WHETHER OR NOT YOU SELL YOUR SHARES, YOUR COST
WOULD BE:
|
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
CLASS A SHARES ($)
|
583
|
756
|
944
|
1,487
|
CLASS I SHARES ($)
|
36
|
163
|
301
|
704
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the Fund's most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 35% of the average value of its portfolio.
What are the Fund's main investment strategies?
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Assets in equity securities of U.S. companies. "Assets" means net assets plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes. In implementing this strategy, the Fund primarily invests in the common stocks of U.S. companies in the S&P 500 Index (which includes both large cap and mid cap companies). The Fund may also invest in securities not included within the S&P 500 Index. As of September 30, 2021, the market capitalizations of the companies in the S&P 500 Index ranged from $4,296 million to $2.339 billion. Sector by sector, the Fund's weightings are similar to those of the S&P 500 Index. Within each sector, the Fund modestly overweights equity securities that it considers undervalued or fairly valued while modestly underweighting or not holding equity securities that appear overvalued. By owning a large number of equity securities within the S&P 500 Index, with an emphasis on those that appear undervalued or fairly valued, the Fund seeks returns that modestly exceed those of the S&P 500 Index over the long term with a modest level of volatility.
Derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. To the extent the Fund uses derivatives, the Fund will primarily use futures contracts to more effectively gain targeted equity exposure from its cash positions.
An issuer of a security will be deemed to be located in the United States if: (i) the principal trading market for the security is in the United States, (ii) the issuer is organized under the laws of the United States, or (iii) the issuer derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from the United States or has at least 50% of its total assets situated in the United States.
Investment Process: In managing the Fund, the adviser employs a three-step process that combines research, valuation and stock selection. The adviser takes an in-depth look at company prospects, which is designed to provide insight into a company's real growth potential. The research findings allow the adviser to rank the companies in each sector group according to their relative value. As part of its investment process, the adviser seeks to assess the impact of environmental, social and governance factors on the companies in which the Fund invests. The adviser's assessment is based on a proprietary analysis of key
opportunities and risks across industries to seek to identify financially material issues on the Fund's investments in securities and ascertain key issues that merit engagement with company management. These assessments may not be conclusive and securities of companies may be purchased and retained by the Fund for reasons other than material ESG factors.
On behalf of the Fund, the adviser then buys and sells equity securities, using the research and valuation rankings as a basis.
Along with attractive valuation, the adviser often considers a number of other criteria:
•
catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock's price
•
impact on the overall risk of the portfolio relative to the S&P 500 Index
•
high perceived potential reward compared to perceived potential risk
•
possible temporary mispricings caused by apparent market overreactions
The adviser may sell a security as its valuations or rankings change or if more attractive investments become available.
The Fund's Main Investment Risks
The Fund is subject to management risk, and may not achieve its objective if the adviser's expectations regarding particular instruments or markets are not met.
An investment in this Fund or any other fund may not provide a complete investment program. The suitability of an investment in the Fund should be considered based on the investment objective, strategies and risks described in this Prospectus, considered in light of all of the other investments in your portfolio, as well as your risk tolerance, financial goals and time horizons. You may want to consult with a financial advisor to determine if this Fund is suitable for you.
The Fund is subject to the main risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund's performance and ability to meet its investment objective.
Equity Market Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company's financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, sectors or industries selected for the Fund's portfolio or the securities market as a whole, such as changes in economic or political conditions. When the value of the Fund's securities goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value.
General Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events,