the issuer of a debt security is
unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or to repay principal when it
becomes due. Various factors could affect the issuer’s actual or perceived
willingness or ability to make timely interest or principal payments, including changes in the issuer’s financial condition or in general economic conditions. Debt securities backed
by an issuer’s taxing authority may be subject to legal limits on the issuer’s power to increase taxes or otherwise raise revenue, or may be dependent on legislative
appropriation or government aid. Certain debt securities are backed only by
revenues derived from a particular project or source, rather than by an issuer’s taxing authority, and thus may have a greater risk of default. Credit risk applies to most debt securities, but is generally
not a factor for obligations backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S.
Government.
An issuer with a lower credit rating will be more likely than a higher rated issuer to default or otherwise become unable to honor its financial
obligations. Issuers with low credit ratings typically issue junk bonds. In addition to the risk of default, junk bonds may be more volatile, less liquid, more difficult to value and
more susceptible to adverse economic conditions or investor perceptions than other
bonds.
Foreign Currency Risk. The value of the Portfolio’s foreign investments may fluctuate due to changes in currency exchange rates. A decline in the
value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar generally can be expected
to depress the value of the Portfolio’s non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities.
ESG Investment Risk. The Portfolio’s adherence to
its ESG criteria and application of related analyses when selecting investments
may impact the Portfolio’s performance, including relative to similar funds that do not adhere to such criteria or apply such analyses. Additionally, the Portfolio’s adherence
to its ESG criteria and application of related analyses in connection with
identifying and selecting investments may require subjective analysis and may be
more difficult if data about a particular company or market is limited, such as with respect to issuers in emerging markets countries. The Portfolio may invest in companies that
do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor. Socially
responsible norms differ by country and region, and a company’s ESG
practices or the subadviser’s assessment of such may change over time. ESG characteristics may not be the only factors considered in selecting investments and as a result, the
Portfolio’s investments may not have favorable ESG characteristics or high ESG ratings.
Derivatives
Risk. A derivative is any financial instrument whose value is based on, and determined by,
another security, index, rate or benchmark (i.e., stock options, futures, caps, floors, etc.). To the extent a derivative contract is used to hedge another position in the Portfolio, the Portfolio will be exposed to
the risks associated with hedging described below. To the extent an option, futures
contract, swap, or other derivative is used to enhance return, rather than as a
hedge, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of the contract. Unfavorable changes in the value of the underlying security, index, rate or benchmark may cause sudden losses.
Gains or losses from the Portfolio’s use of derivatives may be substantially
greater than the amount of the Portfolio’s investment. Certain derivatives
have the potential for undefined loss. Derivatives are also associated with various other risks, including market risk, leverage risk, hedging risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk,
regulatory risk, illiquidity risk and interest rate risk. The primary risks associated with the Portfolio’s use of derivatives are market risk, counterparty risk and hedging
risk.
Emerging Markets Risk. Risks associated with investments in emerging markets may include: delays in settling portfolio securities transactions; currency and capital controls; greater sensitivity
to interest rate changes; pervasive corruption and crime; exchange rate
volatility; inflation, deflation or currency devaluation; violent military or
political conflicts; confiscations and other government restrictions by the United States or other governments; and government instability. As a result, investments in emerging market
securities tend to be more volatile than investments in developed countries.
Equity Securities Risk. This is the risk that stock
prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. The Portfolio is
indirectly exposed to this risk through its investments in futures contracts and other derivatives. Although the stock market has historically outperformed other asset classes over the long
term, the stock market tends to move in cycles. Individual stock prices fluctuate
from day-to-day and may underperform other asset classes over an extended period
of time. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies,
industries or the securities market as a whole.
ETF Risk. Most ETFs are investment companies whose shares are purchased and sold on a securities exchange. An investment in an ETF generally
presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund
(i.e.,
one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives,
strategies and policies. However, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to