If everything goes as planned, debt investors could get a modest premium above the risk-free rate and their money back at maturity. Given credit’s asymmetry of risk and return compared to equity, focusing on downside risks is key to potential success.
Important Risks for Hartford Schroders Sustainable Core Bond Fund: Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Security prices fluctuate in value depending on general market and economic conditions and the prospects of individual companies. • Fixed income security risks include credit, liquidity, call, duration, and interest-rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. • Obligations of US Government agencies are supported by varying degrees of credit but are generally not backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government. • Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities' risks include credit, interest-rate, prepayment, and extension risk. • Municipal securities may be adversely impacted by state/local, political, economic, or market conditions; these risks may be magnified if the Fund focuses its assets in municipal securities of issuers in a few select states. • Applying sustainability criteria to the investment process may result in foregoing certain investments and underperformance comparative to funds that do not have a similar focus. There is a risk that the securities identified by the sub-adviser as meeting its sustainable investing criteria do not operate as anticipated. • Derivatives are generally more volatile and sensitive to changes in market or economic conditions than other securities; their risks include currency, leverage, liquidity, index, pricing, regulatory and counterparty risk. • The Fund may have high portfolio turnover, which could increase its transaction costs and an investor's tax liability. • The value of inflation-protected securities (IPS) generally fluctuates with changes in real interest rates, and the market for IPS may be less developed or liquid, and more volatile, than other securities markets. • Investments in high-yield ("junk") bonds involve greater risk of price volatility, illiquidity, and default than higher-rated debt securities. • The purchase of securities in the To-Be-Announced (TBA) market can result in higher portfolio turnover and related expenses as well as price and counterparty risk. • Loans can be difficult to value and less liquid than other types of debt instruments; they are also subject to nonpayment, collateral, bankruptcy, default, extension, prepayment and insolvency risks. • Foreign investments may be more volatile and less liquid than US investments and are subject to the risk of currency fluctuations and adverse political, economic, and regulatory developments. • Changes related to LIBOR could have an adverse impact on financial instruments that reference this rate.
The views expressed herein are those of Schroders Investment Management (Schroders), are for informational purposes only, and are subject to change based on prevailing market, economic, and other conditions. The views expressed may not reflect the opinions of Hartford Funds or any other sub-adviser to our funds. The opinions stated in this document include some forecasted views. Schroders believes that they are basing their expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what they currently know. The views and information discussed should not be construed as research, a recommendation, or investment advice, nor should they be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. This information is current at the time of writing and may not be reproduced or distributed in whole or in part, for any purpose, without the express written consent of Schroders or Hartford Funds.