200 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116 Re: Expense Limitation Letter Agreement and Voluntary Expense Limitation Notice With reference to each of the Advisory Agreements approved by the Board or entered into by and between John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the...
EXHIBIT (h)(4)
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Advisers, LLC |  |
| ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ |
June 26, 2019
To the Trustees of
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Funds
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Re: Expense Limitation Letter Agreement and Voluntary Expense Limitation Notice
With reference to each of the Advisory Agreements approved by the Board or entered into by and between ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”) and each of the trusts listed in Appendix A to this letter (each, a “Trust” and collectively, the “Trusts”), on behalf of each of their respective series listed in Appendix A (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), we hereby notify you as follows:
1. The Adviser agrees to contractually waive its advisory fees or, to the extent necessary, reimburse other expenses of each Fund as set forth in Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D, Appendix E, and Appendix F hereto.
2. The Adviser agrees to voluntarily waive its advisory fees or, to the extent necessary, reimburse other expenses of each Fund as set forth in Appendix G, Appendix H and Appendix I hereto.
3. We understand and intend that the Trusts will rely on this undertaking in overseeing the preparation and filing of Post-effective Amendments to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A for the Trusts and the Funds with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in accruing each Fund’s expenses for purposes of calculating its net and gross asset value per share, and for other purposes permitted under Form N-1A and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and we expressly permit the Trusts so to rely.
| Very truly yours, | ||||
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ADVISERS, LLC | ||||
| By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ | |||
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ | ||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Agreed and Accepted
on behalf of each applicable Trust listed in Appendix A
| By: | /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ | ||
| ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ | |||
| Chief Financial Officer |
A copy of the document establishing each Trust is filed with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement is executed by the officer in his capacity as such and not as an individual and is not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trusts individually but only upon the assets of the Funds.
APPENDIX A
TRUSTS and Funds
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ TRUST
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ESG Core Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Government Income Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Yield Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investment Grade Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Duration Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ California Tax-Free Income Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CAPITAL SERIES
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Classic Value Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CURRENT INTEREST
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Money Market Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Developed International ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Energy ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Financials ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Healthcare ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Industrials ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Large Cap ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Materials ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Media and Communications ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Mid Cap ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Small Cap ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Technology ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Utilities ETF
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT TRUST
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Alternative Risk Premia Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Balanced Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Disciplined Value International Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Diversified Macro Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Diversified Real Assets Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Emerging Markets Equity Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ESG All Cap Core Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ESG International Equity Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ESG Large Cap Core Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Fundamental Large Cap Core Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Thematic Opportunities Fund
| A-1 |
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Infrastructure Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ International Dynamic Growth Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Seaport Long/Short Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Small Cap Core Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Value Equity Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ INVESTMENT TRUST II
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Financial Industries Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Regional Bank Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MUNICIPAL SECURITIES TRUST
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Tax-Free Bond Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SOVEREIGN BOND FUND
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ Fund
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ STRATEGIC SERIES
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Income Fund
| ▇-▇ |
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇
Fund Level Contractual Limitation on Fund Level Expenses
For purposes of this Appendix:
The Adviser contractually agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, excluding (a) taxes, (b) brokerage commissions, (c) interest expense, (d) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, (e) Rule 12b-1 fees, (f) transfer agent fees and service fees, (g) shareholder servicing fees, (h) borrowing costs, (i) prime brokerage fees, (j) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (k) short dividend expense.
“Expense Limit” means the percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) set forth below.
The current expense limitation agreement expires on the date specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
|
Fund |
Limit on Fund Level Expenses |
Expiration Date of |
| Disciplined Value International Fund | 0.88% | 2/29/2020 |
| Diversified Macro Fund | 1.33% | 2/28/20211 |
| ESG All Cap Core Fund | 0.81% | 2/29/2020 |
| ESG International Equity Fund | 0.91% | 2/29/2020 |
| ESG Large Cap Core Fund | 0.81% | 2/29/2020 |
| Global Thematic Opportunities Fund | 0.84% | 2/29/2020 |
| International Dynamic Growth Fund | 0.83% | 2/28/2021 |
| ESG Core Bond Fund | 0.50% | 9/30/20201 |
| Investment Grade Bond Fund | 0.38% | 9/30/20202 |
| Short Duration Bond Fund | 0.29% | 9/30/20203 |
1 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, , the renewal of the contractual limit on fund level expenses (0.50%) for ESG Core Bond Fund, with an expiration date of September 30, 2020, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2019.
2 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, lowering the contractual limit on fund level expenses for Investment Grade Bond Fund (0.38%), with an expiration date of September 30, 2020, effective July 1, 2019.
3 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the contractual limit on fund level expenses (0.29%) for Short Duration Bond Fund, effective as of the commencement of operations of Short Duration Bond Fund.
| B-1 |
APPENDIX C
Fund Level Contractual Limitation on Total Operating Expenses
For purposes of this Appendix:
The Adviser contractually agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, excluding (a) taxes, (b) brokerage commissions, (c) interest expense, (d) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, (e) borrowing costs, (f) prime brokerage fees, (g) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (h) short dividend expense.
“Expense Limit” means the percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) set forth below.
The current expense limitation agreement expires on the date specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
|
Fund |
Limit on Fund Level Expenses |
Expiration Date of Expense Limit |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Large Cap ETF | 0.35% | 8/31/20201 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Mid Cap ETF | 0.45% | 8/31/20201 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Consumer Discretionary ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Consumer Staples ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Developed International ETF | 0.45% | 8/31/20201 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF | 0.55% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Energy ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Financials ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Healthcare ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Industrials ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Materials ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
1 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the renewal of the contractual limit on total operating expenses for ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Large Cap ETF (0.35%), ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (0.45%), ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Developed International ETF (0.45%) and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Small Cap ETF (0.50%), with an expiration date of August 31, 2020, each effective upon the current expiration date of August 31, 2019..
| C-1 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Media and Communications ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Small Cap ETF | 0.50% | 8/31/20201 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Technology ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multifactor Utilities ETF | 0.40% | 8/31/2020 |
| C-2 |
APPENDIX D
Class Level Contractual Total Operating Expense Limitations
For purposes of this Appendix:
“Expenses” means all the expenses of a class of shares of a Fund (including those expenses of the Fund attributable to such class) but excluding: (i) taxes; (ii) portfolio brokerage commissions; (iii) interest expense; (iv) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business; (v) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly; (vi) borrowing costs; (vii) prime brokerage fees; (viii) short dividend expense; and (ix) fees under any agreements or plans of the Fund dealing with services for shareholders and others with beneficial interests in shares of the Fund.
“Expense Limit” means the percentage of average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) attributable to a class of shares of the Funds set forth below.
The Adviser contractually agrees to waive advisory fees or, if necessary, reimburse expenses or make payment to a specific class of shares of the Fund (up to the amount of the expenses relating solely to such class of shares), in an amount equal to the amount by which the Expenses of such class of shares exceed the Expense Limit for such class set forth in the table below. The current expense limitation agreements expire on the dates specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
The Expense Limit for the classes of shares of the Funds indicated below for the purposes of this Appendix shall be as follows:
| D-1 |
| Fund | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I | Class R2 | Class R4 | Class R6 |
Class NAV |
Expiration Date of Expense Limit |
| Disciplined Value International Fund | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.98% | N/A | N/A | 0.88% | N/A | 2/29/2020 |
| Fundamental Large Cap Core Fund | N/A | 1.82% | 1.82% | 0.78% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2/29/2020 |
| Global Thematic Opportunities Fund | 1.19% | N/A | 1.94% | 0.94% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2/29/2020 |
| Infrastructure Fund | 1.31% | N/A | 2.01% | 1.00% | N/A | N/A | 0.92% | 0.92% | 2/29/2020 |
| Government Income Fund | 0.98% | ▇/▇ | ▇/▇ | ▇/▇ | ▇/▇ | ▇/▇ | ▇/▇ | ▇/▇ | 9/30/20201 |
| High Yield Fund | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.72% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 9/30/20202 |
| Short Duration Bond Fund | 0.65% | N/A | 1.40% | 0.40% | N/A | N/A | 0.29% | N/A | 9/30/20203 |
1 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the renewal of the class level contractual total operating expense limitation for Class A (0.98%) shares of Government Income Fund, with an expiration date of September 30, 2020, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2019.
2 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the renewal of the class level contractual total operating expense limitation for Class I (0.72%) shares of High Yield Fund, with an expiration date of September 30, 2020, effective upon the current expiration date of September 30, 2019.
3 At the June 24-26, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trusts, the Adviser notified the Board of, and the Board approved, the class level contractual total operating expense limitation for Class A (0.65%), Class C (1.40%), Class I (0.40%) and Class R6 (0.29%) shares of Short Duration Bond Fund through September 30, 2020, effective as of the commencement of operations of Short Duration Bond Fund.
| D-2 |
APPENDIX E
Fund Level Contractual Limit on Other Expenses
For purposes of this Appendix:
The Adviser contractually agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, excluding (a) taxes, (b) brokerage commissions, (c) interest expense, (d) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, (e) advisory fees, (f) Rule 12b-1 fees, (g) transfer agent fees and service fees, (h) shareholder servicing fees, (i) borrowing costs, (j) prime brokerage fees, (k) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (l) short dividend expense.
“Expense Limit” means the percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) set forth below.
The current expense limitation agreement expires on the date specified, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the Fund and the Adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
|
Fund |
Limit on Other Expenses |
Expiration Date of Expense Limit |
| Value Equity Fund | 0.04% | February 29, 2020 |
| E-1 |
APPENDIX F
Fund Level Contractual Investment Management Fee Waivers
The Adviser agrees to limit ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Value Equity Fund’s management fee to a maximum annual rate of 0.66% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The limitation will continue until at least February 29, 2020.
The Adviser agrees to reduce ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Diversified Real Assets Fund’s management fee by an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The reduction will continue until at least July 31, 2020.
| F-1 |
APPENDIX G
Class Level Voluntary Total Operating Expense Limitations*
For purposes of this Appendix:
“Expenses” means all the expenses of a class of shares of the Fund (including those expenses of the Fund attributable to such class) but excluding: (i) taxes; (ii) portfolio brokerage commissions; (iii) interest expense; (iv) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business; (v) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly; (vi) short dividend expense; and (vii) fees under any agreements or plans of the Fund dealing with services for shareholders and others with beneficial interests in shares of the Fund.
“Expense Limit” means the percentage of average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) attributable to a class of shares of the Fund set forth below.
The Adviser voluntarily agrees to waive advisory fees or, if necessary, reimburse expenses or make payment to a specific class of shares of the Fund (up to the amount of the expenses relating solely to such class of shares), in an amount equal to the amount by which the Expenses of such class of shares exceed the Expense Limit for such class set forth in the table below.
The Expense Limit for the classes of shares of the Fund indicated below for the purposes of this Appendix shall be as follows:
|
Classes |
||||||||||
| Fund | ▇ | ▇ | ▇ | ▇ | ▇▇ | ▇▇ | ▇▇ | ▇▇ | ▇▇ | ▇▇ |
| ▇/▇ |
*These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be amended or terminated at any time by the Adviser on notice to the Trust.
| G-1 |
APPENDIX H
Fund Level Voluntary Limit on Other Expenses*
For purposes of this Appendix:
The Adviser voluntarily agrees to reduce its management fee for the Fund or, if necessary, make payment to the Fund, in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Other Expenses” of the Fund exceed the percentage of average daily net assets (on an annualized basis) of the Fund as set forth in the table below. “Other Expenses” means all the expenses of the Fund, excluding (a) taxes, (b) brokerage commissions, (c) interest expense, (d) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, (e) investment management fees, (f) Rule 12b-1 fees, (g) transfer agent fees and service fees, (h) shareholder servicing fees, (i) borrowing costs, (j) prime brokerage fees, (k) acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, and (l) short dividend expense.
|
Fund |
Limit on Other Expenses |
| Balanced Fund | 0.20% |
| Classic Value Fund | 0.20% |
| Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 0.25% |
| Financial Industries Fund | 0.20% |
| Fundamental Large Cap Core Fund | 0.20% |
| Infrastructure Fund | 0.25% |
| Regional Bank Fund | 0.20% |
| Seaport Long/Short Fund | 0.20% |
| Small Cap Core Fund | 0.20% |
| U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund | 0.20% |
| Bond Fund | 0.15% |
| California Tax-Free Income Fund | 0.15% |
| Government Income Fund | 0.15% |
| High Yield Fund | 0.15% |
| High Yield Municipal Bond Fund | 0.15% |
| Income Fund | 0.15% |
| Tax-Free Bond Fund | 0.15% |
| Money Market Fund | 0.15% |
* These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be amended or terminated at any time by the Adviser on notice to the Trust.
| H-1 |
APPENDIX I
Voluntary Money Market Fund Expense Limitation Agreement
For ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Money Market Fund, the Adviser and its affiliates may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees (including, but not limited to, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees) and/or reimburse certain expenses to the extent necessary to assist the Fund in attempting to avoid a negative yield. In addition, the Adviser and its affiliates have voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of their fees (including, but not limited to, Rule 12b-1 fees) and/or reimburse certain expenses to the extent necessary to assist the fund in attempting to achieve a positive yield. These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements are voluntary and may be amended or terminated at any time by the Adviser on notice to the Trust.
| I-1 |