Issuer Risk - The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons directly related to the issuer of the security.
Selection Risk - Because this Fund is actively managed, there can be no guarantee that investment decisions made for the Fund will produce the desired results.
Profitability Investment Risk - High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and following a profitability-oriented strategy may cause a Fund to, at times, underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Stocks Risk - Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and following a value-oriented investment strategy may cause the Fund to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. If the market does not recognize that a selected security is undervalued, the prices of that security might not appreciate as anticipated. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Capitalization Risk - Investing in small- to mid-sized companies creates risk because smaller companies may have unpredictable or limited earnings, and their securities may be less liquid or experience more volatile prices than those of large companies.
Foreign Securities Risk - Investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involves a number of risks, such as fluctuations in currency values, adverse political, social or economic developments, and differences in social and economic developments or policies.
Risks of Investing in Japan - Japan may be subject to political, economic, nuclear, and labor risks, among others. Any of these risks, individually or in the aggregate, can impact an investment made in Japan. Since 2000, Japan's economic growth rate has generally remained low relative to other advanced economies, and it may remain low in the future. The Japanese economy faces several concerns, any of which could negatively affect the value of Japanese investments. In addition, Japan's labor market is adapting to an aging workforce, declining population, and demand for increased labor mobility. These demographic shifts and fundamental structural changes to the labor market may negatively impact Japan's economic competitiveness.
European Investment Risk - Investments in certain countries in the European Union (the "EU") are susceptible to high economic risks associated with high levels of debt, such as investments in sovereign debt of Greece, Italy and Spain. Efforts of the member countries to further unify their economic and monetary policies may increase the potential for the downward movement of one member country's market to cause a similar effect on other member countries' markets. Separately, the EU faces issues involving its membership, structure, procedures and policies. The exit of one or more member countries from the EU, such as the exit of the United Kingdom (known as "Brexit"), could place its currency and banking system in jeopardy. An exit by other member countries could likely result in increased volatility, illiquidity and potentially lower economic growth in the affected markets, which may adversely affect a fund's investments.
Industrials Sector Risk - Changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions may adversely affect companies in the industrials sector. In addition, these companies are at risk for environmental and product liability damage claims. Commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technological developments and labor relations may also adversely affect the companies in this sector.
Depositary Receipt Risk - Depositary receipts involve many of the same risks as those associated with direct investment in foreign securities. Investing in these instruments may expose a fund to credit risk with respect to the issuer of the depositary receipt, in addition to the risks of the underlying investment.
Currency Risk - Investing in securities that trade in and receive revenues in foreign currencies creates risk because foreign currencies may decline relative to the U.S. dollar, resulting in a potential loss to a fund. In the case of hedging positions, the U.S. dollar may decline in value relative to the currency that has been hedged.
Derivatives Risk - Investing in derivative instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risks associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested.