Hartford Funds Announces the Closure and Liquidation of the Hartford Schroders ESG US Equity ETF

Hartford Schroders ESG US Equity ETF is expected to liquidate in July 2023

Hartford Funds has announced that it will close and liquidate the Hartford Schroders ESG US Equity ETF (HEET).

Hartford Funds’ commitment to responding to investors’ needs includes a regular review of its product lineup, which has led to a decision to liquidate HEET.

July 21, 2023 is expected to be the last full day of trading on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (“Cboe BZX”) for Hartford Schroders ESG US Equity ETF. Effective as of the close of business on July 21, 2023, the Fund will no longer accept orders for the purchase of Creation Units. Beginning when the Fund commences the liquidation of its portfolio, the Fund may not pursue its investment objectives or, with certain exceptions, engage in normal business activities, and the Fund may hold cash and securities that may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and strategy, which may adversely affect Fund performance.

The liquidation date for the Fund will be on or about July 28, 2023 (“Liquidation Date”). Cboe BZX is expected to halt trading in shares of the Fund after the market close on July 21, 2023. There is not expected to be any market for the purchase or sale of Fund shares during the time between the market close on July 21, 2023 and the Liquidation Date, because Fund shares will not be traded on Cboe BZX. Shareholders of the Fund may sell their shares of the Fund on Cboe BZX until the market close on July 21, 2023, and may incur customary transaction fees from their broker-dealer in connection with such sales. Prior to the Liquidation Date, authorized participants may continue to submit orders to the Fund for the redemption of Creation Units.

In connection with the liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date without the imposition of customary redemption transaction fees. The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of such shares after the Fund has paid or provided for all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, including certain operational costs of liquidating the Fund. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable and will be made to all Fund shareholders at the time of the liquidation.

For shareholders who hold their Fund shares in taxable accounts, the automatic redemption of shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date will generally be treated as a sale that may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. Shareholders should consult their personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences.

For additional information about the liquidation, shareholders of the Fund may call 800-456-7526.

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 50 mutual funds and ETFs in a variety of styles and asset classes. Its mutual funds (with the exception of certain fund of 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 March 31, 2023, Hartford Funds’ investment advisory business had approximately $127.2 billion in discretionary and non-discretionary assets under management. For more information about our investment family, visit http://www.hartfordfunds.com.

About Schroders

As a global active asset manager, the way we direct capital not only shapes the financial returns we achieve for our clients but also the impact that the companies in which we invest on their behalf might have on society. The relationship between these two outcomes has rapidly evolved as we see a fundamental shift in how companies are viewed and valued. Understanding the impact that they can have on society and the planet is crucial in assessing their ability to deliver risk-adjusted profits.

Our ongoing success is built on a history of experience and expertise, whereby we partner with our clients to construct innovative products and solutions across our five business areas consisting of Private Assets & Alternatives, Solutions, Mutual Funds, Institutional and Wealth Management and invest in a wide range of assets and geographies. By combining our commitment to active management and focus on sustainability, our strategic capabilities are designed to deliver positive outcomes for our clients.

We are responsible for $887.2 billion (£731.6 billion; €871.3 billion) as of December 31, 2022 assets of our clients, managed locally by 42 investment teams worldwide. As a global business with over 6,100 talented staff across 38 locations, we are able to stay close to our clients and understand their needs. We have over 200 years of experience in investment and innovation.

HIG-W

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 2022 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: 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. The Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. • The Fund’s environmental, social, and/or governance (ESG) policy could cause it to perform differently than similar funds that do not have such a policy. • In certain instances, unlike other ETFs, the Fund may effect creations and redemptions partly or wholly for cash, rather than in-kind, which may make the Fund less tax-efficient and incur more fees than an ETF that primarily or wholly effects creations and redemptions in-kind.

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.

ETFs are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ALPS). Advisory services are provided by Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (HFMC). Certain funds are sub-advised by 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, SIMNA, and SIMNA Ltd. are all SEC registered investment advisers. Hartford Funds refers to Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA, and HFMC, which are not affiliated with any sub-adviser or ALPS.

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