John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (HPS) names Gaurav Hans Saini, a director of the advisor, as a reporting person in a Form 3.
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (HPS) reported a 3.82% one-year total return at net asset value for the year ended July 31, 2026; its market-price return was 8.52%, compared with 4.14% for the ICE BofA U.S. All Capital Securities Index. The fund said preferred-security income offset much, but not all, of falling prices as expectations for interest-rate cuts receded. Bank of America convertible preferred securities and PG&E were among contributors; Strategy and FMC were among detractors.
Net investment income was $31,411,513, and net assets were $435,720,509 at year-end. Net assets increased by $17,711,543 from operations, compared with $38,932,549 in the prior year. Distributions totaled $42,457,287, including $9,749,781 classified as return of capital. Credit-facility borrowings were $274,300,000 at 4.38% as of July 31, 2026; the facility permits borrowing up to $309.5 million.
The Board approved a fiscal-year-end change from July 31 to October 31, effective August 1, 2026. Caryn Rothman and Jonas Grazulis ceased serving as portfolio managers effective October 30, 2025.
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (HPS) identifies Elisabeth Christino Stoll as Vice President, Investments, in an initial ownership statement.
JOHN HANCOCK PREFERRED INCOME FUND III director Christine Hurtsellers reported buying a total of 808.902 Common Shares of Beneficial Interest in open-market transactions on May 6, 2026. The purchases were made at prices around $14.83–$14.84 per share and are held directly.
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III director reports open-market share purchase. Director Kenneth J. Phelan bought 682.662 common shares of beneficial interest in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III on January 26, 2026, in a transaction coded "P" for purchase. The reported price per share is $14.65, and following this transaction he beneficially owns 682.662 shares in direct form. The filing notes that these figures are approximate because, given the timing of the fund’s net asset value determination, the exact price per share and corresponding share amount cannot be finalized at the time of the report.
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III, together with several related John Hancock closed-end funds, is calling an annual shareholder meeting to elect six Trustees. The meeting is scheduled for February 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
Shareholders of record as of November 25, 2025 may vote on Proposal 1, which would elect six Trustees—James R. Boyle, Kristie M. Feinberg, Grace K. Fey, Christine L. Hurtsellers, Hassell H. McClellan, and Kenneth J. Phelan—to serve until the 2029 annual meeting. The Board is largely independent and uses a staggered structure, so only part of the Board stands for election each year.
The Board of Trustees unanimously recommends voting FOR each nominee. Shareholders can vote by mail, telephone, Internet, or in person, and the funds emphasize prompt voting to avoid additional solicitation costs that are borne by the funds.
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (HPS) filed an initial ownership report for a director as of 11/12/2025. The filing states that the reporting person serves as a director of the closed-end fund but currently has no securities beneficially owned, either non-derivative or derivative. This is an administrative disclosure required for insiders under securities rules and does not describe any stock purchases, sales, or option holdings.
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III (HPS) filed an initial ownership report (Form 3) for a director as of 11/12/2025. The filing states that the reporting person serves as a Director of the fund and that, according to the explanation of responses, no securities are beneficially owned. The form is filed on behalf of one reporting person, with the signature executed by Thomas W. Dee acting under a power of attorney.