more or less, in correlation with any
decline in value of the securities in the Underlying Index. Additionally, natural or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, economic crises
or other events could result in increased premiums or discounts to the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
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.
Taxable Municipal
Securities Risk. Litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic
conditions or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on the ability of an issuer of municipal securities to make payments of principal and/or interest. Political changes and uncertainties in the
municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders can significantly affect municipal securities. Because many securities are issued to finance similar projects,
especially those relating to education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal market. In addition, changes in the financial condition of an individual municipal issuer
can affect the overall municipal market.
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.
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.
California Municipal Securities Risk. Because the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in California municipal securities, the Fund
will have greater exposure to negative political, economic and regulatory factors within the
State of California than certain funds that invest in a broader base of securities. Unfavorable developments in any economic
sector may have a substantial impact on the
overall California municipal market. Economic, fiscal and budgetary conditions throughout the State may influence the Fund's performance. These factors heighten the risk that the prices of California municipal
securities, and the Fund's market price, will experience greater volatility.
Build America Bonds Risk. Build America Bonds involve
similar risks as municipal bonds, including credit and market risk. In particular, should a Build
America Bond's issuer fail to continue to meet the applicable requirements imposed on such bonds, it is possible that such issuer may not receive federal cash subsidy payments, impairing the issuer's ability to make scheduled interest payments.
The Build America Bond program expired on December 31, 2010 and no further issuance is permitted unless Congress were to renew the program at a future date. As a result, the number of available Build America Bonds
is limited, which may negatively affect the value of the Build America Bonds. In addition, there can be no assurance that Build America Bonds will be actively traded. It is difficult to predict the extent to which a
market for such bonds will continue, meaning that Build America Bonds may experience greater illiquidity than other municipal obligations. The Build America Bonds outstanding as of December 31, 2010 will continue to be
eligible for the federal interest rate subsidy, which continues for the life of the Build America Bonds; however, no bonds issued following expiration of the Build America Bond program will be eligible for the federal tax
subsidy.
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.
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.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when a particular investment is difficult to purchase or sell. If the Fund invests in
illiquid securities or current portfolio securities become illiquid, it may reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund may be unable to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price.
Issuer-Specific Changes Risk. The value of an individual security or particular type of security may be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform differently from
the value of the market as a whole.