In addition to direct investments in securities, derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. To the extent the Fund uses derivatives, the Fund will primarily use futures contracts to more effectively gain targeted equity exposure from its cash positions.
Investment Process: In managing the Fund, the adviser employs a three-step process that combines research, valuation and stock selection. The adviser takes an in-depth look at company prospects over a period as long as five years, which is designed to provide insight into a company's real growth potential. The research findings allow the adviser to rank the companies in each sector group according to their relative value. In order to determine a company's relative value, the adviser analyzes proprietary data, information self-reported by companies, data from third-party vendors and internal fundamental research. The adviser leverages this fundamental research to attempt to drive consistent performance through stock selection.
As a part of its investment process, the adviser seeks to assess the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on the companies in which the Fund invests. The adviser's assessment is based on a proprietary analysis of key opportunities and risks across industries to seek to identify financially material issues on the Fund's investments in securities and ascertain key issues that merit engagement with company management. These assessments may not be conclusive and securities of companies may be purchased and retained by the Fund for reasons other than material ESG factors.
On behalf of the Fund, the adviser then buys and sells equity securities, using the research and valuation rankings as a basis. In general, the adviser buys equity securities that are identified as attractive and considers selling them when they appear less attractive based on the Fund's process. Along with attractive valuation, the adviser often considers a number of other criteria, including:
●
catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock's price,
●
impact on the overall risk of the portfolio,
●
high perceived potential reward compared to perceived potential risk, and
●
possible temporary mispricings caused by apparent market overreactions.
The adviser may sell a security as its valuations or rankings change or if more attractive investments become available.
The Fund's Main Investment Risks
The Fund is subject to management risk and may not achieve its objective if the adviser's expectations regarding particular instruments or markets are not met.
An investment in this Fund or any other fund may not provide a complete investment program. The suitability of an investment in the Fund should be considered based on the investment objective, strategies and risks described in this prospectus, considered in light of all of the other investments in your portfolio, as well as your risk tolerance, financial goals and time horizons. You may want to consult with a financial advisor to determine if this Fund is suitable for you.
The Fund is subject to the main risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund's net asset value (NAV), market price, performance and ability to meet its investment objective.
Equity Market Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company's financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, sectors or industries selected for the Fund's portfolio or the securities market as a whole, such as changes in economic or political conditions. When the value of the Fund's securities goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value.
General Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund's investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics or the threat or potential of one or more such factors and occurrences.
Large Cap Company Risk. Because the Fund invests in large cap company securities, it may underperform other funds during periods when the Fund's large cap securities are out of favor.
Mid Cap Company Risk. Investments in mid cap companies may be riskier, less liquid, more volatile and more vulnerable to economic, market and industry changes than investments in larger, more established companies. The securities of smaller companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes than securities of larger companies. As a result, changes in the price of securities issued by such companies may be more sudden or erratic than the prices of other equity securities, especially over the short term.
Industry and Sector Focus Risk. At times, the Fund may increase the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or sector. The prices of securities of issuers in a particular industry or sector may be more susceptible to fluctuations due to changes in economic or business conditions, government regulations, availability of basic resources or supplies, contagion risk within a particular industry or sector or to other industries or sectors, or other events that affect that industry or sector more than securities of issuers in other industries and sectors. To the extent that the Fund increases the relative emphasis of its investments in a particular industry or sector, the value of the Fund's Shares may fluctuate in response to events affecting that industry or sector.
Technology Sector Risk. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies could have a major effect on the value of the Fund's investments. The value of stocks of technology companies is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence and