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- 21202 
 
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II 
(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:  July 31 
 
 
Date of reporting period:  January 31, 2010 


ITEM 1. REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS.






Portfolio summary

Top 10 Holdings1       

Nexen, Inc. 7.350%  4.6%  Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.,   

7.600%, Series A   2.7% 
Viacom, Inc. 6.850%  3.4% 

  Comcast Corp., 7.000%, Series B    2.6% 
Interstate Power & Light   
Company, 8.375%, Series B  3.4%  JPMorgan Chase & Company,   

6.150%, Series E    2.6% 
MetLife, Inc., 6.500%, Series B  3.1% 

  ING Groep NV, 7.050%    2.6% 
PFGI Capital Corp., 7.750%  2.9% 

     
PPL Energy Supply, LLC, 7.000%  2.7%     

 
Sector Composition2,3       

Financials  48%  Telecommunication Services  7% 

 
Utilities  24%  Consumer Staples  2% 

 
Consumer Discretionary  7%  Short-Term Investments  5% 

 
Energy  7%     

 

 

Country Composition2   

United States  85% 

United Kingdom  5% 

Canada  5% 

Netherlands  3% 

Switzerland  1% 

Other  1% 


1 As a percentage of the Fund’s total investments on January 31, 2010. Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

2 As a percentage of the Fund’s total investments on January 31, 2010.

3 Investments focused in one sector may fluctuate more widely than investments diversified across sectors. Because the Fund may focus on particular sectors, its performance may depend on the performance of those sectors.

6  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



Fund’s investments

As of 1-31-10 (unaudited)

  Shares  Value 
Preferred Stocks 135.82%    $523,065,719 

(Cost $573,755,759)     
 
Consumer Discretionary 11.40%    43,905,072 
 
Media 11.40%     

CBS Corp., 6.750% (Z)  177,800  3,884,930 

CBS Corp., 7.250%  67,000  1,577,850 

Comcast Corp., 7.000%, Series B (Z)  610,000  15,402,500 

Comcast Corp., 6.625% (Z)  118,500  2,859,405 

Viacom, Inc., 6.850% (Z)  834,245  20,180,387 
 
Consumer Staples 2.91%    11,205,008 
 
Food & Staples Retailing 2.91%     

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., 6.250%, Series A (S)(Z)  160,000  11,205,008 
 
Energy 7.69%    29,609,200 
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 7.69%     

Nexen, Inc., 7.350% (Z)  1,151,100  27,304,092 

Southern Union Company, 7.550%, Series A  91,400  2,305,108 
 
Financials 73.45%    282,882,506 
 
Capital Markets 10.47%     

Credit Suisse Guernsey, 7.900%  264,000  6,803,280 

Lehman Brothers Holdings Capital Trust III,     
 6.375%, Series K (I)  177,000  53,100 

Lehman Brothers Holdings Capital Trust V,     
 6.000%, Series M (I)  46,600  16,310 

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., 5.940%,     
 Depositary Shares, Series C (I)  145,200  14,520 

Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III, 7.000% (Z)  360,400  7,597,232 

Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust IV, 7.120% (Z)  172,200  3,655,806 

Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust V, 7.280% (Z)  275,000  5,995,000 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust III, 6.250% (Z)  286,779  6,139,938 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust IV, 6.250% (Z)  110,000  2,330,900 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust V, 5.750% (Z)  353,500  7,091,210 

Morgan Stanley Capital Trust VII, 6.600%  29,000  647,860 
 
Commercial Banks 16.34%     

Barclays Bank PLC, 7.100%, Series 3 (Z)  375,000  8,437,500 

Barclays Bank PLC, 8.125%, Series 5 (Z)  259,800  6,391,080 

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.200%, Series A (Z)  254,600  5,601,200 

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 5.750%, Series L (Z)  480,000  6,864,000 

Santander Finance Preferred SA Unipersonal, 10.500%  270,000  7,614,000 

See notes to financial statements

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  7 



  Shares  Value 
Commercial Banks (continued)     

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., 7.300%, Depositary     
 Shares, Series C (Z)  105,567  $2,639,175 

USB Capital VIII, 6.350%, Series 1 (Z)  233,500  5,391,515 

USB Capital X, 6.500%  24,000  560,400 

USB Capital XI, 6.600%  155,200  3,693,760 

Wells Fargo & Company, 8.000% (Z)  486,250  12,448,000 

Wells Fargo Capital Trust IV, 7.000% (Z)  130,000  3,286,400 
 
Consumer Finance 4.71%     

HSBC Finance Corp., 6.875% (Z)  310,900  7,595,287 

HSBC Finance Corp., 6.000% (Z)  72,200  1,563,852 

HSBC Finance Corp., 6.360%, Depositary     
 Shares, Series B (Z)  143,200  3,087,392 

SLM Corp., 6.970%, Series A (Z)  64,000  2,430,720 

SLM Corp., 6.000% (Z)  196,800  3,449,904 
 
Diversified Financial Services 20.08%     

BAC Capital Trust II, 7.000% (Z)  22,400  493,920 

Citigroup Capital VIII, 6.950%  660,000  13,332,000 

Corporate Backed Trust Certificates, 6.250%, Series 2003–4 (Z)  45,400  956,124 

Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust X, 7.350%  125,000  2,981,250 

Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust II, 6.550%  160,000  3,516,800 

Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust III, 7.600%  357,500  8,690,825 

Fleet Capital Trust VIII, 7.200% (Z)  332,000  7,337,200 

General Electric Capital Corp., 6.000%  22,200  539,016 

General Electric Capital Corp., 6.050%  19,000  470,060 

ING Groep NV, 7.050% (Z)  775,700  15,002,038 

JPMorgan Chase & Company, 6.150%, Series E (Z)  304,000  15,048,000 

RBS Capital Funding Trust V, 5.900% (Z)  398,000  4,676,500 

RBS Capital Funding Trust VII, 6.080% (Z)  145,000  1,699,400 

Repsol International Capital Ltd., 7.450%, Series A (Z)  102,100  2,580,067 
 
Insurance 10.58%     

Aegon NV, 6.375% (Z)  355,000  6,532,000 

MetLife, Inc., 6.500%, Series B (Z)  770,000  18,387,600 

Phoenix Companies, Inc., 7.450% (Z)  229,300  4,138,865 

PLC Capital Trust IV, 7.250% (Z)  389,500  8,724,800 

Prudential PLC, 6.500% (Z)  103,000  2,318,530 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., 6.080%, Series C (Z)  32,500  643,175 
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts 9.75%     

Duke Realty Corp., 6.600%, Depositary Shares, Series L (Z)  109,840  2,227,555 

Duke Realty Corp., 6.500%, Depositary Shares, Series K (Z)  110,000  2,200,000 

Duke Realty Corp., 6.625%, Depositary Shares, Series J (Z)  449,400  9,032,940 

PFGI Capital Corp., 7.750% (Z)  686,000  16,978,500 

Public Storage, Inc., 6.450%, Depositary Shares, Series X (Z)  30,000  663,300 

Public Storage, Inc., 7.500%, Depositary Shares, Series V (Z)  100,000  2,545,000 

Wachovia Preferred Funding Corp., 7.250%, Series A (Z)  170,000  3,891,300 
 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 1.52%     

Federal National Mortgage Association, Series S     
 (8.250% to 12-13-10, then variable) (I)  75,000  82,500 

Sovereign Capital Trust V, 7.750% (Z)  232,500  5,793,900 

See notes to financial statements

8  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



  Shares  Value 
Telecommunication Services 8.79%    $33,832,484 
 
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.15%     

AT&T, Inc., 6.375% (Z)  21,000  550,830 
 
Wireless Telecommunication Services 8.64%     

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 6.625% (Z)  155,000  3,565,000 

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc., 7.600%,     
 Series A (Z)  666,834  16,004,016 

United States Cellular Corp., 7.500% (Z)  559,243  13,712,638 
 
Utilities 31.58%    121,631,449 
 
Electric Utilities 13.67%     

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, 6.990%,     
 Series 1995 (Z)  39,870  3,970,805 

Duquesne Light Company, 6.500% (Z)  98,450  4,728,681 

Entergy Texas, Inc., 7.875%  37,000  1,026,380 

FPC Capital I, 7.100%, Series A (Z)  369,750  9,347,280 

FPL Group Capital Trust I, 5.875% (Z)  225,000  5,685,750 

Georgia Power Capital Trust VII, 5.875% (Z)  95,000  2,374,050 

HECO Capital Trust III, 6.500% (Z)  181,000  4,318,660 

NSTAR Electric Company, 4.780% (Z)  15,143  1,153,707 

PPL Energy Supply, LLC, 7.000% (Z)  626,184  16,074,143 

Southern California Edison Company, 6.000%,     
 Series C (Z)  20,000  1,774,376 

Westar Energy, Inc., 6.100% (Z)  87,700  2,183,730 
 
Gas Utilities 2.16%     

Southwest Gas Capital II, 7.700% (Z)  330,000  8,319,300 
 
Multi-Utilities 15.75%     

BGE Capital Trust II, 6.200% (Z)  477,000  10,479,690 

DTE Energy Trust I, 7.800% (Z)  287,200  7,309,240 

Interstate Power & Light Company, 8.375%,     
 Series B (Z)  699,350  19,826,573 

Public Service Electric & Gas Company,     
 4.180%, Series B (Z)  4,805  341,876 

SCANA Corp., 7.700%  408,600  10,840,158 

Xcel Energy, Inc., 7.600% (Z)  445,000  11,877,050 
 
  Shares  Value 
Common Stocks 1.76%    $6,763,500 

(Cost $6,648,705)     
 
Energy 0.20%    773,700 
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.20%     

BP PLC, SADR  10,000  561,200 

Spectra Energy Corp. (Z)  10,000  212,500 
 
Telecommunication Services 1.41%    5,437,400 
 
Diversified Telecommunication Services 1.41%     

AT&T, Inc.  110,000  2,789,600 

Verizon Communications, Inc.  90,000  2,647,800 

See notes to financial statements

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  9 



      Shares  Value 
Utilities 0.15%        $552,400 
 
Gas Utilities 0.15%         

Atmos Energy Corp.      20,000  552,400 
 
    Maturity     
  Rate  date  Par value  Value 
Corporate Bonds 7.33%        $28,213,093 

(Cost $30,068,302)         
 
Energy 2.44%        9,389,500 
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.44%         

Southern Union Company, Jr Sub Note, Series A         
 (7.200% to 11-01-11 then variable) (Z)  7.200%  11-01-66  $10,550,000  9,389,500 
 
Utilities 4.89%        18,823,593 
 
Electric Utilities 1.29%         

Entergy Gulf States, Inc.,         
 1st Mtg Bond (Z)  6.200  07-01-33  5,000,000  4,961,095 
 
Multi-Utilities 3.60%         

Dominion Resources Capital Trust I,         
 Gtd Jr Sub Bond (Z)  7.830  12-01-27  8,450,000  8,747,398 

Dominion Resources Capital Trust III,         
 Gtd Jr Sub Bond (Z)  8.400  01-15-31  5,000,000  5,115,100 
 
    Maturity     
  Yield*  date  Par value  Value 
Short-Term Investments 7.58%        $29,199,733 

(Cost $29,199,733)         
 
U.S. Government 5.19%        19,999,733 
U.S. Treasury Bills  0.010%  02-25-10  $20,000,000  19,999,733 
 
U.S. Government Agency 2.39%        9,200,000 
Federal Home Loan Bank,         
 Discount Note  0.030  02-01-10  9,200,000  9,200,000 
 
Total investments (Cost $639,672,499)152.49%      $587,242,045 

 
Other assets and liabilities, net (52.49%)    ($202,130,775) 

 
Total net assets 100.00%        $385,111,270 


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

SADR Sponsored American Depositary Receipts

* Yield represents either the annualized yield at the date of purchase, the stated coupon rate or, for floating rate securities, the rate at period end.

(I) Non-income producing security.

(S) This security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be resold, normally to qualified institutional buyers, in transactions exempt from registration.

(Z) All or a portion of this security is segregated as collateral pursuant to the Committed Facility Agreement. Total collateral value at January 31, 2010 was $435,754,942.

† At January 31, 2010, the aggregate cost of investment securities for federal income tax purposes was $639,927,298. Net unrealized depreciation aggregated $52,685,253, of which $13,077,983 related to appreciated investment securities and $65,763,236 related to depreciated investment securities.

See notes to financial statements

10  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



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 1-31-10 (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 $639,672,499)  $587,242,045 
Cash  21,529 
Dividends and interest receivable  1,946,660 
Other receivables and prepaid assets  69,783 
 
Total assets  589,280,017 
 
Liabilities   

Payable for investments purchased  2,899,267 
Committed facility agreement payable (Note 7)  196,500,000 
Unrealized depreciation of swap contracts (Note 3)  4,612,257 
Interest payable (Note 7)  12,162 
Payable to affiliates   
 Accounting and legal services fees  5,420 
 Trustees’ fees  207 
Other liabilities and accrued expenses  139,434 
 
Total liabilities  204,168,747 
 
Net assets   

Capital paid-in  $497,140,837 
Undistributed net investment income  2,358,218 
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and swap agreements  (57,345,074) 
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and swap agreements  (57,042,711) 
 
Net assets  $385,111,270 
 
Net asset value per share   

Based on 21,182,284 shares of beneficial interest outstanding — unlimited   
 number of shares authorized with no par value  $18.18 

See notes to financial statements

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  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 1-31-10 (unaudited)

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

Investment income   

Dividends  $19,520,178 
Interest  1,875,550 
 
Total investment income  21,395,728 
 
Expenses   

Investment management fees (Note 5)  2,057,765 
Accounting and legal services fees (Note 5)  24,761 
Trustees’ fees (Note 5)  30,353 
Interest expense (Note 7)  1,084,222 
Transfer agent fees  20,900 
Printing and postage fees  66,088 
Professional fees  131,832 
Custodian fees  43,288 
Stock exchange listing fees  12,000 
Other  11,024 
 
Total expenses  3,482,233 
Less expense reductions (Note 5)  (224,402) 
 
Net expenses  3,257,831 
 
Net investment income  18,137,897 
 
Realized and unrealized gain (loss)   

 
Net realized gain (loss) on   
Investments  837,515 
Swap contracts (Note 3)  (2,245,882) 
  (1,408,367) 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of   
Investments  39,482,188 
Swap contracts (Note 3)  1,113,488 
  40,595,676 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain  39,187,309 
 
Increase in net assets from operations  $57,325,206 

See notes to financial statements

12  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



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 (unaudited)

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.

  For the   
  six month  Year 
  period ended  ended 
  1-31-10  7-31-09 
Increase (decrease) in net assets     

 
From operations     
Net investment income  $18,137,897  $34,220,042 
Net realized loss  (1,408,367)  (42,044,569) 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  40,595,676  901,133 
 
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  57,325,206  (6,923,394) 
 
Distributions to shareholders     
From net investment income  (15,759,619)  (31,802,930) 
From tax return of capital    (4,250,903) 
 
Total distributions  (15,759,619)  (36,053,833) 
 
From Fund share transactions (Note 6)    696,291 
 
Total increase (decrease)  41,565,587  (42,280,936) 
 
Net assets     

Beginning of period  343,545,683  385,826,619 
 
End of period  $385,111,270  $343,545,683 
 
Undistributed (distribution in excess of) net investment income  $2,358,218  ($20,060) 

See notes to financial statements

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  13 



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

Statement of cash flows (unaudited)

This statement of cash flows shows cash flow from operating and financing activities for the period stated.

  For the 
  six month 
  period ended 
  1-31-10 
  
Cash flows from operating activities   

Net increase in net assets from operations  $57,325,206 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets   
 from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Long-term investments purchased  (45,115,322) 
Long-term investments sold  35,248,375 
Increase in short-term investments  (21,399,772) 
Net amortization of premium (discount)  (1,646) 
Decrease in dividends and interest receivable  435,435 
Increase in receivable from affiliates  (38,138) 
Decrease in payable for investments purchased  (941,803) 
Decrease in other receivables and prepaid expenses  1,315 
Decrease in unrealized depreciation of swap contracts  (1,113,488) 
Decrease in payable to affiliates  (12,442) 
Increase in payable for interest  304 
Decrease in other liabilities and accrued expenses  (3,473) 
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments  (39,482,188) 
Net realized gain on investments  (837,515) 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities  ($15,935,152) 
  
Cash flows from financing activities   

Borrowings from committed facility agreement payable  26,800,000 
Distributions to common shareholders  (15,759,619) 
 
Net cash used in financing activities  $11,040,381 
 
Net decrease in cash  ($4,894,771) 
 
Cash at beginning of period  $4,916,300 
 
Cash at end of period  $21,529 
  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information   

  
Cash paid for interest  $1,083,918 

See notes to financial statements

14  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



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  1-31-101  7-31-09  7-31-08  7-31-07  7-31-06  7-31-052 
 
Per share operating performance             

Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.22  $18.26  $23.08  $23.98  $26.02  $24.84 
Net investment income3  0.86  1.62  2.08  2.24  2.33  2.33 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)             
 on investments  1.84  (1.95)  (4.56)  (0.24)  (1.71)  1.16 
Distribution to Auction Preferred Shares      (0.47)  (0.61)  (0.50)  (0.30) 
Total from investment operations  2.70  (0.33)  (2.95)  1.39  0.12  3.19 
Less distributions to common             
 shareholders             
From net investment income  (0.74)  (1.51)  (1.84)  (1.86)  (1.86)  (2.01) 
From net realized gain      (0.01)  (0.43)  (0.30)   
From tax return of capital    (0.20)  (0.02)       
Total distributions  (0.74)  (1.71)  (1.87)  (2.29)  (2.16)  (2.01) 
Net asset value, end of period  $18.18  $16.22  $18.26  $23.08  $23.98  $26.02 
Per share market value, end of period  $16.81  $16.06  $17.43  $22.64  $23.55  $23.67 
Total return at net asset value (%)4,5  17.306  1.15  (13.31)  5.70  1.50  13.747 
Total return at market value (%)4,5  9.546  4.92  (15.65)  5.58  9.57  5.55 
 
Ratios and supplemental data             

Net assets applicable to common shares,             
 end of period (in millions)  $385  $344  $386  $488  $505  $548 
Ratios (as a percentage of average             
 net assets):             
 Expenses before reductions             
     (excluding interest expense)  1.318  1.37  1.42  1.34  1.36  1.38 
 Interest expense (Note 7)  0.598  1.18  0.30       
 Expenses before reductions             
     (including interest expense)  1.908  2.55  1.72  1.349  1.369  1.389 
 Expenses net of all fee waivers             
     (excluding interest expense)  1.198  1.19  1.16  1.05  1.06  1.09 
 Expenses net of all fee waivers             
     (including interest expense)  1.788  2.37  1.46     1.0510     1.0610  1.0910 
 Net investment income  9.928  12.16  9.94     9.1811     9.4711  9.0811 
Portfolio turnover (%)  7  15  10  19  15  15 

See notes to financial statements

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  15 



Financial highlights (continued)

Period ended  1-31-101  7-31-09  7-31-08  7-31-07  7-31-06  7-31-052 
 
Senior securities             

Total value of APS outstanding             
 (in millions)      12  $254  $254  $254 
Involuntary liquidation preference per             
 unit (in thousands)        $25  $25  $25 
Average market value per unit             
 (in thousands)        $25  $25  $25 
Asset coverage per unit13        $72,354  $74,047  $78,290 
Total debt outstanding end of period             
 (in millions) (Note 7)  $197  $170  $184       
Asset coverage per $1,000 of APS14        $2,919  $2,988  $3,158 
Asset coverage per $1,000 of debt15  $2,960  $3,024  $3,097       

1 Semiannual period from 8-1-09 to 1-31-10. Unaudited.

2 Audited by previous Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

3 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.

4 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.

5 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.

6 Not annualized.

7 Unaudited.

8 Annualized.

9 Ratios calculated on the basis of gross expenses relative to the average net assets of common shares that do not take into consideration expense reductions during the periods shown. Without the exclusion of preferred shares, the annualized ratios of gross expenses would have been 0.90%, 0.91% and 0.94% for the years ended 7-31-07, 7-31-06 and 7-31-05, respectively.

10 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 ratios of net expenses would have been 0.70%, 0.71% and 0.74% for the years ended 7-31-07, 7-31-06 and 7-31-05, respectively.

11 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 ratios of net investment income would have been 6.15%, 6.36% and 6.18% for the periods ended 7-31-07, 7-31-06 and 7-31-05, respectively.

12 In May 2008, the Fund entered into a Committed Facility Agreement with a third-party commercial bank in order to redeem the APS. The redemption of all APS was completed on May 28, 2008.

13 Calculated by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities from the Fund’s total assets and dividing such amount by the number of APS outstanding as of the applicable 1940 Act Evaluation Date, which may differ from the financial reporting date.

14 Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus APS divided by the APS of the Fund outstanding at period end.

15 Asset coverage equals the total net assets plus borrowings divided by the borrowing of the Fund outstanding at period end (Note 7).

See notes to financial statements

16  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



Notes to financial statements
(unaudited)

Note 1
Organization

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (the Fund) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund began operations on November 29, 2002. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to provide growth of capital to the extent consistent with its primary investment objective.

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. Events or transactions occurring after the period and through the date that the financial statements were issued have been evaluated in the preparation of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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. Equity securities held by the Fund are valued at the last sale price or official closing price (closing bid price or last evaluated price if no sale has occurred) as of the close of business on the principal securities exchange (domestic or foreign) on which they trade. Debt obligations are valued based on the evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing service, which utilizes both dealer-supplied quotes and electronic data processing techniques, which take into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by an independent pricing service. Securities traded only in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price quoted by brokers making markets in the securities at the close of trading. Equity and debt obligations, for which there are no prices available from an independent pricing service, are valued based on bid quotations, or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers or fair valued as described below. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued at amortized cost.

Other portfolio assets and securities for which no such quotations are readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Pricing Committee in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund’s shares are generally determined as of such times. Occasionally, significant events that affect the values of such securities may occur between the times at which such values are generally determined and the close of the NYSE. Upon such an occurrence, these securities will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees.

Fair value measurements

The Fund uses a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs and the valuation techniques used are summarized below:

Level 1 — Exchange traded prices in active markets for identical securities. This technique is used for exchange-traded domestic common and preferred equities, certain foreign equities, warrants, rights, options and futures.

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  17 



Level 2 — Prices determined 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 techniques are received from independent pricing vendors and are based on an evaluation of the inputs described. These techniques are used for certain domestic preferred equities, certain foreign equities, unlisted rights and warrants, and fixed income securities.

Level 3 — Prices determined using significant unobservable inputs. In situations where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable, such as when there is little or no market activity for an investment, unobservable inputs may be used. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s Pricing Committee’s own assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in pricing an investment and would be based on the best information available. Securities using this technique are generally thinly traded or privately placed, and may be valued using broker quotes, which may also include the use of the brokers’ own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of January 31, 2010, by major security category or security type.

      LEVEL 2  LEVEL 3 
  TOTAL MARKET    SIGNIFICANT  SIGNIFICANT 
  VALUE AT  LEVEL 1  OBSERVABLE  UNOBSERVABLE 
  JANUARY 31, 2010  QUOTED PRICE  INPUTS  INPUTS 

Financials  $282,882,506  $265,889,486  $14,520  $16,978,500 
Utilities  141,007,442  109,529,900  31,477,542   
Consumer Discretionary  43,905,072  43,905,072     
Energy  39,772,400  30,382,900  9,389,500   
Telecommunication  39,269,884  39,269,884     
 Services         
Consumer Staples  11,205,008    11,205,008   
Short-Term Investments  29,199,733    29,199,733   
 
Total investments in  $587,242,045  $488,977,242  $81,286,303  $16,978,500 
 securities         
Other Financial  (4,612,257)    (4,612,257)   
 Instruments         
Totals  $582,629,788  $488,977,242  $76,674,046  $16,978,500 

The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:

  FINANCIALS 

Balance as of July 31, 2009  $15,853,882 
Accrued discounts/premiums   
Realized gain (loss)   
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  1,124,618 
Net purchases (sales)   
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3   
Balance as of January 31, 2010  $16,978,500 

18  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



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. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-date or when the Fund becomes aware of the dividends from cash collections. Discounts/premiums are accreted/ amortized for financial reporting purposes. Debt obligations may be placed in a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by ceasing current accruals and writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful, based upon consistently applied procedures. The Fund uses identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss on investments for both financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes.

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 identifiable to an individual fund. Fund expenses that are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds. 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 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 $47,618,660 of a capital loss carryforward available, to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future net realized capital gains. To the extent that such carryforward is used by the Fund, it will reduce the amount of capital gain distribution to be paid. The loss carryforward expires on July 31, 2017.

As of July 31, 2009, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund’s federal tax return is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.

Distribution of income and gains

The Fund records distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, on the ex dividend date. The Fund generally declares and pays dividends monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are paid annually. During the year ended July 31, 2009, the tax character of distributions paid was as follows: ordinary income $31,802,930 and tax return of capital $4,250,903.

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. Material distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits, if any, are reported in the Fund’s financial statements as a return of capital.

Statement of cash flows

The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows of the Fund 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.

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  19 



Note 3
Financial instruments

Interest rate swap contracts

The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to interest rate risks, to gain exposure in lieu of buying in the physical market, or to enhance income. Interest rate swaps represent an agreement between two counterparties to exchange cash flows based on the difference in the two interest rates, applied to the notional principal amount for a specified period. 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 receivable or payable under the swap contracts on a periodic basis.

Swaps are marked to market daily based upon values from third party vendors or quotations from market makers to the extent available, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. If market quotations are not readily available or not deemed reliable, certain swaps may be fair valued in good faith by the Fund’s Pricing Committee in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part of realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations. In connection with these agreements, the Fund will hold cash and/or liquid securities equal to the net amount of the Fund’s exposure, in order to satisfy the Fund’s obligations in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency.

Entering into swaps involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market counterparty and legal documentation risk 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 these agreements, that a counterparty may default on its obligation under the swap or disagree as to the meaning of the swap’s terms, and that there may be unfavorable interest rate changes. The Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding swaps or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions.

The Fund is a party to International Swap Dealers Association, Inc., Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) with select counterparties that govern over-the-counter derivative transactions, which may include foreign exchange derivative transactions, entered into by the Fund and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements typically include standard representations and warranties, as well as a Credit Support Annex (“CSA”) that accompanies a schedule to ISDA master agreements provisions outlining the general obligations of the Fund and counterparties relating to events of default, termination events and other standard provisions. Termination events may include a decline in the Fund’s net asset value below a certain point over a certain period of time that is specified in the Schedule to the ISDA Master Agreement; such an event may entitle the counterparty to elect to terminate early and calculate damages based on that termination, with respect to some or all outstanding transactions under the applicable damage calculation provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement. An election by one or more counterparties to terminate ISDA Master Agreements could have a material impact in the financial statements of the Fund.

20  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



Interest rate swap notional amounts at January 31, 2010 are generally representative of the interest rate swap activity during the six-month period then ended and were used in anticipation of rising interest rates. The following summarizes the contracts held as of January 31, 2010:

  USD  PAYMENTS  PAYMENTS      UNREALIZED   
  NOTIONAL  MADE  RECEIVED  EFFECTIVE  MATURITY  APPRECIATION   
COUNTERPARTY  AMOUNT  BY FUND  BY FUND  DATE  DATE  (DEPRECIATION)  MARKET VALUE 

      3 Month         
Bank of America   $63,500,000  4.37%  LIBOR (a)  11-15-2007  11-15-2010       ($2,482,593)  ($2,482,593) 
      3 Month         
Morgan Stanley     63,500,000  3.79%  LIBOR (a)  01-07-2008  01-07-2011         (2,129,664)  (2,129,664) 
  $127,000,000               ($4,612,257)  ($4,612,257) 

(a) At January 31, 2009, the 3-month LIBOR rate was 0.24906%.

Fair value of derivative instruments by risk category

The table below summarizes the fair values of derivatives held by the Fund at January 31, 2010, by risk category:

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

Interest rate contracts  Unrealized  Interest rate                     ($4,612,257) 
  depreciation of  swaps     
  swap contracts;       
  Net unrealized       
  depreciation on       
  investments and       
  swap agreements       
Total                         ($4,612,257) 

Effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations

The table below summarizes the realized gain (loss) recognized in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category for the six-month period ended January 31, 2010:

    TOTAL 

Statement of Operations location –     
Net realized loss on  Swap contracts   
Interest rate contracts  ($2,245,882)  ($2,245,882) 

The table below summarizes the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) recognized in the net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations, classified by derivative instrument and risk category for the six-month ended January 31, 2010:

    TOTAL 

Statement of Operations location –     
Net realized gain (loss) on  Swap contracts   
Interest rate contracts  $1,113,488  $1,113,488 

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  21 



Note 4
Guarantees and indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liability 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.

Note 5
Management fee and transactions
with affiliates and others

The Fund has an investment management contract with John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Adviser), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC). Under the investment management contract, the Fund pays a daily management fee to the Adviser at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets (including any assets attributable to the committed facility agreement) (see Note 7) (collectively, managed assets). The Fund has a subadvisory agreement with MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC, an indirectly owned subsidiary of MFC and an affiliate of the Adviser. The Fund is not responsible for payment of subadvisory fees.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the Fund’s management fee, on an annual basis, to the following: 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets until the fifth anniversary of the commencement of the Fund’s operations, 0.60% of such assets in the sixth year, 0.65% of such assets in the seventh year and 0.70% of average daily managed assets in the eighth year. After the eighth year, the Adviser is not obligated to waive a portion of the management fee. Accordingly, the expense reductions related to the reduction in management fees amounted to $224,402 for the six-month period ended January 31, 2010. The effective rate for the six-month period ended January 31, 2010, is 0.67% of the Fund’s managed assets.

The Fund has an administrative agreement with the Adviser under which the Fund reimburses the Adviser for providing legal, tax, accounting, valuation, financial reporting, compliance, and service provider oversight services. The compensation for the six-month period ended January 31, 2010 amounted to $24,761 with an effective rate of 0.01% of the Fund’s managed assets.

Trustees’ fees

The compensation of unaffiliated Trustees is borne by the Fund. The unaffiliated Trustees may elect to defer, for tax purposes, their receipt of this compensation under the John Hancock Group of Funds Deferred Compensation Plan. The Fund makes investments into other John Hancock funds, as applicable, to cover its liability for the deferred compensation. Investments to cover the Fund’s deferred compensation liability are recorded on the Fund’s books as an other asset. The deferred compensation liability and the related other asset are always equal and are marked to market on a periodic basis to reflect any income earned by the investments, as well as any unrealized gains or losses. The Deferred Compensation Plan investments had no impact on the operations of the Fund.

Note 6
Fund share transactions

Common shares

The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares with no par value. There were no share transactions for the six-month period ended January 31, 2010. The number of Fund shares reinvested during the year ended July 31, 2009, along with the corresponding dollar value were 56,378 and $696,291, respectively.

Note 7
Committed Facility Agreement
and 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 pay all fees associated with and have the potential benefit from leverage. Consequently, the Fund and the Adviser may have differing interests in

22  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



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 to the holders of common shares

• the potential for a decline in the value of an investment acquired through leverage, while the Fund’s obligations under such leverage remain 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, the Fund’s return will be lower if the cost of the leverage exceeds the income or capital appreciation derived.

The Fund has entered into a CFA with a third party commercial bank. Pursuant to the existing CFA with a subsidiary of BNP Paribas (BNP), the Fund is permitted to borrow up to an initial limit of $208 million and to invest the borrowings in accordance with its investment practices. Borrowings under the CFA are secured by the assets of the Fund as disclosed in the Fund’s investments. Interest is charged at the monthly LIBOR rate (reset daily) plus 0.85% and is payable monthly. Under the terms of the CFA, 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-month period ended January 31, 2010 totaled $80,112 and is included in interest expense in the Statement of Operations. As of January 31, 2010, the Fund had borrowings of $196,500,000 at an interest rate of 1.0791%, as reflected in the committed facility agreement payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For the six-month period ended January 31, 2010, the average borrowings under the CFA and the average interest rate were $181,751,630 and 1.1834%, respectively. The Fund may terminate the agreement with 60 days’ notice if the Board of Trustees has determined that the elimination of all indebtedness leveraging the Fund’s investments is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. In certain circumstances, the CFA may automatically terminate, and in other specified circumstances, it may be reduced to a 30-day facility. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain defaults, the lender may terminate the agreement. The lender may also modify or terminate the agreement upon 270 days’ notice.

On October 30, 2009, the Fund 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 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.

Note 8
Purchase and sale of securities

Purchases and proceeds from sales or maturities of securities, other than short-term securities, during the six-month period ended January 31, 2010, aggregated $45,115,322 and $35,248,375, respectively.

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  23 



Investment objective and policy

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income, consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund’s secondary investment objective is to provide growth of capital to the extent consistent with its primary investment objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing in securities that, in the opinion of the Adviser, may be undervalued relative to similar securities in the marketplace.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least: (a) 80% of its assets (net assets plus borrowings for investment purposes) in preferred stocks and other preferred securities, including convertible preferred securities, (b) 25% of its total assets in the industries comprising the utilities sector, and (c) 80% of its total assets in preferred securities and other fixed-income securities which are rated investment grade or higher by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s at the time of investment.

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 January 31, 2010, dividends from net investment income totaling $0.744 per share were paid to common shareholders. The dates of payments and amounts per share are as follows:

PAYMENT DATE  DIVIDEND 

August 31, 2009  $0.1240 
September 30, 2009  0.1240 
October 30, 2009  0.1240 
November 30, 2009  0.1240 
December 31, 2009  0.1240 
January 29, 2010  0.1240 
Total  $0.7440 

Dividend reinvestment plan

The Fund offers its shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan), which offers the opportunity to earn compounded yields. Each shareholder will automatically have all distributions of dividends and capital gains reinvested by Mellon Bank, N.A., as Plan Agent for the common shareholders (the Plan Agent), unless an election is made to receive cash. Holders of common shares who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash, paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or, if the common shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Plan Agent, as dividend disbursing agent. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker or a nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan.

If the Fund declares a dividend payable either in common shares or in cash, non-participants will receive cash and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in common shares. If the market price of the common shares on the payment date of the dividend is equal to or exceeds their net asset value as determined on the payment date, participants will be issued common shares (out of authorized but unissued shares) at a value equal to the higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price. If the net asset value exceeds the market price of the common shares at such time, or if the Board of Trustees declares a dividend payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will, as agent for Plan participants, buy shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. Such purchases will be made promptly after the payable date for such dividend and, in any

24  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



event, prior to the next ex-dividend date after such date, except where necessary to comply with federal securities laws. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of the common shares, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the common shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend had been paid in shares issued by the Fund.

Each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The cost per share of the shares purchased for each participant’s account will be the average cost, including brokerage commissions, of any shares purchased on the open market, plus the cost of any shares issued by the Fund. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to common shares issued directly by the Fund. There are no other charges to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gain distributions.

Participants 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.melloninvestor.com. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if received prior to a dividend record date; otherwise, it will be effective for all subsequent dividend record dates.

When a participant withdraws from the Plan or upon termination of the Plan, as provided below, certificates for whole common shares credited to his or her account under the Plan will be issued and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a share credited to such account.

The Plan Agent maintains each shareholder’s account in the Plan and furnishes monthly written confirmations of all transactions in the accounts, including information needed by the shareholders for personal and tax records. The Plan Agent will hold common shares in the account of each Plan participant in non-certificated form in the name of the participant. Proxy material relating to the shareholders’ meetings of the Fund will include those shares purchased as well as shares held pursuant to the Plan.

The reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on such dividends or distributions.

Participants under the Plan will receive tax information annually. The amount of dividend to be reported on 1099-DIV should be: (1) in the case of shares issued by the Fund, the fair market value of such shares on the dividend payment date and (2) in the case of shares purchased by the Plan Agent in the open market, the amount of cash used by the Plan Agent to purchase shares in the open market, including the amount of cash allocated to brokerage commissions paid on such purchases.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to all shareholders of the Fund at least 90 days before the record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent after at least 90 days’ written notice to all shareholders of the Fund. All correspondence or additional information concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent, Mellon Bank, N.A., c/o Mellon Investor Services, P.O. Box 358015, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8015 (Telephone: 1-800-852-0218).

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  25 



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 (unaudited)

The Fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on January 22, 2010. The following action was taken by the shareholders:

Proposal: Election of four (4) Trustees to serve for a three-year term ending at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2013. The votes cast with respect to each Trustee are set forth below.

THE PROPOSAL PASSED ON JANUARY 22, 2010.

  TOTAL VOTES FOR  TOTAL VOTES VITHHELD 
  THE NOMINEE  FROM THE NOMINEE 

James R. Boyle  18,610,670  699,098 
Deborah C. Jackson  18,624,416  685,352 
Patti McGill Peterson  18,634,700  675,068 
Steven R. Pruchansky  18,637,849  671,919 

The following seven Trustees of the Fund were not up for election and remain in office: James F. Carlin, William H. Cunningham, Charles L. Ladner, Stanley Martin, John A. Moore, Gregory A. Russo, and John G. Vrysen.

26  Preferred Income Fund II | Semiannual report 



More information

Trustees  Investment adviser 
Patti McGill Peterson, Chairperson  John Hancock Advisers, LLC 
James R. Boyle   
James F. Carlin  Subadviser 
William H. Cunningham  MFC Global Investment 
Deborah C. Jackson*   Management (U.S.), LLC 
Charles L. Ladner 
Stanley Martin*  Custodian 
Dr. John A. Moore  State Street Bank and Trust Company  
Steven R. Pruchansky* 
Gregory A. Russo  Transfer agent 
John G. Vrysen  Mellon Investor Services 
 
Officers  Legal counsel 
Keith F. Hartstein  K&L Gates LLP 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
  Stock symbol 
Andrew G. Arnott  Listed New York Stock Exchange: HPF  
Chief Operating Officer 
  For shareholder assistance  
Thomas M. Kinzler  refer to page 26  
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer  

 
Francis V. Knox, Jr.  The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Chief Compliance Officer  Act, which requires mutual funds and other public 
companies to affirm that, to the best of their 
Charles A. Rizzo  knowledge, the information in their financial reports 
Chief Financial Officer  is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects. 
 
 
Salvatore Schiavone   
Treasurer   

*Member of the Audit Committee
†Non-Independent Trustee

 

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.

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.

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 

Semiannual report | Preferred Income Fund II  27 




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

PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MIS

P11SA 1/10 
3/10 



ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable at this time.

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 at this time.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANIES.

Not applicable at this time.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable at this time.

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 Preferred Income Fund II

By:  /s/ Keith F. Hartstein 
  ------------------------------ 
  Keith F. Hartstein 
President and 
  Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
Date:  March 22, 2010 

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:  March 22, 2010 
 
 
 
By:  /s/ Charles A. Rizzo 
  -------------------------------- 
Charles A. Rizzo 
  Chief Financial Officer 
 
 
Date:  March 22, 2010