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| # | Fund | Strategy | Style | Geography | AUM | Latest Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The John Hancock Balanced Fund delivered a -0.59% return in Q1 2026 as economic growth and solid earnings were overshadowed by geopolitical concerns, AI spending bubble fears, and rising energy costs. The fund's equity portfolio significantly outperformed due to overweights in energy and materials sectors, with strong stock picking in information technology and consumer discretionary. Key contributors included Applied Materials benefiting from data center chip demand, and energy holdings Valero and Suncor gaining from geopolitical commodity price increases. Microsoft was the largest detractor on AI concerns, though managers added to the position citing long-term competitive strength and reasonable valuation. The fixed-income portfolio underperformed primarily due to unfavorable yield curve positioning. Looking ahead, managers expect the Fed to remain cautious on rates given geopolitical challenges. They view current stock valuations as more reasonable after the downturn, creating what they believe is a strong environment for bottom-up security selection amid periodic market volatility.
The fund seeks current income and long-term growth through a balanced approach of equity and fixed-income investments, emphasizing active security selection to capitalize on market volatility and mispricing opportunities.
Given the challenging geopolitical climate, we expect the Fed to take a cautious approach to future interest rate decisions. After a downturn, stock valuations now strike us as a bit more reasonable. The combination of more favorable pricing and periodic big market swings presents what we believe to be a strong environment for bottom-up security selection.
As of Apr 18, 2026
Lead Portfolio Manager
Neutral / Balanced
Market Conviction
High-conviction positioning: Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Growth Outlook
Market outlook remains low conviction: Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Risk Appetite
Risk appetite posture is very low conviction: Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Capital Deployment
Manager actively deployed capital into high-conviction opportunities. Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Forward Guidance
Forward guidance signal: Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Language Signal
Tone analysis indicates very low conviction language: Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Perceived Risk
Perceived risk level is evaluated as moderate conviction. Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Opportunity Density
Opportunity density index indicates moderate conviction actionable entry points. Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Time Horizon
Investment time horizon reflects a moderate conviction orientation. Balanced fund posted -0.59% in Q1 as geopolitical turmoil and AI bubble concerns weighed on markets. Energy overweights and tech stock picking drove equity outperformance while fix...
Top Conviction Themes
Key Catalysts
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