Flexibility of the Crossover Strategy

The past few weeks have been among the most volatile ever seen for the asset class, reminiscent of past mispriced panic events, such as the 2010 Meredith Whitney municipal default call, the 2013 Taper Tantrum, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The long end of the municipal-bond market experienced a rare and sharp dislocation. Despite strong credit fundamentals, the higher-quality, longer-duration municipal bonds, especially those rated AAA, suffered a significant sell-off in Q1 2025. The decline wasn’t driven by deteriorating credit conditions, but rather by technical pressures and by fears about changes in tax policy that, in our view, were misplaced.

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. The Fund may perform differently from funds that do not integrate ESG into their analysis.

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.