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Wellington Announces Plan to Buy Hartford Funds for $1.9B

BY | ETF Database
10:41 am ET 06/03/26 | 16 VIEWS
On Wednesday, June 3, Wellington Management and The Hartford announced that Wellington will be acquiring Hartford Funds. Once the acquisition is complete, Hartford Funds will operate under Wellington’s brand through the firm’s U.S. Wealth business. Wellington's Historic HeritageWellington Management is among the largest privately held asset managers in the world. Founded in 1928, the firm operates strategies and investment solutions across a wide variety of asset classes.  Looking broadly, Wellington manages $1.3 trillion in client assets. The firm has well over 3,000 clients and a global presence of more than 60 locations worldwide.  “For more than 40 years, Wellington and Hartford Funds have partnered together in support of advisors and investors, and I’m excited about what this combination means for the future of both organizations,” said Jean Hynes, CEO and managing partner at Wellington Management. “Wellington’s nearly century-long investment heritage is underscored by a deep commitment to supporting advisors, investors, and employees, and I know that the Hartford Funds team shares this commitment. Together, we are building on the strengths that have defined our relationship to reinforce our commitment to the U.S. wealth market through expanded access to investment capabilities, broader distribution reach, and enhanced resources for advisors and investors. I look forward to continuing to build on the strengths that have defined our partnership together in the years ahead.” See more: Vanguard Talks Active Equity ETFs With WellingtonHartford Funds Offers a Standout Fund LibraryHistorically, Hartford Funds has operated as an asset management subsidiary of The Hartford. The Hartford, of course, is a well-known provider in property and casualty insurance.  Crucially, Hartford Funds have been operating with a highly compelling track record as of late. Hartford noted that as of March 31, 2026, 90% of its fixed-income funds have outperformed their peer averages on a 10-year basis. One of the most popular ETFs from Hartford Funds, the Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB ), has well over $2.2 billion in assets under management.  “We are proud of the strong advisor-centric fund company that we have built, powered by Wellington’s outstanding investment capabilities for many years,” said Christopher Swift, The Hartford chairman and CEO. “This transaction allows us to realize immediate and continued value for The Hartford’s shareholders and positions Hartford Funds’ exceptional people for ongoing success. This combination creates the ideal long-term home for Hartford Funds.” See more: Good Reasons to Keep It Short With Bond ETFs in 2026What This Deal Means for Advisors and InvestorsNotably, this deal between Wellington Management and The Hartford did not emerge out of the blue. Wellington and Hartford Funds have worked together for over four decades through partnerships in fund management. As of June 3, 2026, Wellington already sub-advises 83% of Hartford Funds’ assets, which sit around $160 billion in total. Advisors and investors alike may be wondering what benefits they should expect to see from this acquisition. The deal will combine Wellington’s scale, experience, and perspective with Hartford Funds’ distribution platform and preexisting relationships. This collaboration will strengthen operations, ultimately delivering greater value to both client bases. The net value of this deal is approximately $1.9 billion and once it closes, The Hartford will receive $300 million in cash. Per the announcement, the deal is expected to close in Q1 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. “Wellington is a massive $1.35 trillion global institutional titan, but historically it has been difficult for retail investors to access its expertise directly,” said Cinthia Murphy, director of research at VettaFi. “By taking over Hartford Funds’ capabilities and retail distribution reach, Wellington can open the floodgates to innovation and broader product lineups. In an industry dominated by low-cost passive giants, this deal expands Wellington’s footprint, opening the door for it to become a more dominant, full-service active manager.” For more news, information, and strategy, visit ETFdb.

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