Fund Complex: John Hancock Investments
Management Company: John Hancock Advisers, LLC, sub-advisor-Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Inc.
Funds Affected: JHancock ESG Core Bond Fund
Sustainable Investing Strategy: ESG Integration
Summary:
The fund’s manager utilizes an investment process that combines fundamental credit research with analysis of ESG metrics. Environmental assessment involves issues such as carbon emissions, pollution, and renewable energy. Social assessment involves issues such as supply chain, discrimination, and human rights. Governance assessment involves issues such as executive compensation, ownership and control, and diverse and independent directors.
The fund’s manager has an investment committee that sets duration parameters, yield curve positioning/maturity distribution, and asset allocation parameters for the fund. The manager primarily allocates fund assets among corporate bonds, municipal bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, and government-related securities according to these parameters. Asset allocation decisions are paired with the manager’s fundamental credit research and ESG analysis to determine which securities the fund will invest in. Under normal circumstances, the manager expects to allocate a portion of the fund’s portfolio to each of corporate bonds, municipal bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, and government-related securities.
Potential corporate bond investments are evaluated using a proprietary framework that aggregates material metrics and information from ESG research providers and other third-party sources. The manager selects corporate bond investments that it considers to be best in class relative to their peers based on a set of factors specific to each sector, such as technology, energy, or financials. Corporate bond investments the manager views as best in class are those that have a favorable or above-average ESG profile relative to their peers. Factors resulting in a “best in class” ESG profile may include low or improving pollution or emissions, exemplary health and safety records, minimal risk related to controversies, strong disclosure and transparency policies, and independent board member representation. The manager may also elect to purchase corporate bonds where the proceeds of those bonds are specifically earmarked to fund projects or initiatives that have positive environmental and/or social benefits.
Potential municipal bond investments are evaluated according to the manager’s assessment of material ESG issues relevant to a specific sector, such as school districts, public utilities, or hospitals. The manager selects municipal bond investments that it considers to be best in class relative to their peers, based on a set of factors specific to each sector and an evaluation of the issuer’s use of proceeds. Factors resulting in a “best in class” ESG profile may include environmental initiatives, income distribution and median income trends, employment sector diversity, and access to high-quality and affordable school systems, housing, and healthcare.
Potential mortgage-backed securities eligibility is based on the proceeds of the bonds which are used to provide stability, affordability, and liquidity to the U.S. housing market and foster sustainable home ownership. Potential commercial mortgage-backed securities eligibility is based on the proceeds of the bonds which are used to provide stability, affordability, and liquidity to the U.S. commercial real estate market including agency programs that support multifamily housing.
Potential asset-backed securities (ABS) are evaluated according to the manager’s assessment of material ESG issues for the underlying ABS corporate sponsor such as banks, brokers and finance companies. ABS investments that the manager views as “best in class” are those where the underlying sponsor has a favorable or above-average ESG profile relative to their peers. Material ESG factors are assessed using a proprietary framework that aggregates material metrics and information from ESG research providers and other third-party sources. The manager may also elect to purchase ABS bonds where the proceeds of those bonds are specifically earmarked to fund projects or initiatives that have positive environmental and/or social benefits.
The manager may elect to upgrade or downgrade its opinion of a corporation or municipality’s ESG profile, which could impact whether the manager buys or sells a bond issued by that particular entity.
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