| NASDAQ (NMS) Exchange | US Country |
The fund is designed for investors seeking to diversify their investment portfolios through exposure to the bond market. By mandating that at least 80% of its assets be invested in bonds that are included in the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the fund aligns itself closely with the performance and risk profile of this benchmark. The index is comprehensive, covering a wide range of bond types, including government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities.
To manage risk and aim for consistent returns, the fund focuses on purchasing high-quality instruments. These are primarily bonds that are rated within the top four credit categories by major rating agencies such as Moody's and Standard & Poor's (S&P), or those that the fund's advisors believe are of comparable quality based on their internal credit analysis. This approach emphasizes the fund's commitment to credit quality, aiming to provide a relatively safe investment in the fixed-income category.
The cornerstone of the fund's investment strategy is to track the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. This involves investing at least 80% of the fund's assets in the bonds included in the index. The index represents a wide swath of the U.S. bond market, including government bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and corporate bonds, making it a diversified investment option for participants.
The fund invests primarily in high-quality bonds, specifically those rated in the top four credit categories by Moody's or S&P, or equivalents as determined by the fund's advisors. This strategy is aimed at reducing credit risk, ensuring the stability of returns, and preserving capital, making it suitable for conservative investors looking for reliable income sources.