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Tax-exempt bonds appear to be a compelling opportunity in today’s market environment. Municipal bonds underperformed in 2022, and while 2023 was a stronger year, we still believe there’s value in 2024. Investors may want to take advantage of the attractive absolute yields currently available. While valuations are not overly cheap, we have identified pockets of value across the municipal market in different sectors and structures. In instances in which munis seem too expensive, our strategy positions us well to rotate into other areas of the fixed-income market, such as Treasuries and investment-grade corporate bonds, so that we can maximize after-tax total returns for our investors.

Important Risks for Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware 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. • 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. Investors may be subject to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax as well as state and local income taxes. Capital gains, if any, are taxable. • Obligations of U.S. Government agencies are supported by varying degrees of credit but are generally not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. • Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities’ risks include credit, interest-rate, prepayment, and extension risk. • 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. • Foreign investments may be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. investments and are subject to the risk of currency fluctuations and adverse political, economic and regulatory developments. • The Fund may have high portfolio turnover, which could increase its transaction costs and an investor’s tax liability. • Financially material environmental, social and/or governance (ESG) characteristics are one of several factors that may be considered and as a result, the investment process may not work as intended.

The views expressed herein are those of Schroders Investment Management, 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. They should not be construed as research 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 Investment Management or Hartford Funds.

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Insight from Sub-Adviser Schroders Investment Management
Julio Bonilla
Portfolio Manager for Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond Fund
Julio Bonilla
Head of Municipal Research