U.S. companies (“RAE US
Portfolio”) through investment in the securities that comprise the RAE US Portfolio. The stocks are selected by the Fund’s sub-adviser, Syzygy Asset Management (“Sub-Adviser”), from a broad universe of
companies which satisfy certain liquidity and capacity requirements. The Sub-Adviser uses the RAE™ methodology for portfolio construction. The RAE™ methodology is a rules-based model that selects stocks using
quantitative signals that indicate higher expected returns, e.g., value, quality, and momentum. The model then weights selected stocks using their fundamental measures of
company size, e.g., sales, cash flow, dividends and book value. The Sub-Adviser applies the RAE™ methodology to the large
and mid-sized U.S. companies as determined by cumulative fundamental measures of company size.
The fundamental weights of U.S. companies are sorted in descending order where the top cumulative 86% weights are eligible as large and mid-sized companies. Actual stock positions in the RAE US Portfolio, which drift apart from target
weights as market prices change, are rebalanced to target weights periodically. The RAE™ methodology’s systematic portfolio rebalancing reflects a value orientation. Portfolio managers do not have discretion with
respect to the allocations determined by the RAE™ methodology. The RAE™ methodology is not updated according to any predetermined schedule.
The Sub-Adviser provides investment advisory services in connection with the Fund’s use of the RAE US
Portfolio by, among other things, providing PIMCO with the constituents and target weights in the RAE US Portfolio. The Fund seeks to remain invested in the securities that comprise the RAE US Portfolio even when
the value of the RAE US Portfolio is declining.
The Fund may invest, without limitation, in equity and equity-related securities, including common and
preferred securities. Equity-related securities include securities having an equity component (e.g., hybrids,
bank capital) and equity derivatives. With respect to investments in equity securities, there is
no limitation on the market capitalization range of the issuers in which the Fund may invest. The Fund may also invest in derivative instruments, such as options, forwards, futures contracts, options on futures and swap
agreements, consistent with its investment objective. The Fund may also invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or
forward commitment basis. The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements and lend portfolio securities.
It is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its net asset value, yield and total return,
are listed below.
Equity Risk: the risk that the value of equity or equity-related securities, such as common stocks and preferred securities, may decline due to general market conditions which
are not specifically related to a particular company or to factors affecting a particular industry or industries. Equity or equity-related securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income
securities. In addition, preferred securities may be subject to greater credit risk or other risks, such as
risks related to deferred and omitted
distributions, limited voting rights, liquidity, interest rates, regulatory changes and special redemption rights
Value Investing Risk: a value stock may decrease in price or may not increase in price as anticipated by the Sub-Adviser if it
continues to be undervalued by the market or the factors that the portfolio manager believes will
cause the stock price to increase do not occur
Market Risk: the risk that the value of securities owned by the Fund may fluctuate, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due
to a variety of factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries or
sectors
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons related to the issuer, such as management
performance, changes in financial condition or credit rating, financial leverage, reputation or
reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services
Credit Risk: the risk that the Fund could experience losses if the counterparty to a derivative contract, or the issuer or
guarantor of collateral, is unable or unwilling, or is perceived (whether by market participants,
rating agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to meet its financial obligations
Real Estate Risk: the risk that the Fund’s investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or real estate-linked derivative instruments will subject the Fund to
risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate, including risks related to losses from casualty or condemnation, changes in local and general economic conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand, interest
rate changes, zoning laws, regulatory limitations on rents, property taxes and operating expenses.
The Fund’s investments in REITs or real estate-linked derivative instruments subject it to
management and tax risks. In addition, REITs that are privately held or not traded on a national securities exchange may subject the Fund to liquidity and valuation risk
Liquidity Risk: the risk that a particular investment may be difficult to purchase or sell and that the Fund may be unable to
sell investments at an advantageous time or price or achieve its desired level of exposure to a
certain sector. The liquidity of the Fund’s shares may be constrained by the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio holdings
Leveraging Risk: the risk that certain transactions of the Fund, such as reverse repurchase agreements, loans of portfolio securities, and the use of when-issued, delayed delivery
or forward commitment transactions, and derivative instruments, may give rise to leverage,
magnifying gains and losses and causing the Fund to be more volatile than if it had not been
leveraged. This means that leverage entails a heightened risk of loss. The use of leverage may also increase the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rate changes and other market risks
Management Risk: the risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses applied by the Sub-Adviser, including the use of
quantitative models or methods, will not produce the desired results and that actual or potential
conflicts of interest, legislative, regulatory, or tax restrictions, policies or developments may affect the investment