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.
When-Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk - The purchase or sale of securities on a when issued basis or on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions subject a fund to market risk because the value or yield of a security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or yield generally available when delivery occurs, and counterparty risk because the fund relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction. These transactions also have a leveraging effect on a fund because the fund commits to purchase securities that it does not have to pay for until a later date, which increases the fund's overall investment exposure and, as a result, its volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk - Emerging markets may have less developed or more volatile trading markets and greater likelihood of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation than developed countries. Companies in emerging market countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems and generally may be subject to less stringent regulatory, disclosure, financial reporting, accounting, auditing and recordkeeping standards than companies in more developed countries. As a result, information, including financial information, about such companies may be less available and reliable which can impede a fund's ability to evaluate such companies. Securities law and the enforcement of systems of taxation in many emerging market countries may change quickly and unpredictably, and the ability to bring and enforce actions, or to obtain information needed to pursue or enforce such actions, may be limited. In addition, investments in emerging markets securities may be subject to additional transaction costs, delays in settlement procedures, unexpected market closures, and lack of timely information. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
Real Estate Investments Risk - The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.
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.
Sovereign Debt Risk - Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity's debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies.
Treasury Obligations Risk - Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, due to fluctuations in interest rates, the market value of such securities may vary during the period shareholders own shares of a fund. Because U.S. Treasury obligations trade actively outside the United States, their prices may rise and fall as changes in global economic conditions affect the demand for these securities. In addition, changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the U.S. government may cause the value of U.S. Treasury Obligations to decline.
U.S. Government Obligations Risk - Certain securities in which a fund may invest, including securities issued by certain government agencies and government sponsored enterprises, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. It is possible that issuers of U.S. government securities will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so.
Financial Markets Regulatory Risk - Policy changes by the U.S. government or its regulatory agencies and other governmental actions and political events within the U.S. and abroad may, among other things, affect investor and consumer confidence and increase volatility in the financial markets, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree, which may adversely impact a fund, including by adversely impacting the fund's operations, universe of potential investment options, and return potential.
Interest Rate Risk - Debt securities held by a fund may decline in value due to rising interest rates. Macroeconomic factors, such as inflationary trends, can heighten interest rate risk.