The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies domiciled outside the United States, including in emerging markets (but in no fewer than three countries), that the investment adviser believes have the potential for growth. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. For purposes of this policy, equity-type securities are securities that exhibit ownership characteristics, including common and preferred stock, securities convertible into common and preferred stock and depositary receipts representing ownership in common and preferred stock.

The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing assets. Under this approach, a portfolio is divided into segments managed by individual managers. For more information regarding the investment process of the fund, see the “Management and organization” section of this prospectus.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.