Mid-Capitalization Securities Risk—The Fund is subject to the risk that mid-capitalization securities may underperform other
segments of the equity market or the equity market as a whole. Securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more speculative, volatile and less liquid than
securities of large companies. Mid-capitalization companies tend to have inexperienced management as well as limited product and market diversification and
financial resources and may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than large capitalization companies.
Non-Diversification Risk—The Fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of its assets in
securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single issuer's securities could cause greater fluctuations in the value of Fund shares than would occur in a diversified fund. The Fund may become diversified for periods of time solely as a result of changes in the composition of the underlying index (e.g., changes in the
relative market capitalization or weights of one or more index component stocks).
OTC Trading Risk—Certain of the derivatives in which the Fund may invest may be
traded (and privately negotiated) in the OTC market. While the OTC derivatives market is the primary trading venue for many derivatives, it is largely unregulated and provides for less transparency than a national securities or commodities exchange. As a result and similar to other privately negotiated contracts, the Fund is subject to counterparty credit risk with respect to such derivatives contracts.
Passive Investment Risk—The Fund is not actively managed and the Advisor does
not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets. Therefore, the Fund may be subject to greater losses in a declining market than a fund that is actively managed.
Portfolio Turnover Risk—Periodic rebalancing of the Fund's holdings pursuant to
its daily investment objective may lead to a greater number of portfolio transactions in the Fund than experienced by other mutual funds. Such frequent and active trading may lead to significantly higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions associated with such transactions.
Regulatory and Legal Risk—U.S. and non-U.S. governmental agencies and other
regulators regularly implement additional regulations and legislators pass new laws that affect the investments held by the Fund, the strategies used by the Fund or the level of regulation or taxation applying to the Fund (such as regulations related to the use of derivatives and other transactions). These regulations and laws impact the investment strategies, performance, costs and operations of the Fund or taxation of shareholders.
Sector Risk—To the extent the components of the Fund’s underlying index,
and therefore, the Fund’s holdings, have significant exposure to one or more market sectors, the Fund may be especially sensitive to the developments
affecting and risks of such market sectors. The sectors to which the underlying index components, and thus the Fund’s assets, may have significant exposure will vary as the composition of the underlying index changes over time. As of June 30, 2024, the Fund is subject to the Sector Risks described below.
Consumer
Discretionary Sector Risk. The Fund’s investments are exposed to issuers conducting business in the Consumer Discretionary Sector. The manufacturing segment of the Consumer Discretionary Sector includes automotive, household durable goods, leisure equipment and textiles and apparel. The services segment includes hotels, restaurants and other leisure facilities, media production and services, and consumer retailing and services. The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities of such issuers will underperform the market as a whole due to legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and/or increased competition affecting the Consumer Discretionary Sector. The performance of companies operating in the Consumer Discretionary Sector has historically been closely tied to the performance of the overall economy, and also is affected by economic growth, consumer confidence, attitudes and spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes also can affect the demand for, and success of, consumer products and services in the marketplace. Moreover, the Consumer Discretionary Sector encompasses those businesses
that tend to be the most sensitive to economic cycles.
Energy Sector Risk. The
Fund's investments are exposed to issuers conducting business in the Energy Sector. The Energy Sector includes companies operating in the exploration and
production, refining and marketing, and storage and transportation of oil and gas and coal and consumable fuels. It also includes companies that offer oil and gas equipment and related services. The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities of such issuers will underperform the market as a whole due to legislative or regulatory changes,