JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS - SOURCES OF DISTRIBUTION UNDER SECTION 19(a)

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) announced a quarterly distribution of $0.6500 per share payable March 31, 2026 to shareholders of record March 12, 2026 under its managed distribution plan.

Rhea-AI Summary

John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE:BTO) announced a quarterly distribution of $0.6500 per share payable March 31, 2026 to shareholders of record March 12, 2026 under its managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates the distribution sources as 22% net investment income, 3% short-term gains, 67% long-term gains and 8% return of capital. Annualized distribution rate as of Feb 28, 2026 was 7.03% of NAV.

Positive

• $0.6500 per share quarterly distribution declared
• 67% of distribution sourced from long-term capital gains
• Annualized distribution rate 7.03% of NAV

Negative

• Return of capital comprises 8% of the distribution
• Fund estimates it distributed more than income and realized gains

Argus Apr 1 session

-0.84% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – BTO

On Apr 1, the first trading day after this news, BTO closed 0.84% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 1 session.

Key Figures

Quarterly distribution: $0.6500 per share Net investment income portion: $0.1404 (22%) Short-term gains portion: $0.0193 (3%) +5 more

Quarterly distribution

$0.6500 per share

Managed distribution plan, payable March 31, 2026

Net investment income portion

$0.1404 (22%)

Source of current March 2026 distribution

Short-term gains portion

$0.0193 (3%)

Source of current March 2026 distribution

Long-term gains portion

$0.4385 (67%)

Source of current March 2026 distribution

Return of capital portion

$0.0518 (8%)

Source of current March 2026 distribution

5-year avg total return

9.60%

Average annual total return at NAV, 5 years to Feb 28, 2026

Current distribution rate

7.03% of NAV

Annualized rate as of Feb 28, 2026

YTD total return

2.61%

Cumulative fiscal-year total return at NAV to Feb 28, 2026

Historical Context

2 past events · Latest: Jan 13

2 events

1. Jan 13

   Earnings update

   24h Move

   +0.6%

   Reported higher net investment income and per-share income versus prior period.

2. Dec 31

   Distribution notice

   24h Move

   +0.6%

   Detailed $0.6500 quarterly managed distribution and its gains-driven composition.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

managed distribution plan, net investment income, net realized short term capital gains, net realized long term capital gains, +4 more

8 terms

managed distribution plan financial

"pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan."

A managed distribution plan is a company’s program to pay regular, predictable cash amounts to shareholders by setting a fixed schedule and target payout, often funded from operating cash, reserves, or return of capital. Think of it like a household budget that guarantees a monthly allowance: it provides steady income for investors but can mask when distributions exceed sustainable earnings, which may reduce the company’s capital over time and affect long‑term value.

net investment income financial

"from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains;"

Net investment income is the money an investor or fund actually keeps from its investments after subtracting the costs of running those investments (like management fees, interest, and losses). Think of it as your paycheck from owning assets: gross returns minus the bills needed to earn them. Investors watch it because it shows how profitable the investment activities are, influences dividend payouts and cash available for growth, and helps compare true performance across funds or companies.

net realized short term capital gains financial

"net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term"

Net realized short term capital gains are the profits a person or fund actually pockets from selling investments held for one year or less, after subtracting any short-term losses or related offsets. Investors care because these gains are taxed like ordinary income, reducing after-tax returns and influencing decisions about when to sell assets; think of it like selling items at a garage sale and paying tax only on the total profit after accounting for any items you sold at a loss.

net realized long term capital gains financial

"net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return"

Net realized long-term capital gains are the total profit an investor actually locks in from selling investments held longer than one year, after subtracting any losses and offsets. Think of it like the cleaned-up harvest from a season: it’s the money left over after you count both the good crops and the spoiled ones. Investors care because these gains usually get taxed at lower rates than short-term profits and can affect after-tax returns and reported fund distributions.

return of capital financial

"a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital."

Return of capital is when an investor receives money from their investment that is not considered profit or earnings but rather a portion of the original amount they invested. It’s similar to getting back part of your initial savings rather than gains from it. This matters because it can affect how much money an investor still has in the investment and may have tax implications.

net asset value financial

"Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended"

Net asset value is the total value of an investment fund's assets minus any liabilities, divided by the number of shares or units outstanding. It represents the per-share worth of the fund, similar to how the value of a house is determined by its total worth after debts are subtracted. Investors use it to gauge the true value of their holdings and to compare different investment options.

View in glossary

Form 1099-DIV regulatory

"The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year"

Form 1099-DIV is a U.S. tax document brokers, mutual funds and other financial institutions send to investors showing dividends and other distributions paid during the year. Investors use it like an annual receipt to report taxable income — including regular dividends, dividends that may qualify for lower tax rates, and capital gains distributions — so it directly affects tax liability and helps reconcile brokerage records with a tax return.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws."

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.6500 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of March 12, 2026, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) with important information concerning the distribution declared on March 2, 2026, and payable on March 31, 2026. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period:	March 2026
Distribution Amount Per Common Share:	$0.6500

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable March 31, 2026, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

		For the period 01/01/2026-03/31/2026				For the fiscal year-to-date period 01/01/2026-03/31/2026 1
Source		Current Distribution ($)		% Breakdown of the Current Distribution		Total Cumulative Distributions ($)		% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions
Net Investment Income		0.1404		22 %		0.1404		22 %
Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains		0.0193		3 %		0.0193		3 %
Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains		0.4385		67 %		0.4385		67 %
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source		0.0518		8 %		0.0518		8 %
Total per common share		0.6500		100 %		0.6500		100 %
____________________
1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2026 and will end on December 31, 2026.
Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on February 28, 2026								9.60 %
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2026								7.03 %
Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through February 28, 2026								2.61 %
Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2026								1.76 %

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the March 2026 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.6500 per share.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About Manulife John Hancock Investments

We serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto, our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Media Contact:	Gordon Haight (617) 572-0034
Investor Contact:	(800) 843-0090

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-financial-opportunities-fund-notice-to-shareholders--sources-of-distribution-under-section-19a-302730610.html

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What distribution did John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (BTO) declare for March 2026?

The Fund declared a quarterly distribution of $0.6500 per share, payable March 31, 2026. According to the company, shareholders of record on March 12, 2026 are eligible under its managed distribution plan.

How much of BTO's March 2026 distribution is return of capital?

Return of capital accounts for 8% of the $0.6500 distribution. According to the company, this is an estimate and may affect cost basis and tax reporting for shareholders.

What are the stated sources of BTO's March 2026 distribution by percentage?

The distribution breakdown was 22% net investment income, 3% short-term gains, 67% long-term gains, and 8% return of capital. According to the company, these figures are estimated for the period Jan 1–Mar 31, 2026.

What is BTO's annualized current distribution rate as of February 28, 2026?

The annualized current distribution rate was 7.03% of NAV as of February 28, 2026. According to the company, this rate relates to the Fund's stated distribution policy and NAV on that date.

Will the March 2026 BTO distribution affect my taxes and how will I be informed?

Tax treatment depends on final tax reporting; the amounts here are estimates. According to the company, shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year with final tax breakdowns.