JNL Series Trust

01/21/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2022 09:08

Summary Prospectus by Investment Company (Form 497K)

Summary Prospectus - April 26, 2021, as amended January 21, 2022
JNL/AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund
Class A
Class I
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's Prospectus and other information about the Fund, including the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") and most recent reports to shareholders, online at http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Jackson. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 1-800-644-4565 (Annuity and Life Service Center), 1-800-599-5651 (NY Annuity and Life Service Center), 1-800-777-7779 (for contracts purchased through a bank or financial institution) or 1-888-464-7779 (for NY contracts purchased through a bank or financial institution), or by sending an email request to [email protected]. The current Prospectus and SAI, both dated April 26, 2021, as amended, are incorporated by reference into (which means they legally are a part of) this Summary Prospectus.
Investment Objective. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return. Total return consists of capital appreciation and income.
Expenses. This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.
The expenses do not reflect the expenses of the variable insurance contracts or the separate account through which you indirectly invest in the Fund, whichever may be applicable, and the total expenses would be higher if they were included.
You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Not Applicable
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Class A
Management Fee
0.40%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.30%
Other Expenses1
0.16%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2
0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.87%
1
"Other Expenses" include an Administrative Fee of 0.15% which is payable to Jackson National Asset Management, LLC ("JNAM" or "Adviser").
2
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect expenses of investing in other investment companies. Accordingly, the expense ratio presented in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus will not correlate to the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses disclosed above.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Class I
Management Fee
0.40%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.00%
Other Expenses1
0.16%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2
0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.57%
1
"Other Expenses" include an Administrative Fee of 0.15% which is payable to Jackson National Asset Management, LLC ("JNAM" or "Adviser").
2
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect expenses of investing in other investment companies. Accordingly, the expense ratio presented in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus will not correlate to the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses disclosed above.

Expense Example. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Also, this example does not reflect the expenses of the variable insurance contracts or the separate account through which you indirectly invest in the Fund, whichever may be applicable, and the total expenses would be higher if they were included. The table below shows the expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return; (2) redemption at the end of each time period; and (3) that the Fund operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
JNL/AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class A
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
$89
$278
$482
$1,073

JNL/AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund Class I
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
$58
$183
$318
$714

Portfolio Turnover (% of average value of portfolio). The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Expense Example above, affect the Fund's performance.
Period
1/1/2020 - 12/31/2020
55
%

Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund pursues a "defensive" investment style, seeking to provide downside protection with upside potential through active stock selection, risk management, and diversification. The Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in "Equity Instruments" of large-capitalization issuers. The Fund primarily invests in large-capitalization issuers located in the United States. Equity Instruments include common stock, preferred stock, warrants, exchange-traded funds that invest in equity securities, stock index futures, real estate investment trusts, and other derivative instruments where the reference asset is an equity security. As of the date of this prospectus, AQR Capital Management, LLC, the Fund's sub-adviser ("Sub-Adviser"), generally considers large-cap issuers to be those issuers with market capitalizations within the range of the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Indexat the time of purchase. As of December 31, 2020, the market capitalization of the companies comprising the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index ranged from $5.3 billion to $2.2 trillion. The Fund can invest in companies of any size and may invest in small- and mid-cap companies from time to time in the discretion of the Sub-Adviser.
The Fund pursues a defensive investment style, meaning it seeks to participate in rising equity markets while mitigating downside risk in declining markets. In other words, the Fund expects to lag the performance of traditional U.S. equity funds when equity markets are rising but to exceed the performance of traditional U.S. equity funds during equity market declines. To achieve this result, the Fund will be broadly diversified across companies and industries and will invest in companies that the Sub-Adviser has identified to have low measures of risk and high quality (e.g., stable companies in good business health).
The Fund is actively managed, and the Sub-Adviser will vary the Fund's exposures to issuers and industries based on the Sub-Adviser's evaluation of investment opportunities. In constructing the portfolio, the Sub-Adviser uses quantitative models, which combine active management to identify quality companies and statistical measures of risk to assure diversification by issuer and industry, as well as additional criteria that form part of the Sub-Adviser's security selection process. The Sub-Adviser will use volatility and correlation forecasting and portfolio construction methodologies to manage the Fund. The Sub-Adviser utilizes quantitative risk models in furtherance of the Fund's investment objective, which seek to control portfolio level risk. Shifts in allocations among issuers and industries will be determined using the quantitative models based on the Sub-Adviser's determinations of risk and quality, as well as other factors including, but not limited to, managing industry and sector exposures.
The Fund invests significantly in common stocks. The Fund may also invest in or use financial futures contracts as well as exchange-traded funds and similar pooled investment vehicles for hedging purposes, to gain exposure to the equity market and to maintain liquidity to pay for redemptions. The Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including U.S. Government securities, bank certificates of deposit, money market instruments or funds, and such other liquid investments deemed appropriate by the Sub-Adviser. The Fund may invest in these securities without limit for temporary defensive purposes.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed. As with any mutual fund, the value of the Fund's shares will change, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The principal risks associated with investing in the Fund include:
Equity securities risk - Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile, and equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities. The price of equity or equity-related securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equity or equity-related securities. The value of equity or equity-related securities purchased or held by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.
Large-capitalization investing risk -Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, which may cause the Fund to underperform funds that focus on other types of stocks.
Stock risk - Stock markets may experience significant short-term volatility and may fall sharply at times. Different stock markets may behave differently from each other and U.S. stock markets may move in the opposite direction from one or more foreign stock markets. The prices of individual stocks generally do not all move in the same direction at the same time and a variety of factors can affect the price of a particular company's stock.
Company risk - Investments in U.S. and/or foreign-traded equity securities may fluctuate more than the values of other types of securities in response to changes in a particular company's financial condition.
Market risk - Portfolio securities may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment, public health issues, including widespread disease and virus epidemics or pandemics such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, war, terrorism or natural disasters, among others. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. The values of securities may fall due to factors affecting a particular issuer, industry or the securities market as a whole.
Managed portfolio risk - As an actively managed portfolio, the value of the Fund's investments could decline because the financial condition of an issuer may change (due to such factors as management performance, reduced demand or overall market changes), financial markets may fluctuate or overall prices may decline, or the sub-adviser's investment techniques could fail to achieve the Fund's investment objective or negatively affect the Fund's investment performance.
Model risk - The Fund bears the risk that the proprietary quantitative models used by the portfolio managers will not be successful in identifying securities that will help the Fund achieve its investment objectives, which may cause the Fund to underperform its benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
Volatility risk - The Fund may have investments that appreciate or depreciate significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund's net asset value per share to experience significant appreciations or depreciations in value over short periods of time.
Mid-capitalization investing risk - The prices of securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile than those of larger, more established companies.
Derivatives risk - Investments in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indices, can be highly volatile and may be subject to transaction costs and certain risks, such as unanticipated changes in securities prices and global currency investment. Derivatives also are subject to leverage risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, interest rate or index. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives' original cost. Certain derivatives transactions may subject the Fund to counterparty risk.
Counterparty risk - Transactions involving a counterparty are subject to the credit risk of the counterparty. A fund that enters into contracts with counterparties, such as repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements or over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives contracts, or that lends its securities, runs the risk that the counterparty will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, files for bankruptcy, or otherwise experiences a business interruption, the Fund could suffer losses, including monetary losses, miss investment opportunities or be forced to hold investments it would prefer to sell. Counterparty risk is heightened during unusually adverse market conditions.
Forward and futures contract risk - The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Sub-Adviser's skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risks including, but not limited to: (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Sub-Adviser's inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty, clearing member or clearinghouse will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Hedging transactions risk - The Sub-Adviser from time to time employs various hedging techniques. The success of the Fund's hedging strategy will be subject to the Sub-Adviser's ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Since the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of the Fund's hedging strategy will also be subject to the Sub-Adviser's ability to continually recalculate, readjust, and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. For a variety of reasons, the Sub-Adviser may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk, and hedging entails its own costs (such as trading commissions and fees).
Leverage risk - Certain transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, futures, forwards, swaps, or other derivative instruments, include the use of leverage and may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions at disadvantageous times to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset segregation requirements. The effect of using leverage is to amplify the Fund's gains and losses in comparison to the amount of the Fund's assets (that is, assets other than borrowed assets) at risk, which may cause the Fund's portfolio to be more volatile. If the Fund uses leverage, the Fund has the risk of capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund.
Investment in other investment companies risk - As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, including ones affiliated with the Fund, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests. To the extent that shares of the Fund are held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Fund itself to invest in other investment companies may be limited.
U.S. Government securities risk - Obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government vary in the level of support they receive from the U.S. Government. They may be: (i) supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the issuer's obligations; or (iv) supported only by the credit of the issuer. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities may greatly exceed their current resources, or their legal right to receive support from the U.S. Treasury.
Foreign regulatory risk - The Adviser is a subsidiary of Jackson. Jackson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jackson Financial Inc., which is a subsidiary of Prudential plc. Prudential plc is a publicly traded company incorporated in the United Kingdom and is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, or with The Prudential Assurance Company Ltd, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom. Through its ownership structure, the Adviser has a number of global financial industry affiliates. As a result of this structure, and the asset management and financial industry business activities of the Adviser and its affiliates, the Adviser and the Fund may be prohibited or limited in effecting transactions in certain securities. Additionally, the Adviser and the Fund may encounter trading limitations or restrictions because of aggregation issues or other foreign regulatory requirements. Foreign regulators or foreign laws may impose position limits on securities held by the Fund, and the Fund may be limited as to which securities it may purchase or sell, as well as the timing of such purchases or sales. These foreign regulatory limits may increase the Fund's expenses and may limit the Fund's performance.


Performance. The performance information shown provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual returns compared with those of a broad-based securities market index which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
The returns shown in the bar chart and table do not include charges that will be imposed by variable insurance products. If these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown.
Effective April 26, 2021, the Fund was combined with JNL/AQR Large Cap Relaxed Constraint Equity Fund ("Acquired Fund"), with the Fund as the surviving Fund. The performance shown is the Fund's historic performance and does not reflect the performance of the Acquired Fund.
Effective December 31, 2021, for consistency with the Fund's principal investment strategies, the Fund replaced the MSCI USA Index (Gross) with the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index as the Fund's primary benchmark.
Annual Total Returns as of December 31
Class A
Best Quarter (ended 6/30/2020): 16.78%; Worst Quarter (ended 3/31/2020): -18.13%
Annual Total Returns as of December 31
Class I
Best Quarter (ended 6/30/2020): 16.86%; Worst Quarter (ended 3/31/2020): -18.02%
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2020
1 year
Life of Fund (June 24, 2019)
JNL/AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (Class A)
11.78
%
12.47
%
MSCI USA Index (Gross) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
21.37
%
21.25
%

Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2020
1 year
Life of Class (June 24, 2019)
JNL/AQR Large Cap Defensive Style Fund (Class I)
12.14
%
12.78
%
MSCI USA Index (Gross) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
21.37
%
21.25
%

Portfolio Management.
Investment Adviser to the Fund:
Jackson National Asset Management, LLC ("JNAM")
Sub-Adviser:
AQR Capital Management, LLC ("AQR")
Portfolio Managers:
Name:
Joined Fund Management Team In:
Title:
Michele L. Aghassi, Ph.D.
June 2019
Principal, AQR
Andrea Frazzini, Ph.D., M.S.
June 2019
Principal, AQR
Lars N. Nielsen, M.Sc.
January 2020
Principal, AQR
Clifford S. Asness, Ph.D., M.B.A.
January 2022
Managing and Founding Principal, AQR
John J. Huss
January 2022
Principal, AQR

Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares
Only separate accounts of Jackson National Life Insurance Company ("Jackson") or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York ("Jackson NY") and series, including fund of funds, of registered investment companies in which either or both of those insurance companies invest may purchase shares of the Fund. You may invest indirectly in the Fund through your purchase of a variable annuity or life insurance contract issued by a separate account of Jackson or Jackson NY that invests directly, or through a fund of funds, in this Fund. Any minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements and redemption procedures are governed by the applicable separate account through which you invest indirectly.
This Fund serves as an underlying investment by insurance companies, affiliated investment companies, and retirement plans for funding variable annuity and life insurance contracts and retirement plans.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders, which generally are the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts of Jackson or Jackson NY and mutual funds owned directly or indirectly by such separate accounts. You should consult the prospectus of the appropriate separate account or description of the plan for a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of your contract, policy, or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Financial Intermediaries
If you invest in the Fund under a variable insurance contract or a plan that offers a variable insurance contract as a plan option through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a financial institution), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Website for more information.