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JOHN HANCOCK GLOBAL FUND
JOHN HANCOCK GLOBAL INCOME FUND
Class A and Class B Shares
Supplement to Prospectus dated March 1, 1995
The following replaces the paragraph on page 8 entitled "Foreign Currency
Transactions:"
Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may enter into forward currency
exchange contracts to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates, to
enhance return or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of currency. For
example, if a portfolio security with an attractive rate of return is
denominated in a currency (including the U.S. dollar) that is not expected to
perform well, a Fund use may forward contracts to offset its exposure to the
non-performing currency while retaining the security. A forward contract
involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date
at the contract price. There is no limitation on the value of a Fund's assets
that may be committed to forward contracts or on the term of a forward
contract. Forward contracts are subject to the following risks: (1) that a
Fund's performance will be adversely affected by unexpected changes in currency
exchange rates; (2) that the counterparty to a forward contract will fail to
perform its contractual obligations; (3) that a Fund will be unable to
terminate or dispose of its position in a forward contract; and (4) with
respect to hedging transactions in forward contracts, that there will be
imperfect correlation between price changes in the forward contract and price
changes in the hedged portfolio assets.
The "Qualifying for a Reduced Sales Charge" section under SHARE PRICE is
supplemented as follows:
Effective March 15, 1995, participant directed defined contribution
plans with at least I00 eligible employees at the inception of
the Fund account may purchase Class A shares of the Fund without an
initial sales charge but if the shares are redeemed within 12 months
after the end of the calendar year in which the purchase was made, a
contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed at the rate for Class
A shares described in the prospectus.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Exchange Privilege
The paragraph under this heading regarding exchanges of Class B shares into
John Hancock Cash Management Fund is deleted in its entirety and replaced by:
You may exchange Class B shares of the Fund(s) into Class B shares of
John Hancock Money Market Fund at net asset value. However, you
will continue to be subject to a CDSC upon redemption.
September 29, 1995
03095-9/95
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John Hancock Short-Term Strategic Income Fund, March 1, 1995
John Hancock Managed Tax-Exempt Fund, March 1, 1995
John Hancock Special Opportunities Fund, March 1, 1995
John Hancock International Fund, March 1, 1995
John Hancock Sovereign Achievers Fund, March 1, 1995
John Hancock Sovereign U.S. Government Fund, March 1, 1995
John Hancock Special Equities Fund, March 1, 1995
Supplement to Class A and Class B Prospectus
The "Qualifying for a Reduced Sales Charge" section under SHARE PRICE is
supplemented as follows:
Effective March 15, 1995, participant directed defined contribution
plans with at least 100 eligible employees at the inception of the
Fund account may purchase Class A shares of the Fund without an
initial sales charge but if the shares are redeemed within 12
months after the end of the calendar year in which the purchase was
made, a contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed at the rate
for Class A shares described in the prospectus.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Exchange Privilege
The paragraph under this heading regarding exchanges of Class B shares into
John Hancock Cash Management Fund is deleted in its entirety and replaced by:
You may exchange Class B shares of the Fund(s) into Class B shares
of John Hancock Money Market Fund at net asset value. However, you
will continue to be subject to a CDSC upon redemption.
September 29, 1995
MF31S 9/95
