John Hancock Income Securities Trust Seeks Shareholder Vote on 13 Trustees

TL;DR

**JHS is holding a routine trustee election; vote FOR the recommended slate to maintain stable, experienced leadership and avoid unnecessary costs.**

AI Summary

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (JHS) is soliciting proxies for its annual shareholder meeting on February 17, 2026, to elect thirteen Trustees. The Board of Trustees recommends voting 'FOR' all thirteen nominees, 11 of whom are independent of John Hancock's management. As of the November 25, 2025 record date, JHS had 11,646,585 shares outstanding. Significant shareholders include SIT Investment Associates, Inc. with 26.8% (3,126,507 shares), Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC with 12.60% (1,467,089 shares), and 1607 Capital Partners, LLC with 10.36% (1,206,180 shares). The filing emphasizes the importance of shareholder participation to avoid additional mailings and associated costs. Kristie M. Feinberg, President of Manulife John Hancock Investments, urged shareholders to vote online, by phone, or by mail.

Why It Matters

This DEF 14A filing is crucial for investors as it outlines the upcoming election of the Board of Trustees, who are responsible for overseeing fund performance and fees. The composition of the board, with 11 out of 13 nominees being independent, suggests a commitment to strong governance, which can impact investor confidence and fund stability. For employees and customers, a well-governed fund complex ensures consistent management and strategic direction. In the competitive closed-end fund market, a stable and experienced board, as evidenced by the nominees' extensive backgrounds, is a key differentiator for John Hancock Income Securities Trust.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — The filing is a routine definitive proxy statement for the election of trustees, indicating no immediate or significant operational or financial risks. The primary 'risk' mentioned is the potential for 'additional mailings at your fund's expense' if shareholders do not vote promptly, which is a minor administrative cost, not a fundamental investment risk.

Analyst Insight

Investors should review the backgrounds of the thirteen nominated Trustees and cast their vote promptly, ideally 'FOR' the recommended slate, to support stable governance and avoid unnecessary administrative costs for the fund. This is a standard governance item, not a call for portfolio re-evaluation.

Key Numbers

• 13 — Number of Trustees to be elected (All nominees currently serve as Trustees, with 11 being independent.)
• 2026-02-17 — Date of Annual Shareholder Meeting (Meeting will be held at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time.)
• 2025-11-25 — Record Date for Voting Eligibility (Shareholders of record on this date are entitled to vote.)
• 11,646,585 — Shares Outstanding for Income Securities Trust (As of the Record Date, November 25, 2025.)
• 3,126,507 — Shares owned by SIT Investment Associates, Inc. (Represents 26.8% of Income Securities Trust shares as of June 30, 2025.)
• 1,467,089 — Shares owned by Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC (Represents 12.60% of Income Securities Trust shares as of May 31, 2024.)
• 1,206,180 — Shares owned by 1607 Capital Partners, LLC (Represents 10.36% of Income Securities Trust shares as of February 28, 2025.)
• 11 — Number of Independent Nominees (Out of 13 nominees, 11 are independent of John Hancock's management.)
• 800-852-0218 — Customer Service Phone Number (For shareholder inquiries regarding voting or fund reports.)
• 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 — Meeting Location and Advisor Address (Physical address for the annual meeting and John Hancock Investment Management LLC.)

Key Players & Entities

• JOHN HANCOCK INCOME SECURITIES TRUST (company) — Registrant
• Kristie M. Feinberg (person) — President, Manulife John Hancock Investments
• Manulife John Hancock Investments (company) — Offices for annual meeting
• SIT Investment Associates, Inc. (company) — Shareholder with 26.8% stake
• Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC (company) — Shareholder with 12.60% stake
• 1607 Capital Partners, LLC (company) — Shareholder with 10.36% stake in JHS and 6.14% in John Hancock Investors Trust
• Christopher Sechler (person) — Secretary of the Board of Trustees
• SEC (regulator) — Securities and Exchange Commission
• John Hancock Investment Management LLC (company) — Fund's investment advisor and administrator
• William H. Cunningham (person) — Retiring Trustee

FAQ

Industry Context

John Hancock Income Securities Trust operates within the closed-end fund industry, which is characterized by its investment in income-generating securities. These funds face competition from other income-focused investment vehicles, including open-end funds and other closed-end funds, as well as direct investments in bonds and other income-producing assets. Industry trends include a focus on yield, managing interest rate sensitivity, and providing transparent fee structures to attract and retain investors.

Regulatory Implications

As a registered investment company, JHS is subject to regulations under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and SEC rules governing proxy solicitations. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for maintaining shareholder trust and operational integrity. The proxy statement itself is a key regulatory document ensuring transparency in corporate governance matters.

What Investors Should Do

1. Vote your shares for the election of the 13 Trustees.
2. Review the proxy statement for nominee backgrounds.
3. Vote online, by phone, or by mail by the meeting date.

Key Dates

• 2026-02-17: Annual Shareholder Meeting — Shareholders will vote on the election of Trustees. This is a key governance event for the Trust.
• 2025-11-25: Record Date for Voting Eligibility — Determines which shareholders are entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
• 2025-12-26: Proxy Materials Mailing Date — Indicates when shareholders began receiving information and the proxy card for voting.

Glossary

DEF 14A

A definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC by publicly traded companies to solicit shareholder votes. (This document is the primary source of information for shareholders regarding the annual meeting and proposals, including the election of Trustees.)

Trustees

Individuals elected to oversee the operations and governance of a trust or fund on behalf of shareholders. (The primary purpose of this filing is to elect 13 Trustees, highlighting their importance in fund oversight.)

Proxy

A shareholder's written authorization for someone else to vote their shares on their behalf. (The filing solicits proxies to ensure sufficient shareholder participation in the election of Trustees, especially for those unable to attend the meeting.)

Record Date

A specific date set by a company to determine which shareholders are eligible to vote at a shareholder meeting. (Establishes the pool of shareholders who can vote on the election of Trustees for the February 17, 2026 meeting.)

Independent Trustees

Trustees who are not affiliated with the fund's management or its principal underwriter, ensuring objective oversight. (The filing emphasizes that 11 out of 13 nominees are independent, signaling a commitment to good governance and shareholder interests.)

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This filing is a proxy statement for the annual shareholder meeting and does not contain comparative financial performance data against a prior year's filing. The primary focus is on the upcoming election of Trustees and the solicitation of shareholder votes, rather than a review of past financial results. Key information such as shares outstanding and significant shareholder holdings are presented as of specific recent dates.

Filing Documents

• d91871ddef14a.htm (DEF 14A) — 591KB
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• g458441feinbergsig.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 5KB
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• 0001193125-25-315530.txt ( ) — 710KB

Legal Proceedings

Legal Proceedings 19 Audit Committee Report 19 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 19 Required Vote for Proposal 1 20 Miscellaneous 20 Voting Procedures 20 Telephone Voting 21 Internet Voting 21 Shareholders Sharing the Same Address 21 Other Matters 22 Shareholder Proposals 23 Audit Committee Charter 24 Nominating and Governance Committee Charter 30 John Hancock Income Securities Trust John Hancock Investors Trust (each a "fund" or "Trust" and, together, the "funds" or the "Trusts") 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Proxy Statement annual meeting of shareholders to be held on February 17, 2026 Introduction This proxy statement contains the information that a shareholder should know before voting on the proposal described in the notice. Each fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its Annual Report and/or Semiannual Report to any shareholder upon request by writing to the fund at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 or by calling 800-852-0218. This proxy each of John Hancock Income Securities Trust ("Income Securities Trust") and John Hancock Investors Trust ("Investors Trust"). The meeting will be held at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, on February 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. , Eastern time (the "Meeting"). Shareholders of each fund are being asked to vote on the proposal to elect thirteen (13) Trustees. The proxy statement and proxy card are intended to be first mailed to shareholders on or about December 26, 2025. Although the annual meetings of the funds are being held jointly and proxies are being solicited through the use of this joint proxy statement, shareholders of each fund will vote separately. In the event that any shareholder present at the meetings objects to the holding of a

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View this DEF 14A filing on SEC EDGAR