John Hancock Investments Launches New John Hancock Value Equity Fund

BOSTON, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Investments has launched the John Hancock Value Equity Fund, the firm announced today. The new Fund (Class A:  JVEAX) is managed by a team of portfolio managers at Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC of Dallas, one of the largest value-oriented equity managers in the U.S.

"As part of our intensive manager selection process, we have chosen Barrow Hanley to manage this new Fund," said Andrew G. Arnott, President and CEO, John Hancock Investments.  "This represents another example of our time tested manager of managers approach that we have had in place since 1997. We search the globe to find portfolio management teams, with a consistent and repeatable process, who are focused on delivering competitive returns on a risk-adjusted basis."

The John Hancock Value Equity Fund invests primarily in common stocks of value-oriented companies, which generally have, among other characteristics, lower price-to-book ratios, lower forecasted growth values, and higher dividend yields relative to the broader market. The Fund's managers take a risk-aware approach, as they aim to keep pace in rising markets and to protect assets in falling markets through disciplined risk control and diversification.

"With the addition of Barrow Hanley to our platform, we were able to add a well-respected institutional manager that historically has delivered strong and consistent performance across a variety of market environments," said Leo Zerilli, head of the Investment Division at John Hancock Investments."  Barrow Hanley has a long history of demonstrating a commitment to traditional value investing and offers a differentiated investment approach from our existing lineup of value managers, further broadening the range of value-oriented equity managers we are able to offer investors."

The portfolio management team at Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss includes Mark Giambrone, Michael Nayfa, CFA, and Terry Pelzel, CFA. Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC is a subsidiary of Old Mutual Asset Management (US) LLC, which is a subsidiary of Old Mutual plc, a global financial services organization.  The firm is an SEC-registered investment advisor with approximately $93.5 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2014.

A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other 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. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

About John Hancock Investments
John Hancock Investments provides asset management services to individuals and institutions through a unique manager-of-managers approach. We combine unbiased asset management with vigorous investment oversight to offer investors a deeper level of diversification and strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes. A wealth management business of John Hancock Financial, we managed more than $117 billion in assets as of March 31, 2014, across mutual funds, college savings plans, and retirement plans.

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. Funds under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were C$635 billion (US$574 billion) as at March 31, 2014. 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.

SOURCE John Hancock Investments