ETF Education Report: John Hancock Investors Trust (JHI)

What this ETF is trying to do

John Hancock Investors Trust (ticker: JHI) is an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) traded on the NYSE. While the specific investment goal is not listed in the data, ETFs are tools used by investors to gain exposure to different groups of assets.

What the numbers show

It is important to understand the difference between "price return" and "total return." Price return only tracks how much the share price changes. Total return includes both the price change and any cash payments (distributions) made to investors.

Based on the data as of September 24, 2026:

• Year-to-Date (YTD): The price return is approximately -10.76%. However, the total return is approximately -4.74%.

• One Year: The price return was approximately -13.35%, while the total return was approximately -5.05%.

• Three Years: The price return was approximately -1.69%, but the total return was a positive 26.57%.

To visualize the price change, an investor's share price was estimated to be roughly $14.08 one year ago, compared to the current price of approximately $12.20.

Income and distribution explanation

This ETF has a distribution yield of approximately 9.99%. This means the cash distributions are high relative to the current share price. The trailing distributions were $1.22 per share. These payments usually happen quarterly, and in the last year, there were 4 payouts. Most of these payments occurred on Thursdays.

It is important to remember that a high distribution yield does not mean an investor earned that percentage as their total return. Total return is the most accurate way to see how much value was actually gained or lost.

NAV erosion explanation

"NAV erosion" refers to a decline in the Net Asset Value (the actual value of the assets held by the fund). While a falling share price is not the same thing as NAV erosion, we use "erosion scores" to measure risk.

JHI has an erosion score of 75, which is labeled as "mild price erosion." This is a measurement of risk and is not a "severe erosion-risk flag."

Pros

• The ETF provides a high distribution yield of approximately 9.99%.

• Over a three-year period, the total return was positive at 26.57%, even though the share price itself saw a slight decline.

Cons

• The ETF has experienced negative price returns over the last year and year-to-date.

• There is a "mild" erosion-risk score of 75.

Beginner takeaway

When looking at ETFs like JHI, high yields can be eye-catching, but they do not tell the whole story. Always look at the total return to see how much the investment actually grew or shrank after including cash payments. Additionally, keep an eye on price trends to understand the risk of mild erosion.