Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here.
Any performance shown for Class C prior to its inception date is based on the performance of Class I shares, adjusted to reflect Class C share fees, expenses and maximum sales charges.
The Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year U.S. Corporate/Government Index, a market capitalization weighted index including U.S. Treasury and agency bonds and U.S. investment grade corporate bonds, is an unmanaged index and is not available for direct investment. Unlike a mutual fund, the performance of an index assumes no taxes, transaction costs, management fees or other expenses.
The value of debt securities may be affected by the ability of issuers to make principal and interest payments. Although U.S. government securities are considered to be among the safest investments, they are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates. An investment in the Fund is subject to interest rate risk, which is the possibility that a Fund's yield will decline due to falling interest rates and the potential for bond prices to fall as interest rates rise.
Net expense ratio includes voluntary expense reimbursements by the Funds' investment advisers that may change or end at any time.
The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to maintain a minimum daily net yield for the Fund. This voluntary advisory fee waiver and expense reimbursement may be changed or terminated by the Adviser at any time. Please refer to a current prospectus for additional fee information.