EDGAR HTML
Prospectus
November 30, 2023
Disclosure contained herein relates to all classes of the Fund, as listed below, unless otherwise noted.
Share Class | Ticker
A | RRFAX
C | RRFCX
Institutional | RRFIX
R6 | FIPRX

Federated Hermes Inflation Protected Securities Fund

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Income Securities Trust
A mutual fund seeking to provide current income and real total returns by investing in inflation-indexed bonds, other fixed-income securities and derivatives.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee


Fund Summary Information
Federated Hermes Inflation Protected Securities Fund (the “Fund”)
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and real total returns. The reference to “real” means a total return in excess of the rate of inflation as measured by year-to-year changes in the consumer price index.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Class A Shares (A), Class C Shares (C), Institutional Shares (IS) or Class R6 Shares (R6) of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for certain sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in certain classes (e.g., A class) of Federated Hermes funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional, in the “What Do Shares Cost?” section of the Prospectus on page 17 and in “Appendix B” to this Prospectus.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
 
A
C
IS
R6
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
4.50%
None
None
None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase
price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)
0.00%
1.00%
None
None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of
offering price)
None
None
None
None
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)
None
None
None
None
Exchange Fee
None
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
A
C
IS
R6
Management Fee
0.30%
0.30%
0.30%
0.30%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee
0.00%1
0.75%
None
None
Other Expenses
0.65%
0.64%
0.39%2
0.34%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.95%
1.69%
0.69%
0.64%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3
(0.35)%
(0.31)%
(0.34)%
(0.33)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements
0.60%
1.38%
0.35%
0.31%
1
The Fund has adopted a Distribution (12b-1) Plan for its Class A Shares pursuant to which the A class of the Fund may incur and pay a Distribution (12b-1) Fee of up to a maximum amount of 0.05%. No such fee is currently incurred and paid by the A class of the Fund. The A class of the Fund will not incur and pay such a Distribution (12b-1) Fee until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).
2
The Fund may incur and pay certain service fees (shareholder services/account administration fees) on its IS class of up to a maximum amount of 0.25%. No such fees are currently incurred and paid by the IS class of the Fund. The IS class of the Fund will not incur and pay such fees until such time as approved by the Trustees.
3
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Effective December 1, 2023, total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund’s A, C, IS and R6 classes (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.59%, 1.37%, 0.34% and 0.30% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2024; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. Prior to December 1, 2023, the Fee Limit for the Class C Shares was 1.34%. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.
1

Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. Expenses assuming no redemption are also shown. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect sales charges (loads) on reinvested dividends. If these sales charges (loads) were included, your costs would be higher. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
A:
Expenses assuming redemption
$543
$739
$952
$1,564
Expenses assuming no redemption
$543
$739
$952
$1,564
C:
Expenses assuming redemption
$272
$533
$918
$1,801
Expenses assuming no redemption
$172
$533
$918
$1,801
IS:
Expenses assuming redemption
$70
$221
$384
$859
Expenses assuming no redemption
$70
$221
$384
$859
R6:
Expenses assuming redemption
$65
$205
$357
$798
Expenses assuming no redemption
$65
$205
$357
$798
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 73% of the average value of its portfolio.
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE
What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in investment-grade, inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and corporations. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities that are structured to provide protection against inflation. The Fund may use derivative contracts to implement elements of its investment strategy, in particular credit default swap agreements, options and futures contracts related to conventional bonds. In addition, the Fund may invest in high-yield, foreign and non-U.S. dollar inflation-indexed fixed-income securities when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those sectors to be attractive. High-yield securities are also known as “junk bonds.” There is no limitation on the maturity or remaining maturity of the fixed-income securities purchased by the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value. The Adviser actively manages the Fund’s portfolio seeking to outperform the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg US TIPS Index. The Fund operates within a duration range of 0% to 120% of its benchmark. The Adviser seeks to enhance the Fund’s performance by allocating relatively more of its portfolio to the types of inflation-indexed bonds that the Adviser expects to offer the best balance between real total return and risk and thus offer the greatest potential for return. The Fund may sell securities for a variety of reasons such as to secure gains, limit losses or redeploy assets into more promising opportunities.
The Fund is intended to represent inflation-indexed bonds as an asset class in a broader fixed-income portfolio, although the Adviser may invest up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets in conventional bonds, including investment-grade corporate debt securities, when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those bonds to be attractive. The Fund invests primarily in investment-grade securities, but may invest up to 15% of its total assets in noninvestment-grade debt securities (also known as “junk bonds”). The maximum that the Fund may invest in unhedged, non-U.S. dollar securities is 15% of the Fund’s total assets. The maximum amount that may be invested in noninvestment-grade debt securities and unhedged, non-U.S. dollar securities is 25% of the Fund’s total assets. There is no limitation on the maturity or remaining maturity of the securities in which the Fund may invest.
2

The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in inflation protected investments. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, the Adviser considers “inflation protected investments” to include inflation-indexed debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the United States and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities (such as Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or “TIPs”), corporations and other issuers. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policy that would enable the Fund to invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation protected investments.
What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?
All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:
◾ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. Interest rate risks on inflation-indexed bonds can be more difficult to model than other types of bonds.
◾ Issuer Credit Risk. It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Non-investment grade securities generally have a higher default risk than investment-grade securities. Such non-payment or default may reduce the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its performance.
◾ Counterparty Credit Risk. Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.
◾ Call Risk. The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by the possibility that an issuer of a security held by the Fund may redeem the security prior to maturity at a price below its current market value.
◾ Liquidity Risk. Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.
◾ Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities. Securities rated below investment grade may be subject to greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.
◾  Risk Related to the Economy.The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets. Economic, political and financial conditions, industry or economic trends and developments or public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time cause the Fund to experience volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions, or other potentially adverse effects. Among other investments, lower-grade bonds may be particularly sensitive to changes in the economy.
◾ Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. Accordingly, the Fund may experience increased volatility with respect to the value of its Shares and its returns as a result of its exposure to foreign currencies through direct holding of such currencies or holding of non-U.S. dollar denominated securities.
◾ Risk of Foreign Investing. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by foreign companies, the Fund’s share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.
◾ Leverage Risk. Leverage risk is created when an investment, which includes, for example, an investment in a derivative contract, exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain. Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.
◾ Risk of Investing in Inflation-Indexed Securities. As more fully described in this Prospectus, the value of inflation-indexed securities may decline when interest rates rise and inflation declines. Additionally, it is possible that the interest payments on inflation-indexed securities may be reduced to the point that there is not any net income to distribute.
◾ Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Specific risk issues related to the use of such contracts and instruments include valuation and tax issues, increased potential for losses and/or costs to the Fund and a potential reduction in gains to the Fund. Each of these issues is described in greater detail in this prospectus. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.
3

◾  Technology Risk. The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision-making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.
The Shares offered by this Prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
Performance: Bar Chart and Table
Risk/Return Bar Chart
The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund and are intended to help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s IS class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns for each class averaged over the stated periods, and includes comparative performance information against a broad-based market index. The Morningstar Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Average shows how the Fund’s performance compares against the returns of an index of funds with similar investment objectives. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. Updated performance information for the Fund is available under the “Products” section at FederatedHermes.com/us or by calling 1-800-341-7400.
The Fund’s IS class total return for the nine-month period from January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023, was (1.38)%.
Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s IS class highest quarterly return was 4.36% (quarter ended June 30, 2020). Its lowest quarterly return was (5.99)% (quarter ended June 30, 2022).
Average Annual Total Return Table
The Fund’s R6 class commenced operations on December 29, 2021. For the periods prior to commencement of operations of the Fund’s R6 class, the performance information shown below is for the Fund’s IS class. Returns for the Fund’s R6 class would have been substantially similar to returns of the Fund’s IS class because each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities and returns would differ only to the extent that expenses of the classes are different. The performance of the IS class has not been adjusted to reflect the expenses applicable to the R6 class since the R6 class has a lower expense ratio than the expense ratio of the IS class. In addition to Return Before Taxes, Return After Taxes is shown for the Fund’s IS class to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. After-tax returns are shown only for the IS class, and after-tax returns for A, C and R6 classes will differ from those shown for the IS class. Actual after-tax returns depend on each investor’s personal tax situation, and are likely to differ from those shown. After-tax returns are calculated using a standard set of assumptions. The stated returns assume the highest historical federal income and capital gains tax rates. These after-tax returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable state and local taxes. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors holding Shares through a 401(k) plan, an Individual Retirement Account or other tax-advantaged investment plans.
4

(For the Period Ended December 31, 2022)
Share Class
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
A:
Return Before Taxes
(15.97)%
0.88%
0.37%
C:
Return Before Taxes
(13.47)%
1.05%
0.24%
IS:
Return Before Taxes
(11.71)%
2.08%
1.10%
Return After Taxes on Distributions
(13.91)%
0.84%
0.11%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares
(6.90)%
1.10%
0.41%
R6:
Return Before Taxes
(11.71)%
2.08%
1.10%
Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Index1
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(11.85)%
2.11%
1.12%
Morningstar Inflation-Protected Bond Funds Average2
(8.98)%
1.82%
0.82%
1
The Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Index is a market value-weighted index that tracks inflation-protected securities issued by the U.S. Treasury.
2
Morningstar figures represent the average of the total returns reported by all the mutual funds designated by Morningstar as falling into the respective category indicated. They do not reflect sales charges.
FUND MANAGEMENT
The Fund’s Investment Adviser is Federated Investment Management Company.
J. Andrew Kirschler, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since July of 2013 and is responsible for day to day management of the Fund.
Todd A. Abraham, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since November of 2017.
purchase and sale of fund shares
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Shares of the Fund on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open. Shares may be purchased through a financial intermediary firm that has entered into a Fund selling and/or servicing agreement with the Distributor or an affiliate (“Financial Intermediary”) or directly from the Fund, by wire or by check. Please note that certain purchase restrictions may apply. Redeem or exchange Shares through a financial intermediary or directly from the Fund by telephone at 1-800-341-7400 or by mail.
A & C Classes
The minimum investment amount for the Fund’s A and C classes is generally $1,500 for initial investments and $100 for subsequent investments. The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are $250 and $100, respectively. There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount required for employer-sponsored retirement plans. Certain types of accounts are eligible for lower minimum investments. The minimum investment amount for Systematic Investment Programs is $50.
IS Class
The minimum initial investment amount for the Fund’s IS class is generally $1,000,000 and there is no minimum subsequent investment amount. Certain types of accounts are eligible for lower minimum investments. The minimum investment amount for Systematic Investment Programs is $50.
R6 Class
There are no minimum initial or subsequent investment amounts required. The minimum investment amount for Systematic Investment Programs is $50.
Tax Information
A, C & IS Classes
The Fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains except when your investment is through a 401(k) plan, an Individual Retirement Account or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
R6 Class
The Fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains except when your investment is through a tax-advantaged investment plan.
5

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
A, C & IS Classes
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and/or its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
R6 Class
Class R6 Shares do not make any payments to financial intermediaries, either from Fund assets or from the investment adviser and its affiliates.
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and real total returns. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this Prospectus. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about the Fund’s non-principal strategies.
The Fund’s total return will consist of two components: (1) changes in the market value of its portfolio securities (both realized and unrealized appreciation); and (2) income received from its portfolio securities. The Fund expects that income will comprise the largest component of its total return. The Fund seeks to provide the appreciation component of total return by selecting those securities whose prices will, in the opinion of the Fund’s investment adviser, benefit from anticipated changes in economic and market conditions.
The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, and corporations. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities that are structured to provide protection against inflation. In addition, the Fund may invest in high-yield, foreign and non-U.S. dollar inflation-indexed, fixed-income securities when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those sectors to be attractive. High-yield securities are also known as “junk bonds.” The Fund seeks to reduce interest rate risk when it anticipates that interest rates will rise primarily by selling Treasury note futures contracts. The Fund may buy or sell foreign currencies in lieu of or in addition to non-dollar denominated fixed-income securities in order to increase or decrease its exposure to foreign interest rate and/or currency markets. The Fund may sell securities for a variety of reasons such as to secure gains, limit losses or redeploy assets into more promising opportunities.
The Fund invests primarily in investment-grade securities, but may invest up to 15% of its total assets in noninvestment-grade debt securities (also known as “junk bonds”). The maximum that the Fund may invest in unhedged, non-U.S. dollar securities is 15% of the Fund’s total assets. The maximum amount that may be invested in noninvestment-grade debt securities and unhedged, non-U.S. dollar securities is 25% of the Fund’s total assets. There is no limitation on the maturity or remaining maturity of the securities in which the Fund may invest. A description of the various types of securities in which the Fund principally invests, and their risks, immediately follows this strategy section.
Inflation-indexed bonds have performance characteristics that are distinct from those of fixed-income securities with interest rates that are a fixed percentage of principal or adjusted other than in reference to the rate of inflation (“conventional bonds”). Typically, inflation-indexed bonds may outperform conventional bonds under inflationary economic conditions, because their interest payments are increased with inflation. Because interest payments on inflation-index bonds may increase with market interest rates, while interest payments on conventional bonds will remain fixed, the market prices of inflation-indexed bonds may not decrease in the same manner as those of conventional bonds when market rates rise. The Fund is intended to represent inflation-indexed bonds as an asset class in a broader fixed-income portfolio, although the Adviser may invest up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets in conventional bonds, including investment-grade corporate debt securities, when the Adviser considers the risk-return prospects of those bonds to be attractive.
The Adviser actively manages the Fund’s portfolio seeking total returns over a complete market cycle in excess of the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg US TIPS Index (BTIPS). The BTIPS represents an unmanaged market index made up of U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS). There can be no assurance that the Adviser will be successful in achieving investment returns in excess of the BTIPS. The Fund operates within a duration range of 0% to 120% of its benchmark.
The Adviser’s investment process is primarily concerned with security selection among TIPS and other types of inflation-indexed bonds that may have different credit risk or other risk premiums, liquidity or expected real yield. Based on its view of economic and market conditions, the Adviser evaluates the relative value of different TIPS issues and types of inflation bonds. The Adviser seeks to allocate relatively more of the Fund’s portfolio to those types of inflation bonds that the Adviser expects to offer the best balance between total return and risk and thus offer the greatest potential to
6

outperform the BTIPS. Inflation-indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect an inflation index calculated by that government. Corporate inflation-indexed fixed-income securities offer opportunities for higher returns than TIPS because they have higher credit risk. Other types of inflation-indexed bonds include interest-indexed bonds and zero-coupon inflation bonds. Interest indexed bonds index coupon payments with inflation but not the principal. Zero-coupon inflation bonds compound at variable inflation rates and a constant real rate.
The Fund may use derivative contracts to implement elements of its investment strategy, in particular credit default swap agreements, options and futures contracts related to conventional bonds. A derivative contract used in this manner will not count toward the 20% limitation on investments in conventional bonds. The Fund may also use derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative or hybrid instrument in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). Additionally, by way of example, the Fund may use derivative contracts in an attempt to:
◾ increase or decrease the effective duration of the Fund’s portfolio;
◾ seek to benefit from anticipated changes in the volatility of designated assets or instruments, such as indices, currencies and interest rates (volatility is a measure of the frequency and level of changes in the value of an asset or instrument without regard to the direction of such changes);
◾ obtain premiums from the sale of derivative contracts;
◾ realize gains from trading a derivative contract; or
◾ hedge against potential losses.
There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value.
The Fund’s 30-day yield will fluctuate from period to period. Such fluctuations, which may be significant, are due to a variety of factors. In particular, the Fund’s investment in inflation-indexed bonds may cause the Fund’s 30-day yield to vary substantially due to adjustments based on changes in the rate of inflation or deflation that affect income earned on these inflation-indexed bonds.
While the Adviser expects that the Fund will invest predominantly in inflation-indexed bonds, the Fund may also invest in fixed-income securities other than inflation-indexed bonds.
The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in inflation protected investments. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, the Adviser considers “inflation protected investments” to include inflation-indexed debt obligations of varying maturities issued by the United States and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities (such as Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or “TIPs”), corporations and other issuers. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policy that would enable the Fund to invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation protected investments.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic, or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?
The following provides general information on the Fund’s principal investments. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about the Fund’s non-principal investments and may provide additional information about the Fund’s principal investments.
Fixed-Income Securities
Fixed-income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or may be adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed-income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed-income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed-income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer’s earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed-income securities as compared to equity securities.
7

A security’s yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security’s yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a “discount”) or more (a “premium”) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.
The following describes the fixed-income securities in which the Fund principally invests:
Treasury Securities (A Fixed-Income Security)
Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the U.S. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having minimal credit risks. TIPS are issued with a fixed-coupon rate. The principal, for purposes of computing semi-annual interest payments, is adjusted by an “index ratio.” The index ratio is calculated based on the three-month lagged non-seasonally adjusted CPI-Urban (CPURNSA). Therefore, semi-annual payments will be principal multiplied by the index ratio and then multiplied by the fixed-coupon rate. During periods of inflation, the index ratio will be greater than one and hence semi-annual payments will compensate for inflation. During periods of deflation, the index ratio will be less than one and semi-annual payments will be reduced.
The TIPS inflation adjustment component is not specifically addressed in SEC rules governing the Fund’s calculation of current yield, and funds that invest in TIPS have adopted various treatments of inflation adjustment when calculating fund yield. This has led to significant differences in the yield advertised by similar funds for the same periods.
At the time of maturity, TIPS principal is adjusted by the index ratio to compensate for inflation. However, the U.S. Treasury guarantees full payment of the original face value despite any deflation. Semi-annual interest payments can increase or decrease depending upon inflationary or deflationary environment, whereas principal at maturity can increase with inflation, but cannot decline with deflation. Therefore, TIPS provide an inflation hedge on both interest and principal. In addition, TIPS provide a deflation hedge on the principal. Conventional bonds do not provide a hedge against anticipated inflation on either interest or principal, but do provide a deflation hedge on both.
Other types of inflation-indexed bonds may have terms different than those of TIPS. For example, inflation-indexed bonds issued by a corporation or issuer other than the U.S. Treasury may not provide that principal at maturity is not reduced by deflation. Therefore, some inflation-indexed bonds may decline in value in the event of deflation to a greater extent than TIPS.
Government Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)
Government securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality acting under federal authority. Some government securities, including those issued by Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States and are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal.
Other government securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) in support of such obligations.
Some government agency securities have no explicit financial support and are supported only by the credit of the applicable agency, instrumentality or corporation. The U.S. government has provided financial support to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but there is no assurance that it will support these or other agencies in the future.
The Fund treats mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality as government securities. Although such a guarantee protects against credit risk, it does not eliminate it entirely or reduce other risks.
Corporate Debt Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)
Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to companies. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary widely among issuers.
In addition, the credit risk of an issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (“senior”) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (“subordinated”) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities. Some subordinated securities, such as trust-preferred and capital-securities notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below regulatory requirements.
8

Zero-Coupon Securities (A Fixed-Income Security)
Zero-coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Investors buy zero-coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero-coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks of a zero-coupon security. A zero-coupon, step-up security converts to a coupon security before final maturity.
There are many forms of zero-coupon securities. Some are issued at a discount and are referred to as zero-coupon or capital appreciation bonds. Others are created from interest-bearing bonds by separating the right to receive the bond’s coupon payments from the right to receive the bond’s principal due at maturity, a process known as coupon stripping. In addition, some securities give the issuer the option to deliver additional securities in place of cash interest payments, thereby increasing the amount payable at maturity. These are referred to as pay-in kind, PIK securities or toggle securities.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. To the extent a Fund invests in securities included in its applicable broad-based securities market index, the Fund may consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if the applicable index classifies the issuer as based outside the United States. Accordingly, the Fund may consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if the issuer satisfies at least one, but not necessarily all, of the following:
◾ it is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office located in, another country;
◾ the principal trading market for its securities is in another country;
◾ it (directly or through its consolidated subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country; or
◾ it is classified by an applicable index as based outside the United States.
Foreign securities are primarily denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.
Foreign inflation-indexed securities will reflect the inflation index of the country of origin, which may be higher or lower than the actual rate of inflation experienced by U.S. investors.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed to buy a foreign security, or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, the Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade, the Fund agrees to exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. The Fund may also enter into derivative contracts in which a foreign currency is an underlying asset. The exchange rate for currency derivative contracts may be higher or lower than the spot exchange rate. Use of these derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to currency risks. The Fund may use both spot trades and currency derivatives to increase or decrease its exposure to foreign interest rate and/or currency markets.
Foreign Government Securities (A Type of Foreign Fixed-Income Security)
Foreign government securities generally consist of fixed-income securities supported by national, state or provincial governments or similar political subdivisions. Foreign government securities also include debt obligations of supranational entities, such as international organizations designed or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Foreign government securities also include fixed-income securities of quasi-governmental agencies that are either issued by entities owned by a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of a political unit that are not backed by the national government’s full faith and credit. Further, foreign government securities include mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by national, state or provincial governmental instrumentalities, including quasi-governmental agencies.
Derivative Contracts
Derivative contracts are financial instruments that derive their value from underlying securities, commodities, currencies, indices, or other assets or instruments, including other derivative contracts (each a “Reference Instrument” and collectively, “Reference Instruments”). The most common types of derivative contracts are swaps, futures and options, and major asset classes include interest rates, equities, commodities and foreign exchange. Each party to a derivative contract
9

may sometimes be referred to as a “counterparty.” Some derivative contracts require payments relating to an actual, future trade involving the Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are frequently referred to as “physically settled” derivatives. Other derivative contracts require payments relating to the income or returns from, or changes in the market value of, a Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are known as “cash-settled” derivatives since they require cash payments in lieu of delivery of the Reference Instrument.
Many derivative contracts are traded on exchanges. In these circumstances, the relevant exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Parties to an exchange-traded derivative contract make payments through the exchange. Most exchanges require traders to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make (or collect) daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains) in the value of their contracts. This protects traders against a potential default by their counterparty. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows traders to hedge or mitigate certain risks or carry out more complex trading strategies by entering into offsetting contracts.
The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC), meaning off-exchange, in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and an eligible counterparty, which may be a financial institution. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they may be less liquid and more difficult to close out than exchange-traded derivative contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts, especially in times of financial stress.
The market for swaps and other OTC derivatives was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Regulations enacted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) under the Dodd-Frank Act require the Fund to clear certain types of swap contracts (including certain interest rate and credit default swaps) through a central clearinghouse known as a derivatives clearing organization (DCO).
To clear a swap through a DCO, the Fund will submit the contract to, and post margin with, a futures commission merchant (FCM) that is a clearinghouse member. The Fund may enter into the swap with a counterparty other than the FCM and arrange for the contract to be transferred to the FCM for clearing or enter into the contract with the FCM itself. If the Fund must centrally clear a transaction, the CFTC’s regulations also generally require that the swap be executed on a registered exchange (either a designated contract market (DCM) or swap execution facility (SEF)). Central clearing is presently required only for certain swaps; the CFTC is expected to impose a mandatory central clearing requirement for additional derivative instruments over time.
DCOs, DCMs, SEFs and FCMs are all subject to regulatory oversight by the CFTC. In addition, certain derivative market participants that act as market makers and engage in a significant amount of “dealing” activity are also required to register as swap dealers with the CFTC. Among other things, swap dealers are subject to minimum capital requirements and business conduct standards and must also post and collect initial and variation margin on uncleared swaps with certain of their counterparties. Because of this, if the Fund enters into uncleared swaps with any swap dealers, it may be subject to initial and variation margin requirements that could impact the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market, including making transacting in uncleared swaps significantly more expensive.
At this point in time, most of the Dodd-Frank Act has been fully implemented, though a small number of remaining rulemakings are unfinished or are subject to phase-in periods. Any future regulatory or legislative activity would not necessarily have a direct, immediate effect upon the Fund, though it is within the realm of possibility that, upon implementation of these measures or any future measures, they could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of the Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective.
Depending on how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the Reference Instrument, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Reference Instrument and may also expose the Fund to liquidity and leverage risks. OTC contracts also expose the Fund to credit risks in the event that a counterparty defaults on the contract, although this risk may be mitigated by submitting the contract for clearing through a DCO, or certain other factors, such as collecting margin from the counterparty.
As discussed above, a counterparty’s exposure under a derivative contract may in some cases be required to be secured with initial and/or variation margin (a form of “collateral”).
The Fund may invest in a derivative contract if it is permitted to own, invest in, or otherwise have economic exposure to the Reference Instrument. The Fund is not required to own a Reference Instrument in order to buy or sell a derivative contract relating to that Reference Instrument. The Fund may trade in the following specific types and/or combinations of derivative contracts:
10

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)
Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a Reference Instrument at a specified price, date and time. Entering into a contract to buy a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset. Entering into a contract to sell a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the Reference Instrument. Futures contracts are considered to be commodity contracts. Futures contracts traded OTC are frequently referred to as forward contracts. The Fund can buy or sell financial futures (such as interest rate futures, index futures and security futures), as well as, currency futures and currency forward contracts.
Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)
Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a Reference Instrument for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or “writer”) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option. A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the Reference Instrument from the seller (writer) of the option. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Reference Instrument to the writer of the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Reference Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.
Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)
A swap contract (also known as a “swap”) is a type of derivative contract in which two parties agree to pay each other (swap) the returns derived from Reference Instruments. Swaps do not always involve the delivery of the Reference Instruments by either party, and the parties might not own the Reference Instruments underlying the swap. The payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the contract is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party’s payment. Swap agreements are sophisticated instruments that can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. Common types of swaps in which the Fund may invest include interest rate swaps, caps and floors, total return swaps, credit default swaps, currency swaps and volatility swaps.
Credit Default Swaps
A credit default swap (CDS) is an agreement between two parties whereby one party (the “Protection Buyer”) agrees to make payments over the term of the CDS to the other party (the “Protection Seller”), provided that no designated event of default, restructuring or other credit related event (each a “Credit Event”) occurs with respect to Reference Instrument that is usually a particular bond, loan or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (the “Reference Obligation”). Many CDS are physically settled, which means that if a Credit Event occurs, the Protection Seller must pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the Reference Obligation in exchange for delivery by the Protection Buyer of the Reference Obligation or another similar obligation issued by the issuer of the Reference Obligation (the “Deliverable Obligation”). The Counterparties agree to the characteristics of the Deliverable Obligation at the time that they enter into the CDS. Alternately, a CDS can be “cash settled,” which means that, upon the occurrence of a Credit Event, the Protection Buyer will receive a payment from the Protection Seller equal to the difference between the par amount of the Reference Obligation and its market value at the time of the Credit Event. The Fund may be either the Protection Buyer or the Protection Seller in a CDS. If the Fund is a Protection Buyer and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the CDS (i.e., an amount equal to the payments made to the Protection Seller over the term of the CDS). However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Buyer) will deliver the Deliverable Obligation and receive a payment equal to the full notional value of the Reference Obligation, even though the Reference Obligation may have little or no value. If the Fund is the Protection Seller and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the CDS. However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Seller) will pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value of the Reference Obligation and receive the Deliverable Obligation from the Protection Buyer. A CDS may involve greater risks than if the Fund invested directly in the Reference Obligation. For example, a CDS may increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the Reference Obligation and the Counterparty to the CDS.
11

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the Fund’s return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.
The Fund’s custodian or sub-custodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or sub-custodian will monitor the value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.
Securities Lending
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to borrowers that the Adviser deems creditworthy. In return, the Fund receives cash or liquid securities from the borrower as collateral. The borrower must furnish additional collateral if the market value of the loaned securities increases. Also, the borrower must pay the Fund the equivalent of any dividends or interest received on the loaned securities.
The Fund will reinvest cash collateral in highly liquid short-term obligations that qualify as an acceptable investment for the Fund. However, the Fund must pay interest to the borrower for the use of cash collateral. An acceptable investment into which the Fund may reinvest cash collateral includes, among other acceptable investments, securities of affiliated money market funds (including affiliated institutional prime money market funds with a “floating” net asset value that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if net asset value decreases, result in the Fund having to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral).
Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon. The Fund may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned on the cash collateral to a securities lending agent or broker. Securities lending activities are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks. These transactions create leverage risks.
Derivatives Regulation and Asset Coverage
The regulation of the U.S. and non-U.S. derivatives markets has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In addition, effective August 19, 2022, Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), replaced the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with limitations on leverage imposed by the 1940 Act. The Derivatives Rule generally mandates that a fund either limit derivatives exposure to 10% or less of its net assets, or in the alternative implement: (i) limits on leverage calculated based value-at-risk (VAR); (ii) a written derivatives risk management program (DRMP) administered by a derivatives risk manager appointed by the Fund’s Board, including a majority of the independent Board members, that is periodically reviewed by the Board; and (iii) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of implementing its investment strategies, managing its uninvested cash and/or other investment reasons consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and investment strategies.
The Fund may also invest in high-yield debt securities primarily by investing in another investment company (which is not available for general investment by the public) that owns those securities and that is advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. The Fund may also invest in such securities directly. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and incur additional fees and/or expenses which would, therefore, be borne indirectly by the Fund in connection with any such investment. These investments also can create conflicts of interests for the Adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to the acquired fund. For example, a conflict of interest can arise due to the possibility that the Adviser to the Fund could make a decision to redeem the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund. In the case of an investment in an affiliated fund, a conflict of interest can arise if, because of the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund, the acquired fund is able to garner more assets, thereby growing the acquired fund and increasing the management fees received by the investment adviser to the acquired fund, which would either be the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of making investments in other investment companies should outweigh the potential additional fees and/or expenses and resulting conflicts of interest.
12

Investment Ratings for Investment-Grade Securities
The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment grade based upon the credit ratings given by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). For example, Standard & Poor’s, an NRSRO, assigns ratings to investment-grade securities (AAA, AA, A and BBB including modifiers, sub-categories and gradations) based on their assessment of the likelihood of the issuer’s inability to pay interest or principal (default) when due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment grade. The presence of a ratings modifier, sub-category, or gradation (for example, a (+) or (-)) is intended to show relative standing within the major rating categories and does not affect the security credit rating for purposes of the Fund’s investment parameters. If a security is downgraded below the minimum quality grade discussed above, the Adviser will reevaluate the security, but will not be required to sell it.
Investment Ratings for nonInvestment-Grade Securities
Noninvestment-grade securities are rated below BBB- by an NRSRO. These bonds have greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities.
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?
The following provides general information on the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments. Any additional risks associated with the Fund’s non-principal investments are described in the Fund’s SAI. The Fund’s SAI also may provide additional information about the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments.
INTEREST RATE RISK
Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed-income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed-income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.
The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. The duration of a fixed income security may be equal to or shorter than the stated maturity of a fixed-income security. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security given a change in interest rates. For example, if a fixed-income security has an effective duration of three years, a 1% increase in general interest rates would be expected to cause the security’s value to decline about 3% while a 1% decrease in general interest rates would be expected to cause the security’s value to increase about 3%.
ISSUER Credit Risk
It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Such non-payment or default may reduce the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its performance.
Many fixed-income securities receive credit ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) such as Fitch Rating Service, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s that assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of an issuer and/or guarantor default. Higher credit ratings correspond to lower perceived credit risk and lower credit ratings correspond to higher perceived credit risk. Credit ratings may be upgraded or downgraded from time to time as an NRSRO’s assessment of the financial condition of a party obligated to make payments with respect to such securities and credit risk changes. The impact of any credit rating downgrade can be uncertain. Credit rating downgrades may lead to increased interest rates and volatility in financial markets, which in turn could negatively affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its investment performance. Credit ratings are not a guarantee of quality. Credit ratings may lag behind the current financial conditions of the issuer and/or guarantor and do not provide assurance against default or other loss of money. Credit ratings do not protect against a decline in the value of a security. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment.
Fixed-income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security or other appropriate benchmark with a comparable maturity (the “spread”) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security’s spread may also increase if the security’s rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline if interest rates remain unchanged.
13

Counterparty Credit Risk
Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.
Call Risk
Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity (a “call”) at a price below or above its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price.
If a fixed-income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed-income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.
Liquidity Risk
Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received any credit ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.
Trading opportunities are more limited for CMOs that have complex terms or that are not widely held.
Also, if dealer capacity has not kept, or does not keep, pace with market growth, or if regulatory changes or other certain developments warrant, dealer inventories of securities (such as corporate bonds) may reach low levels and impact a dealer’s ability to “make markets” (or buy or sell a security at a quoted bid and ask price). These factors may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security or not sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. A significant reduction in dealer inventories or “market makers,” or other factors resulting in infrequent trading of securities, can lead to decreased liquidity and may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. These affects may be exacerbated during times of economic or political stress.
Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses.
OTC derivative contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts. This risk may be increased in times of financial stress, if the trading market for OTC derivative contracts becomes restricted.
Increased Fund redemption activity, which may occur in a rising interest rate environment or for other reasons, also may increase liquidity risk due to the need of the Fund to sell portfolio securities and may negatively impact Fund performance.
Loan instruments may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of loans may require weeks to complete. Additionally, collateral on loan instruments may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets will satisfy a borrower’s obligations under the instrument.
Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities
Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.
RISK RELATED TO THE ECONOMY
The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets based on negative developments in the U.S. and global economies. Economic, political and financial conditions, or industry or economic trends and developments, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility, illiquidity or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets, including the fixed-income market. The commencement, continuation or ending of government policies and economic stimulus programs, changes in monetary policy, increases or decreases in interest rates, or other factors or events that affect the financial markets, including the fixed-income markets, may contribute to the development of or increase in volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions and other adverse effects which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance. For example, the value of certain portfolio securities may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, which could result from a change in government policies, and has the potential to cause investors to move out of certain portfolio securities, including fixed-income securities, on a large scale. This may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of certain securities and may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Among other investments, lower-grade bonds may be particularly sensitive to changes in the economy.
14

Epidemic and Pandemic Risk
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread globally. This coronavirus has resulted in, and may continue to result in, closed borders, enhanced health screenings, disruptions to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations and disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and consumer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus has resulted in substantial economic volatility. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could continue to negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies, including certain Fund service providers and issuers of the Fund’s investments, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. In addition, governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions in response to the pandemic, including significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, that may affect the instruments in which the Fund invests or the issuers of such instruments. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Currency Risk
Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risks tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the United States. The Adviser attempts to manage currency risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in securities denominated in a particular currency. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against a general increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.
Investing in currencies or securities denominated in a foreign currency entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the economy of the country or region utilizing the currency. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which the Fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which the Fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. In addition, it is possible that a currency (such as, for example, the euro) could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use, and the effects of such an abandonment on the applicable country and the rest of the countries utilizing the currency are uncertain but could negatively affect the Fund’s investments denominated in the currency. If a currency used by a country or countries is replaced by another currency, the Fund’s Adviser would evaluate whether to continue to hold any investments denominated in such currency, or whether to purchase investments denominated in the currency that replaces such currency, at the time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law.
Many countries rely heavily upon export-dependent businesses and any strength in the exchange rate between a currency and the U.S. dollar or other currencies can have either a positive or a negative effect upon corporate profits and the performance of investments in the country or region utilizing the currency. Adverse economic events within such country or region may increase the volatility of exchange rates against other currencies, subjecting the Fund’s investments denominated in such country’s or region’s currency to additional risks.
RISK OF FOREIGN INVESTING
Foreign securities pose additional risks because foreign economic or political conditions may be less favorable than those of the United States. Securities in foreign markets may also be subject to taxation policies that reduce returns for U.S. investors.
Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or to as great an extent as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than U.S. companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent the Fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.
Foreign countries may have restrictions on foreign ownership of securities or may impose exchange controls, capital flow restrictions or repatriation restrictions which could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments.
Since many loan instruments involve parties (for example, lenders, borrowers and agent banks) located in multiple jurisdictions outside of the United States, there is a risk that a security interest in any related collateral may be unenforceable and obligations under the related loan agreements may not be binding.
15

Leverage Risk
Leverage risk is created when an investment, which includes, for example, an investment in a derivative contract, exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain. Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.
Risks of Investing in Inflation-Indexed Securities
Because interest payments on inflation-indexed securities may, by the terms of the securities, be increased or reduced based on economic conditions: (1) interest payments on inflation-indexed securities may be more volatile than those of conventional bonds; (2) investors must reinvest the distributions from any upward inflation adjustment in order to maintain the purchasing power of principal during deflationary periods; (3) the interest payments on the Fund’s portfolio of inflation-indexed securities may be reduced to the point that there is not any net income to distribute; and (4) whenever inflation causes an interest payment to be increased, the increase is considered reportable income for tax purposes.
Additionally, the value of inflation-indexed securities is subject to the effects of changes in market interest rates caused by factors other than inflation (“real interest rates”). If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, the Fund’s investment in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the security’s inflation measure. Generally, when real interest rates rise, the value of inflation-indexed securities will fall and the Fund’s value may decline as a result of this exposure to these securities. The greatest risk occurs when interest rates rise and inflation declines.
Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments
The Fund’s exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments (either directly or through its investment in another investment company) involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. First, changes in the value of the derivative contracts and hybrid instruments in which the Fund invests may not be correlated with changes in the value of the underlying Reference Instruments or, if they are correlated, may move in the opposite direction than originally anticipated. Second, while some strategies involving derivatives may reduce the risk of loss, they may also reduce potential gains or, in some cases, result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in portfolio holdings. Third, there is a risk that derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may be erroneously priced or improperly valued and, as a result, the Fund may need to make increased cash payments to the counterparty. Fourth, exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may have tax consequences to the Fund and its shareholders. For example, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may cause the Fund to realize increased ordinary income or short-term capital gains (which are treated as ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes) and, as a result, may increase taxable distributions to shareholders. In addition, under certain circumstances certain derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may cause the Fund to: (a) incur an excise tax on a portion of the income related to those contracts and instruments; and/or (b) reclassify, as a return of capital, some or all of the distributions previously made to shareholders during the fiscal year as dividend income. Fifth, a common provision in OTC derivative contracts permits the counterparty to terminate any such contract between it and the Fund, if the value of the Fund’s total net assets declines below a specified level over a given time period. Factors that may contribute to such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Sixth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Seventh, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.
16

technology Risk
The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective(s) and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision-making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.
What Do Shares Cost?
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this Prospectus under the sections entitled “How to Purchase Shares” and “How to Redeem and Exchange Shares”), it is processed at the next calculated net asset value of a Share (NAV) plus any applicable front-end sales charge (“public offering price”). A Share’s NAV is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV of each class by valuing the assets allocated to the Share’s class, subtracting the liabilities allocated to each class and dividing the balance by the number of Shares of the class outstanding. The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the level of expenses allocated to each class as well as a result of the variance between the amount of accrued investment income and capital gains or losses allocated to each class and the amount actually distributed to shareholders of each class. The Fund’s current NAV and/or public offering price may be found at FederatedHermes.com/us, via online news sources and in certain newspapers.
You can purchase, redeem or exchange Shares any day the NYSE is open.
When the Fund holds securities that trade principally in foreign markets on days the NYSE is closed, the value of the Fund’s assets may change on days you cannot purchase or redeem Shares. This may also occur when the U.S. markets for fixed-income securities are open on a day the NYSE is closed.
In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:
◾ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.
◾ Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and ask quotations.
◾ Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Adviser’s valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures generally described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Shares of other mutual funds are valued based upon their reported NAVs. The prospectuses for these mutual funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures
Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Board has designated the Adviser as the Fund’s valuation designee to perform the fair valuation determination for securities and other assets held by the Fund. The Adviser, acting through its “Valuation Committee,” is responsible for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee is comprised of officers of the Adviser and certain of the Adviser’s affiliated companies and determines fair value and oversees the calculation of the NAV. The Valuation Committee is subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to provide the Board the information it needs to oversee the Adviser’s fair value determinations.
The Valuation Committee is also authorized to use pricing services to provide fair price evaluations of the current fair value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Adviser as the valuation designee. The Board periodically reviews the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee. The Board has also approved the Adviser’s fair valuation and significant events procedures as part of the Fund’s compliance program and will review any changes made to the procedures. The Fund’s SAI discusses the methods used by pricing services and the Valuation Committee in valuing investments.
17

Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by other registered funds to calculate their NAVs. The application of the fair value procedures to an investment represents a good faith determination of such investment’s fair value. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share, and the actual value could be materially different.
The Adviser also has adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Valuation Committee determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value.
Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:
◾ With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;
◾ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and
◾ Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations or litigation developments or a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry.
The Adviser has adopted procedures whereby the Valuation Committee uses a pricing service to provide factors to update the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets from the time of the close of their respective foreign stock exchanges to the pricing time of the Fund. For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the Valuation Committee will determine the fair value of the investment. The Board periodically reviews fair valuations made in response to significant events.
The fair valuation of securities following a significant event can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities for short-term traders to profit at the expense of long-term investors in the Fund. For example, such arbitrage opportunities may exist when the market on which portfolio securities are traded closes before the Fund calculates its NAV, which is typically the case with Asian and European markets. However, there is no assurance that these significant event procedures will prevent dilution of the NAV by short-term traders. See “Account and Share Information–Frequent Trading Policies” for other procedures the Fund employs to deter such short-term trading.
SALES CHARGE INFORMATION
The following table summarizes the minimum investment amount and the maximum sales charge, if any, that you will pay on an investment in the Fund. Keep in mind that financial intermediaries may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.
 
Minimum
Initial/Subsequent
Investment
Amounts1
Maximum Sales Charges
Shares Offered
Front-End
Sales Charge2
Contingent
Deferred
Sales Charge3
A
$1,500/$100
4.50%
0.00%
C
$1,500/$100
None
1.00%
1
The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are generally $250 and $100, respectively. There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount required for employer-sponsored retirement plans; however, such accounts remain subject to the Fund’s policy on “Accounts with Low Balances” as discussed later in this Prospectus. Please see “By Systematic Investment Program” for applicable minimum investment. Financial intermediaries may impose higher or lower minimum investment requirements on their customers than those imposed by the Fund.
To maximize your return and minimize the sales charges and marketing fees, purchases of the C class are generally limited to $1,000,000. Purchases equal to or in excess of these limits may be made in the A class. If your Shares are held on the books of the Fund in the name of a financial intermediary, you may be subject to rules of your financial intermediary that differ from those of the Fund. See “Purchase Restrictions on C Class” below.
After C Shares have been held for eight years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date, provided that certain conditions are satisfied. See “How is the Fund Sold?” This conversion is a non-taxable event.
2
Front-End Sales Charge is expressed as a percentage of public offering price. See “Sales Charge When You Purchase.”
3
See “Sales Charge When You Redeem.”
18

As shown in the table above, each class of Shares has a different sales charge structure. In addition, the ongoing annual operating expenses (expense ratios), as well as the compensation payable to financial intermediaries, also vary among the classes. Before you decide which class to purchase, you should review the different charges and expenses of each class carefully, in light of your personal circumstances, and consult with your financial intermediary.
Among the important factors to consider are the amount you plan to invest and the length of time you expect to hold your investment (for example, whether the investment is in connection with a long-term retirement program). You should also consider, for example, that it may be possible to reduce, or eliminate, the front-end sales charges imposed on purchases of the A class. Among other ways, the A class has a series of “breakpoints,” which means that the front-end sales charges decrease (and can be eliminated entirely) as the amount invested increases. (The breakpoint schedule is set out below, along with detailed information on ways to reduce, or eliminate, front-end sales charges.) On the other hand, the C class does not have front-end sales charges, but does impose a contingent deferred sales charge only if redeemed within one year after purchase; however, the asset-based 12b-1 fees charged to the C class are greater than those charged to the A class.
You should also consider that the expense ratio for the A class will be lower than that for the C class. Thus, the fact that no front-end charge is imposed on purchases of the C class does not always make them preferable to the A class.
SALES CHARGE WHEN YOU PURCHASE
The following table lists the sales charges which will be applied to your Share purchase, subject to the breakpoint discounts indicated in the table and described below.
A Class:
Purchase Amount
Sales Charge
as a Percentage
of Public
Offering Price
Sales Charge
as a Percentage
of NAV
Less than $100,000
4.50%
4.71%
$100,000 but less than $250,000
3.75%
3.90%
$250,000 but less than $500,000
2.50%
2.56%
$500,000 but less than $1 million
2.00%
2.04%
$1 million or greater1
0.00%
0.00%
1
A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 0.75% of the redemption amount applies to Shares originally purchased in an amount of $1 million or more and redeemed up to 24 months after purchase under certain investment programs where a financial intermediary received an advance payment on the transaction. CDSC exceptions may apply. See “Sales Charge When You Redeem.”
REDUCING THE SALES CHARGE WITH BREAKPOINT DISCOUNTS
Your investment may qualify for a reduction or elimination of the sales charge, also known as a breakpoint discount. The breakpoint discounts offered by the Fund are indicated in the table above.
You or your financial intermediary must notify the Fund’s Transfer Agent of eligibility for any applicable breakpoint discount at the time of purchase.
In order to receive the applicable breakpoint discount, it may be necessary at the time of purchase for you to inform your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent of the existence of other accounts in which there are holdings eligible to be aggregated to meet a sales charge breakpoint (“Qualifying Accounts”). Qualifying Accounts mean those share accounts in the Federated Hermes funds held directly or through a financial intermediary or through a single-participant retirement account by you, your spouse, your parents (if you are under age 21) and/or your children under age 21, which can be linked using tax identification numbers (TINs), social security numbers (SSNs) or broker identification numbers (BINs). Accounts held through 401(k) plans and similar multi-participant retirement plans, or through “Section 529” college savings plans or those accounts which cannot be linked using TINs, SSNs or BINs, are not Qualifying Accounts.
In order to verify your eligibility for a breakpoint discount, you will be required to provide to your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent certain information on your New Account Form and may be required to provide account statements regarding Qualifying Accounts. If you purchase through a financial intermediary, you may be asked to provide additional information and records as required by the financial intermediary. Failure to provide proper notification or verification of eligibility for a breakpoint discount may result in your not receiving a breakpoint discount to which you are otherwise entitled. Breakpoint discounts apply only to your current purchase and do not apply retroactively to previous purchases. The sales charges applicable to the Shares offered in this Prospectus, and the breakpoint discounts offered with respect to such Shares, are described in full in this Prospectus. Because the Prospectus is available on Federated Hermes’ website free of charge, Federated Hermes does not disclose this information separately on the website.
19

Contingent upon notification to the Transfer Agent, the sales charge at purchase of the A class only, may be reduced or eliminated by:
Larger Purchases
◾ Purchasing the A class in greater quantities to reduce the applicable sales charge;
Concurrent and Accumulated Purchases
◾ Excluding any Federated Hermes Fund A class without a sales charge (“no-load A class”), combining concurrent purchases of and/or current investments in the A class, B class, C class, F class and R class shares of any Federated Hermes fund made or held by Qualifying Accounts; the purchase amount used in determining the sales charge on your additional Share purchase will be calculated by multiplying the respective maximum public offering price times the number of the A class, B class, C class, F class and R class shares of any Federated Hermes fund currently held in Qualifying Accounts and adding the dollar amount of your current purchase; or
Letter of Intent
◾ Signing a letter of intent to purchase a qualifying amount of the A class within 13 months. (Call your financial intermediary or the Fund for more information.) The Fund’s custodian will hold Shares in escrow equal to the maximum applicable sales charge. If you complete the Letter of Intent, the Custodian will release the Shares in escrow to your account. If you do not fulfill the Letter of Intent, the Custodian will redeem the appropriate amount from the Shares held in escrow to pay the sales charges that were not applied to your purchases.
PURCHASE RESTRICTIONS ON c class
In order to maximize shareholder returns and minimize sales charges and marketing fees, an investor’s purchases of C class are generally limited to less than $1,000,000 (except for employer-sponsored retirement plans held in omnibus accounts). In applying the limit, the dollar amount of the current purchase is added to the product obtained by multiplying the respective maximum public offering price times the number of the A class, B class, C class, F class and R class shares of any Federated Hermes fund currently held in linked Qualifying Accounts, as defined in the section entitled “Reducing the Sales Charge with Breakpoint Discounts.” If the sum of these two amounts would equal or exceed the limit, then the current purchase order will not be processed. Instead, the Distributor will attempt to contact the investor or the investor’s financial intermediary to offer the opportunity to convert the order to the A class.
If your Shares are held on the books of the Fund in the name of a financial intermediary, you may be subject to rules of your financial intermediary that differ from those of the Fund.
ELIMINATING The SALES CHARGE
Your investment may qualify for a sales charge waiver. Sales charge waivers offered by the Fund are listed below. In order to receive a sales charge waiver, you must inform your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent at the time of each purchase that your investment is eligible for a waiver. It is possible that your financial intermediary may not, in accordance with its policies, procedures and system limitations, be able to ensure your receipt of one or more of these waiver categories. In this situation, you would need to invest directly through the Fund’s Transfer Agent. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent know that your investment is eligible for a sales charge waiver at the time of purchase, you may not receive the waiver to which you may otherwise be entitled.
Contingent upon notification to the Transfer Agent, the sales charge will be eliminated when you purchase or acquire Shares:
◾ within 120 days of redeeming Shares of an equal or greater amount (see “120 Day Reinstatement Program” below);
◾ through an eligible program offered by a Financial Intermediary that provides for the purchase of Shares without imposition of a sales charge (for example, a wrap account, self-directed brokerage account, retirement, or other fee-based program offered by the Financial Intermediary);
◾ with reinvested dividends or capital gains;
◾ issued in connection with the merger, consolidation, or acquisition of the assets of another fund. Further, the sales charge will be eliminated on purchases of Shares made by a shareholder that originally became a shareholder of a Federated Hermes Fund pursuant to the terms of an agreement and plan of reorganization which permits shareholders to acquire Shares at NAV, provided that such purchased Shares are held directly with the Fund’s transfer agent. If the Shares are held through a financial intermediary the sales charge waiver will not apply (A class only);
◾ as a Federated Hermes Life Member (Federated Hermes shareholders who originally were issued shares through the “Liberty Account,” which was an account for the Liberty Family of Funds on February 28, 1987, or who invested through an affinity group prior to August 1, 1987, into the Liberty Account) (A class only);
20

◾ as a Trustee, employee or former employee of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates, an employee of any financial intermediary that sells Shares according to a sales agreement with the Distributor, an immediate family member of these individuals or a trust, pension or profit-sharing plan for these individuals; or
◾ pursuant to the exchange privilege.
The sales charge will not be eliminated if you purchase Shares of the Fund through an exchange of shares of any no-load A class unless your no-load A shares class were acquired through an exchange of shares on which the sales charge had previously been paid.
120 Day reinstatement program
Within 120 days of redeeming Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund, upon proper notification to the Fund’s Transfer Agent, you may reinvest all or a portion of the redemption proceeds in Class A Shares of the Fund at net asset value, without the imposition of a sales charge or CDSC. Please note:
◾ The ownership of the account receiving the purchase is not required to be identical to that of the account in which the redemption was placed; however, the registration of the account receiving the purchase must include at least one registered shareholder of the account from which the redemption occurred.
◾ You will not be reimbursed for any fees originally incurred on the redemption (e.g., CDSC or redemption fees) by subsequently participating in the 120 Day Reinstatement Program.
◾ The 120 Day Reinstatement Program does not supersede or override any restrictions placed on an account due to frequent trading and/or client contractual issues.
Additional operational restrictions may apply, please contact a Client Service Representative at 1-800-341-7400 for more information.
sales charge when you redeem
Your redemption proceeds may be reduced by a sales charge, commonly referred to as a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC). Shares otherwise subject to a CDSC will not be charged a CDSC at the time of an exchange; however, the CDSC will continue to be measured from the date of your original purchase. The CDSC schedule applicable to your original purchase will continue to apply to the shares you receive in an exchange.
To keep the sales charge as low as possible, the Fund redeems your Shares in this order:
◾ Shares that are not subject to a CDSC; and
◾ Shares held the longest. (To determine the number of years your Shares have been held, include the time you held shares of other Federated Hermes funds that have been exchanged for Shares of this Fund.)
The CDSC is then calculated using the Share price at the time of purchase or redemption, whichever is lower.
A Class:
 
 
If you make a purchase of A class in the amount of $1 million or more and your financial intermediary received an advance commission on the sale, you will pay a
0.75% CDSC on any such Shares redeemed within 24 months of the purchase.
C Class:
You will pay a 1.00% CDSC if you redeem Shares within 12 months of the purchase date.
Your redemption may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC. The CDSC waivers offered by the Fund are listed below. In order to receive a waiver of the CDSC, you must inform your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent at the time of each redemption that your investment is eligible for a waiver. It is possible that your financial intermediary may not, in accordance with its policies, procedures and system limitations, be able to ensure your receipt of one or more of these waiver categories. In this situation, you would need to invest directly through the Fund’s Transfer Agent in order to take advantage of the waiver. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent know that your redemption is eligible for a CDSC waiver at the time of redemption, you may not receive the waiver to which you may otherwise be entitled.
Contingent upon notification to the Transfer Agent, you will not be charged a CDSC when redeeming Shares:
◾ following the death of the last surviving shareholder on the account or the post-purchase disability of all registered shareholders, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the beneficiary on an account with a Transfer on Death registration is deemed the last surviving shareholder on the account);
◾ due to the termination of a trust following the death of the trustor/grantor or beneficiary, provided that the trust document specifically states that the trust is terminated upon the death;
◾ representing minimum required distributions from an IRA or other retirement plan as required under the Internal Revenue Code;
21

◾ purchased by Trustees, employees of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates, by employees of a financial intermediary that sells Shares according to a sales agreement with the Distributor, by the immediate family members of the above persons and by trusts, pension or profit-sharing plans for the above persons;
◾ purchased through an eligible program offered by a Financial Intermediary that provides for the purchase of Shares without imposition of a sales charge (for example, a wrap account, self-directed brokerage account, retirement, or other fee-based program offered by the Financial Intermediary);
◾ purchased with reinvested dividends or capital gains;
◾ redeemed by the Fund when it closes an account for not meeting the minimum balance requirements;
◾ purchased pursuant to the exchange privilege if the Shares were held for the applicable CDSC holding period (the holding period on the Shares purchased in the exchange will include the holding period of the Shares sold in the exchange); or
A Class Only
◾ purchased in the amount of $1 million or more and redeemed within 24 months of purchase if the Shares were originally purchased through an eligible program offered by a Financial Intermediary that provides for the purchase of Shares without imposition of a sales charge (for example, a wrap account, self-directed brokerage account, retirement, or other fee-based program offered by the Financial Intermediary).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary. Certain financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or CDSC waivers which are discussed in Appendix B to this Prospectus. The information contained in Appendix B is provided by these financial intermediaries. Please contact your financial intermediary to ensure that you have the information regarding the sales charge waivers and discounts available to you and that you understand the steps you must take to qualify for available waivers and discounts. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the shareholder’s Financial Intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the investor for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular financial intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from the Fund or through another financial intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts.
COMMISSIONS ON CERTAIN SHARES
The Fund does not charge any front-end load, deferred sales charge or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution of IS and R6 Shares. However, if you purchase IS and R6 Shares through a broker acting solely as an agent on behalf of its customers, you may be required to pay a commission to the broker in an amount determined and separately disclosed to you by the broker.
Because the Fund is not a party to any such commission arrangement between you and your broker, any purchases and redemptions of IS and R6 Shares will be made at the applicable net asset value (before imposition of the sales commission). Any such commissions charged by a broker are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” section of the Fund’s Prospectus and described above nor are they reflected in the “Performance: Bar Chart and Table,” because they are not charged by the Fund.
Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
How is the Fund Sold?
The Fund offers the following Share classes: Class A Shares (A), Class C Shares (C), Institutional Shares (IS), and Class R6 Shares (R6), each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. All Share classes have different sales charges and/or other expenses which affect their performance. Please note that certain purchase restrictions may apply.
Under the Distributor’s Contract with the Fund, the Distributor, Federated Securities Corp., offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes,” formerly, Federated Investors, Inc.).
A & C Classes
The Fund’s Distributor markets the A and C classes to institutions or to individuals, directly or through financial intermediaries.
22

IS Class
The Fund’s Distributor markets the IS class to Eligible Investors, as described below. In connection with a request to purchase the IS class, you should provide documentation sufficient to verify your status as an Eligible Investor. As a general matter, the IS class is not available for direct investment by natural persons.
The following categories of Eligible Investors are not subject to any minimum initial investment amount for the purchase of the IS class (however, such accounts remain subject to the Fund’s policy on “Accounts with Low Balances” as discussed later in this Prospectus):
◾ An investor participating in a no-load platform, network or other fee-based program offered by a financial intermediary, for example, a wrap-account or retirement platform where Federated Hermes has entered into an agreement with the intermediary;
◾ A trustee/director, employee or former employee of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates; an immediate family member of these individuals or a trust, pension or profit-sharing plan for these individuals;
◾ An employer-sponsored retirement plan;
◾ A trust institution investing on behalf of its trust customers;
◾ Additional sales to an investor (including a natural person) who owned the IS class of the Fund as of December 31, 2008;
◾ A Federated Hermes Fund;
◾ An investor (including a natural person) who acquired the IS class of a Federated Hermes fund pursuant to the terms of an agreement and plan of reorganization which permits the investor to acquire such shares; and
◾ In connection with an acquisition of an investment management or advisory business, or related investment services, products or assets, by Federated Hermes or its investment advisory subsidiaries, an investor (including a natural person) who: (1) becomes a client of an investment advisory subsidiary of Federated Hermes; or (2) is a shareholder or interest holder of a pooled investment vehicle or product that becomes advised or sub-advised by a Federated Hermes investment advisory subsidiary as a result of such an acquisition other than as a result of a fund reorganization transaction pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization.
The following categories of Eligible Investors are subject to applicable minimum initial investment amounts for the purchase of the IS class (see “How to Purchase Shares” below):
◾ An investor, other than a natural person, purchasing the IS class directly from the Fund; and
◾ In connection with an initial purchase of the IS class through an exchange, an investor (including a natural person) who owned the IS class of another Federated Hermes fund as of December 31, 2008.
R6 Class
The Fund’s Distributor markets the R6 class to Eligible Investors, as described below. The Class R6 Shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to any minimum initial or subsequent investment amounts. In connection with a request to purchase the R6 class, you should provide documentation sufficient to verify your status as an Eligible Investor.
Class R6 Shares do not carry sales commissions or pay Rule 12b-1 fees, or make similar payments to financial intermediaries. As a general matter, the R6 class is not available for direct investment by natural persons. Individual shareholders who purchase Class R6 Shares through retirement platforms or other intermediaries will not be eligible to hold Class R6 Shares outside of their respective plan or intermediary platform.
Following are categories of Eligible Investors:
◾ An investor participating in a no-load platform, network or other fee-based program offered by a financial intermediary, for example, a wrap-account or retirement platform where Federated Hermes has entered into an agreement with the intermediary;
◾ A trustee/director, employee or former employee of the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates; an immediate family member of these individuals or a trust, pension or profit-sharing plan for these individuals;
◾ An employer-sponsored retirement plan;
◾ A trust institution investing on behalf of its trust customers;
◾ An investor, other than a natural person, purchasing Shares directly from the Fund;
◾ A Federated Hermes Fund;
◾ An investor (including a natural person) who acquired the R6 class of a Federated Hermes fund pursuant to the terms of an agreement and plan of reorganization which permits the investor to acquire such shares; and
23

◾ In connection with an acquisition of an investment management or advisory business, or related investment services, products or assets, by Federated Hermes or its investment advisory subsidiaries, an investor (including a natural person) who: (1) becomes a client of an investment advisory subsidiary of Federated Hermes; or (2) is a shareholder or interest holder of a pooled investment vehicle or product that becomes advised or sub-advised by a Federated Hermes investment advisory subsidiary as a result of such an acquisition other than as a result of a fund reorganization transaction pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization.
Intra-Fund Share Conversion Program
A shareholder in the Fund’s Shares may convert their Shares at net asset value to any other share class of the Fund if the shareholder meets the investment minimum and eligibility requirements for the share class into which the conversion is sought, as applicable. The share conversion program is not applicable to the Fund’s Class A Shares and Class C Shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. For Class C Shares purchased through a financial intermediary after June 30, 2017, such shares may only be converted to another share class of the same Fund if: (i) the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC or the financial intermediary agrees to reimburse the Fund’s distributor the CDSC otherwise payable upon the sale of such shares; (ii) the shareholder meets the investment minimum and eligibility requirements for the share class into which the conversion is sought, as applicable; and (iii) (a) the conversion is made to facilitate the shareholder’s participation in a self-directed brokerage (non-advice) account or a fee-based advisory program offered by the intermediary; or (b) the conversion is part of a multiple-client transaction through a particular financial intermediary as pre-approved by the Fund’s Administrator. Such conversion of classes should not result in a realization event for tax purposes. Contact your financial intermediary or call 1-800-341-7400 to convert your Shares.
Class C Share Automatic Conversion Feature
After Class C Shares have been held for eight years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert into Class A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date, provided that the Fund or financial intermediary has records confirming that the Class C Shares have been held for at least eight years and that the Class A Shares are available for purchase. For Class C Shares acquired in an exchange from another Federated Hermes fund, the date of purchase will be based on the initial purchase of the Class C Shares of the prior Federated Hermes fund. Certain financial intermediaries, record keepers and platforms do not track shareholder level share lot aging for certain types of accounts. These Class C Shares would not satisfy the conditions for the conversion. Contact your financial intermediary or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund and its affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below to financial intermediaries (such as broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers or third-party administrators) whose customers are shareholders of the Fund.
The Fund’s Class R6 Shares do not make any payments to financial intermediaries, either from Fund assets or from the investment adviser and its affiliates.
FRONT-END SALES CHARGE REALLOWANCES
The Distributor receives a front-end sales charge on certain Share sales. The Distributor pays a portion of this charge to financial intermediaries that are eligible to receive it (the “Dealer Reallowance”) and retains any remaining portion of the front-end sales charge.
When a financial intermediary’s customer purchases Shares, the financial intermediary may receive a Dealer Reallowance as follows:
A Class:
 
Purchase Amount
Dealer Reallowance
as a Percentage of
Public Offering Price
Less than $100,000
4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000
3.25%
$250,000 but less than $500,000
2.25%
$500,000 but less than $1 million
1.80%
$1 million or greater
0.00%
24

ADVANCE COMMISSIONS
When a financial intermediary’s customer purchases Shares, the financial intermediary may receive an advance commission as follows:
A Class (for purchases over $1 million):
 
Purchase Amount
Advance Commission
as a Percentage of
Public Offering Price
First $1 million - $5 million
0.75%
Next $5 million - $20 million
0.50%
Over $20 million
0.25%
Advance commissions are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advance commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase.
A class purchases under this program may be made by Letter of Intent or by combining concurrent purchases. The above advance commission will be paid only on those purchases that were not previously subject to a front-end sales charge or dealer advance commission. Certain retirement accounts may not be eligible for this program.
C Class:
 
 
Advance Commission
as a Percentage of
Public Offering Price
All Purchase Amounts
1.00%
RULE 12b-1 FEES
A & C Classes
The Board has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows payment of marketing fees of up to 0.05% (A class) and 0.75% (C class) of average net assets to the Distributor for the sale, distribution, administration and customer servicing of the Fund’s A and C classes. When the Distributor receives Rule 12b-1 Fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase Shares. The Fund’s A class has no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any Rule 12b-1 Fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. In addition, in connection with the sale of the C class, Federated Hermes and its subsidiaries make advance commission payments to financial intermediaries and in return may receive Rule 12b-1 Fees and contingent deferred sales loads for the C class. Federated Hermes and its subsidiaries may benefit or sustain losses from such arrangements. Because these Shares pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different sales charges and marketing fees.
service fees
A, C & IS Classes
A, C and IS classes may pay Service Fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC), a subsidiary of Federated Hermes, for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Intermediaries that receive Service Fees may include a company affiliated with management of Federated Hermes. If a financial intermediary receives Service Fees on an account, it is not eligible to also receive Account Administration Fees on that same account.
The Fund has no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any such Service Fees on the IS class until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
25

ACCOUNT ADMINISTRATION FEES
A, C & IS Classes
A, C and IS classes may pay Account Administration Fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to banks that are not registered as broker-dealers or investment advisers for providing administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders. If a financial intermediary receives Account Administration Fees on an account, it is not eligible to also receive Service Fees or Recordkeeping Fees on that same account.
The Fund has no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any such Account Administration Fees on the IS class until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
RECORDKEEPING FEES
A, C & IS Classes
The Fund may pay Recordkeeping Fees on an average-net-assets basis or on a per-account-per-year basis to financial intermediaries for providing recordkeeping services to the Fund and its shareholders. If a financial intermediary receives Recordkeeping Fees on an account, it is not eligible to also receive Account Administration Fees or Networking Fees on that same account.
networking fees
A, C & IS Classes
The Fund may reimburse Networking Fees on a per-account-per-year basis to financial intermediaries for providing administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders on certain non-omnibus accounts. If a financial intermediary receives Networking Fees on an account, it is not eligible to also receive Recordkeeping Fees on that same account.
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
A, C & IS Classes
The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators, that support the sale of Shares or provide services to Fund shareholders. The amounts of these payments could be significant, and may create an incentive for the financial intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell Shares of the Fund to you. Not all financial intermediaries receive such payments, and the amount of compensation may vary by intermediary. In some cases, such payments may be made by or funded from the resources of companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). These payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Fund’s Prospectus and described above because they are not paid by the Fund.
These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares that the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; the level and types of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary; or the Fund’s and/or other Federated Hermes funds’ relationship with the financial intermediary. These payments may be in addition to payments, as described above, made by the Fund to the financial intermediary. In connection with these payments, the financial intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds, within the financial intermediary’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the financial intermediary’s organization. In addition, as discussed above in “Commissions on Certain Shares,” if you purchase IS or R6 Shares through a broker acting solely as an agent on behalf of its customers, you may be required to pay a commission to the broker in an amount determined and separately disclosed to you by the broker. You can ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor or the Fund and any services provided, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
How to Purchase Shares
You may purchase Shares of the Fund any day the NYSE is open. Shares will be purchased at the NAV next calculated after your investment is received by the Fund, or its agent, in proper form. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares. New investors must submit a completed New Account Form. All accounts, with the exception of R6 class accounts, including those for which there is no minimum initial investment amount required, are subject to the Fund’s policy on “Accounts with Low Balances” as discussed later in this Prospectus.
Where the Fund offers more than one Share class and you do not specify the class choice on your New Account Form or form of payment (e.g., Federal Reserve wire or check), you automatically will receive the A class.
For important account information, see the section “Security and Privacy Protection.”
26

A & C Classes
You may purchase Shares through a financial intermediary, directly from the Fund or through an exchange from another Federated Hermes fund.
IS Class
Eligible investors may purchase Shares through a financial intermediary, directly from the Fund or through an exchange from another Federated Hermes fund in the manner described above under “How is the Fund Sold?”
Where applicable, the required minimum initial investment for IS class is generally $1,000,000. There is no minimum subsequent investment amount.
R6 Class
Eligible Investors may purchase Shares through a financial intermediary, directly from the Fund or through an exchange from another Federated Hermes fund in the manner described above under “How is the Fund Sold?”
There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount required.
THROUGH A FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY
◾ Establish an account with the financial intermediary; and
◾ Submit your purchase order to the financial intermediary before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
The Fund has authorized certain intermediaries to accept Share purchase orders on its behalf. When authorized intermediaries receive an order in proper form, the order is considered as being placed with the Fund, and Shares will be bought at the NAV next calculated after such an order is received by the authorized intermediary. If your financial intermediary is not an authorized intermediary, the Fund or its agent must receive the purchase order in proper form from your financial intermediary by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) in order for your transaction to be priced at that day’s NAV. In addition, your financial intermediary must forward your payment by the prescribed trade settlement date (typically within one to three business days) to the Fund’s transfer agent, SS&C GIDS, Inc. (“Transfer Agent”). You will become the owner of Shares and receive dividends when your payment is received in accordance with these time frames (provided that, if payment is received in the form of a check, the check clears). If your payment is not received in accordance with these time frames, or a check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses, fees or expenses incurred by the Fund or the Fund’s Transfer Agent.
Financial intermediaries should send payments according to the instructions in the sections “By Wire” or “By Check.”
Financial intermediaries may impose higher or lower minimum investment requirements on their customers than those imposed by the Fund. Keep in mind that financial intermediaries may charge you fees for their services in connection with your Share transactions.
Shareholders are encouraged to ask their financial intermediary if they are an authorized agent for the Fund and about any fees that may be charged by the financial intermediary.
DIRECTLY FROM THE FUND
◾ Establish your account with the Fund by submitting a completed New Account Form; and
◾ Send your payment to the Fund by Federal Reserve wire or check.
You will become the owner of Shares and your Shares will be priced at the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your wire or your check. If your check does not clear, your purchase will be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees incurred by the Fund or the Fund’s Transfer Agent.
By Wire
To facilitate processing your order, please call the Fund before sending the wire. Send your wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, MA
Dollar Amount of Wire
ABA Number 011000028
BNF: 23026552
Attention: Federated Hermes EDGEWIRE
Wire Order Number, Dealer Number or Group Number
Nominee/Institution Name
Fund Name and Number and Account Number
You cannot purchase Shares by wire on holidays when wire transfers are restricted.
27

By Check
Make your check payable to The Federated Hermes Funds, note your account number on the check, and send it to:
The Federated Hermes Funds
P.O. Box 219318
Kansas City, MO 64121-9318
If you send your check by a private courier or overnight delivery service that requires a street address, send it to:
The Federated Hermes Funds
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219318
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Payment should be made in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request. For example, to protect against check fraud the Fund may reject any purchase request involving a check that is not made payable to The Federated Hermes Funds (including, but not limited to, requests to purchase Shares using third-party checks) or involving temporary checks or credit card checks.
By Direct Deposit
You may establish Payroll Deduction/Direct Deposit arrangements for investments into the Fund by either calling a Client Service Representative at 1-800-341-7400; or by completing the Payroll Deduction/Direct Deposit Form, which is available on FederatedHermes.com/us under “Resources” and then “Literature and Forms,” then “Forms.” You will receive a confirmation when this service is available.
THROUGH AN EXCHANGE
You may purchase Fund Shares through an exchange from another Federated Hermes fund. To do this you must:
◾ meet any applicable shareholder eligibility requirements;
◾ ensure that the account registrations are identical;
◾ meet any applicable minimum initial investment requirements; and
◾ receive a prospectus for the fund into which you wish to exchange.
An exchange is treated as a redemption and a subsequent purchase, and is a taxable transaction. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares. The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time.
A & C Classes
You may purchase Shares through an exchange from the same share class of another Federated Hermes fund.
IS & R6 Classes
You may purchase Shares through an exchange from any Federated Hermes fund or share class that does not have a stated sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, except Shares of Federated Hermes Institutional Money Market Management, Federated Hermes Institutional Tax-Free Cash Trust, Federated Hermes Institutional Prime Obligations Fund, Federated Hermes Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, no-load Class A Shares and Class R Shares of any Fund.
By Online Account Services
You may access your accounts online to purchase Shares through FederatedHermes.com/us’s Shareholder Account Access system once you have registered for access. Online transactions may be subject to certain limitations including limitations as to the amount of the transaction. For more information about the services available through Shareholder Account Access, please visit FederatedHermes.com/us and select “Sign In” and “Access and Manage Investments,” or call 1-800-341-7400, Option #4 to speak with a Client Service Representative.
BY SYSTEMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM (SIP)
Once you have opened an account, you may automatically purchase additional Shares on a regular basis by completing the SIP section of the New Account Form or by contacting the Fund or your financial intermediary. The minimum investment amount for SIPs is $50.
BY AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE (ACH)
Once you have opened an account, you may purchase additional Shares through a depository institution that is an ACH member. This purchase option can be established by completing the appropriate sections of the New Account Form.
28

RETIREMENT INVESTMENTS
A & C Classes
You may purchase Shares as retirement investments (such as qualified plans and IRAs or transfer or rollover of assets). Call your financial intermediary or the Fund for information on retirement investments. We suggest that you discuss retirement investments with your tax adviser. You may be subject to an account fee charged by your financial intermediary.
R6 Class
You may purchase Shares as retirement investments (such as qualified plans or transfer of assets). Call your financial intermediary or the Fund for information on retirement investments. We suggest that you discuss retirement investments with your tax adviser. You may be subject to an account fee charged by your financial intermediary.
How to Redeem and Exchange Shares
You should redeem or exchange Shares:
◾ through a financial intermediary if you purchased Shares through a financial intermediary; or
◾ directly from the Fund if you purchased Shares directly from the Fund.
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed for cash, or exchanged for shares of other Federated Hermes funds as described herein, on days on which the Fund computes its NAV. Redemption requests may be made by telephone or in writing.
Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day for each method of payment after receiving a timely request in proper form. Depending upon the method of payment, when shareholders receive redemption proceeds can differ. Payment may be delayed for up to seven days under certain circumstances (see “Limitations on Redemption Proceeds”).
For important account information, see the section “Security and Privacy Protection.”
THROUGH A FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY
Submit your redemption or exchange request to your financial intermediary by the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The redemption amount you will receive is based upon the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives the order from your financial intermediary.
DIRECTLY FROM THE FUND
By Telephone
You may redeem or exchange Shares by simply calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
If you call before the end of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), you will receive a redemption amount based on that day’s NAV.
By Mail
You may redeem or exchange Shares by sending a written request to the Fund.
You will receive a redemption amount based on the next calculated NAV after the Fund receives your written request in proper form.
Send requests by mail to:
The Federated Hermes Funds
P.O. Box 219318
Kansas City, MO 64121-9318
Send requests by private courier or overnight delivery service to:
The Federated Hermes Funds
430 W 7th Street
Suite 219318
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
All requests must include:
◾ Fund name and Share class, account number and account registration;
◾ amount to be redeemed or exchanged;
◾ signatures of all shareholders exactly as registered; and
◾ if exchanging, the Fund name and Share class, account number and account registration into which you are exchanging.
Call your financial intermediary or the Fund if you need special instructions.
29

Signature Guarantees
Signatures must be guaranteed by a financial institution which is a participant in a Medallion signature guarantee program if:
◾ your redemption will be sent to an address other than the address of record;
◾ your redemption will be sent to an address of record that was changed within the last 30 days;
◾ a redemption is payable to someone other than the shareholder(s) of record; or
◾ transferring into another fund with a different shareholder registration.
A Medallion signature guarantee is designed to protect your account from fraud. Obtain a Medallion signature guarantee from a bank or trust company, savings association, credit union or broker, dealer or securities exchange member. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
By Online Account Services
You may access your accounts online to redeem or exchange Shares through FederatedHermes.com/us’s Shareholder Account Access system once you have registered for access. Online transactions may be subject to certain limitations including limitations as to the amount of the transaction. For more information about the services available through Shareholder Account Access, please visit FederatedHermes.com/us and select “Sign In” and “Access and Manage Investments,” or call 1-800-341-7400, Option #4 to speak with a Client Service Representative.
PAYMENT METHODS FOR REDEMPTIONS
Your redemption proceeds will be mailed by check to your address of record. The following payment options are available if you complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form. These payment options require a signature guarantee if they were not established when the account was opened:
◾ An electronic transfer to your account at a financial institution that is an ACH member; or
◾ Wire payment to your account at a domestic commercial bank that is a Federal Reserve System member.
Methods the Fund May Use to Meet Redemption Requests
The Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash. To ensure that the Fund has cash to meet Share redemptions on any day, the Fund typically expects to hold a cash or cash equivalent reserve or sell portfolio securities.
In unusual or stressed circumstances, the Fund may generate cash in the following ways:
◾ Inter-fund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes (“Federated Hermes funds”) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated Hermes funds. Inter-fund borrowing and lending is permitted only: (a) to meet shareholder redemption requests; (b) to meet commitments arising from “failed” trades; and (c) for other temporary purposes. All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less.
◾ Committed Line of Credit. The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to temporarily finance the repurchase or redemption of shares of the funds, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding.
◾ Redemption in Kind. Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by an “in-kind” distribution of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Because the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to pay Share redemptions to any one shareholder in cash only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets represented by such Share class during any 90-day period. Redemptions in kind are made consistent with the procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board, which generally include distributions of a pro rata share of the Fund’s portfolio assets. Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made in kind, securities received may be subject to market risk and the shareholder could incur taxable gains and brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS
Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed for up to seven days:
◾ to allow your purchase to clear (as discussed below);
◾ during periods of market volatility;
◾ when a shareholder’s trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund’s ability to manage its assets; or
◾ during any period when the Federal Reserve wire or applicable Federal Reserve banks are closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.
30

If you request a redemption of Shares recently purchased by check (including a cashier’s check or certified check), money order, bank draft or ACH, your redemption proceeds may not be made available for up to seven calendar days to allow the Fund to collect payment on the instrument used to purchase such Shares. If the purchase instrument does not clear, your purchase order will be canceled and you will be responsible for any losses incurred by the Fund as a result of your canceled order.
In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended, or the payment of proceeds may be delayed (including beyond seven days), during any period:
◾ when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;
◾ when trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC;
◾ in which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or
◾ as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of Fund shareholders.
You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed redemption checks from the Fund when checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.
redemptions from retirement accounts
A, C & R6 Classes
In the absence of your specific instructions, 10% of the value of your redemption from a retirement account in the Fund may be withheld for taxes. This withholding only applies to certain types of retirement accounts.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
You may exchange Shares of the Fund. To do this, you must:
◾ meet any applicable shareholder eligibility requirements;
◾ ensure that the account registrations are identical;
◾ meet any applicable minimum initial investment requirements; and
◾ receive a prospectus for the fund into which you wish to exchange.
An exchange is treated as a redemption and a subsequent purchase, and is a taxable transaction. The Fund reserves the right to reject any request to purchase or exchange Shares. The Fund may modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time.
In addition, the Fund may terminate your exchange privilege if your exchange activity is found to be excessive under the Fund’s frequent trading policies. See “Account and Share Information–Frequent Trading Policies.”
Financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of intra-fund exchanges (“automatic exchanges”). These exchanges which are directed by the financial intermediary and not the Fund are discussed in Appendix B to this Prospectus.
A & C Classes
You may exchange Shares into shares of the same class of another Federated Hermes fund.
IS & R6 Classes
You may exchange Shares of the Fund for shares of any Federated Hermes fund or share class that does not have a stated sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, except Shares of Federated Hermes Institutional Money Market Management, Federated Hermes Institutional Tax-Free Cash Trust, Federated Hermes Institutional Prime Obligations Fund, Federated Hermes Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, no-load Class A Shares and Class R Shares of any Fund.
Systematic Withdrawal/Exchange Program
You may automatically redeem or exchange Shares. The minimum amount for all new or revised systematic redemptions or exchanges of Shares is $50 per transaction per fund. Complete the appropriate section of the New Account Form or an Account Service Options Form or contact your financial intermediary or the Fund. Your account value must meet the minimum initial investment amount at the time the program is established. This program may reduce, and eventually deplete, your account. Payments should not be considered yield or income.
Generally, it is not advisable to continue to purchase Shares subject to a sales charge while redeeming Shares using this program.
31

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Telephone Transactions
The Fund will record your telephone instructions. If the Fund does not follow reasonable procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions.
Share Certificates
The Fund does not issue share certificates.
Security and Privacy Protection
ONLINE ACCOUNT and TELEPHONE ACCESS SECURITY
Federated Hermes will not be responsible for losses that result from unauthorized transactions, unless Federated Hermes does not follow procedures designed to verify your identity. When initiating a transaction by telephone or online, shareholders should be aware that any person with access to your account and other personal information including PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) may be able to submit instructions by telephone or online. Shareholders are responsible for protecting their identity by using strong usernames and complex passwords which utilize combinations of mixed case letters, numbers and symbols, and change passwords and PINs frequently.
Using FederatedHermes.com/us’s Account Access website means you are consenting to sending and receiving personal financial information over the Internet, so you should be sure you are comfortable with the risks. You will be required to accept the terms of an online agreement and to establish and utilize a password in order to access online account services. The Transfer Agent has adopted security procedures to confirm that Internet instructions are genuine. The Transfer Agent will also send you written confirmation of share transactions. The Transfer Agent, the Fund and any of its affiliates will not be liable for losses or expenses that occur from fraudulent Internet instructions reasonably believed to be genuine.
The Transfer Agent or the Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone transaction requests are genuine, which may include recording calls, asking the caller to provide certain personal identification information, sending you written confirmation, or requiring other confirmation security procedures. The Transfer Agent, the Fund and any of its affiliates will not be liable for relying on instructions submitted by telephone that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each new customer who opens a Fund account and to determine whether such person’s name appears on governmental lists of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations. Pursuant to the requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act, the information obtained will be used for compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act or other applicable laws, regulations and rules in connection with money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities.
Information required includes your name, residential or business address, date of birth (for an individual), and other information that identifies you, including your social security number, tax identification number or other identifying number. The Fund cannot waive these requirements. The Fund is required by law to reject your Account Application if the required information is not provided. If, after reasonable effort, the Fund is unable to verify your identity or that of any other person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or believes it has identified potentially suspicious, fraudulent or criminal activity, the Fund reserves the right to close your account and redeem your shares at the next calculated NAV without your permission. Any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) will be assessed upon redemption of your shares.
The Fund has a strict policy designed to protect the privacy of your personal information. A copy of Federated Hermes’ privacy policy notice was given to you at the time you opened your account. The Fund sends a copy of the privacy notice to you annually. You may also obtain the privacy notice by calling the Fund, or through FederatedHermes.com/us.
Account and Share Information
CONFIRMATIONS AND ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
You will receive confirmation of purchases, redemptions and exchanges (except for systematic transactions). In addition, you will receive periodic statements reporting all account activity, including systematic transactions, dividends and capital gains paid.
32

DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
The Fund declares and pays any dividends quarterly to shareholders. Dividends are paid to all shareholders invested in the Fund on the record date. The record date is the date on which a shareholder must officially own Shares in order to earn a dividend.
In addition, the Fund pays any capital gains at least annually and may make such special distributions of dividends and capital gains as may be necessary to meet applicable regulatory requirements. Your dividends and capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Shares without a sales charge unless you elect cash payments. Dividends may also be reinvested without sales charges in shares of any class of any other Federated Hermes fund of which you are already a shareholder.
If you purchase Shares just before the record date for a dividend or capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the Shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable distribution, whether or not you reinvest the distribution in Shares. Therefore, you should consider the tax implications of purchasing Shares shortly before the record date for a dividend or capital gain. Contact your financial intermediary or the Fund for information concerning when dividends and capital gains will be paid.
Under the federal securities laws, the Fund is required to provide a notice to shareholders regarding the source of distributions made by the Fund if such distributions are from sources other than ordinary investment income. In addition, important information regarding the Fund’s distributions, if applicable, is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation.
Small Distributions and Uncashed Checks
Generally, dividend and/or capital gain distributions payable by check in an amount of less than $25 will be automatically reinvested in additional shares. This policy does not apply if you have elected to receive cash distributions that are directly deposited into your bank account via wire or ACH.
Additionally, if one or more dividend or capital gain distribution checks are returned as “undeliverable,” or remain uncashed for 180 days, all subsequent dividend and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution checks. For questions on whether reinvestment applies to your distributions, please contact a Client Service Representative at 1-800-341-7400.
Certain states, including the State of Texas, have laws that allow shareholders to designate a representative to receive abandoned or unclaimed property (“escheatment”) notifications by completing and submitting a designation form that generally can be found on the official state website. If a shareholder resides in an applicable state and elects to designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications, escheatment notices generally will be delivered as required by such state laws, including, as applicable, to both the shareholder and the designated representative. A completed designation form may be mailed to the Fund (if Shares are held directly with the Fund) or to the shareholder’s financial intermediary (if Shares are not held directly with the Fund). Shareholders should refer to relevant state law for the shareholder’s specific rights and responsibilities under his or her state’s escheatment law(s), which can generally be found on a state’s official website.
ACCOUNTS WITH LOW BALANCES
A, C & IS Classes
Federated Hermes reserves the right to close accounts if redemptions or exchanges cause the account balance to fall below:
◾ $1,500 for the A and C classes (or in the case of IRAs, $250); and
◾ $25,000 for the IS class.
Before an account is closed, you will be notified and allowed at least 30 days to purchase additional Shares to meet the minimum.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund and/or your financial intermediary provides year-end tax information and an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. Fund distributions of dividends and capital gains are taxable to you whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Dividends are taxable at different rates depending on the source of dividend income. Distributions of net short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable to you as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have owned your Shares.
Fund distributions are expected to be both dividends and capital gains. Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.
33

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES
Frequent or short-term trading into and out of the Fund can have adverse consequences for the Fund and shareholders who use the Fund as a long-term investment vehicle. Such trading in significant amounts can disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies (e.g., by requiring it to sell investments at inopportune times or maintain excessive short-term or cash positions to support redemptions), increase brokerage and administrative costs and affect the timing and amount of taxable gains distributed by the Fund. Investors engaged in such trading may also seek to profit by anticipating changes in the Fund’s NAV in advance of the time as of which NAV is calculated.
The Fund’s Board has approved policies and procedures intended to discourage excessive frequent or short-term trading of the Fund’s Shares. The Fund’s fair valuation procedures are intended in part to discourage short-term trading strategies by reducing the potential for these strategies to succeed. See “What Do Shares Cost?” The Fund also monitors trading in Fund Shares in an effort to identify disruptive trading activity. The Fund monitors trades into and out of the Fund within a period of 30 days or less. The Fund may also monitor trades into and out of the Fund for potentially disruptive trading activity over periods longer than 30 days. The size of Share transactions subject to monitoring varies. Where it is determined that a shareholder has exceeded the detection amounts twice within a period of 12 months, the Fund will temporarily prohibit the shareholder from making further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. If the shareholder continues to exceed the detection amounts for specified periods, the Fund will impose lengthier trading restrictions on the shareholder, up to and including permanently prohibiting the shareholder from making any further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. Whether or not the specific monitoring limits are exceeded, the Fund’s management or the Adviser may determine from the amount, frequency or pattern of purchases and redemptions or exchanges that a shareholder is engaged in excessive trading that is or could be detrimental to the Fund and other shareholders and may prohibit the shareholder from making further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. No matter how the Fund defines its limits on frequent trading of Fund Shares, other purchases and sales of Fund Shares may have adverse effects on the management of the Fund’s portfolio and its performance.
The Fund’s frequent trading restrictions do not apply to purchases and sales of Fund Shares by other Federated Hermes funds. These funds impose the same frequent trading restrictions as the Fund at their shareholder level. In addition, allocation changes of the investing Federated Hermes fund are monitored, and the managers of the recipient fund must determine that there is no disruption to their management activity. The intent of this exception is to allow investing fund managers to accommodate cash flows and other activity that result from non-abusive trading in the investing fund, without being stopped from such trading because the aggregate of such trades exceeds the monitoring limits. Nonetheless, as with any trading in Fund Shares, purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares by other Federated Hermes funds could adversely affect the management of the Fund’s portfolio and its performance.
The Fund will not restrict transactions made on a non-discretionary basis by certain asset allocation programs, wrap programs, fund of funds, collective funds or other similar accounts that have been pre-approved by Federated Hermes (“Approved Accounts”). The Fund will continue to monitor transactions by the Approved Accounts and will seek to limit or restrict even non-discretionary transactions by Approved Accounts that are determined to be disruptive or harmful to the Fund.
The Fund’s objective is that its restrictions on short-term trading should apply to all shareholders that are subject to the restrictions, regardless of the number or type of accounts in which Shares are held. However, the Fund anticipates that limitations on its ability to identify trading activity to specific shareholders, including where Shares are held through intermediaries in multiple or omnibus accounts, will mean that these restrictions may not be able to be applied uniformly in all cases.
Other funds in the Federated Hermes family of funds may impose different monitoring policies or in some cases, may not monitor for frequent or short-term trading. Under normal market conditions such monitoring policies are designed to protect the funds being monitored and their shareholders and the operation of such policies and shareholder investments under such monitoring are not expected to have materially adverse impact on the Federated Hermes funds or their shareholders. If you plan to exchange your fund shares for shares of another Federated Hermes fund, please read the prospectus of that other Federated Hermes fund for more information.
The Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies whose boards have determined not to adopt frequent trading policies. The Fund therefore may be exposed to any adverse consequences of any frequent or short-term trading in such funds, to the extent of the Fund’s investment therein.
34

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
Information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation. A complete listing of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar quarter is posted on the website 30 days (or the next business day) after the end of the quarter and remains posted for six months thereafter. Summary portfolio composition information as of the close of each month is posted on the website 15 days (or the next business day) after month-end and remains posted until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. The summary portfolio composition information may include percentage breakdowns of the portfolio by effective maturity range, type of security and credit quality.
You may also access portfolio information as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarters via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us. The Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports contain complete listings of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. Fiscal quarter information is made available on the website within 70 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. This information is also available in reports filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund’s holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us.
In addition, from time to time (for example, during periods of unusual market conditions), additional information regarding the Fund’s portfolio holdings and/or composition may be posted to FederatedHermes.com/us. If and when such information is posted, its availability will be noted on, and the information will be accessible from, the home page of the website.
Who Manages the Fund?
The Board governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund’s assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. Federated Advisory Services Company (FASC), an affiliate of the Adviser, provides certain support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund. The address of the Adviser and FASC is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.
The Adviser and other advisory subsidiaries of Federated Hermes combined, advise approximately 102 registered investment companies spanning equity, fixed-income and money market mutual funds and also manage a variety of other pooled investment vehicles, private investment companies and customized separately managed accounts (including non-U.S./offshore funds). Federated Hermes’ assets under management totaled approximately $668.9 billion as of December 31, 2022. Federated Hermes was established in 1955 as Federated Investors, Inc. and is one of the largest investment managers in the United States with nearly 2,000 employees. Federated Hermes provides investment products to more than 11,000 investment professionals and institutions.
The Adviser advises approximately 73 registered investment companies and also manages sub-advised funds. The Adviser’s assets under management totaled approximately $399.6 billion as of December 31, 2022.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
J. Andrew Kirschler
J. Andrew Kirschler, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since July of 2013.
Mr. Kirschler is responsible for day to day management of the Fund focusing on asset allocation, interest rate strategy and security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1990; has worked in investment management since 1994; has managed investment portfolios since 2013. Education: B.S., The Pennsylvania State University; M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh.
Todd A. Abraham
Todd A. Abraham, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since November of 2017.
Mr. Abraham is Head of the Government/Mortgage-Backed Fixed Income Group. He is responsible for overseeing the macro risk elements in the portfolio. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1993; has worked in investment management since 1993; has managed investment portfolios since 1995. Education: B.S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.B.A., Loyola College.
The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts and ownership of securities in the Fund.
35

ADVISORY FEES
The Fund’s investment advisory contract provides for payment to the Adviser of an annual investment advisory fee of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates have also agreed to certain “Fee Limits” as described in the footnote to the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” table found in the “Fund Summary” section of the Prospectus.
A discussion of the Board’s review of the Fund’s investment advisory contract is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports for the periods ended September 30 and March 31, respectively.
Financial Information
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Financial Highlights will help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for its past five fiscal years, or since inception, if the life of the Fund’s share class is shorter. Some of the information is presented on a per Share basis. Total returns represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains.
This information has been audited by Ernst & Young, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.
36

Financial Highlights–Class A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
 
Year Ended September 30,
 
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$9.85
$11.72
$11.52
$10.61
$10.22
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1
0.26
0.69
0.46
0.09
0.18
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(0.23)
(2.00)
0.07
0.90
0.43
Total From Investment Operations
0.03
(1.31)
0.53
0.99
0.61
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income
(0.36)
(0.56)
(0.33)
(0.08)
(0.22)
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$9.52
$9.85
$11.72
$11.52
$10.61
Total Return2
0.21%
(11.49)%
4.64%
9.41%
6.03%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses3
0.59%
0.63%
0.74%
0.74%
0.74%
Net investment income
2.65%
6.08%
3.95%
0.80%
1.74%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4
0.34%
0.38%
0.47%
0.82%
0.88%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
$16,295
$28,499
$25,785
$17,772
$14,884
Portfolio turnover5
73%
75%
26%
78%
35%
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
3
Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
4
This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/
reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5
Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.
Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated September 30, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.
37

Financial Highlights–Class C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
 
Year Ended September 30,
 
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$9.64
$11.49
$11.31
$10.44
$10.08
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1
0.18
0.63
0.33
(0.00)2
0.10
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(0.22)
(2.00)
0.10
0.90
0.42
Total From Investment Operations
(0.04)
(1.37)
0.43
0.90
0.52
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income
(0.29)
(0.48)
(0.25)
(0.03)
(0.16)
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$9.31
$9.64
$11.49
$11.31
$10.44
Total Return3
(0.47)%
(12.17)%
3.83%
8.60%
5.21%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses4
1.34%
1.38%
1.49%
1.49%
1.49%
Net investment income (loss)
1.89%
5.68%
2.84%
(0.02)%
0.94%
Expense waiver/reimbursement5
0.34%
0.38%
0.48%
0.82%
0.88%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
$3,587
$4,529
$3,033
$2,089
$2,284
Portfolio turnover6
73%
75%
26%
78%
35%
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2
Represents less than $0.01.
3
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable.
4
Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5
This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/
reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
6
Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.
Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated September 30, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.
38

Financial Highlights–Institutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
 
Year Ended September 30,
 
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$9.92
$11.80
$11.60
$10.67
$10.27
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1
0.28
0.76
0.50
0.12
0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(0.23)
(2.05)
0.06
0.91
0.39
Total From Investment Operations
0.05
(1.29)
0.56
1.03
0.64
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income
(0.38)
(0.59)
(0.36)
(0.10)
(0.24)
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$9.59
$9.92
$11.80
$11.60
$10.67
Total Return2
0.48%
(11.28)%
4.87%
9.74%
6.29%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses3
0.34%
0.37%
0.49%
0.49%
0.49%
Net investment income
2.75%
6.71%
4.24%
1.06%
2.39%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4
0.34%
0.38%
0.46%
0.82%
0.88%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
$111,879
$167,319
$90,937
$34,967
$24,444
Portfolio turnover5
73%
75%
26%
78%
35%
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2
Based on net asset value.
3
Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
4
This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/
reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5
Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.
Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated September 30, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.
39

Financial Highlights–Class R6 Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
 
Year
Ended
9/30/2023
Period
Ended
9/30/20221
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$9.92
$12.04
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)2
0.29
0.73
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
(0.23)
(2.26)
Total From Investment Operations
0.06
(1.53)
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income
(0.38)
(0.59)
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$9.60
$9.92
Total Return3
0.59%
(13.05)%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses4
0.30%
0.30%5
Net investment income
2.94%
8.70%5
Expense waiver/reimbursement6
0.33%
0.36%5
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
$9,952
$9,884
Portfolio turnover7
73%
75%8
1
Reflects operations for the period from December 29, 2021 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2022.
2
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
3
Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
4
Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5
Computed on an annualized basis.
6
This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/
reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
7
Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.
8
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the Fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended September 30, 2022.
Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated September 30, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.
40

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information
The following charts provide additional hypothetical information about the effect of the Fund’s expenses, including investment advisory fees and other Fund costs, on the Fund’s assumed returns over a 10-year period. The charts show the estimated expenses that would be incurred in respect of a hypothetical investment of $10,000, assuming a 5% return each year, and no redemption of Shares. Each chart also assumes that the Fund’s annual expense ratio stays the same throughout the 10-year period (except for the C class, which converts to the A class after you have held them for eight years) and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The annual expense ratios used in each chart are the same as stated in the “Fees and Expenses” table of this Prospectus (and thus do not reflect any fee waiver or expense reimbursement currently in effect). The maximum amount of any sales charge that might be imposed on the purchase of Shares (and deducted from the hypothetical initial investment of $10,000; the “Front-End Sales Charge”) is reflected in the “Hypothetical Expenses” column. The hypothetical investment information does not reflect the effect of charges (if any) normally applicable to redemptions of Shares (e.g., deferred sales charges, redemption fees). Mutual fund returns, as well as fees and expenses, may fluctuate over time, and your actual investment returns and total expenses may be higher or lower than those shown below.
FEDERATED HERMES INFLATION PROTECTED SECURITIES FUND - A CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.95%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: 4.50%
Year
Hypothetical
Beginning
Investment
Hypothetical
Performance
Earnings
Investment
After
Returns
Hypothetical
Expenses
Hypothetical
Ending
Investment
1
$10,000.00
$477.50
$10,027.50
$542.56
$9,936.78
2
$9,936.78
$496.84
$10,433.62
$96.31
$10,339.22
3
$10,339.22
$516.96
$10,856.18
$100.21
$10,757.96
4
$10,757.96
$537.90
$11,295.86
$104.27
$11,193.66
5
$11,193.66
$559.68
$11,753.34
$108.49
$11,647.00
6
$11,647.00
$582.35
$12,229.35
$112.89
$12,118.70
7
$12,118.70
$605.94
$12,724.64
$117.46
$12,609.51
8
$12,609.51
$630.48
$13,239.99
$122.22
$13,120.20
9
$13,120.20
$656.01
$13,776.21
$127.17
$13,651.57
10
$13,651.57
$682.58
$14,334.15
$132.32
$14,204.46
Cumulative
$5,746.24
$1,563.90
FEDERATED HERMES INFLATION PROTECTED SECURITIES FUND - C CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 1.69%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: NONE
Year
Hypothetical
Beginning
Investment
Hypothetical
Performance
Earnings
Investment
After
Returns
Hypothetical
Expenses
Hypothetical
Ending
Investment
1
$10,000.00
$500.00
$10,500.00
$171.80
$10,331.00
2
$10,331.00
$516.55
$10,847.55
$177.48
$10,672.96
3
$10,672.96
$533.65
$11,206.61
$183.36
$11,026.23
4
$11,026.23
$551.31
$11,577.54
$189.43
$11,391.20
5
$11,391.20
$569.56
$11,960.76
$195.70
$11,768.25
6
$11,768.25
$588.41
$12,356.66
$202.17
$12,157.78
7
$12,157.78
$607.89
$12,765.67
$208.87
$12,560.20
8
$12,560.20
$628.01
$13,188.21
$215.78
$12,975.94
Converts from Class C to Class A
Annual Expense Ratio 0.95%
9
$12,975.94
$648.80
$13,624.74
$125.77
$13,501.47
10
$13,501.47
$675.07
$14,176.54
$130.86
$14,048.28
Cumulative
$5,819.25
$1,801.22
41

FEDERATED HERMES INFLATION PROTECTED SECURITIES FUND - IS CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.69%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: NONE
Year
Hypothetical
Beginning
Investment
Hypothetical
Performance
Earnings
Investment
After
Returns
Hypothetical
Expenses
Hypothetical
Ending
Investment
1
$10,000.00
$500.00
$10,500.00
$70.49
$10,431.00
2
$10,431.00
$521.55
$10,952.55
$73.52
$10,880.58
3
$10,880.58
$544.03
$11,424.61
$76.69
$11,349.53
4
$11,349.53
$567.48
$11,917.01
$80.00
$11,838.69
5
$11,838.69
$591.93
$12,430.62
$83.45
$12,348.94
6
$12,348.94
$617.45
$12,966.39
$87.04
$12,881.18
7
$12,881.18
$644.06
$13,525.24
$90.80
$13,436.36
8
$13,436.36
$671.82
$14,108.18
$94.71
$14,015.47
9
$14,015.47
$700.77
$14,716.24
$98.79
$14,619.54
10
$14,619.54
$730.98
$15,350.52
$103.05
$15,249.64
Cumulative
$6,090.07
$858.54
FEDERATED HERMES INFLATION PROTECTED SECURITIES FUND - R6 CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.64%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: NONE
Year
Hypothetical
Beginning
Investment
Hypothetical
Performance
Earnings
Investment
After
Returns
Hypothetical
Expenses
Hypothetical
Ending
Investment
1
$10,000.00
$500.00
$10,500.00
$65.40
$10,436.00
2
$10,436.00
$521.80
$10,957.80
$68.25
$10,891.01
3
$10,891.01
$544.55
$11,435.56
$71.22
$11,365.86
4
$11,365.86
$568.29
$11,934.15
$74.33
$11,861.41
5
$11,861.41
$593.07
$12,454.48
$77.57
$12,378.57
6
$12,378.57
$618.93
$12,997.50
$80.95
$12,918.28
7
$12,918.28
$645.91
$13,564.19
$84.48
$13,481.52
8
$13,481.52
$674.08
$14,155.60
$88.16
$14,069.31
9
$14,069.31
$703.47
$14,772.78
$92.01
$14,682.73
10
$14,682.73
$734.14
$15,416.87
$96.02
$15,322.90
Cumulative
$6,104.24
$798.39
42

Appendix B: Sales Charge Waivers and Exchange Features for Shareholders Purchasing Through Certain Financial Intermediaries
The term “fund family,” used herein, shall refer to the Federated Hermes mutual funds.
The following Appendix applies to certain share classes offered by the Fund.
Ameriprise Financial
CLASS A SHARES FRONT-END SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AVAILABLE AT AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL:
The following information applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:
Effective January 15, 2021, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial retail brokerage account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:
◾ Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).
◾ Shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 7-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares or conversion of Class C shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply.
◾ Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.
◾ Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.
◾ Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., Rights of Reinstatement).
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Baird platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus or the SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investors A-shares Available at Baird
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund;
◾ Share purchase by employees and registered representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird;
◾ Shares purchase from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided: (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption; (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts; and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement);
◾ Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a CDSC and are exchanged to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the same fund pursuant to Baird’s intra-fund share class policies and procedures;
◾ Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
43

CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C Shares Available at Baird
◾ Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder;
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus;
◾ Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account;
◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code;
◾ Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird;
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints and/or Rights of Accumulations
◾ Breakpoints as described in this prospectus;
◾ Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets;
◾ Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. (EDWARD JONES)
Policies Regarding Transactions Through Edward Jones
Effective on or after March 1, 2021, the following information supersedes prior information with respect to transactions and positions held in fund shares through an Edward Jones system. Shareholders purchasing Fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or statement of additional information (SAI). In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of fund family, or other facts qualifying the purchaser for waivers or discounts. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance. Shareholders should contact Edward Jones if they have questions regarding their eligibility for these discounts and waivers.
Front-End Sales Load Waivers on Class A and F Shares Available at Edward Jones
Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations:
◾ Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones’ policies and procedures.
◾ Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.
◾ Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.
◾ Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share Class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.
◾ Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones will be responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable.
CDSC Waivers on A, B, C and F Shares Available at Edward Jones
If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder will be responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions:
◾ Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan (limited to up to 10% per year of the account value).
◾ Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
44

◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
◾ Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.
◾ Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable.
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
◾ Shares redeemed at the discretion of Edward Jones for Minimum Balances, as described below.
Front-End Load Discounts Available at Edward Jones:
Rights of Accumulation (ROA)
◾ The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except certain money market funds and any assets held in group retirement plans) of the fund family held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). If grouping assets as a shareholder, this includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the ROA calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Money market funds are included only if such shares were sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase or acquired in exchange for shares purchased with a sales charge.
◾ The employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan may elect to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping as opposed to including all share classes at a shareholder or pricing group level.
◾ ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost minus redemptions or market value (current shares x NAV).
Letter of Intent (LOI)
◾ Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to make over a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not adjusted under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.
◾ If the employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan has elected to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping, LOIs will also be at the plan-level and may only be established by the employer.
Other Important Information REGARDING TRANSACTIONS THROUGH EDWARD JONES
Minimum Purchase Amounts
◾ Initial purchase minimum: $250
◾ Subsequent purchase minimum: none
Minimum Balances
◾ Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:
◾ A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform
◾ A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform
◾ An account with an active systematic investment plan or LOI
Exchanging Share Classes
◾ At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares of the same fund.
45

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Effective May 1, 2020, if you purchase or redeem Fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end sales charge waivers on Class A Shares available at Janney
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
◾ Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
◾ Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided: (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption; (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account; and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).
◾ Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
◾ Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are exchanged to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s intra-fund share class policies and procedures.
CDSC Waivers on Class A and C Shares available at Janney
◾ Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s Prospectus.
◾ Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
◾ Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
◾ Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different Federated Hermes fund, if the shares were held for the applicable CDSC holding period (the holding period on the shares purchased in the exchange will include the holding period of the shares sold in the exchange).
Front-end sales charge discounts available at Janney: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation, and/or Letters of Intent
◾ Breakpoints as described in the fund’s Prospectus.
◾ Rights of accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
◾ Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Effective September 29, 2023, if you purchase or hold Fund shares through an applicable J.P. Morgan Securities LLC brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), or back-end sales charge, waivers), share class conversion policy and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end sales charge waivers on Class A shares available at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
◾ Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a CDSC and are exchanged into Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC’s share class exchange policy.
◾ Qualified employer-sponsored defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, other employee benefit plans and trusts used to fund those plans. For purposes of this provision, such plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, SAR-SEPs or 501(c)(3) accounts.
◾ Shares of funds purchased through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Self-Directed Investing accounts.
46

◾ Shares purchased through rights of reinstatement.
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).
◾ Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or its affiliates and their spouse or financial dependent as defined by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.
Class C to Class A share conversion
◾  A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the same fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is consistent with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares available at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
◾ Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.
◾ Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-end load discounts available at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC: breakpoints, rights of accumulation & letters of intent
◾ Breakpoints as described in the prospectus.
◾ Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. Eligible fund family assets not held at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies their financial advisor about such assets.
◾ Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable).
Merrill Lynch
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Merrill Lynch
◾ Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan;
◾ Shares purchased by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents);
◾ Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program or exchanged due to the holdings moving from the program;
◾ Shares exchanged due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers;
◾ Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform;
◾ Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable);
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family);
◾ Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e., level-load) shares of the same fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers;
◾ Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members;
◾ Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the prospectus;
47

◾ Eligible shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided: (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption; (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account; and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e., systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for reinstatement.
CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares available at Merrill Lynch
◾ Death or disability of the shareholder;
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus;
◾ Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account;
◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code;
◾ Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch;
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement;
◾ Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to A and C shares only);
◾ Class A Shares received through an exchange due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.
Front-end load Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch:
Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
◾ Breakpoints as described in this prospectus;
◾ Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets;
◾ Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable).
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management transactional brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect to Class A shares, which may differ from and may be more limited than those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares Available at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
◾ Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans;
◾ Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules;
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund;
◾ Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account;
◾ Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are exchanged to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s intra-fund share class exchange program;
◾ Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.
OPPENHEIMER & CO., INC.
Effective May 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (OPCO) platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
48

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at OPCO
◾ Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan
◾ Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan
◾ Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program
◾ Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family)
◾ Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided: (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption; (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account; and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).
◾  A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares automatically exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the automatic exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO
◾ Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members
◾ Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus
CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares available at OPCO
◾ Death or disability of the shareholder
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus
◾ Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account
◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code
◾ Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
Front-end load Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
◾ Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
◾ Rights of Accumulation (ROA), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and each entity’s affiliates (“Raymond James”)
Effective March 1, 2019, shareholders purchasing and redeeming Fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-End Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares Available at Raymond James
◾ Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.
◾ Shares purchased within the same fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.
◾ Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.
◾ Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided: (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption; (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account; and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).
◾  A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares automatically exchanged at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the automatic exchange is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
49

CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares Available at Raymond James
◾ Death or disability of the shareholder.
◾ Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.
◾ Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
◾ Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.
◾ Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.
◾ Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Front-End Load Discounts Available at Raymond James: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation, and/or Letters of Intent
◾ Breakpoints as described in this prospectus;
◾ Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
◾ Letters of Intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
Effective July 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel”) platform or account or who own shares for which Stifel or an affiliate is the broker-dealer of record are eligible for the following additional sales charge waiver.
Front-End Sales Load Waiver on Class A Shares
◾ Class C shares that have been held for more than seven (7) years will be converted to Class A shares of the same Fund pursuant to Stifel’s policies and procedures
All other sales charge waivers and reductions described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI still apply.
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Effective November 1, 2021, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. (USBI) platform or who own shares for which USBI is the broker-dealer, where the shares are held in an omnibus account, will be eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ Prospectus or SAI. All other sales charge waivers and reductions described elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI still apply.
USBI Conversion of Class C Shares
Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are systematically converted to the Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to USBI’s intra-fund share class policy. No front-end sales charge will apply to such conversions.
50

An SAI dated November 30, 2023, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund’s SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report’s Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your financial intermediary or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
The Fund’s shareholder reports will be made available on FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation, and you will be notified and provided with a link each time a report is posted to the website. You may request to receive paper reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, free of charge, at any time. You may also request to receive documents through e-delivery.
These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings, performance and distributions), are also available on FederatedHermes.com/us.
You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by accessing Fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at [email protected].
Federated Hermes Inflation Protected Securities Fund
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedHermes.com/us
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
Investment Company Act File No. 811-4577
CUSIP 31420C779
CUSIP 31420C761
CUSIP 31420C753
CUSIP 31420C480
35386 (11/23)
© 2023 Federated Hermes, Inc.