John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund Q1 2026 Commentary

Navigating Market Currents: A Strategic Review of Fund Performance

Global Tensions and Inflationary Pressures Influence First Quarter Market Dynamics

During the initial quarter, U.S. equities faced headwinds from geopolitical strife in the Middle East, which fueled economic uncertainty and concerns about inflation. These external factors contributed to a challenging market environment for investors.

Fund Performance Trailed Benchmark Due to Sector-Specific Stock Selections

The John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund's returns fell short of its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index. This underperformance was primarily attributable to specific stock picks within the information technology sector.

AI Disruptions Affect Key Technology Holdings Despite Strong Earnings

Companies such as Intuit, Inc. and Salesforce.com, Inc., despite reporting robust earnings for the quarter, experienced downward pressure. This was largely due to the prevailing narrative of AI disruption impacting their perceived future growth prospects.

Strategic Portfolio Adjustments: Adding a New Player and Divesting Others

SGA Sustainable Growth Advisers made a notable addition to the portfolio by including Mastercard, Inc. The credit card processor became an attractive investment following a government proposal to cap interest rates, enhancing its valuation appeal. Conversely, Gartner, Inc., and UnitedHealth Group, Inc. were removed from the portfolio as they no longer aligned with the fund's investment thesis.