While equity-market resilience amid tariff uncertainty and AI-driven narratives drew much of the attention in 2025, the bond market also delivered a very strong year. Returns were broad-based, with many publicly traded fixed-income sectors generating high single-to double-digit gains. Importantly, most fixed-income sectors delivered meaningfully better risk-adjusted returns than equities. A global, diversified approach proved particularly rewarding, as non-US assets outperformed US markets. Despite this strong rally, we believe the opportunity to add fixed-income exposure hasn’t passed. 

Important Risks: 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, event and interest-rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. • Investments in high-yield (“junk”) bonds are considered speculative, involve heightened credit risk and greater risk of price volatility, illiquidity, and default than investment grade bonds. • Foreign investments, including foreign government debt, 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. These risks may be greater, and include additional risks, for investments in emerging markets. • 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, valuation, and counterparty risk. • The risks associated with mortgage-related and asset-backed securities as well as collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) include credit, interest-rate, prepayment, liquidity, default and extension risk. • The purchase of securities in the To-Be-Announced (TBA) market can result in higher portfolio turnover, which could increase transaction costs and an investor’s tax liability. The risks associated with the TBA market include price and counterparty risk. • Restricted securities may be more difficult to sell and price than other securities. • 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. • 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. • The portfolio managers may allocate a portion of the Fund’s assets to specialist portfolio managers, which may not work as intended.

Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in declining market

The views expressed herein are those of Wellington 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 Wellington Management or Hartford Funds.