The Portfolio Managers seek to invest in a broad group of securities that have the potential to outperform the Russell 1000® Index with a lower level of risk through security selection. The Fund generally seeks to be sector neutral when compared to the Russell 1000® Index (i.e., having sector exposures similar to the Russell 1000® Index).
The Portfolio Managers, with the assistance of the Manager's research analysts, select securities for the Fund by using a fundamental, research-driven approach. The research analysts analyze and rate stocks within an industry by conducting equity research, which may include, but is not limited to, company visits, management interviews, industry conferences, proprietary modeling of earnings, cash flow and balance sheets, projecting growth and valuation changes, and setting price targets for companies under coverage. In selecting securities for the Fund, the Portfolio Managers utilize the analysis and ratings of the research analysts as they seek to maintain a sector neutral portfolio with what they believe are the most attractive investments in each industry.
While the Fund will mainly invest in common stocks of U.S. companies, the Fund may invest in other types of equity securities, including real estate investment trusts, rights and warrants, exchange traded funds, and depository receipts. The Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that it can invest more of its assets in fewer companies than a diversified fund.
As part of their fundamental investment analysis the Portfolio Managers consider environmental, social and governance factors they believe are financially material to individual investments, where applicable. While this analysis is inherently subjective and may be informed by both internally generated and third-party metrics, data and other information, the Portfolio Managers believe that the consideration of financially material environmental, social and governance factors, alongside traditional financial metrics, may enhance the Fund's overall investment process. The consideration of environmental, social and governance factors does not apply to certain instruments, such as certain derivative instruments, other registered investment companies, cash and cash equivalents. The consideration of environmental, social and governance factors as part of the investment process does not mean that the Fund pursues a specific "impact" or "sustainable" investment strategy.
The Portfolio Managers may sell securities when they believe that they no longer represent attractive investment opportunities.
The Fund will not change its strategy of normally investing at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities and other investment companies that provide investment exposure to equity securities without providing shareholders at least 60 days' notice. This test is applied at the time the Fund invests; later percentage changes caused by a change in Fund assets, market values or company circumstances will not require the Fund to dispose of a holding.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
Most of the Fund's performance depends on what happens in the stock markets, the Portfolio Managers' evaluation of those developments, and the success of the Portfolio Managers in implementing the Fund's investment strategies. The markets' behavior can be difficult to predict, particularly in the short term. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
The Fund may take temporary defensive and cash management positions; to the extent it does, it will not be pursuing its principal investment strategies.
The actual risk exposure taken by the Fund in its investment program will vary over time, depending on various factors including the Portfolio Managers' evaluation of issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. There can be no guarantee that the Portfolio Managers will be successful in their attempts to manage the risk exposure of the Fund or will appropriately evaluate or weigh the multiple factors involved in investment decisions, including issuer, market and/or instrument-specific analysis, valuation and financially material environmental, social and governance factors.
The Fund is not a bank deposit, and is not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The value of your investment may fall, sometimes sharply, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund.
Each of the following risks, which are described in alphabetical order and not in order of any presumed importance, can significantly affect the Fund's performance. The relative importance of, or potential exposure as a result of, each of these risks will vary based on market and other investment-specific considerations.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are certificates issued by a financial institution evidencing ownership of underlying foreign securities. While depositary receipts involve many of the same risks of investing directly in the underlying foreign securities, they may be less liquid and more volatile than investing directly in such securities. Depositary receipts are subject to the risk of fluctuation in the currency exchange rate if, as is often the case, the underlying foreign securities are denominated in foreign currency, and there may be an imperfect correlation between the market value of depositary receipts and the underlying foreign securities.