DEF 14A: John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Announces Annual Shareholder Meeting and Trustee Election

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II is holding its annual shareholder meeting on February 18, 2025, to vote on the election of five trustees.

Summary

• John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II is holding its annual shareholder meeting on February 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time in Boston.
• Shareholders are being asked to vote on the election of five trustees to the board.
• Two trustees, William K. Bacic and Thomas R. Wright, are nominated for a 2-year term ending in 2027.
• Three trustees, Dean C. Garfield, Deborah C. Jackson, and Andrew G. Arnott, are nominated for a 3-year term ending in 2028.
• The board recommends that shareholders vote in favor of all five nominees.
• The record date for determining shareholders eligible to vote is November 25, 2024.
• Shareholders can vote online, by phone, or by mail using the provided proxy card.
• The proxy statement and other materials are available online.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document is neutral in tone, focusing on procedural matters and board recommendations. It is a routine communication, and the sentiment is positive due to the clear and organized presentation of information.

Positives

• The board is recommending a vote for all nominees, suggesting confidence in their abilities.
• Multiple voting options are available for shareholders' convenience.
• The proxy statement is readily available online, promoting transparency.

Risks

• If a nominee is unavailable, the proxies will vote for a substitute designated by the trustees.
• There is a potential cost of future mailings if shareholders do not vote promptly.

Future Outlook

The document outlines the process for the upcoming shareholder meeting and the election of trustees, with no specific forward-looking financial guidance provided.

Management Comments

• Kristie M. Feinberg, President of John Hancock Investments, encourages shareholders to vote promptly.
• The Board of Trustees recommends that you vote in favor of the election of each of the five (5) Nominees.

Industry Context

This is a standard proxy statement for a closed-end investment fund, typical for the industry, focusing on governance and shareholder voting.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The structure of the board with independent and non-independent trustees is common in the investment management industry.
• The staggered board structure is a typical governance practice to ensure continuity.
• The process of proxy voting and the availability of materials online are standard practices for investment funds.
• The detailed information about the trustees' backgrounds and qualifications is consistent with industry disclosure requirements.
• The committee structure, including audit, compliance, and nominating committees, is a common governance framework for investment funds.
• The disclosure of trustee compensation is in line with industry standards for transparency.

Management Changes

Legal Proceedings

• There are no material pending legal proceedings to which any Nominee, Trustee or affiliated person of such Nominee or Trustee is a party adverse to the funds or any of their affiliated persons or has a material interest adverse to the funds or any of their affiliated persons.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders are directly impacted by the election of trustees, who oversee the fund's performance and fees.
• The document encourages shareholder participation in the governance of the fund.

Next Steps

• Shareholders are encouraged to vote on the election of trustees.
• The annual shareholder meeting will be held on February 18, 2025.

Key Dates

Keywords

trustees, shareholder meeting, proxy vote, board of trustees, election, John Hancock, investment fund