This fund is designed to offer broad access to high-quality debt instruments issued outside the United States. Its objective is to mirror the performance of an international benchmark index, investing in a mix of government, agency, and corporate bonds from various global markets, with a primary focus on developed nations but also including some emerging economies. Like all bond funds, it is susceptible to interest rate fluctuations; an increase in rates could lead to a decline in the value of the bonds held, thereby reducing the fund's net asset value.