John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund (HTY) N-CSRCertified annual shareholder report (management investment company)

John Hancock

Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund

Ticker: HTY
Annual report 10/31/19

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the fund's shareholder reports such as this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the transfer agent or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on our website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and be provided with a website link to access the report.

If you have already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically by calling the transfer agent, Computershare, at 800-852-0218, by going to "Communication Preferences" at computershare.com/investor, or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all reports in paper, free of charge, at any time. You can inform the transfer agent or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions listed above. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with John Hancock Investment Management or your financial intermediary.

Dear shareholder,

It was a volatile time for global stock investors during the 12 months ended October 31, 2019, although many segments of the market delivered attractive absolute returns for the period. Uncertainty surrounding global trade, a slowdown in China, sluggish growth in Europe, and the latest Brexit developments led to some dramatic swings in performance. Central banks introduced stimulative measures late in the period, with the U.S. Federal Reserve cutting interest rates three times and the European Central Bank rolling out a sweeping package of monetary and fiscal support for the eurozone economy.

Economic fundamentals around the globe are relatively mixed today, with the United States appearing fairly healthy, Europe on decidedly less stable footing, and emerging economies on divergent paths. With an uncertain outlook, it's safe to say there are sure to be patches of market turbulence as the year goes on. As always, your best resource in unpredictable markets is your financial advisor, who can help position your portfolio so that it's sufficiently diversified to meet your long-term objectives and to withstand the inevitable bouts of market volatility along the way.      

On behalf of everyone at John Hancock Investment Management, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome new shareholders and thank existing shareholders for the continued trust you've placed in us.

Sincerely,

Andrew G. Arnott
President and CEO,
John Hancock Investment Management
Head of Wealth and Asset Management,
United States and Europe

This commentary reflects the CEO's views as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate risk of loss. All investments entail risks, including the possible loss of principal. For more up-to-date information, you can visit our website at jhinvestments.com.

John Hancock
Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund

Table of contents

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The fund seeks to provide total return consisting of a high level of current income and gains and long-term capital appreciation. The fund will seek to achieve favorable after-tax returns for shareholders by seeking to minimize the U.S. federal income tax consequences on income and gains generated by the fund.

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF 10/31/19 (%)

The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets.

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Index figures do not reflect expenses or sales charges, which would result in lower returns.

The performance data contained within this material represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results.

Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and a shareholder may sustain losses. Further, the fund's performance at net asset value (NAV) is different from the fund's performance at closing market price because the closing market price is subject to the dynamics of secondary market trading. Market risk may be augmented when shares are purchased at a premium to NAV or sold at a discount to NAV. Current month-end performance may be higher or lower than the performance cited. The fund's most recent performance can be found at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-852-0218.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS

Accommodative policy supported equity gains

Global stocks delivered solid performance amid increased volatility, with easing monetary policy from central banks overcoming an ongoing trade war and slowing global economic growth.

Limited exposure to growth sectors affected performance

The fund had a positive return at NAV but underperformed its comparative index, the MSCI World Index, due to stock selection in the consumer staples and communication services sectors, an overweight in energy, and lower exposure to information technology.

Utilities and financial stocks had a positive influence

Stock selection in the utilities and financials sectors and an overweight in utilities contributed the most to relative results.

SECTOR COMPOSITION AS OF 10/31/19 (%)

A note about risks

As is the case with all exchange-listed closed-end funds, shares of this fund may trade at a discount or a premium to the fund's net asset value (NAV). An investment in the fund is subject to investment and market risks, including the possible loss of the entire principal invested. The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in its financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Foreign investing, especially in emerging markets, has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability. There is no guarantee prior distribution levels will be maintained, and distributions may include a substantial return of capital. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the fund's aggregate distributions included a tax return of capital of $0.22 per share, or 34% of aggregate distributions, which may increase the potential tax gain or decrease the potential tax loss of a subsequent sale of shares of the fund. See the financial highlights and notes to the financial statements for details of the return of capital and risks associated with distributions made by the fund. Fixed-income investments are subject to interest-rate and credit risk; their value will normally decline as interest rates rise or if an issuer, grantor, or counterparty is unable or unwilling to make principal, interest, or settlement payments. Investments in higher-yielding, lower-rated securities are subject to a higher risk of default. An issuer of securities held by the fund may default, have its credit rating downgraded, or otherwise perform poorly, which may affect fund performance. Liquidity—the extent to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively affecting its market value—may be impaired by reduced trading volume, heightened volatility, rising interest rates, and other market conditions. Focusing on a particular industry or sector may increase the fund's volatility and make it more susceptible to market, economic, and regulatory risks as well as other factors affecting those industries or sectors. Derivatives transactions, such as hedging and other strategic transactions, may increase a fund's volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund's principal investment. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a fund or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Similar incidents affecting issuers of fund securities may negatively impact performance.

What factors affected global equity markets during the 12 months ended October 31, 2019?

Global equities withstood increasing periods of volatility to deliver solid returns. A continued trade standoff between the United States and China, as well as signs of slowing global growth, centered in manufacturing, were the primary risks during the period. Global monetary policy, meanwhile, turned accommodative, with the U.S. Federal Reserve reducing its interest-rate target three times and the European Central Bank announcing plans to resume quantitative easing. The fund's benchmark, the MSCI World Index, advanced 12.7%, led by the income-oriented real estate and utilities sectors as well as information technology, communication services, and industrials; financials and healthcare lagged the market.

How did the fund respond to these market conditions?

Amid a backdrop of increased volatility and slowing global growth, the yield-oriented companies that we favor outperformed, and while the fund produced a positive return, it underperformed its benchmark. Asset allocation detracted from relative performance while stock selection contributed. Stock selection in the financials, utilities, and consumer discretionary sectors and an overweight in utilities were the primary contributors. Stock selection in the consumer staples and communication services sectors as well as an overweight in energy and an underweight in information technology hurt performance.

What were the main areas of weakness?

Kraft Heinz Company, a North American packaged food and beverage company, was among the leading detractors following disappointing results and an abrupt

change in its capital allocation policy. Occidental Petroleum Corp., a global oil and natural gas exploration and production company, underperformed as deteriorating trade negotiations led to investor concerns on global oil demand and falling oil and gas prices.

Which holdings contributed the most to performance?

Utilities were among the top individual contributors for the period, led by Entergy Corp., a U.S.-based power producer. Shares outperformed as market volatility increased, interest rates declined, and investors gained further confidence in its exit of unregulated merchant power generation businesses. Munich Re, a global company engaged in reinsurance and primary insurance across life and property and casualty markets, was also among the leading contributors due to a better pricing environment and outlook for reinsurers.

What changes did you make during the period?

We added more than 10 new positions, including CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a U.S. utility involved in electricity generation and natural gas distribution that generates cash flow from regulated and nonutility businesses, and Darden Restaurants, Inc., which sustains cash flows through market leadership and scale of its eight U.S. dining brands. We also closed more than 10 positions, including Vodafone Group, PLC, a global provider of telecommunication services, which lowered its dividend due to increased competition, and risk management firm Arthur J. Gallagher & Company, where share price appreciation compressed the dividend yield.

MANAGED BY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Unaudited

Investment objective and policy

The fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company, common shares of which were initially offered to the public in 2007. The fund's investment objective is to provide total return consisting of a high level of current income and gains and long term capital appreciation. In pursuing its investment objective of total return, the fund will seek to emphasize high current income. The fund will seek to achieve favorable after-tax returns for its shareholders by seeking to minimize the U.S. federal income tax consequences on income and gains generated by the fund. Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying securities of issuers located throughout the world. The fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in this 80% investment policy. The fund also intends to write (sell) call options on a variety of both U.S. and non-U.S. broad-based indices.

Dividends and distributions

During the year ended October 31, 2019, distributions from net investment income totaling $0.6400 per share were paid to shareholders. The dates of payments and the amounts per share were as follows:

* A portion of the distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital at the fiscal year end.

Dividend reinvestment plan

The fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan) provides that distributions of dividends and capital gains are automatically reinvested in common shares of the fund by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Plan Agent). Every shareholder holding at least one full share of the fund is entitled to participate in the Plan. In addition, every shareholder who became a shareholder of the fund after June 30, 2011, and holds at least one full share of the fund will be automatically enrolled in the Plan. Shareholders may withdraw from the Plan at any time and shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash.

If the fund declares a dividend or distribution payable either in cash or in common shares of the fund and the market price of shares on the payment date for the distribution or dividend equals or exceeds the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), the fund will issue common shares to participants at a value equal to the higher of NAV or 95% of the market price. The number of additional shares to be credited to each participant's account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution or dividend by the higher of NAV or 95% of the market price. If the market price is lower than NAV, or if dividends or distributions are payable only in cash, then participants will receive shares purchased by the Plan Agent on participants' behalf on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market. If the market price exceeds NAV before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the average per share purchase price may exceed NAV, resulting in fewer shares being acquired than if the fund had issued new shares.

There are no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the fund. However, whenever shares are purchased or sold on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market, each participant will pay a pro rata portion of

brokerage trading fees, currently $0.05 per share purchased or sold. Brokerage trading fees will be deducted from amounts to be invested.

The reinvestment of dividends and net capital gains distributions does not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Shareholders participating in the Plan may buy additional shares of the fund through the Plan at any time in amounts of at least $50 per investment, up to a maximum of $10,000, with a total calendar year limit of $100,000. Shareholders will be charged a $5 transaction fee plus $0.05 per share brokerage trading fee for each order. Purchases of additional shares of the fund will be made on the open market. Shareholders who elect to utilize monthly electronic fund transfers to buy additional shares of the fund will be charged a $2 transaction fee plus $0.05 per share brokerage trading fee for each automatic purchase. Shareholders can also sell fund shares held in the Plan account at any time by contacting the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent's website at www.computershare.com/investor. The Plan Agent will mail a check (less applicable brokerage trading fees) on settlement date. Pursuant to regulatory changes, effective September 5, 2017, the settlement date is changed from three business days after the shares have been sold to two business days after the shares have been sold. If shareholders choose to sell shares through their stockbroker, they will need to request that the Plan Agent electronically transfer those shares to their stockbroker through the Direct Registration System.

Shareholders participating in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan at any time by contacting the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent's website at www.computershare.com/investor. Such termination will be effective immediately if the notice is received by the Plan Agent prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution, with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. If shareholders withdraw from the Plan, their shares will be credited to their account; or, if they wish, the Plan Agent will sell their full and fractional shares and send the shareholders the proceeds, less a transaction fee of $5 and less brokerage trading fees of $0.05 per share. If a shareholder does not maintain at least one whole share of common stock in the Plan account, the Plan Agent may terminate such shareholder's participation in the Plan after written notice. Upon termination, shareholders will be sent a check for the cash value of any fractional share in the Plan account, less any applicable broker commissions and taxes.

Shareholders who hold at least one full share of the fund may join the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent's website at www.computershare.com/investor. If received in proper form by the Plan Agent before the record date of a dividend, the election will be effective with respect to all dividends paid after such record date. If shareholders wish to participate in the Plan and their shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, shareholders should contact their nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan. If shareholders wish to participate in the Plan, but their brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is unable to participate on their behalf, they will need to request that their shares be re-registered in their own name, or they will not be able to participate. The Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by shareholders as representing the total amount registered in their name and held for their account by their nominee.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan. Participants generally will receive written notice at least 90 days before the effective date of any amendment. In the case of termination, participants will receive written notice at least 90 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the fund.

Effective November 1, 2013, the Plan was revised to provide that Computershare Trust Company, N.A. no longer provides mail loss insurance coverage when shareholders mail their certificates to the fund's administrator.

All correspondence or requests for additional information about the Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at the address stated below, or by calling 800-852-0218, 201-680-6578 (For International Telephone Inquiries) and 800-952-9245 (For the Hearing Impaired (TDD)).

Shareholder communication and assistance

If you have any questions concerning the fund, we will be pleased to assist you. If you hold shares in your own name and not with a brokerage firm, please address all notices, correspondence, questions or other communications regarding the fund to the transfer agent at:

Regular Mail:
Computershare
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233

Registered or Overnight Mail:
Computershare
462 South 4^th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202

If your shares are held with a brokerage firm, you should contact that firm, bank or other nominee for assistance.

Continuation of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Evaluation of Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements by the Board of Trustees

This section describes the evaluation by the Board of Trustees (the Board) of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund (the fund) of the Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement) with John Hancock Investment Management, LLC (the Advisor, formerly John Hancock Advisers, LLC) and the Subadvisory Agreements (the Subadvisory Agreements) with Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. and Wells Capital Management Incorporated (formerly known as Analytic Investors, LLC) (collectively, the Subadvisors). The Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreements are collectively referred to as the Agreements. Prior to the June23-26, 2019 in-person meeting at which the Agreements were approved, the Board also discussed and considered information regarding the proposed continuation of the Agreements at an in-person meeting held on May28-30, 2019.

Approval of Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

At in-person meetings held on June 23-26, 2019, the Board, including the Trustees who are not parties to any Agreement or considered to be interested persons of the fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) (the Independent Trustees), reapproved for an annual period the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the fund and the Advisor and the Subadvisory Agreements between the Advisor and the Subadvisors with respect to the fund.

In considering the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements, the Board received in advance of the meetings a variety of materials relating to the fund, the Advisor and the Subadvisors, including comparative performance, fee and expense information for a peer group of similar funds prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, performance information for an applicable benchmark index; and other pertinent information, such as the market premium and discount information, and, with respect to the Subadvisors, comparative performance information for comparably managed accounts, as applicable, and other information provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisors regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisors under their respective Agreements, as well as information regarding the Advisor's revenues and costs of providing services to the fund and any compensation paid to affiliates of the Advisor. At the meetings at which the renewal of the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreements are considered, particular focus is given to information concerning fund performance, comparability of fees and total expenses, and profitability. However, the Board noted that the evaluation process with respect to the Advisor and the Subadvisors is an ongoing one. In this regard, the Board also took into account discussions with management and information provided to the Board (including its various committees) at prior meetings with respect to the services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisors to the fund, including quarterly performance reports prepared by management containing reviews of investment results and prior presentations from the Subadvisors with respect to the fund. The information received and considered by the Board in connection with the May and June meetings and throughout the year was both written and oral. The Board also considered the nature, quality, and extent of non-advisory services, if any, to be provided to the fund by the Advisor's affiliates, including distribution services. The Board considered the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements separately in the course of its review. In doing so, the Board noted the respective roles of the Advisor and Subadvisors in providing services to the fund.

Throughout the process, the Board asked questions of and requested additional information from management. The Board is assisted by counsel for the fund and the Independent Trustees are also separately assisted by independent legal counsel throughout the process. The Independent Trustees also received a memorandum from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Agreements

and discussed the proposed continuation of the Agreements in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of management were present.

Approval of Advisory Agreement

In approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered a variety of factors, including those discussed below. The Board also considered other factors (including conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets, and the industry) and did not treat any single factor as determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to different factors. The Board's conclusions may be based in part on its consideration of the advisory and subadvisory arrangements in prior years and on the Board's ongoing regular review of fund performance and operations throughout the year.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. Among the information received by the Board from the Advisor relating to the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the fund, the Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor relating to its operations and personnel, descriptions of its organizational and management structure, and information regarding the Advisor's compliance and regulatory history, including its Form ADV. The Board also noted that on a regular basis it receives and reviews information from the fund's Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) regarding the fund's compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Advisor, and of the undertakings required of the Advisor in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring its own and the fund's compliance programs, risk management programs, liquidity management programs and cybersecurity programs, had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. The Board considered that the Advisor is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the fund, including, but not limited to, general supervision of and coordination of the services provided by the Subadvisors, and is also responsible for monitoring and reviewing the activities of the Subadvisors and other third-party service providers. The Board also considered the significant risks assumed by the Advisor in connection with the services provided to the fund including entrepreneurial risk in sponsoring new funds and ongoing risks including investment, operational, enterprise, litigation, regulatory and compliance risks with respect to all funds.

The Board also considered the differences between the Advisor's services to the fund and the services it provides to other clients that are not closed-end funds, including, for example, the differences in services related to the regulatory and legal obligations of closed-end funds.

In considering the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Advisor, the Trustees also took into account their knowledge of the Advisor's management and the quality of the performance of the Advisor's duties, through Board meetings, discussions and reports during the preceding year and through each Trustee's experience as a Trustee of the fund and of the other funds in the John Hancock group of funds complex (the John Hancock Fund Complex).

In the course of their deliberations regarding the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other things:

The Board concluded that the Advisor may reasonably be expected to continue to provide a high quality of services under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the fund.

Investment performance.In considering the fund's performance, the Board noted that it reviews at its regularly scheduled meetings information about the fund's performance results. In connection with the consideration of the Advisory Agreement, the Board:

The Board noted that while it found the data provided by the independent third-party generally useful it recognized its limitations, including in particular that the data may vary depending on the end date selected and the results of the performance comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group. The Board noted that, based on its net asset value, the fund underperformed its benchmark index for the one-, three- five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2018. The Board also noted that, based on its net asset value, the fund outperformed its peer group average for the one-year period and underperformed its peer group average for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2018. The Board took into account management's discussion of the fund's performance, including the impact of current market conditions on the fund's investment strategy and the favorable performance relative to the peer group for the one-year period. The Board concluded that the fund's performance is being monitored and reasonably addressed, where appropriate.

Fees and expenses. The Board reviewed comparative information prepared by an independent third-party provider of fund data, including, among other data, the fund's contractual and net management fees (and subadvisory fees, to the extent available) and total expenses as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund in light of the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory and subadvisory services provided by the Advisor and the Subadvisors. The Board considered the fund's ranking within a smaller group of peer funds chosen by the independent third-party provider, as well as the fund's ranking within a broader group of

funds. In comparing the fund's contractual and net management fees to those of comparable funds, the Board noted that such fees include both advisory and administrative costs. The Board noted that net management fees for the fund are lower than the peer group median and that net total expenses for the fund are lower than the peer group median.

The Board took into account management's discussion with respect to the overall management fee and the fees of the Subadvisors, including the amount of the advisory fee retained by the Advisor after payment of the subadvisory fees, in each case in light of the services rendered for those amounts and the risks undertaken by the Advisor. The Board also noted that the Advisor pays the subadvisory fees and that such fees are negotiated at arm's length with respect to the Subadvisors. In addition, the Board took into account that management had agreed to implement an overall fee waiver across the complex, including the fund, which is discussed further below. The Board reviewed information provided by the Advisor concerning the investment advisory fee charged by the Advisor or one of its advisory affiliates to other clients (including other funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex) having similar investment mandates, if any. The Board considered any differences between the Advisor's and Subadvisors' services to the fund and the services they provide to other comparable clients or funds. The Board concluded that the advisory fee paid with respect to the fund is reasonable in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the fund under the Advisory Agreement.

Profitability/Fall out benefits. In considering the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the Advisor and its affiliates from the Advisor's relationship with the fund, the Board:

Based upon its review, the Board concluded that the level of profitability, if any, of the Advisor and its affiliates from their relationship with the fund was reasonable and not excessive.

Economies of scale. In considering the extent to which the fund may realize any economies of scale and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of the fund shareholders, the Board noted that the fund has a

limited ability to increase its assets as a closed-end fund. The Board took into account management's discussions of the current advisory fee structure, and, as noted above, the services the Advisor provides in performing its functions under the Advisory Agreement and in supervising the Subadvisors.

The Board also considered potential economies of scale that may be realized by the fund as part of the John Hancock Fund Complex. Among them, the Board noted that the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for certain funds of the John Hancock Fund Complex, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver is based upon aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each fund. The Board also considered the Advisor's overall operations and its ongoing investment in its business in order to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations that benefit the fund. The Board determined that the management fee structure for the fund was reasonable.

Approval of Subadvisory Agreements

In making its determination with respect to approval of the Subadvisory Agreements, the Board reviewed:

Nature, extent, and quality of services. With respect to the services provided by the Subadvisors, the Board received information provided to the Board by the Subadvisors, including the Subadvisors' respective Form ADV, as well as took into account information presented throughout the past year. The Board considered each Subadvisor's current level of staffing and its overall resources, as well as received information relating to each Subadvisor's compensation program. The Board reviewed each Subadvisor's history and investment experience, as well as information regarding the qualifications, background, and responsibilities of each Subadvisor's investment and compliance personnel who provide services to the fund. The Board also considered, among other things, each Subadvisor's compliance program and any disciplinary history. The Board also considered each Subadvisor's risk assessment and monitoring process. The Board reviewed each Subadvisor's regulatory history, including whether it was involved in any regulatory actions or investigations as well as material litigation, and any settlements and amelioratory actions undertaken, as appropriate. The Board noted that the Advisor conducts regular, periodic reviews of each Subadvisor and its operations, including regarding investment processes and organizational and staffing matters. The Board also noted that the fund's CCO and his staff conduct regular, periodic compliance reviews with each Subadvisor and present reports to the Independent Trustees regarding the same, which includes evaluating the regulatory compliance systems of each Subadvisor and procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with the federal securities laws. The Board also took into account the financial condition of each Subadvisor.

The Board considered each Subadvisor's investment process and philosophy. The Board took into account that each Subadvisor's responsibilities include the development and maintenance of an investment program for the fund that is consistent with the fund's investment objective, the selection of investment securities and the placement of orders for

the purchase and sale of such securities, as well as the implementation of compliance controls related to performance of these services. The Board also received information with respect to each Subadvisor's brokerage policies and practices, including with respect to best execution and soft dollars.

Subadvisor compensation. In considering the cost of services to be provided by each Subadvisor and the profitability to each Subadvisor of its relationship with the fund, the Board noted that the fees under each Subadvisory Agreement are paid by the Advisor and not the fund. The Board also relied on the ability of the Advisor to negotiate the Subadvisory Agreements and the fees thereunder at arm's length. As a result, the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the Subadvisors from its relationship with the fund were not a material factor in the Board's consideration of Subadvisory Agreements.

The Board also received information regarding the nature and scope (including their significance to the Advisor and its affiliates and the Subadvisors) of any material relationships with respect to the Subadvisors, which include arrangements in which a Subadvisor or its affiliates provide advisory, distribution, or management services in connection with financial products sponsored by the Advisor or its affiliates, and may include other registered investment companies, a 529 education savings plan, managed separate accounts and exempt group annuity contracts sold to qualified plans. The Board also received information and took into account any other potential conflicts of interest the Advisor might have in connection with the Subadvisory Agreements.

In addition, the Board considered other potential indirect benefits that the Subadvisors and its affiliates may receive from the Subadvisors' relationship with the fund, such as the opportunity to provide advisory services to additional funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex and reputational benefits.

Subadvisory fees. The Board considered that the fund pays an advisory fee to the Advisor and that, in turn, the Advisor pays subadvisory fees to the Subadvisors. As noted above, the Board also considered the fund's subadvisory fees as compared to similarly situated investment companies deemed to be comparable to the fund as included in the report prepared by the independent third party provider of fund data, to the extent available. The Board noted that the limited size of the Lipper peer group was not sufficient for comparative purposes. The Board also took into account the subadvisory fees paid by the Advisor to the Subadvisors with respect to the fund and compared them to fees charged by the Subadvisors to manage other subadvised portfolios and portfolios not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, as applicable.

Subadvisor performance. As noted above, the Board considered the fund's performance as compared to the fund's peer group and the benchmark index and noted that the Board reviews information about the fund's performance results at its regularly scheduled meetings. The Board noted the Advisor's expertise and resources in monitoring the performance, investment style and risk-adjusted performance of the Subadvisors. The Board was mindful of the Advisor's focus on the Subadvisors' performance. The Board also noted the Subadvisors' long-term performance record for similar accounts, as applicable.

The Board's decision to approve the Subadvisory Agreements was based on a number of determinations, including the following:

* * *

Based on the Board's evaluation of all factors that the Board deemed to be material, including those factors described above, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements would be in the best interest of the fund and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Board, and the Independent Trustees voting separately, approved the Advisory Agreement and Subadvisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.

This chart provides information about the Trustees and Officers who oversee your John Hancock fund. Officers elected by the Trustees manage the day-to-day operations of the fund and execute policies formulated by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

Independent Trustees (continued)

Non-Independent Trustees³

Principal officers who are not Trustees

Principal officers who are not Trustees (continued)

The business address for all Trustees and Officers is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5023.

* Member of the Audit Committee
† Non-Independent Trustee

For shareholder assistance refer to page 6

The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the fund's proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov or on our website.

All of the fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter are filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter. The fund's Form N-PORT filings are available on our website and the SEC's website, sec.gov.

We make this information on your fund, as well asmonthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our website at jhinvestments.com or by calling 800-852-0218.

The fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses are included in the prospectus and should be considered carefully before investing. For a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call John Hancock Investment Management at 800-852-0218, or visit the fund's website at jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

John Hancock Multifactor ETF shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), and are not individually redeemed
from the fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

John Hancock ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC, and are subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
Foreside is not affiliated with John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC or Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP receives compensation from John Hancock in connection with licensing rights to the
John Hancock Dimensional indexes. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP does not sponsor, endorse, or sell, and makes no
representation as to the advisability of investing in, John Hancock Multifactor ETFs.

John Hancock Investment Management

A trusted brand

John Hancock Investment Management is a premier asset manager
representing one of America's most trusted brands, with a heritage of
financial stewardship dating back to 1862. Helping our shareholders
pursue their financial goals is at the core of everything we do. It's why
we support the role of professional financial advice and operate with
the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

A better way to invest

We serve investors globally through a unique multimanager approach:
We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized
expertise for every strategy we offer, then we apply robust investment
oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising
standards and serve the best interests of our shareholders.

Results for investors

Our unique approach to asset management enables us to provide
a diverse set of investments backed by some of the world's best
managers, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.

John Hancock Investment Management Distributors LLC n Member FINRA, SIPC
200 Berkeley Street n Boston, MA 02116-5010 n 800-225-5291 n jhinvestments.com