JOHN HANCOCK CLOSED-END FUND PREFERRED INCOME FUND DECLARES MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION

Rhea-AI Summary

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (NYSE:HPI) declared a monthly distribution on Dec 19, 2025 with an ex-date and record date of Dec 29, 2025 and a payment date of Jan 30, 2026. The declared distribution per share is $0.1235; market price as of Dec 18, 2025 was $16.47, implying an annualized distribution rate of 9.00% at market.

The Fund accelerated the January 2026 declaration and dates so it can meet its 2025 federal excise tax distribution requirement; regular monthly scheduling is expected to resume in Feb 2026. A portion of the distribution may include return of capital; tax characterization will be provided at payment and on Form 1099-DIV.

Positive

• Declared distribution per share of $0.1235
• Annualized distribution rate of 9.00% at market price $16.47
• Accelerated payment to meet 2025 federal excise tax requirement

Negative

• Portion of the distribution may be a return of capital
• Distribution timing changed; January payment moved to Jan 30, 2026

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BOSTON, Dec. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The John Hancock closed-end Preferred Income Fund declared its monthly distribution today as follows:

Declaration Date:	December 19, 2025
Ex Date:	December 29, 2025
Record Date:	December 29, 2025
Payment Date:	January 30, 2026

Ticker	Fund Name	Distribution Per Share	Change From Previous Distribution	Market Price as of 12/18/2025	Annualized Current Distribution Rate at Market
HPI	Preferred Income Fund I	$0.1235	-	$16.47	9.00 %

The Fund listed above has accelerated the declaration, ex-date, and record date of the regularly scheduled January 2026 distribution in order for the Fund to meet its 2025 distribution requirement for federal excise tax purposes. In February 2026, the above Fund expects to resume its regular monthly declaration, distribution and payment schedule.

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A portion of a Fund's current distribution may include sources other than net investment income, including a return of capital. Investors should understand that a return of capital is not a distribution from income or gains of a Fund. As required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a notice with the estimated components of the distribution will be sent to shareholders at the time of payment if it does not consist solely of net investment income. Such notice will also be posted to the Funds' website at www.jhinvestments.com. The notice should not be used to prepare tax returns as the estimates indicated in the notice may differ from the ultimate federal income tax characterization of distributions. After the end of each calendar year, investors will be sent a Form 1099-DIV informing them how to report distributions received during that year for federal income tax purposes.

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 John Hancock Investment Management 
A company of Manulife Investment Management, 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 manulifeim.com.

Media Contact:
Gordon Haight 
(617) 572-0034 

Investor Contact:
(800) 843-0090

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-closed-end-fund-preferred-income-fund-declares-monthly-distribution-302647334.html

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management

FAQ

What distribution did John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) declare on Dec 19, 2025?

The Fund declared a monthly distribution of $0.1235 per share on Dec 19, 2025.

When are the ex-date and payment date for HPI's Dec 19, 2025 distribution?

The ex-date and record date are Dec 29, 2025 and the payment date is Jan 30, 2026.

Why did HPI accelerate its January 2026 distribution declaration?

The Fund accelerated dates to meet its 2025 federal excise tax distribution requirement.

What is HPI's annualized distribution rate and market price referenced in the announcement?

Market price was $16.47 (as of Dec 18, 2025), implying an annualized distribution rate of 9.00%.

Will any part of HPI's distribution be treated as return of capital?

Yes; the notice states a portion may include return of capital and tax character will be provided at payment.

When will HPI resume its regular monthly distribution schedule?

The Fund expects to resume its regular monthly declaration, distribution, and payment schedule in Feb 2026.