Federated Hermes wins 2025 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards

• Federated Hermes MDT Advisers secures awards for multiple funds and performance periods
• Two active fixed-income strategies recognized for category outperformance through market cycles

PITTSBURGH, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, a global leader in active investing, today announced that Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund, Federated Hermes MDT All Cap Core Fund, Federated Hermes Conservative Municipal Microshort Fund and Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Strategy Portfolio were recognized by the 2025 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards for consistently strong risk-adjusted performance. Evaluations were calculated for the periods ended Nov. 30, 2024.

Federated Hermes MDT Advisers won awards for multiple performance periods and funds. The key investment team includes Daniel Mahr, head of MDT Group; Damien Zhang, head of MDT Research; Frederick Konopka, portfolio and trading manager; and John Paul Lewicke, research manager. The team has more than 80 years of investment experience and manages $14.2 billion in mutual funds, ETFs, institutional separate accounts, separately managed accounts (SMAs) and a collective investment trust (CIT) as of Dec. 31, 2024. Their internally developed investment process employs a disciplined, bottom-up, quantitative investment approach designed to be objective and absent of human bias. Sophisticated modeling with the implementation of multiple decision trees can give them a more flexible decision-making framework compared to many other quantitative approaches that might emphasize one particular factor or group of factors, or whose investing technique may favor one particular style.

In the Mid-Cap Growth Funds category, Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund received a trophy in recognition of its R6 shares outperforming peers over the three- and five-year periods as well as its IS shares outperforming peers over the 10-year period. The fund seeks appreciation of capital by investing primarily in domestic, mid-cap common stocks that offer superior growth prospects.

Additionally, Federated Hermes MDT All Cap Core Fund (R6 shares) outperformed peers in the Multi-Cap Core Funds category over the five-year period. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in the common stock of U.S. companies, using a whole market, all-cap/all-style approach.

Federated Hermes Conservative Municipal Microshort Fund (IS shares) outperformed peers in the Short Municipal Debt Funds category for the three-year period. Launched in 2021, the fund seeks current income with preservation of capital with an emphasis on maintaining liquidity on a tax-exempt basis by investing in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade securities with a dollar-weighted average maturity generally less than 180 days. Fund managers Mary Jo Ochson, chief investment officer and head of the tax-free liquidity investment area and short-term municipal bonds, and Kyle Stewart, senior portfolio manager, together bring 70 years of investment experience. Federated Hermes' extensive depth and experience in municipal management includes 28 investment professionals managing approximately $23 billion in municipal strategies as of Dec. 31, 2024. 

Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Strategy Portfolio, a Managed Account Pool (MAPs) utilized by Federated Hermes Separately Managed Accounts, outperformed peers in the Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated category for the 10-year period. The fund seeks to provide total return by primarily investing in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade, corporate fixed-income securities. Senior Portfolio Managers Jerome Conner and Brian Ruffner bring 55 years of investment experience.

"For 70 years, Federated Hermes' world-class investment platform has provided active investment management focused on meeting the diverse and evolving needs of our clients and shareholders. Our rigorous approach to vetting investment opportunities has been key to our investing success for decades," said John B. Fisher, president and chief executive officer, Federated Advisory Companies. "With our deep heritage of fixed-income prowess deployed across a spectrum of sectors and MDT's quantitative approach and innovative research, Federated Hermes seeks to provide attractive returns in various market conditions."

Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI) is a global leader in active investment management, with $829.6 billion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2024. We deliver investment solutions that help investors target a broad range of outcomes and provide equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies to more than 10,000 institutions and intermediaries worldwide. Our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes has more than 2,000 employees in London, New York, Boston and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com/us.

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. Evaluations are calculated for the periods ended Nov. 30, 2024.

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. The fund with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification wins the LSEG Lipper Fund Award. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Although LSEG makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by LSEG Lipper.

In the Mid-Cap Growth Funds category, Federated Hermes MDT Mid Cap Growth Fund (FGSKX, R6 shares) outperformed 334 share classes and 97 portfolios over the three-year period and outperformed 305 share classes and 88 portfolios over the five-year period; and (FGSIX, IS shares) outperformed 250 share classes and 79 portfolios over the 10-year period

Multi-Cap Core Funds category: Federated Hermes MDT All Cap Core Fund (QKACX, R6 shares) outperformed 476 share classes and 179 portfolios over the 5-year period.

Short Municipal Debt Funds category: Federated Hermes Conservative Municipal Microshort Fund (FHMIX, IS shares) outperformed 114 share classes and 37 portfolios for the three-year period.

Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated category: Federated Hermes Corporate Bond Strategy Portfolio, a Managed Account Pool (MAPs) utilized by Federated Hermes Separately Managed Accounts, outperformed 126 share classes and 46 portfolios for the 10-year period.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Bond prices are sensitive to changes in interest rates, and a rise in interest rates can cause a decline in their prices.

Mid-capitalization companies often have narrower markets and limited managerial and financial resources compared to larger and more established companies.

Growth stocks tend to have higher valuations and thus are typically more volatile than value stocks. Growth stocks also may not pay dividends or may pay lower dividends than value stocks.

The quantitative models and analysis used by the MDT funds may perform differently than expected and negatively affect fund performance.

The value of equity securities in the MDT funds' portfolios will fluctuate and, as a result, the funds' share prices may decline. Equity securities may decline in value because of an increase in interest rates or changes in the stock market.

The Conservative Municipal Microshort Fund is not a "money market" mutual fund. Some money market mutual funds attempt to maintain a stable net asset value through compliance with relevant Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules. The fund is not governed by those rules, and its shares will fluctuate in value. Interest income from the fund's investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals, and state and local taxes.

Other classes of shares are available whose performance will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Mutual funds are subject to risks and fluctuate in value.

Managed Account Pools (MAPs) are unique mutual fund pools of securities specially designed to provide diversification to separately managed accounts. Because these pools are highly liquid, they enhance the ability of separately managed account portfolios to quickly and efficiently respond to changing market conditions. All fees are charged at the managed account level, so the MAPs have zero advisory fees and reimburse all ordinary operating expenses (excluding those of any other funds in which the MAPs invest, if applicable). MAPs are available only in conjunction with Federated Hermes Separately Managed Accounts.

Diversification does not assure a profit nor protect against loss.

Investors should carefully consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. To obtain a summary prospectus or prospectus containing this and other information, contact us or visit FederatedHermes.com/us. Please carefully read the summary prospectus or prospectus before investing.

Separately managed accounts are available through Federated Investment Counseling, a registered investment adviser.

Federated Securities Corp.is Distributor of the Federated Hermes Funds.

SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc.