Hartford Funds Expands Systematic ETF Business

Firm’s introduction of three new systematic ETFs demonstrates its deep commitment to systematic investing

Hartford Funds, a leading global asset manager, is reaffirming its strong commitment to systematic investing with the expansion of its systematic ETF product suite, including today’s launch of the Hartford Multifactor International Small Company ETF (Cboe: ROIS), which is designed to gain efficient exposure to the small cap international equity market while seeking to reduce volatility through the application of key systematic factors.

This latest product launch follows the introduction of the Hartford US Value ETF (Cboe: VMAX) and Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (Nasdaq: HQGO) in December 2023, after the firm debuted its first systematic ETF product in 2015. The introduction of ROIS, VMAX and HQGO, as well as the firm’s recent investment to grow internal resources dedicated to its systematic ETFs, underscores its commitment to and focus on the space and ongoing dedication to delivering new and innovative solutions. The addition of ROIS brings the firm’s suite of systematic ETFs to nine.

Hartford Funds’ systematic strategies utilize a proprietary multifactor investment approach developed by the firm involving a focused set of factors including Size, Value, Quality and Momentum, and are intended to enhance diversification for investors. Amidst ongoing volatility and a dynamic market environment, the firm’s passively managed ETFs offer investors a broad range of options and exposure to markets through a variety of systematic strategies.

“As we embark on this journey of evolving and expanding our ETF suite, it’s imperative that our investment options help meet the diverse needs of our clients,” said Brian Kraus, Senior Vice President for Systematic ETFs at Hartford Funds. “We are excited about the growth of our flagship lineup of systematic ETF products and look forward to continuing to leverage our strong expertise with systematic ETFs to provide our clients with compelling investment opportunities.”

Hartford Multifactor International Small Company ETF [ROIS]

ROIS is a Small/Mid Cap Value ETF that seeks to improve diversification compared to traditional market-cap weighted index benchmarks, exploring exposure to return-enhancing factors such as reduced volatility, relative sector, country and size constraints and momentum. Hartford Multifactor International Small Company ETF seeks to benefit from the large and inefficient opportunity set within international small cap securities, offering investors exposure to Value, Momentum and Quality while seeking to achieve reduced volatility.

ROIS is listed on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. and has total operating expenses of 0.49%*.

Hartford US Value ETF [Cboe: VMAX] and Hartford US Quality Growth ETF [Nasdaq: HQGO]

VMAX and HQGO are designed to meet strong investor demand for Systematic Large Value and Large Growth ETFs, respectively. VMAX seeks to emphasize the Value factor due to that factor’s favorable return enhancing potential, while HQGO seeks to exploit what we view as the inefficiencies of the Russell 1000 Growth Index to have better risk allocation within the Large Growth category. With ROIS, these Funds offer investors systematic and repeatable strategies amidst ongoing volatility.

VMAX is listed on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. and has total operating expenses of 0.29%*. HQGO is listed on Nasdaq and has total operating expenses of 0.34%*.

All three ETFs are advised by Lattice Strategies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hartford Funds Investment Management, LLC. For more information about these Funds, please visit hartfordfunds.com.

About Hartford Funds

Founded in 1996, Hartford Funds is a leading asset manager, which provides mutual funds, ETFs, and 529 college savings plans. Using its human-centric investing approach, Hartford Funds creates strategies and tools designed to address the needs and wants of investors. Leveraging partnerships with leading experts, Hartford Funds delivers insight into the latest demographic trends and investor behavior.

The firm’s product line-up includes more than 60 mutual funds and ETFs in a variety of styles and asset classes. Its mutual funds (with the exception of certain funds) are sub-advised by Wellington Management or Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. The strategic beta ETFs offered by Hartford Funds are designed to help address investors’ evolving needs by leveraging a unique risk-optimized approach, which identifies risks within each asset class and then deliberately and systematically re-allocates capital toward risks more likely to enhance return potential. Excluding affiliated funds of funds, as of December 31, 2023, Hartford Funds’ investment advisory business had approximately $131 billion in discretionary and non-discretionary assets under management. For more information about our investment family, visit http://www.hartfordfunds.com.

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Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in The Hartford’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings The Hartford makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.

From time to time, The Hartford may use its website to disseminate material company information. Financial and other important information regarding The Hartford is routinely accessible through and posted on our website at http://ir.thehartford.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about The Hartford when you enroll your email address by visiting the "Email Alerts" section at http://ir.thehartford.com

Important Risks for Hartford Multifactor International Small Company ETF: The Fund is new and has a limited operating history. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The net asset value (NAV) of the Fund's shares may fluctuate due to changes in the market value of the Fund's holdings. The Fund's share price may fluctuate due to changes in the relative supply of and demand for the shares on an exchange. Security prices fluctuate in value depending on general market and economic conditions and the prospects of individual companies. ● The Fund is not actively managed but rather attempts to track the performance of an index. The Fund's returns may diverge from that of the index. ● 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. These risks may be greater, and include additional risks, for investments in emerging markets. ● Investments focused in a country, region, industry or group of industries may increase volatility and risk. ● Small cap securities can have greater risks, including liquidity risk, and volatility than large-cap securities.

Important Risks for Hartford US Value ETF: The Fund is new and has a limited operating history. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The net asset value (NAV) of the Fund's shares may fluctuate due to changes in the market value of the Fund's holdings. The Fund's share price may fluctuate due to changes in the relative supply of and demand for the shares on an exchange. Security prices fluctuate in value depending on general market and economic conditions and the prospects of individual companies. ● The Fund is not actively managed but rather attempts to track the performance of an index. The Fund's returns may diverge from that of the index. ● Investments focused in an industry or group of industries may increase volatility and risk. ● Different investment styles may go in and out of favor, which may cause the Fund to underperform the broader stock market.

Important Risks for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF: The Fund is new and has a limited operating history. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The net asset value (NAV) of the Fund's shares may fluctuate due to changes in the market value of the Fund's holdings. The Fund's share price may fluctuate due to changes in the relative supply of and demand for the shares on an exchange. Security prices fluctuate in value depending on general market and economic conditions and the prospects of individual companies. ● The Fund is not actively managed but rather attempts to track the performance of an index. The Fund's returns may diverge from that of the index. ● Investments focused in an industry or group of industries may increase volatility and risk. ● Different investment styles may go in and out of favor, which may cause the Fund to underperform the broader stock market.

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

* Expenses are the total annual fund operating expenses as shown in the most recent prospectus.

Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund’s full prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained by visiting hartfordfunds.com. Please read it carefully before investing.

Mutual funds are distributed by Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC (HFD), Member FINRA. ETFs are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ALPS). Advisory services may be provided by Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (HFMC) or its wholly owned subsidiary, Lattice Strategies LLC (Lattice). Certain funds are sub-advised by Wellington Management Company LLP and/or Schroder Investment Management North America Inc (SIMNA). Schroder Investment Management North America Ltd. (SIMNA Ltd) serves as a secondary sub-adviser to certain funds. HFMC, Lattice, Wellington Management, SIMNA, and SIMNA Ltd. are all SEC registered investment advisers. Hartford Funds refers to HFD, HFMC, and Lattice, which are not affiliated with any sub-adviser or ALPS.

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