in current or
expected earnings than the value of other stocks, because growth stocks trade at higher prices relative to
current earnings.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible security values may be affected by market interest rates, issuer defaults and underlying common stock values; security values may fall if market interest rates rise and rise if market interest rates fall. Additionally, an issuer may have the right to buy back the securities at a time unfavorable to the
Fund.
Preferred Stock Risk. Unlike common stock, preferred stock generally pays a fixed dividend from a company’s earnings and may have a preference over common stock on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of bankruptcy or liquidation. Preferred stockholders’
liquidation rights are subordinate to the company’s debt holders and creditors. If interest rates rise,
the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive and the price of preferred stocks may decline.
Preferred stockholders typically do not have voting rights.
Income Producing Stock Availability Risk. Income producing common stock meeting the Fund’s investment criteria may not be widely available and/or may be highly concentrated in only a few market sectors, thus limiting the ability of the Fund to produce current income while remaining fully diversified.
Large-Cap Companies Risk. Investing primarily in large-cap companies carries the risk that due to current market conditions these companies may be out of favor with investors. Large-cap companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges or attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies.
Market Risk. The Fund’s share price can fall because of weakness in the broad market, a particular industry, or specific holdings or due to adverse political or economic developments here or abroad, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations, war, terrorism, disease/virus, outbreaks and epidemics). The prices of individual securities may fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, from day to day. The prices of stocks and other equity securities tend to be more volatile than those of fixed-income securities.
The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may
take in
respect of pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures,
inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the
issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market
volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies (including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.
Mid-Cap Company
Risk. Investing in mid-cap companies carries the risk that due to current market conditions these companies may be out of favor with investors. Stocks of mid-cap companies may be more volatile than those of larger companies due to, among other reasons, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources and fewer experienced managers.
Small-Cap Company Risk. Investing in small-cap companies carries the risk that due to current market conditions these companies may be out of favor with investors. Small companies often are in the early stages of development with limited product lines, markets, or financial resources and managements lacking depth and experience, which may cause their stock prices to be more volatile than those of larger companies. Small company stocks may be less liquid yet subject to abrupt or erratic price movements. It may take a substantial period of time before the Fund realizes a gain on an investment in a small-cap company, if it realizes any gain at all.
Foreign Investment Risk. Investment in foreign securities involves risks due to several factors, such as illiquidity, the lack of public information, changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar, unfavorable political, social and legal developments, or economic and financial instability. Foreign companies are not subject to the U.S. accounting and financial reporting standards and may have riskier settlement procedures. U.S. investments that are denominated in foreign currencies or that are traded in foreign markets, or securities of U.S. companies that have significant foreign operations may be subject to foreign investment risk.
Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. Depositary receipts may or may not be jointly sponsored by the underlying issuer. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is considered material in the