JOHN HANCOCK INSTITUTIONAL SERIES TRUST
Supplements to Prospectus dated July 1, 1997
John Hancock Dividend Performers Fund
The Dividend Performers Fund's (the "Fund") strategy seeks to invest in common
stocks with a record of having increased their dividends in each of the
preceding ten or more years. Therefore, The Fund's investment policy regarding
fixed income and below investment grade securities is being eliminated. The
Fund's strategy as well as its team leader, John F. Snyder, III, have been in
place since the Fund's inception.
In order to accomplish this change the Prospectus should be modified as follows:
Delete the second paragraph on page 12 and replace with the following:
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total assets in
dividend paying securities. The Adviser expects that common stocks will
ordinarily offer the greatest dividend paying potential and will constitute a
majority of the Fund's assets. For defensive purposes, however, the Fund may
temporarily hold high grade short-term debt securities. The Adviser and the
Fund's subadviser, Sovereign Asset Management Corp. ("SAMCorp"), will select
securities for the Fund's portfolio mainly for thier investment character based
upon generally accepted elements of intrinsic value, including industry
position, management, financial strength, earnings power, marketability and
prospects for future growth.
Delete the fourth paragraph on page 12 of the Prospectus.
The paragraph under the following heading in the "Organization and Management of
the Funds" section on page 23 of the prospectus is replaced as follows:
Dividend Performers Fund
John F. Snyder, III, assisted by a group of portfolio managers and analysts, has
been primarily responsible for management of the Fund since its inception. Mr.
Snyder is an executive vice president of the Adviser, has been in the investment
business since 1972 and has been associated with the Adviser since 1991.
Delete all references to Dividend Performers Fund under the heading "Lower Rated
Securities" on page 30 of the Prospectus.
November 17, 1997
John Hancock Global Bond Fund
Replace the second sentence of the fourth paragraph on page 9 of the Prospectus
with the following:
The Fund may, however, invest less than 35% of its total assets in fixed-income
debt securities rated, at the time of investment, as low as CCC by S&P or Caa by
Moody's or their respective equivalent ratings and unrated securities of
comparable credit quality.
September 10, 1997
KB0PS 11/97
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JOHN HANCOCK INSTITUTIONAL SERIES TRUST
Supplements to Statement of Additional Information
dated July 1, 1997
John Hancock Dividend Performers Fund
Replace the first sentence of the second paragraph under "Dividend Performers
Fund" on page 5 of the Statement of Additional Information with the following:
The Fund may invest 100% of its total assets in common stocks or, for defensive
purposes, may temporarily hold cash or high grade short-term debt securities.
Delete the last sentence of the last paragraph under "Dividend Performers Fund"
on page 5 of the Statement of Additional Information.
Delete all references to Dividend Performers Fund under the heading "Lower Rated
High Yield Debt Obligations" on page 23 of the Statement of Additional
Information.
November 17, 1997
John Hancock Global Bond Fund
Replace the fourth sentence of the first paragraph on page 23 of the Statement
of Additional Information with the following: Global Bond Fund may invest less
than 35% of its total assets in securities rated as low as CCC by S&P or Caa by
Moody's and their equivalents.
September 10, 1997
K0SAIS 11/97
