a_taxadvdivincfund.htm
UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 
 
FORM N-CSR 
 
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED 
 
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES 
 
Investment Company Act file number 811-21416 
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 
601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) 
 
Salvatore Schiavone
Treasurer
601 Congress Street 
 
Boston, Massachusetts 02210 
(Name and address of agent for service) 
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 617-663-4497 
 
 
Date of fiscal year end:  October 31 
 
Date of reporting period:  April 30, 2011 

 

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.






Portfolio summary

Top 10 Holdings (29.0% of Total Investments on 4-30-11) 1   

Wells Fargo & Company, 8.000%  3.5%  Progress Energy, Inc.  2.8% 


OGE Energy Corp.  3.3%  DTE Energy Company  2.7% 


ONEOK, Inc.  3.1%  NSTAR  2.7% 


Spectra Energy Corp.  3.0%  Atmos Energy Corp.  2.5% 


Integrys Energy Group, Inc.  2.9%  MetLife, Inc., Series B, 6.500%  2.5% 


 
Sector Composition2,3       

Utilities  60%  Industrials  1% 


Financials  24%  Consumer Discretionary  1% 


Energy  8%  Short-Term Investments & Other  1% 


Telecommunication Services  5%     

 


1 Cash and cash equivalents not included in Top 10 Holdings.

2 As a percentage of the Fund’s total investments on 4-30-11.

3 Sector investing is subject to greater risks than the market as a whole. Because the Fund may focus on particular sectors of the economy, its performance may depend on the performance of those sectors.

6  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report 

 



Fund’s investments

As of 4-30-11 (unaudited)

  Shares  Value 
Common Stocks 85.48% (58.09% of Total Investments)    $583,850,436 

(Cost $512,769,278)     
 
Energy 8.89%    60,690,130 
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 8.89%     

BP PLC, SADR (L)(Z)  187,500  8,651,250 

Chevron Corp. (L)(Z)  82,500  9,028,800 

Kinder Morgan, Inc.  11,000  314,380 

Spectra Energy Corp. (L)(Z)  1,050,000  30,492,000 

Total SA, SADR (L)(Z)  190,000  12,203,700 
 
Industrials 1.38%    9,407,000 
 
Industrial Conglomerates 1.38%     

General Electric Company (L)(Z)  460,000  9,407,000 
 
Telecommunication Services 4.89%    33,389,670 
 
Diversified Telecommunication Services 3.20%     

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (Z)  55,000  531,850 

AT&T, Inc. (Z)  400,000  12,448,000 

Verizon Communications, Inc. (L)(Z)  235,000  8,878,300 
 
Wireless Telecommunication Services 1.69%     

Vodafone Group PLC, SADR (L)(Z)  396,000  11,531,520 
 
Utilities 70.32%    480,363,636 
 
Electric Utilities 18.93%     

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (L)(Z)  595,000  21,705,600 

Duke Energy Corp. (L)(Z)  765,000  14,267,250 

Entergy Corp. (L)(Z)  105,000  7,320,600 

FirstEnergy Corp. (C)(Z)  510,000  20,379,600 

Northeast Utilities  75,000  2,670,000 

PNM Resources, Inc. (Z)  58,000  889,140 

Progress Energy, Inc. (Z)  600,000  28,470,000 

Southern Company (Z)  441,867  17,250,488 

UIL Holding Corp.  515,000  16,387,300 
 
Gas Utilities 9.11%     

Atmos Energy Corp. (L)(Z)  725,000  25,295,250 

Northwest Natural Gas Company (Z)  132,500  6,126,800 

ONEOK, Inc. (Z)  440,000  30,773,600 
 
Multi-Utilities 42.28%     

Ameren Corp. (L)(Z)  555,000  16,267,050 

Black Hills Corp. (L)(Z)  560,000  19,460,000 

 

See notes to financial statements  Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  7 

 



  Shares  Value 
Multi-Utilities (continued)     

CH Energy Group, Inc. (Z)  457,000  $24,504,340 

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (L)(Z)  265,000  13,811,800 

Dominion Resources, Inc. (L)(Z)  420,000  19,496,400 

DTE Energy Company (L)(Z)  543,100  27,442,843 

Integrys Energy Group, Inc. (L)(Z)  555,000  29,059,800 

National Grid PLC, SADR  175,000  8,982,750 

NiSource, Inc. (Z)  790,500  15,375,225 

NSTAR (Z)  575,000  26,622,500 

OGE Energy Corp. (Z)  620,000  32,965,400 

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (L)(Z)  360,000  11,581,200 

Vectren Corp. (L)(Z)  790,000  22,578,200 

Xcel Energy, Inc. (L)(Z)  850,000  20,680,500 
 
Preferred Securities 61.60% (41.87% of Total Investments)    $420,764,980 

(Cost $416,927,304)     
 
Consumer Discretionary 0.46%    3,130,350 
 
Media 0.46%     

Comcast Corp., 7.000% (Z)  123,000  3,130,350 
 
Energy 3.27%    22,369,265 
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 3.27%     

Nexen, Inc., 7.350% (C)(Z)  882,765  22,369,265 
 
Financials 36.17%    247,047,993 
 
Capital Markets 0.00%     

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., Depositary     
Shares, Series C, 5.940% (I)  274,760  13,738 

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., Depositary     
Shares, Series D, 5.670% (I)  65,000  1,300 

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., Depositary     
Shares, Series F, 6.500% (I)  219,300  219 
 
Commercial Banks 12.18%     

Barclays Bank PLC, Series 5, 8.125% (L)(Z)  450,078  11,972,075 

HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.000% (C)(Z)  325,000  8,914,750 

HSBC Holdings PLC, 8.125% (Z)  50,000  1,371,000 

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Series L,     
5.750% (L)(Z)  858,500  16,354,425 

Santander Finance Preferred SA Unipersonal,     
Series 10, 10.500%  242,000  6,967,180 

Santander Finance Preferred SA, Series 1, 6.410%  15,500  369,520 

Santander Holdings USA, Inc., Series C, 7.300%  40,000  1,000,400 

USB Capital VIII, Series 1, 6.350%  55,000  1,383,800 

Wells Fargo & Company, 8.000% (L)(Z)  1,207,000  34,870,230 
 
Consumer Finance 0.86%     

HSBC Finance Corp., Depositary Shares,     
Series B, 6.360% (Z)  150,000  3,570,000 

SLM Corp., Series A, 6.970% (Z)  50,000  2,272,500 

 

8  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report  See notes to financial statements 

 



  Shares  Value 
Diversified Financial Services 19.46%     

Bank of America Corp., 6.700% (Z)  500,000  $11,830,000 

Bank of America Corp., 6.375% (Z)  139,000  3,188,660 

Bank of America Corp., 6.625% (Z)  355,000  8,619,400 

Bank of America Corp., 8.200% (Z)  135,000  3,510,000 

Bank of America Corp., Depositary Shares,     
Series D, 6.204% (Z)  240,000  5,539,200 

Bank of America Corp., Series MER,     
8.625% (C)(Z)  652,800  17,573,376 

Citigroup Capital VIII, 6.950% (L)(Z)  540,000  13,489,200 

Citigroup Capital XIII (7.875% to 10-30-15,     
then 3 month LIBOR + 6.370%), 7.875%  27,100  752,296 

Citigroup, Inc., 8.125%  270,400  7,368,400 

Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust VIII,     
6.375% (Z)  282,000  6,855,420 

Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust II,     
6.550% (Z)  310,000  7,725,200 

Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust III,     
7.600% (L)(Z)  797,893  21,319,701 

ING Groep NV, 7.050% (Z)  140,000  3,325,000 

ING Groep NV, 6.200% (Z)  109,100  2,381,653 

JPMorgan Chase & Company, 8.625% (Z)  140,000  3,869,600 

RBS Capital Funding Trust VII, 6.080%  983,000  15,580,550 
 
Insurance 3.65%     

MetLife, Inc., Series B, 6.500%, 6.500% (L)(Z)  976,000  24,936,800 
 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.02%     

Federal National Mortgage Association, Series S, 7.750%  60,000  122,400 
 
Telecommunication Services 3.48%    23,788,547 
 
Wireless Telecommunication Services 3.48%     

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 6.875%  227,900  5,697,500 

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., Series A, 7.600%  268,940  6,755,773 

United States Cellular Corp., 7.500% (Z)  448,389  11,335,274 
 
Utilities 18.22%    124,428,825 
 
Electric Utilities 12.56%     

Alabama Power Company, Class A, 5.300% (Z)  193,200  4,855,116 

Carolina Power & Light Company, 5.440% (Z)  111,493  10,682,423 

Duquesne Light Company, 6.500% (L)(Z)  427,000  20,989,740 

Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 4.560% (Z)  9,388  795,046 

Entergy Arkansas, Inc., 6.450% (Z)  110,000  2,684,693 

Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 4.920% (Z)  8,190  705,620 

Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 6.250% (Z)  197,500  4,863,438 

FPC Capital I, Series A, 7.100% (Z)  55,000  1,416,800 

PPL Corp., 9.500%  285,000  16,153,800 

PPL Electric Utilities Corp., Depositary Shares,     
6.250% (Z)  300,000  7,500,000 

PPL Energy Supply, LLC, 7.000% (Z)  297,512  7,544,904 

Southern California Edison Company,     
6.125% (Z)  50,000  4,710,940 

Southern California Edison Company, Series C,     
6.000% (Z)  30,000  2,840,625 

 

See notes to financial statements  Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  9 

 



  Shares  Value 
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders 2.33%     

Constellation Energy Group, Inc., Series A,     
8.625% (L)(Z)  597,483  $15,928,897 
 
Multi-Utilities 3.33%     

BGE Capital Trust II, 6.200% (Z)  160,500  4,004,475 

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.,     
Series C, 4.650%  16,400  1,459,600 

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.,     
Series D, 4.650%  5,000  411,717 

Interstate Power & Light Company, Series B,     
8.375% (Z)  230,000  6,674,600 

Pacific Enterprises, 4.500% (Z)  45,000  3,735,000 

Xcel Energy, Inc., 4.560%, Series G (Z)  76,830  6,471,391 
 
Short-Term Investments 0.06% (0.04% of Total Investments)    $442,000 

(Cost $442,000)     
 
Repurchase Agreement 0.06%    442,000 
 
Repurchase Agreement with State Street Corp. dated 4-29-11 at 0.010% to     
be repurchased at $442,000 on 5-2-11, collateralized by $410,000 Federal     
Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 4.500% due 1-15-14 (valued at $453,050,     
including interest)  442,000  442,000 
 
Total investments (Cost $930,138,582)147.14%  $1,005,057,416 

 
Other assets and liabilities, net (47.14%)    ($321,990,045) 

 
Total net assets 100.00%    $683,067,371 

 

The percentage shown for each investment category is the total value the category as a percentage of the net assets of the Fund.

LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate

SADR Sponsored American Depositary Receipts

(C) All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral for options (see Note 3). Total collateral value at 4-30-11 was $51,184,506.

(I) Non-income producing security.

(L) All or a portion of this security is on loan as of 4-30-11. Total value of securities on loan at 4-30-11 was $225,253,503.

(Z) All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the Committed Facility Agreement (See Note 8). Total collateral value at 4-30-11 was $787,402,040.

† At 4-30-11, the aggregate cost of investment securities for federal income tax purposes was $942,020,377. Net unrealized appreciation aggregated $63,037,039, of which $124,821,735 related to appreciated investment securities and $61,784,696 related to depreciated investment securities.

10  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report  See notes to financial statements 

 



F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Financial statements

Statement of assets and liabilities 4-30-11 (unaudited)

This Statement of Assets and Liabilities is the Fund’s balance sheet. It shows the value of what the Fund owns, is due and owes. You’ll also find the net asset value for each common share.

Assets   

Investments, at value (Cost $930,138,582)  $1,005,057,416 
Cash  15,666,504 
Receivable for investments sold  1,154,825 
Dividends receivable  2,718,352 
Other receivables and prepaid assets  621,020 
 
Total assets  1,025,218,117 
 
Liabilities   

Payable for investments purchased  1,168,437 
Committed facility agreement payable (Note 7)  337,000,000 
Written options, at value (Premiums received $1,801,428) (Note 3)  3,713,790 
Interest payable (Note 7)  27,434 
Payable to affiliates   
Accounting and legal services fees  15,316 
Transfer agent fees  14,447 
Trustees’ fees  38,315 
Other liabilities and accrued expenses  173,007 
 
Total liabilities  342,150,746 
 
Net assets   

Capital paid-in  $705,841,004 
Undistributed net investment income  1,928,274 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, options written and   
swap agreements  (97,708,379) 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and   
options written  73,006,472 
 
Net assets  $683,067,371 
 
Net assets value per share   

Based on 37,785,846 shares of beneficial interest outstanding — unlimited   
number of shares authorized with no par value  $18.08 

 

See notes to financial statements  Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  11 

 



F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Statement of operations For the six-month period ended 4-30-11
(unaudited)

This Statement of Operations summarizes the Fund’s investment income earned, expenses incurred in operating the Fund and net gains (losses) for the period stated.

Investment income   

Dividends  $27,576,488 
Interest  51,870 
Less foreign taxes withheld  (17,035) 
 
Total investment income  27,611,323 
 
Expenses   

Investment management fees (Note 5)  3,572,581 
Accounting and legal services fees (Note 5)  42,079 
Transfer agent fees (Note 5)  27,017 
Trustees’ fees (Note 5)  47,647 
Printing and postage  68,508 
Professional fees  154,070 
Custodian fees  39,455 
Registration and filing fees  10,268 
Interest expense (Note 7)  1,870,508 
Stock exchange listing fees  16,721 
Other  11,794 
 
Total expenses  5,860,648 
Less expense reductions (Notes 5 and 10)  (889,552) 
 
Net expenses  4,971,096 
 
Net investment income  22,640,227 
 
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)   

 
Net realized gain (loss) on   
Investments  8,561,052 
Written options (Note 3)  (7,185,419) 
Swap contracts (Note 3)  (1,641,348) 
 
  (265,715) 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of   
Investments  54,644,224 
Written options (Note 3)  (1,938,966) 
Swap contracts (Note 3)  1,666,633 
 
  54,371,891 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain  54,106,176 
 
Increase in net assets from operations  $76,746,403 

 

12  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report  See notes to financial statements 

 



F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Statements of changes in net assets

These Statements of Changes in Net Assets show how the value of the Fund’s net assets has changed during the last two periods. The difference reflects earnings less expenses, any investment gains and losses, distributions, if any, paid to shareholders and the net of Fund share transactions.

  Six months   
  ended  Year 
  4-30-11  ended 
  (unaudited)  10-31-10 
Increase (decrease) in net assets     

 
From operations     
Net investment income  $22,640,227  $42,011,200 
Net realized gain (loss)  (265,715)  4,023,786 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  54,371,891  137,259,224 
 
Increase in net assets resulting from operations  76,746,403  183,294,210 
 
Distributions to shareholders     
From net investment income  (20,688,980)  (41,727,641) 
 
From Fund share transactions (Note 6)  (3,391,487)  (4,178,919) 
 
Total increase  52,665,936  137,387,650 
 
Net assets     

Beginning of period  630,401,435  493,013,785 
 
End of period  $683,067,371  $630,401,435 
 
Accumulated undistributed/(distributions in excess of)    
net investment income  $1,928,274  ($22,973) 

 

See notes to financial statements  Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  13 

 



F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Statement of cash flows

This Statement of Cash Flows shows cash flow from operating and financing activities for the period stated.

  For the 
  six-month 
  period ended 
  4-30-11 
  (unaudited) 
Cash flows from operating activities   

Net increase in net assets from operations  $76,746,403 
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net   
cash provided by operating activities:   
Long-term investments purchased  (91,376,431) 
Long-term investments sold  72,338,527 
Decrease in short term investments  11,068,000 
Decrease in dividends and interest receivable  222,750 
Decrease in payable for investments purchased  (11,935,123) 
Decrease in receivable for investments sold  20,930,931 
Increase in other receivables and prepaid expenses  (555,412) 
Decrease in unrealized depreciation of swap contracts  (1,666,633) 
Increase in payable for written options  1,370,065 
Increase in payable to affiliates  34,164 
Decrease in interest payable  (13,349) 
Decrease in other liabilities and accrued expenses  (713,556) 
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments  (54,644,224) 
Net realized gain on investments  (8,561,052) 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $13,245,060 

 
Cash flows from financing activities   
Borrowings from committed facility agreement payable  26,500,000 
Repurchase of common shares  (3,391,487) 
Distributions to common shareholders  (20,688,980) 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities  $2,419,533 
 
Net increase in cash  $15,664,593 
 
Cash at beginning of period  $1,911 
 
Cash at end of period  $15,666,504 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information   

 
Cash paid for interest  $1,883,857 

 

14  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report  See notes to financial statements 

 



Financial highlights

The Financial Highlights show how the Fund’s net asset value for a share has changed since the end of the previous period.

COMMON SHARES Period ended  4-30-111  10-31-10  10-31-092  12-31-08  12-31-07  12-31-06 
 
Per share operating performance             

Net asset value, beginning             
of period  $16.58  $12.87  $12.48  $19.99  $22.90  $19.93 
Net investment income3  0.60  1.10  0.88  1.13  1.26  1.434 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)             
on investments  1.44  3.69  0.56  (7.07)  (1.98)  3.62 
Distributions to Auction Preferred             
Shares (APS)*        (0.15)  (0.41)  (0.39) 
Total from investment operations  2.04  4.79  1.44  (6.09)  (1.13)  4.66 
Less distributions to             
common shareholders             
From net investment income  (0.55)  (1.09)  (0.83)  (0.99)  (1.19)  (1.16) 
From net realized gain        (0.15)  (0.59)  (0.53) 
From tax return of capital      (0.23)  (0.44)     
Total distributions  (0.55)  (1.09)  (1.06)  (1.58)  (1.78)  (1.69) 
Anti-dilutive impact of             
repurchase plan  0.015  0.015  0.015  0.165     
Net asset value, end of period  $18.08  $16.58  $12.87  $12.48  $19.99  $22.90 
Per share market value, end             
of period  $16.34  $15.41  $11.35  $10.30  $17.90  $20.32 
Total return at net asset value (%)6,8  12.909  39.49  15.349  (29.97)  (4.19)  (25.67)7 
Total return at market value (%)6  9.789  47.01  23.249  (35.46)  (3.32)  (32.21) 

Ratios and supplemental data             
Net assets applicable to common             
shares, end of period (in millions)  $683  $630  $493  $480  $841  $964 
Ratios (as a percentage of average             
net assets):             
Expenses before reductions             
(excluding interest expense)  1.2610  1.39  1.3910  1.42  1.2711  1.2811 
Interest expense (Note 8)  0.5910  0.64  0.8710  0.87     
Expenses before reductions             
(including interest expense)  1.8510  2.03  2.2610  2.29  1.2711  1.2811 
Expenses net of fee waivers             
and credits (excluding             
interest expense)  1.0617  1.22  1.1410  1.12  0.99  1.00 
Expenses net of fee waivers             
and credits (including             
interest expense)  1.6517  1.86  2.0110  1.99  0.9912  1.0012 
Net investment income  7.0817  7.37  9.4410  7.02  5.6513  6.764,13 
Portfolio turnover (%)  10  20  21  29  26  41 

 

See notes to financial statements  Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  15 

 



COMMON SHARES Period ended  4-30-111  10-31-10  10-31-092  12-31-08  12-31-07  12-31-06 
 
Senior securities             

Total value of APS outstanding             
(in millions)          $380  $380 
Involuntary liquidation preference             
per unit (in thousands)          25  25 
Average market value per unit             
(in thousands)          25  25 
Asset coverage per unit14          $81,737  $88,352 
Total debt outstanding end of year             
(in millions) (Note 8)  $337  $311  $253  $267     
Asset coverage per $1,000 of APS15          $3,212  $3,536 
Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt16  $3,027  $3,030  $2,946  $2,797     

 

* Auction Preferred Shares (APS).
1 Semiannual period from 11-1-10 to 4-30-11. Unaudited.
2 For the ten-month period ended 10-31-09. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31.
3 Based on the average daily shares outstanding.
4 Net investment income per share and ratio of net investment income to average net assets reflects a special dividend received by the Fund, which amounted to $0.13 per share and 0.63% of average net assets.
5 The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $15.04, $13.80, $10.29 and $14.92, respectively, for 225,571 shares, 302,900 shares, 173,600 shares and 3,589,570 shares, respectively. The redemptions for the periods ended 4-30-11, 10-31-10, 10-31-09 and 12-31-08 were $3,391,487, $4,178,919, $1,786,938 and $53,556,991, respectively, and had a $0.01, $0.01, $0.01 and $0.16 NAV impact, respectively.
6 Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the Fund’s net asset value during each period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure assumes that dividend and capital gain distributions, if any, were reinvested. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the Fund’s shares traded during the period.
7 Unaudited.
8 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
9 Not annualized.
10 Annualized.
11 Ratios calculated on the basis of gross expenses relative to the average net assets of common shares that does not take into consideration expense reductions during the periods shown. Without the exclusion of preferred shares, the annualized ratio of expenses would have been 0.90% and 0.90% for the periods ended 12-31-07 and 12-31-06, respectively.
12 Ratios calculated on the basis of net expenses relative to the average net assets of common shares. Without the exclusion of preferred shares, the annualized ratio of expenses would have been 0.70% and 0.70% for the periods ended 12-31-07 and 12-31-06, respectively.
13 Ratios calculated on the basis of net investment income relative to the average net assets of common shares. Without the exclusion of preferred shares, the annualized ratio of net investment income would have been 4.03% and 4.74% for the periods ended 12-31-07 and 12-31-06, respectively.
14 Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities from the Fund’s total assets and dividing that amount by the number of APS outstanding, as of the applicable 1940 Act Evaluation Date, which may differ from the financial reporting date.
15 Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus APS divided by the APS of the Fund outstanding at period end (Note 8).
16 Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowings of the Fund outstanding at period end (Note 8).
17 All expenses have been annualized except insurance reimbursement, which was 0.07% of average net assets and is non-recurring. This reimbursement increased the net investment income by $0.01 and the net investment income ratio by 0.07%.

 

16  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report  See notes to financial statements 

 



Notes to financial statements
(unaudited)

Note 1 — Organization

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (the Fund) is a closed-end diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Fund began operations on February 27, 2004.

Note 2 — Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Events or transactions occurring after the end of the fiscal period through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. The following summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Fund:

Security valuation. Investments are stated at value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally at 4:00 P.M., Eastern Time. The Fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the pricing assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. Level 1 includes securities valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes securities valued using significant observable inputs. Observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk. Prices for securities valued using these inputs are received from independent pricing vendors and brokers and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. Level 3 includes securities valued using significant unobservable inputs when market prices are not readily available or reliable, including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Factors used in determining value may include market or issuer specific events, changes in interest rates and credit quality. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  17 

 



The following is a summary of the values by input classification of the Fund’s investments as of April 30, 2011, by major security category or type:

        LEVEL 3 
      LEVEL 2  SIGNIFICANT 
  TOTAL MARKET  LEVEL 1  SIGNIFICANT  UNOBSERVABLE 
  VALUE AT 4-30-11  QUOTED PRICE  OBSERVABLE INPUTS  INPUTS 

Common Stocks         
Energy  $60,690,130  $60,690,130     
Industrials  9,407,000  9,407,000     
Telecommunication         
Services  33,389,670  33,389,670     
Utilities  480,363,636  480,363,636     
Preferred Securities         
Consumer Discretionary  3,130,350  3,130,350     
Energy  22,369,265  22,369,265     
Financials  247,047,993  247,034,255  $13,738   
Telecommunication         
Services  23,788,547  23,788,547     
Utilities  124,428,825  75,744,583  48,684,242   
Short-Term Investments  442,000    442,000   
 
Total Investments in         
Securities  $1,005,057,416  $955,917,436  $49,139,980   
Other Financial         
Instruments         
Written Options  ($3,713,790)  ($3,713,790)     

 

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. During the six-month period ended April 30, 2011, there were no significant transfers in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 assets.

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value. Transfers in or out of Level 3 represent the beginning value of any security or instrument where a change in the level has occurred from the beginning to the end of the period.

  CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY 

Balance as of 10-31-10  $89 
Realized gain (loss)  (700,182) 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  700,093 
Purchases   
Sales   
Transfers into Level 3   
Transfers out of Level 3   
Balance as of 4-30-11   
Change in unrealized at year end*  $700,093 

 

* Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to Level 3 securities held at period end.

In order to value the securities, the Fund uses the following valuation techniques. Equity securities held by the Fund are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the principal securities exchange on which they trade. In the event there were no sales during the day or closing prices are not available, then securities are valued using the last quoted bid or evaluated price. Foreign securities are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. Certain securities traded only in the over-the-counter

18  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report 

 



market are valued at the last bid price quoted by brokers making markets in the securities at the close of trading. Certain short-term securities are valued at amortized cost. Other portfolio securities and assets, where market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Pricing Committee, following procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

Repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. When the Fund enters into a repurchase agreement, it receives collateral which is held in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian. The collateral amount is marked-to-market and monitored on a daily basis to ensure that the collateral held is in an amount not less than the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus any accrued interest. In the event of a default by the counterparty, realization of the collateral proceeds could be delayed, during which time the collateral value may decline.

Security transactions and related investment income. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost and may include proceeds from litigation. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, except for dividends of foreign securities where the dividend may not be known until after the ex-date. In those cases, dividend income is recorded when the Fund becomes aware of the dividends.

Overdrafts. Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the Fund’s custodian may, in its discretion, advance funds to the Fund to make properly authorized payments. When such payments result in an overdraft, the Fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any costs or expenses associated with the overdraft. The custodian has a lien, security interest or security entitlement in any Fund property, that is not segregated, to the maximum extent permitted by law to the extent of any overdraft.

Expenses. The majority of expenses are directly attributable to an individual fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund’s relative assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.

Federal income taxes. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund has a capital loss carryforward of $86,583,009 available to offset future net realized capital gains as of October 31, 2010. The loss carryforward expires as follows: October 31, 2016 — $6,628,913 and October 31, 2017 — $79,954,096.

Under the recently enacted Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  19 

 



As of October 31, 2010, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition or disclosure. The Fund’s federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The Fund generally declares and pays dividends monthly and capital gain distributions, if any, annually.

Such distributions, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Capital accounts within financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to derivative transactions, wash sales loss deferrals and characterization of distributions.

Statement of cash flows. Information on financial transactions that have been settled through the receipt and disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows is the amount included in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represents the cash on hand at its custodian and does not include any short-term investments.

Note 3 — Derivative instruments

The Fund may invest in derivatives in order to meet its investment objectives. The use of derivatives may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities. Specifically, derivatives expose the Fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that the Fund will succeed in enforcing them.

Options. There are two types of options, a put option and a call option. Options are traded either over-the-counter or on an exchange. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy (and the seller the obligation to sell) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell (and the writer the obligation to buy) the underlying instrument at the exercise price. Writing puts and buying calls may increase the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of the underlying instrument. Buying puts and writing calls may decrease the Fund’s exposure to such changes. Risks related to the use of options include the loss of the premium, possible illiquidity of the options markets, trading restrictions imposed by an exchange and movements in underlying security values, and for written options, potential losses in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Options listed on an exchange are valued at their closing price. If no closing price is available, then they are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices from the exchange on which they are principally traded. For options not listed on an exchange, an independent pricing source is used to value the options at the mean between the last bid and ask prices. When the Fund purchases an option, the premium paid by the Fund is included in the Portfolio of Investments and subsequently “marked-to-market” to reflect current market value. If the purchased option expires, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a call option, the cost of the securities acquired by exercising the call is increased by the premium paid to buy the call. If the

20  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report 

 



Fund exercises a put option, it realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale are decreased by the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, the Fund realizes a gain or loss, depending on whether proceeds from the closing sale are greater or less than the original cost. When the Fund writes an option, the premium received is included as a liability and subsequently “marked-to-market” to reflect current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are recorded as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are exercised or are closed are added to or offset against the proceeds or amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. If a put option on a security is exercised, the premium received reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund.

During the six months ended April 30, 2011, the Fund wrote option contracts to seek to generate income and to reduce overall volatility of the underlying portfolio. The following tables summarize the Fund’s written options activities during the six months ended April 30, 2011 and the contracts held at April 30, 2011.

  NUMBER OF   
  CONTRACTS  PREMIUMS 

Outstanding, beginning of period  2,519  $2,370,329 
Options written  12,804  20,543,924 
Options expired  (1,885)  (765,114) 
Options closed  (11,888)  (20,347,711) 
Outstanding, end of period  1,550  $1,801,428 

 

  EXERCISE    NUMBER OF     
NAME OF ISSUER  PRICE  EXPIRATION DATE  CONTRACTS  PREMIUM  VALUE 

CALLS           
 
Russell 2000 Index  $840  Nov 2011  85  $131,494  ($268,345) 
S&P 100 Index  585  Nov 2011  550  911,342  (1,320,000) 
S&P 500 Index  1,350  Nov 2011  535  431,737  (1,174,325) 
S&P 500 Index  1,335  Nov 2011  220  263,337  (747,120) 
S&P 600 Smallcap Index  450  Nov 2011  160  63,518  (204,000) 
Total      1,550  $1,801,428  ($3,713,790) 

 

Interest rate swaps. Interest rate swaps represent an agreement between a Fund and counterparty to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates applied to a notional amount. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to the other. The Fund settles accrued net interest receivable or payable under the swap contracts on a periodic basis. Upfront payments made/received by the Fund are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes, with the unamortized/unaccreted portion included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon values from third party vendors or brokers quotations, and the change in value is recorded as unrealized appreciation/depreciation of swap contracts. A termination payment by the counterparty or the Fund is recorded as realized gain or loss, as well as the net periodic payments received or paid by a Fund.

Entering into swap agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk that may amount to values that are in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for the swap, that a counterparty may default on its obligation or delay payment under the swap terms. The counterparty may disagree or contest the terms of the swap. Market risks may also accompany the swap, including interest rate risk. The Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate or assign outstanding swaps or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  21 

 



During the six months ended April 30, 2011, the Fund used interest rate swaps to hedge financing costs. During the six months ended April 30, 2011, the Fund held interest rate swaps with total USD notional amounts up to $95,000,000, as measured at each quarter end.

There were no open interest rate swap contracts at April 30, 2011.

Fair value of derivative instruments by risk category

The table below summarizes the fair value of derivatives held by the Fund at April 30, 2011 by risk category:

    FINANCIAL  ASSET  LIABILITIES 
  STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND  INSTRUMENTS  DERIVATIVES  DERIVATIVES 
RISK  LIABILITIES LOCATION  LOCATION  FAIR VALUE  FAIR VALUE 

Equity contracts  Payable for written options,  Written options    $3,713,790 
  at value       

 

Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations

The table below summarizes the net realized gain (loss) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six-month period ended April 30, 2011:

  STATEMENT OF    SWAP   
RISK  OPERATIONS LOCATION  WRITTEN OPTIONS  CONTRACTS  TOTAL 

Equity contracts  Net realized gain (loss) on  ($7,185,419)    ($7,185,419) 
Interest rate  Net realized gain (loss) on    ($1,641,348)  ($1,641,348) 
contracts         
Total    ($7,185,419)  ($1,641,348)  ($8,826,767) 

 

The table below summarizes the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category, for the six-month period ended April 30, 2011:

 

  STATEMENT OF    SWAP   
RISK  OPERATIONS LOCATION  WRITTEN OPTIONS  CONTRACTS  TOTAL 

Equity contracts  Change in unrealized  ($1,938,966)    ($1,938,966) 
  appreciation       
  (depreciation) of       
Interest rate  Change in unrealized    $1,666,663  $1,666,663 
contracts  appreciation       
  (depreciation) of       
Total    ($1,938,966)  $1,666,663  ($272,303) 

 

Note 4 — Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

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Note 5 — Fees and transactions with affiliates

John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser) serves as investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC).

Management fee. The Fund has an investment management agreement with the Adviser under which the Fund pays a daily management fee to the Adviser equivalent, on an annual basis, to 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets and the value attributed to the Committed Facility Agreement (see Note 8) (collectively, managed assets). The Adviser has subadvisory agreements with John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC (formerly MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC), an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Adviser, and Analytic Investors LLC. The Fund is not responsible for payment of the subadvisory fees.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the Fund’s management fee to the following: 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets from February 27, 2009 until February 26, 2010, 0.65% of such assets from February 27, 2010 until February 26, 2011 and 0.70% of average daily managed assets from February 27, 2011 until February 26, 2012. Accordingly, the expense reductions related to the reduction in the management fee amounted to $394,194 for the six months ended April 30, 2011.

The investment management fees incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2011 were equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.67% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.

Accounting and legal services. Pursuant to a service agreement, the Fund reimburses the Adviser for all expenses associated with providing the administrative, financial, legal, accounting and recordkeeping services of the Fund, including the preparation of all tax returns, periodic reports to shareholders and regulatory reports, among other services. These accounting and legal services fees incurred for the six months ended April 30, 2011, amounted to an annual rate of 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Trustee expenses. The Trust compensates each Trustee who is not an employee of the Adviser or its affiliates. These Trustees may, for tax purposes, elect to defer receipt of this compensation under the John Hancock Group of Funds Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan). Deferred amounts are invested in various John Hancock funds and remain in the funds until distributed in accordance with the Plan. The investment of deferred amounts and the offsetting liability are included within Other receivables and prepaid expenses and Payable to affiliates — Trustees’ fees, respectively, in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Note 6 — Fund share transactions

In December 2007, the Trustees approved a share repurchase plan, which has been subsequently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees each year in December. Under the share repurchase plan, the Fund may repurchase in the open market up to 10% of its outstanding common shares. The plan will remain in effect between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.

During the six months period ended April 30, 2011 and year ended October 31, 2010, the Fund repurchased 225,571 and 302,900, respectively (0.60% and 0.79% of shares outstanding, respectively) of its common shares under the share repurchase program. The corresponding dollar amount of the share repurchase amounted to $3,391,487 and $4,178,919 during the six-month periods ended April 30, 2011 and year ended October 31, 2010, respectively.

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  23 

 



Note 7 — Leverage risk

The Fund utilizes a Committed Facility Agreement (CFA) to increase its assets available for investment. When the Fund leverages its assets, common shareholders bear the fees associated with the facility and have the potential to benefit or be disadvantaged from the use of leverage.

The Adviser’s fee is also increased in dollar terms from the use of leverage. Consequently, the Fund and the Adviser may have differing interests in determining whether to leverage the Fund’s assets. Leverage creates risks that may adversely affect the return for the holders of common shares, including:

• the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of common shares

• fluctuations in the interest rate paid for the use of the credit facility

• increased operating costs, which may reduce the Fund’s total return

• the potential for a decline in the value of an investment acquired through leverage, while the Fund’s obligations under such leverage remains fixed

• the Fund is more likely to have to sell securities in a volatile market in order to meet asset coverage or other debt compliance requirements

To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used, conversely, returns would be lower if the cost of the leverage exceeds the income or capital appreciation derived.

Note 8 — Committed Facility Agreement

The Fund has entered into a Committed Facility Agreement (CFA) with a subsidiary of BNP Paribas (BNP) that allows it to borrow up to $344 million and to invest the borrowings in accordance with its investment practices. Prior to April 29, 2011, the Fund could borrow up to $351 million under the CFA.

Borrowings under the CFA are secured by the assets of the Fund as disclosed in the Fund’s investments. Interest charged is at the rate of one-month LIBOR (reset daily) plus 0.70% and is payable monthly. Prior to April 29, 2011, the interest rate was one-month LIBOR plus 0.85%. The Fund also pays a commitment fee of 0.60% per annum on the unused portion of the facility. The commitment fee for the six months ended April 30, 2011, totaled $85,070 and is included in the interest expense in the Statement of operations. As of April 30, 2011, the Fund had borrowings of $337,000,000 at an interest rate of 0.91%, which are reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. During the six months ended April 30, 2011, the average borrowing under the CFA and the effective average interest rate were $322,722,652 and 1.12%, respectively.

The Fund may terminate the agreement with 90 days’ notice and, if the Board of Trustees determines that the elimination of all indebtedness leveraging the Fund’s investments is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders, the Fund may terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice. In addition, if certain asset coverage and collateral requirements, minimum net assets or other covenants are not met, the CFA could be deemed in default and result in termination. Absent a default or a facility termination event, BNP is required to provide the Fund with 270 days’ notice prior to terminating or amending the CFA.

The Fund has entered into an agreement with BNP that allows BNP to borrow a portion of the pledged collateral (Lent Securities) in an amount not to exceed the lesser of: (i) outstanding borrowings owed by the Fund to BNP and (ii) thirty-three and one-third percent of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund can designate any security within the pledged collateral as ineligible to be a Lent

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Security and can recall any of the Lent Securities. The Fund also has the right to apply and set-off an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the then-current fair market value of such Lent Securities against the current borrowings under the CFA in the event that BNP fails to timely return the Lent Securities and in certain other circumstances. Income earned from Lent Securities is recorded as a component of interest income on the Statement of operations. During the six months ended April 30, 2011, the Fund recorded $495,359 in income from Lent Securities.

Note 9 — Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and sales of securities, other than short-term securities, aggregated $91,376,431 and $72,338,527, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2011.

Note 10 — Other matters

On August 30, 2010, a derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, on behalf of a purported shareholder of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund, which was like one filed for another John Hancock Fund.

A Joint Motion To Dismiss With Prejudice was filed on February 28, 2011 in the Business Litigation Session of the Superior Court of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County. On March 1, 2011, the Court granted the Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice.

For the six months ended April 30, 2011, the results of operations include non-recurring legal fees and expenses of approximately $101,450 related to this matter, which are included in Professional fees on the Statement of operations. During the period, the Fund recorded reimbursement from its insurance provider of $495,358, which is included in expense reductions on the Statement of operations.

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  25 

 



Additional information

Unaudited

Investment objective and policy

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of after-tax total return from dividend income and gains and capital appreciation.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common and preferred securities that the Adviser believes at the time of acquisition are eligible to pay dividends which, for individual shareholders, qualify for U.S. federal income taxation at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, which currently are taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (“tax-advantaged dividends”). Tax-advantaged dividends generally include dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. The Fund generally can pass the tax treatment of tax-advantaged dividends it receives through to its common shareholders.

On December 17, 2007, the Fund’s Trustees approved a change to the Fund’s investment policy regarding investments in foreign securities. The revised policy provides that the Fund may invest up to 40% of its net assets in securities of corporate and government issuers located outside the United States that are traded or denominated in U.S. dollars.

On March 31, 2008, the shareholders approved the following changes to the Fund’s fundamental investment policy: To eliminate the Fund’s “concentration” policy (i.e., investing at least 25% of its net assets) with respect to securities issued by financial services corporations; and to modify the Fund’s concentration policy with respect to investing in the utilities sector by permitting the Fund to invest in both U.S. and foreign utilities corporations, rather than only U.S. utilities corporations (as required under the prior policy).

On December 9, 2008, the Fund’s Trustees approved the following investment policy: The fund may write (sell) covered call index options on up to 30% of the value of the fund’s total assets.

On March 9, 2011, the Board of Trustees amended the Fund’s investment policy regarding the use of reverse repurchase agreement transactions. The new policy provides the following:

Reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund may engage in reverse repurchase agreement transactions to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and related guidance of the Securities and Exchange Commission and its staff. The Fund intends to use reverse repurchase agreements to obtain investment leverage either alone and/or in combination with other forms of investment leverage. The Fund may also use reverse repurchase agreement transactions for temporary or emergency purposes. In a reverse repurchase agreement transaction, the Fund temporarily transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to another party in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase the instrument at an agreed upon time and price, which reflects an interest payment. The value of the portfolio securities transferred may substantially exceed the purchase price received by the Fund under the reverse repurchase agreement transaction and, during the life of the reverse repurchase agreement transaction, the Fund may be required to transfer additional securities if the market value of those securities initially transferred declines. In engaging in a reverse repurchase transaction, the Fund may transfer (“sell”) any of its portfolio securities to a broker-dealer, bank or another financial institution counterparty as determined by the Adviser to be appropriate. In accordance with guidance from the SEC and its staff from time to time in effect, the Fund will earmark or segregate liquid assets equal to repayment obligations under the reverse repurchase agreements. When the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement transaction, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities transferred to another party or the securities in which the proceeds may

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be invested would affect the market value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s assets.

Bylaws

Effective September 9, 2008, the Fund’s bylaws were amended with respect to notice requirements for Trustee nominations and other proposals by the Fund’s shareholders. These provisions require the disclosure of the nominating shareholder and the nominee’s investment interests as they relate to the Fund, as well as the name of any other shareholder supporting the nominee for election as a Trustee or the proposal of other business. In order for notice to be proper, such notice must disclose the economic interests of the nominating shareholder and nominee, including his or her holdings of shares in the Fund, the intent upon which those shares were acquired, and any hedging arrangements (including leveraged or short positions) made with respect to the shares of the Fund. Additionally, any material interest that the shareholder has in the business to be brought before the meeting must be disclosed.

Dividends and distributions

During the six-month period ended April 30, 2011, dividends from net investment income totaling $0.5460 per share were paid to shareholders. The dates of payments and the amounts per share were as follows:

PAYMENT DATE  DISTRIBUTIONS 

November 30, 2010  $0.0910 
December 31, 2010  0.0910 
January 31, 2011  0.0910 
February 28, 2011  0.0910 
March 31, 2011  0.0910 
April 29, 2011  0.0910 
Total  $0.5460 

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

The Board of Trustees approved certain amendments to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The Dividend Reinvestment Plan that is in effect as of July 1, 2011 is described below.

Pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), distributions of dividends and capital gains are automatically reinvested in common shares of the Fund by The Bank of New York Mellon (the Plan Agent). Every shareholder holding at least one full share of the Fund is entitled to participate in the Plan. In addition, every shareholder who became a shareholder of the Fund after June 30, 2011 and holds at least one full share of the Fund will be automatically enrolled in the Plan. Shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash.

If the Fund declares a dividend or distribution payable either in cash or in common shares of the Fund and the market price of shares on the payment date for the distribution or dividend equals or exceeds the Fund’s net asset value per share (NAV), the Fund will issue common shares to participants at a value equal to the higher of NAV or 95% of the market price. The number of additional shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution or dividend by the higher of NAV or 95% of the market price. If the market price is lower than NAV, or if dividends or distributions are payable only in cash, then participants will receive shares purchased by the Plan Agent on participants’ behalf on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) or otherwise on the open market. If the market price exceeds NAV before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the average per share purchase price may exceed NAV, resulting in fewer shares being acquired than if the Fund had issued new shares.

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  27 

 



There are no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. However, whenever shares are purchased or sold on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market, each participant will pay a pro rata portion of brokerage trading fees, currently $0.05 per share purchased or sold. Brokerage trading fees will be deducted from amounts to be invested.

The reinvestment of dividends and net capital gains distributions does not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Shareholders participating in the Plan may buy additional shares of the Fund through the Plan at any time in amounts of at least $50 per investment, up to a maximum of $10,000, with a total calendar year limit of $100,000. Shareholders will be charged a $5 transaction fee plus $0.05 per share brokerage trading fee for each order. Purchases of additional shares of the Fund will be made on the open market. Shareholders who elect to utilize monthly electronic fund transfers to buy additional shares of the Fund will be charged a $2 transaction fee plus $0.05 per share brokerage trading fee for each automatic purchase. Shareholders can also sell Fund shares held in the Plan account at any time by contacting the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s Web site at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess. The Plan Agent will mail a check to you (less applicable brokerage trading fees) on settlement date, which is three business days after your shares have been sold. If you choose to sell your shares through your stockbroker, you will need to request that the Plan Agent electronically transfer your shares to your stockbroker through the Direct Registration System.

Shareholders participating in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan at any time by contacting the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s Web site at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess. Such termination will be effective immediately if the notice is received by the Plan Agent prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution, with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. If you withdraw, your shares will be credited to your account; or, if you wish, the Plan Agent will sell your full and fractional shares and send you the proceeds, less a transaction fee of $5.00 and less brokerage trading fees of $0.05 per share. If a shareholder does not maintain at least one whole share of common stock in the Plan account, the Plan Agent may terminate such shareholder’s participation in the Plan after written notice. Upon termination, shareholders will be sent a check for the cash value of any fractional share in the Plan account, less any applicable broker commissions and taxes.

Shareholders who hold at least one full share of the Fund may join the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent by telephone, in writing or by visiting the Plan Agent’s Web site at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess. If received in proper form by the Plan Agent before the record date of a dividend, the election will be effective with respect to all dividends paid after such record date. If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, please contact your nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan for you. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you will need to request that your shares be re-registered in your own name, or you will not be able to participate. The Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by you as representing the total amount registered in your name and held for your account by your nominee.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan. Participants generally will receive written notice at least 90 days before the effective date of any amendment. In the case of termination, participants will receive written notice at least 90 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund.

28  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report 

 



All correspondence or additional information about the Plan should be directed to The Bank of New York Mellon, c/o BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, c/o Mellon Investor Services, P.O. Box 358035, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035 (Telephone: 1-800-852-0218 (within the U.S. and Canada), 1-201-680-6578 (International Telephone Inquiries), and 1-800-231-5469 (For the Hearing Impaired (TDD)).

Shareholder communication and assistance

If you have any questions concerning the Fund, we will be pleased to assist you. If you hold shares in your own name and not with a brokerage firm, please address all notices, correspondence, questions or other communications regarding the Fund to the transfer agent at:

Mellon Investor Services
Newport Office Center VII
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310
Telephone: 1-800-852-0218

If your shares are held with a brokerage firm, you should contact that firm, bank or other nominee for assistance.

Shareholder meeting

The Fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on January 21, 2011. The following proposal was considered by the shareholders:

Proposal: Election of three (3) Trustees to serve for a three-year term ending at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2014. The votes cast with respect to each Trustee are set forth below.

THE PROPOSAL PASSED ON JANUARY 21, 2011.

  TOTAL VOTES  TOTAL VOTES WITHHELD 
  FOR THE NOMINEE  FROM THE NOMINEE 

James F. Carlin  30,730,855  637,254 
William H. Cunningham  30,690,265  677,844 
Gregory A. Russo  30,732,504  635,605 

 

The following eight Trustees were not up for election and remain in office: Deborah C. Jackson, Charles L. Ladner, Stanley Martin, Patti McGill Peterson, Hugh McHaffie, John A. Moore, Steven R. Pruchansky and John G. Vrysen.

 

Semiannual report | Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund  29 

 



More information

Trustees  Officers  Investment adviser 
Steven R. Pruchansky,  Keith F. Hartstein  John Hancock Advisers, LLC 
Chairperson  President and   
James F. Carlin  Chief Executive Officer  Subadviser 
William H. Cunningham    John Hancock Asset Management 
Deborah C. Jackson* Andrew G. Arnott  (formerly MFC Global 
Charles L. Ladner,* Senior Vice President  Investment Management 
Vice Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer  (U.S.), LLC) 
Stanley Martin*  
Hugh McHaffie Thomas M. Kinzler  Analytic Investors, LLC 
Dr. John A. Moore Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   
Patti McGill Peterson*   Custodian 
Gregory A. Russo Francis V. Knox, Jr.  State Street Bank and
John G. Vrysen Chief Compliance Officer  Trust Company
 
*Member of the Charles A. Rizzo Transfer agent 
Audit Committee Chief Financial Officer Mellon Investor Services 
†Non-Independent Trustee  
Salvatore Schiavone  Legal counsel 
  Treasurer  K&L Gates LLP 
    Stock symbol 
    Listed New York Stock 
    Exchange: HTD 

 

For shareholder assistance refer to page 29

 

You can also contact us:     
  1-800-852-0218  Regular mail: 
  jhfunds.com  Mellon Investor Services 
    Newport Office Center VII 
    480 Washington Boulevard 
    Jersey City, NJ 07310 

 

The Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as the Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30, are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Web site at www.sec.gov or on our Web site.

The Fund’s complete list of portfolio holdings, for the first and third fiscal quarters, is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on our Web site and the SEC’s Web site, www.sec.gov, and can be reviewed and copied (for a fee) at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Call 1-800-SEC-0330 to receive information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room.

We make this information on your fund, as well as monthly portfolio holdings, and other fund details available on our Web site www.jhfunds.com or by calling 1-800-852-0218.

The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.

The Fund is listed for trading on the NYSE and has filed with the NYSE its chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards. The Fund also files with the SEC the certification of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

30  Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund | Semiannual report 

 




PRESORTED 
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE 
PAID
MIS

 

1-800-852-0218
1-800-231-5469 TDD
1-800-843-0090 EASI-Line
www.jhfunds.com

 

P13SA 4/11 
6/11 

 



ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable at this time.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable at this time.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable at this time.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT

COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

    REGISTRANT PURCHASES OF EQUITY   
    SECURITIES       
 
          Maximum 
        Total Number of  Number 
        Shares  of Shares that 
        Purchased  May 
    Total  as Part of  Yet Be 
    Number of  Average Publicly  Purchased 
    Shares   Price Announced  Under the 
Period    Purchased  per Share  Plans*  Plans 

Nov-10    0  0  302,900  3,564,442 
Dec-10    44,000  14.867  346,900  3,796,742* 
Jan-11    142,367  15.005  489,267  3,654,375 
Feb-11    39,204  15.333  528,471  3,615,171 
Mar-11    0  0  528,471  3,615,171 
Apr-11    0  0  528,471  3,615,171 
Total  225,571  15.035     

 



__________________________________________________________

*In December 2007, the Trustees approved a share repurchase plan, which has been subsequently reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees each year in December. Under the share repurchase plan, the Fund may repurchase in the open market up to 10% of its outstanding common shares. The plan will remain in effect between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

There were no material changes to previously disclosed John Hancock Funds – Governance Committee Charter.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Based upon their evaluation of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this Form N-CSR, the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the material information required to be disclosed by the registrant on this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.

(b) Separate certifications for the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached. The certifications furnished pursuant to this paragraph are not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.

(c)(1) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders is attached. See attached “John Hancock Funds – Governance Committee Charter”.

(c)(2) Contact person at the registrant.



SIGNATURES 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

By:

/s/ Keith F. Hartstein
Keith F. Hartstein
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 20, 2011

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:

/s/ Keith F. Hartstein
Keith F. Hartstein
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 20, 2011

By:

/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 20, 2011