Description

This fund seeks to offer comprehensive exposure to high-quality debt securities issued outside the United States. Its primary goal is to replicate the performance of a benchmark index that comprises government, quasi-governmental, and corporate bonds from numerous international markets, predominantly developed nations, but also some emerging economies. As with all bond investments, it carries interest rate risk; a rise in rates could lead to a decrease in the value of the portfolio's bonds, thereby reducing its net asset value. Additionally, its global focus introduces country-specific and regional risks. To mitigate uncertainty from fluctuating exchange rates, the fund employs currency hedging strategies, ensuring that investment returns largely reflect the inherent performance of the underlying international bonds. This fund could be a valuable addition for long-term investors aiming to diversify their bond holdings internationally. Regarding its investment guidelines, for 75% of its total assets, the fund is generally restricted from purchasing more than 10% of the voting shares of any single issuer, or allocating over 5% of its total assets to the securities of any one issuer. These constraints may be waived if essential for closely matching the composition of its target index. Notably, these limitations do not extend to obligations issued by the U.S. government or its related agencies and instrumentalities.