JHPI ETF: What Is It? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs at a Glance
The John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI) is an actively managed income ETF that invests in preferred stocks and preferred securities. It does not track an index and instead selects holdings, pays monthly distributions, and differs from passive preferred ETFs such as PFF and FPE in management approach, which is the key selection criterion.
What Is the John Hancock Preferred Income ETF?
It is an actively managed income ETF that invests mainly in preferred stocks and preferred securities. Rather than simply replicating an index, the management team selects holdings through credit and sector analysis, seeking both distribution income and price stability.
It suits income-focused investors who want steady distribution income with lower volatility than equities.
The ETF is managed by John Hancock Asset Management using an active management approach.
How Does the John Hancock Preferred Income ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracking Index | None (active management) |
| Management Style | Active (security selection) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | At the management team's discretion |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly |
| Asset Class | Preferred stocks and preferred securities |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.54% |
The fund invests most of its net assets in preferred stocks and preferred securities, covering a variety of forms such as convertible preferred stocks, corporate hybrid securities, and trust preferred securities. The management team uses an active strategy, seeking relatively undervalued securities through sector allocation and security selection to enhance distribution income.
- Actively managed, not tracking an index
- Aims for monthly distributions
John Hancock Preferred Income ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $224.6M, and the Expense Ratio is 0.54% per year.
Compared with passive products among peer preferred ETFs, it offers more room for security selection, but performance depends heavily on the management team's skill.
John Hancock Preferred Income ETF Performance and Trends
Preferred securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates and credit spreads, and their prices have tended to rise and fall with the rate environment. Distribution income makes up a large share of total return for this asset class.
When demand for income is high, investor interest tends to flow toward preferred ETFs as a group, and fund flows are affected by the direction of interest rates. For actively managed products, fund flows diverge depending on management results.
John Hancock Preferred Income ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its monthly distribution orientation and active security selection are strengths, while sensitivity to interest rates and credit and the cost burden of active management can work as drawbacks.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products to the John Hancock Preferred Income ETF
PFF and FPE, shown in the table, are leading peer ETFs investing in preferred securities, and they take a different approach from the actively managed JHPI because they are passive and index-based. If you want preferred stock exposure with reduced duration, PFLD can also be a candidate for comparison. For those who also want to consider high-dividend products built on closed-end funds, there are options such as PCEF and YYY, though their fees and volatility profiles differ.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Trust iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF | $28.47 | -0.8% | $11.7B | 0.45% | 5.73% | -9.1% | |
| First Trust Preferred Securities and Income ETF | $16.96 | -0.1% | $5.8B | 0.83% | 6.38% | -7.8% | |
| Invesco CEF Income Composite ETF | $19.15 | -1.2% | $751.0M | 2.71% | 7.79% | -4.1% | |
| Amplify CEF High Income ETF | $10.30 | -0.8% | $672.9M | 3.23% | 13.98% | -12.1% | |
| AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF | $19.04 | -0.3% | $372.6M | 0.45% | 5.6% | -3.2% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VG | Venture Global Inc | 0.02% | $14.79 | +0.1% | $37.0B | 11.2 | 0.7% |
| Sunoco LP | 0.02% | $70.84 | -0.1% | $14.5B | 15.5 | 5.68% | |
| PPL Corp | 0.01% | $35.65 | +0.1% | $26.8B | 21.2 | 3.21% | |
| PSX | Phillips 66 | 0.02% | $282.83 | +3.4% | $110.3B | 9.0 | 1.8% |
| TXNM Energy Inc | 0.01% | $58.38 | -0.5% | $6.4B | 32.4 | 2.89% | |
| Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P | 0.01% | $37.32 | -0.1% | $24.3B | 62.2 | 4.88% | |
| AllianzIM U.S. Equity 6 Month Buffer10 Jun/Dec ETF | 0.01% | $31.17 | -1.3% | $0.0M | - | - |
John Hancock Preferred Income ETF Investor Checkpoints
These are the points to review before investing in JHPI. Although it is an income ETF, you should confirm its interest rate sensitivity, active management nature, and fee level in advance, and it is also wise to examine distribution sustainability and credit exposure.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the level of active management fees | Annual fee applies |
| 📅 Distribution Frequency | Whether monthly distributions continue | Maintained |
| 📈 Rate Sensitivity | Price impact depending on the direction of interest rates | Needs review |
| 🏦 Credit Exposure | Review issuers' credit conditions | Needs review |
Rising interest rates and wider credit spreads can weigh on the prices and distributions of preferred securities. Because it is an active strategy, you should also consider that its results may differ from the market average.
It is an active ETF that seeks income through preferred securities, and it is worth considering if you value room for security selection. If low-fee passive exposure is the priority, it is better to compare it with alternatives such as PFF before choosing.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 18, 2026.