Objectives and Approach

The Fund aims to provide income with the prospect of some investment growth over the long term. It looks to outperform the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index - Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) Global Diversified over rolling 3-year periods, after the deduction of charges. The Fund is actively managed, and seeks to gain at least two-thirds of its investment exposure to emerging market local currencies and local currency denominated debt securities issued either by governments of Emerging Market countries, or companies which are domiciled or have significant business operations in such countries. The Fund considers Emerging Markets countries to mean those characterised as developing or emerging by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or those not listed in the OECD country list. The Fund may also gain exposure to non-emerging market currencies and debt securities, as well as emerging market debt denominated in non-local currencies, if considered appropriate to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may invest in government and corporate bonds of any credit quality (including those rated below investment grade, or unrated), as well as treasury bills, and securitised notes. The Fund may also use derivatives for investment purposes. Derivatives may be used to allow the Fund to profit from the fall in the price of an asset (shorting), as well as extending market exposure beyond the value of its assets (leverage). In addition, derivatives may be used with the aim of reducing risk, or managing the Fund more efficiently. Derivatives are sophisticated investment instruments linked to the rise and fall of the price of other assets. The Fund may also invest in other assets such as cash and deposits, and hold other funds (including funds managed by Columbia Threadneedle companies) when deemed appropriate. The GBI-EM Global Diversified Index is regarded as an appropriate performance measure of local currency bonds issued by emerging market governments. It provides a suitable target benchmark against which Fund performance will be measured and evaluated over time.