RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hartford Funds today has expanded its suite of strategic beta* exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) with the launch of the industry’s first US-focused real estate investment trust (“REIT”) ETF to apply the innovations of risk-first investment design with a multifactor approach (Ticker: RORE). RORE seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond to the total return performance of the Lattice Risk-Optimized Real Estate Strategy Index (Bloomberg Ticker: LROREX), which tracks the performance of publicly traded real estate investment trusts.
“The launch of RORE is a natural extension of Hartford Funds’ strategic beta ETF platform,” said Darek Wojnar, Head of Exchange-Traded Funds at Hartford Funds. “The strategy focuses exclusively on REITs and may be a compelling solution for investors interested in taking advantage of the growing opportunities in the real estate sector.”
RORE seeks to track an index which is designed to capture the income and growth potential of investing within the U.S. REIT universe. The strategy selects equity securities of REITs exhibiting a favorable combination of factor characteristics, including quality, momentum, and value. RORE is the first ETF launched by Hartford Funds since the firm acquired Lattice Strategies just over 60 days ago.
“Hartford Funds’ latest strategic beta ETF allows us to offer even broader options for building investment portfolios that reflects clients’ needs, risk tolerances and life goals,” said Vern Meyer, Chief Investment Officer of Hartford Funds. “Our expanded capabilities cater to investors interested in a mix of high-active share mutual funds and complementary strategic beta ETFs.”
Hartford Funds will ring the closing bell on the NYSE today to commence the launch of its newest offering.
*Strategic beta refers to investment strategies that emphasize the use of alternative weighting schemes to traditional market capitalization-based indexes.
About Hartford Funds
Founded in 1996, Hartford Funds is a leading provider of mutual funds 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 MIT AgeLab and leading practice management experts, Hartford Funds delivers insight into the latest demographic trends and investor behavior.
As of October 4, 2016, the firm’s line-up includes more than 45 mutual funds in a variety of styles and asset classes, and five strategic beta ETFs. Its mutual funds (with the exception of certain fund of funds) are sub-advised by Wellington Management, one of the nation’s oldest and largest institutional fund management groups. 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. Hartford Funds has mutual fund assets under management of $74.9 billion as of June 30, 2016 (excluding assets used in certain annuity products). For more information about our investment family, visit www.hartfordfunds.com.
The MIT AgeLab is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Hartford Funds.
All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal. One cannot invest directly in an index.
A concentration in real estate securities, such as REITs, may subject the Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate as well as the risks related to the way real estate companies are organized and operated. Real estate is sensitive to changes in interest rates and general and local economic conditions and developments. A non-diversified fund may be more exposed to the risks associated with single issuers than a diversified fund.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a fund before investing. This and other information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, which should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a mutual fund prospectus or summary prospectus, please call 888-843-7824 (retail) or 800-279-1541 (institutional); ETF prospectuses can be obtained by calling 415-315-6600.
Hartford Funds refers to Hartford Funds Management Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including the mutual funds’ investment manager, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC”) and the mutual funds’ distributor, Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC, as well as Lattice Strategies LLC (“Lattice”), a wholly owned subsidiary of HFMC effective July 29, 2016. Lattice is the investment adviser to the exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The ETFs are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc., which is not affiliated with Lattice or Hartford Funds. “The Hartford” is The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC is a subsidiary of The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.
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 2015 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.
120588 LAT000375 10/4/2017