The John Hancock Preferred Income Fund operates as a closed-end, balanced mutual fund, managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC, with additional oversight from John Hancock Asset Management. This U.S.-domiciled fund primarily invests in the public equity and fixed-income markets within the United States, seeking opportunities across a diverse range of corporate sectors. Its portfolio predominantly comprises preferred value stocks, convertible preferred securities, and investment-grade fixed-income instruments, which must hold an investment-grade rating or higher from Moody's or Standard & Poor's. The fund measures its performance against two industry benchmarks: the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Hybrid Preferred Securities Index and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. It was established on August 27, 2002.