Index Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund
does not utilize an investing strategy that seeks returns in excess of the Underlying Index.
Therefore, the Fund would not necessarily buy or sell a security unless that security is added or removed, respectively, from the Underlying Index, even if that security generally is underperforming. Additionally, the Fund rebalances its portfolio in
accordance with the Underlying Index, and, therefore, any changes to the Underlying Index’s rebalance schedule will result in corresponding changes to the Fund’s rebalance schedule.
Preferred Securities
Risk. There are special risks associated with investing in preferred securities. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, in its
discretion, to defer or omit distributions for a certain period of time. If the Fund owns a security that is deferring or omitting its distributions, the Fund may be required to report the distribution on its tax returns, even
though it may not have received any income. Further, preferred securities may lose substantial value due to the omission or deferment of dividend payments. Preferred securities may be less liquid than many other securities, such as
common stocks, and generally offer no voting rights with respect to the issuer. Preferred securities also may be subordinated to bonds or other debt instruments in an issuer’s capital structure, subjecting them to a
greater risk of non-payment than more senior securities.
Fixed-Income Securities Risk. Fixed-income securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. Interest rate risk refers to
fluctuations in the value of a fixed-income security resulting from changes in the general level
of interest rates. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up. Fixed-income securities with
longer maturities typically are more sensitive to changes in interest rates, making them more volatile than securities with shorter maturities. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be unable and/or
unwilling to make timely interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. Debt instruments are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which may be reflected in credit ratings. There is a possibility that the
credit rating of a fixed-income security may be downgraded after purchase, which may occur quickly and without advance warning following sudden market downturns or unexpected developments involving an issuer, and which may
adversely affect the liquidity and value of the security.
Foreign Fixed-Income Investment Risk. Investments in
fixed-income securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to the same risks as other debt
securities, notably credit risk, market risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk, while also facing risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. For example, foreign securities may have relatively low market liquidity, greater market
volatility, decreased publicly available information, and less reliable financial information about issuers, and inconsistent and potentially less stringent accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements and
standards of practice, including recordkeeping standards, comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Foreign securities also are subject to the risks of expropriation, nationalization, political instability or other
adverse political or economic developments and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries. Investments in foreign securities also may be subject to dividend withholding or confiscatory taxes, currency blockage and/or
transfer restrictions and higher transactional costs.
Changing Fixed-Income Market Conditions Risk. Fluctuations in the federal funds and equivalent foreign interest rates or other changes to monetary policy or regulatory
actions may expose fixed-income markets to heightened volatility, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree, and to reduced liquidity for certain fixed-income investments, particularly those with longer maturities, when rates
increase. Such changes and resulting increased volatility may adversely impact the Fund, including its operations and return potential. It is difficult to predict the impact of interest rate changes on various markets. In
addition, decreases in fixed-income dealer market-making capacity may also potentially lead to heightened volatility
and reduced liquidity in the fixed-income
markets. As a result, the value of the Fund's investments and share price may decline. Changes in central bank policies and other governmental actions and political events within the U.S. and abroad may also, among
other things, affect investor and consumer expectations and confidence in the financial markets. This could result in higher than normal redemptions by APs (as defined herein), which could potentially increase the
Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs.
Non-Investment Grade Securities Risk. Non-investment grade
securities (commonly known as “junk bonds” or “high yield bonds”) and
unrated securities of comparable credit quality are considered speculative and are subject to the
increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative
perceptions of the non-investment grade securities markets generally, real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions and less secondary market liquidity. If the issuer of non-investment grade
securities defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.
Industry Concentration Risk. In following its methodology, the Underlying Index from time to time may be concentrated to a significant
degree in securities of issuers operating in a single industry or industry group. To the extent
that the Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of issuers in a particular industry or industry group, the Fund will also concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent. By concentrating its investments in an industry
or industry group, the Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous industries or industry groups. Such industry-based risks, any of which may adversely affect the companies in which the
Fund invests, may include, but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions or cyclical market patterns that could negatively affect supply and demand in a particular industry; competition for resources;
adverse labor relations; political or world events; obsolescence of technologies; and increased competition or new product introductions that may affect the profitability or viability of companies in an industry. In
addition, at times, such industry or industry group may be out of favor and underperform other industries or the market as a whole.
Financials Sector Risk.
The Fund may be susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting the
financials sector. Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation
and, as a result, their profitability may be affected by new regulations or regulatory interpretations. Changes in interest rates can have a disproportionate effect on the financials sector, and financial services companies whose securities the
Fund may purchase may themselves have concentrated portfolios, which makes them vulnerable to
economic conditions that affect that sector. Financial services companies have also been affected by increased competition, which could adversely affect the profitability or viability of such companies.
Call Risk. If interest rates fall, it is possible that
issuers of callable securities with high interest coupons will “call” (or prepay) their bonds before their maturity date. If an issuer exercises such a call during a period of declining interest rates,
the Fund may have to replace such called security with a lower yielding security. If that were to happen, the Fund’s net investment income could fall.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that the
Fund will not be able to reinvest income or principal at the same return it is currently earning.
Reinvestment risk is greater during periods of declining interest rates, as prepayments often occur faster. It is related to call risk, since issuers of callable securities with high interest coupons may call their bonds before their maturity date.
This may require the Fund to reinvest the proceeds at an earlier date, and it may be able to do so only at lower yields, thereby reducing its return.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investing in
securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk