Robeco QI Global Multi-Factor Bonds DH USD

Yields rose in March. The Fed hiked rates for the first time and, more importantly, signaled its readiness to hike rates by 50 basis points per meeting for the next few meetings to fight inflation. Inflation has risen further, as energy prices spiked due to the tragic war in Ukraine. After the risk-off move in late February and early March, bond yields rose strongly and credit spreads declined later in March. US 10-year yields rose 51 bps and 2-year yields even 90 bps; markets now discount 250 bps of rate hikes over the coming 12 months. The ECB announced it will wrap up its bond purchases more quickly, allowing for earlier rate hikes. German 10-year yields rose 41 bps. Japanese 10-year yields rose only 3 bps, but the Bank of Japan had to intervene to prevent a further rise and long-dated bonds were volatile. The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Corporates Index posted a credit return of 0.69%, as credit spreads tightened from 133 to 124 bps.

All currency risks are hedged.

All income earned will be accumulated and not be distributed as dividend. Therefore the entire return is reflected in the share price development.

The fund incorporates sustainability in the investment process via exclusions, ESG integration, ESG and environmental footprint targets, and engagement. For investments in government bonds, the fund complies with Robeco's exclusion policy for countries and does not invest in countries where serious violations of human rights or a collapse of the governance structure take place, or if countries are subject to UN, EU or US sanctions. Via portfolio construction rules the fund targets a better ESG score and a lower carbon footprint compared to the government bonds part of the reference index. For investments in corporate bonds, the fund does not invest in issuers that are in breach of international norms or where activities have been deemed detrimental to society following Robeco's exclusion policy. Via portfolio construction rules the fund targets a better ESG score and lower carbon, water and waste footprints than that of the corporate component in the reference index. These portfolio construction rules ensure that issuers with a better ESG scores or a lower environmental footprint are more likely to be included in the portfolio, and vice versa. For corporate bonds, the investment process also includes a check of buy candidates and portfolio holdings by our credit analysts for ESG risks that may have material impact for bond holders. Lastly, where corporate issuers are flagged for breaching international standards in our ongoing monitoring, the issuer will become subject to engagement.

Robeco QI Global Multi-Factor Bonds is an actively managed fund that invests globally in bonds issued by governments, agencies and corporates. The selection of these bonds is based on a quantitative model. The fund's objective is to provide long-term capital growth. The fund promotes certain ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) characteristics within the meaning of Article 8 of the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, and integrates ESG and sustainability risks in the investment process. In addition, the fund applies an exclusion list based on controversial behavior, products (including controversial weapons, tobacco, palm oil and fossil fuel) and countries, alongside engagement. The fund uses low-risk, quality, value, momentum and size factors to select the most attractive bonds. The disciplined investment process aims to keep the credit and foreign exchange risk of the bond portfolio similar to that of the benchmark, but with the aim of generating higher returns due to its exposures to factors. The overall duration of the bond portfolio can be increased or decreased, depending on a systematic assessment of the bond market outlook. The majority of bonds selected will be components of the benchmark, but bonds outside the benchmark may be selected too. The fund can deviate from the weightings of the benchmark. The fund aims to outperform the benchmark over the long run, while still controlling relative risk through the application of limits (on currencies, issuers and ratings) to the extent of the deviation from the benchmark. This will consequently limit the deviation of the performance relative to the benchmark. The Benchmark is a broad market-weighted index that is not consistent with the ESG characteristics promoted by the fund.

The fund aims to have its credit and currency exposure in line with that of the benchmark. The strategy can have moderate tracking error versus the benchmark. The portfolio volatility is restricted by a predefined threshold. The portfolio will make use of derivatives, which add to the leverage of the portfolio. The expected level of gross leverage is stated in the prospectus.