Market
Risk—The value of, or income generated by, the investments held by the Fund may fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably. These fluctuations may be frequent and significant. In addition, the Fund may incur losses as a result of various market and economic factors, such as those affecting individual companies or issuers or particular industries, or from broader influences, such as general market conditions. In addition, developments related to economic, political (including geopolitical), social, public health, market, extreme weather, natural or man-made disasters or other conditions or events may cause volatility in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or debt markets, which could adversely impact the Fund and its investments and their value and performance. Under such conditions, the Fund (or an underlying fund) may experience significant redemption activity by shareholders and could be forced to sell portfolio securities or other assets at unfavorable prices in an effort to generate sufficient cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund’s investments may perform poorly or underperform the general securities markets or other types of securities.
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.
Portfolio Turnover Risk—The Fund’s strategy may frequently involve buying and selling portfolio securities, which
may lead to increased costs to the Fund. Portfolio turnover risk may cause the Fund’s performance to be less than you expect.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk—REITs are classified as
equity REITs, mortgage REITs or hybrid REITs. Equity REITs own real estate directly and the value of, and income earned by, the REITs depends upon the income of the underlying properties and the rental income they earn. Mortgage REITs make construction, development or long-term mortgage loans and are sensitive to the credit quality of the borrower. Mortgage REITs derive their income from interest earned on such mortgage loans. Hybrid REITs generally hold both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real estate. In addition to the risks pertaining to real estate investments more generally, REITs may be subject to additional risks, including risks associated with the direct ownership of real property, including declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses and variations in rental income. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate and prepayment risks. The value of a REIT can depend on the structure of, and cash flow generated by, the REIT. REITs whose investments are concentrated in a limited number or type of properties, investments or narrow geographic area are subject to the risks affecting those properties or areas to a greater extent than a REIT with less concentrated investments. U.S. REITs also are subject to certain provisions under federal tax law. In addition, REITs may have expenses, including advisory and administration expenses, and the Fund and its shareholders will incur its pro rata share of the underlying expenses.
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 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. As of June 30, 2024, the Fund is subject to the Sector Risk described below.
Real Estate
Sector Risk. The Fund's investments are exposed to issuers conducting business in the Real Estate Sector. The Real Estate Sector includes companies operating in real estate development and operations. It also includes companies offering real estate-related services and REITs. 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 Real Estate Sector. The performance of companies operating in the Real Estate Sector has historically been cyclical and particularly sensitive to the overall economy and market changes, including declines in the value of real estate or, conversely, saturation of the real estate market, economic downturns and defaults by borrowers or tenants during such periods, increases in competition, limited availability of mortgage funds or other limits to accessing the credit or capital markets, and changes in interest rates.