Under normal
market conditions, the Fund generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the Index. The Fund will provide
shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to any material change in this 95% investment policy. In addition, the Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents or
money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including money market funds advised by SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA
FM” or the “Adviser”
), the investment adviser to the Fund).
The Index includes companies that have been identified as
Real Estate companies by the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), including securities of companies from the following industries: real estate management and
development; diversified real estate investment trusts (“REITs”);
industrial REITs; hotel and resort REITs; office REITs; health care REITs; residential REITs; retail REITs; and specialized REITs. The Index is one of eleven Select
Sector Indexes developed and maintained in accordance with the following criteria: (1) each of the component securities in the Index is a constituent of the
S&P 500 Index; and (2) the Index is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC
(“S&P DJI”) based on a proprietary “modified market capitalization” methodology which means that modifications may be made to the market capitalization weights of single stock concentrations in order to conform to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code” or
“IRC”). As of November 30, 2023, the Index was composed of 31 stocks.
The Index is also sponsored and compiled by S&P DJI. S&P DJI determines the composition of the Index and relative weightings of the securities in the Index based on the Index methodology (as the “Index Compilation Agent”). S&P DJI also publishes information regarding the market value of the Index (as the “Index
Provider”). S&P DJI is not affiliated with the Fund or the
Adviser.
Principal Risks of Investing
in the Fund
As with all investments,
there are certain risks of investing in the Fund. Fund Shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not
insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Market Risk: The Fund's investments are subject
to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile
and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors including, but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates,
inflation, changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers, and general market liquidity. The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Local, regional or global events such as war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments.
Equity Investing Risk: The market prices of equity securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or
unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly relate to the issuer and also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.
Real
Estate Sector Risk: The Fund's assets will be concentrated in the real estate sector, which means the Fund will be more affected by the performance of the real estate sector than a fund that is more diversified. An investment in a real property company may be subject to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate, including, by way of example, the possibility of declines in the value of real estate, losses from casualty or condemnation, and changes in local and general economic conditions, supply and demand, interest rates, environmental liability, zoning laws, regulatory limitations on rents, property taxes, and operating expenses. Some real property companies have limited diversification because they invest in a limited number of properties, a narrow geographic area, or a single type of property.
REIT Risk:
REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the securities of real property companies. In particular, REITs may be affected by changes in the values of
the underlying properties that they own or operate. Further, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, and their investments may be concentrated in
relatively few properties, or in a small geographic area or a single property type. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and, as a result, are
particularly reliant on the proper functioning of capital markets. A variety of economic and other factors may adversely affect a lessee's ability to meet its obligations to a REIT. In the event of a default by a lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a lessor and may incur substantial costs associated in protecting its investments. In addition, a REIT could fail to qualify for favorable tax or regulatory treatment.
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts Risk: As with all exchange-traded funds, Fund Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at
market prices. The trading prices of Fund Shares in the secondary market may differ from the Fund's daily net asset value per share and there may be times when the
market price of the shares is more