, LLC nor Dimensional Fund Advisors LP makes any warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by a fund, owners of the shares of a fund, or any other person or entity from the use of an underlying index, trading based on an underlying index, or any data included therein, either in connection with a fund or for any other use. Neither John Hancock Advisers, LLC nor Dimensional Fund Advisors LP makes any express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties, of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to an underlying index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall either John Hancock Advisers, LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages, including lost profits, arising out of matters relating to the use of an underlying index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Funds, LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

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 800-225-6020, 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

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-investments-named-best-new-etf-issuer-at-etfcom-awards-300238361.html

SOURCE John Hancock Investments