The Fund’s portfolio holdings, and
the extent to which it concentrates its investments, are likely to change over time.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
The following summarizes the principal risks of investing in the Fund.
The Shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund
may not achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index are subject to market fluctuations. You should anticipate that the value of the Shares will decline, more or less, in correlation
with any decline in value of the securities in the Underlying Index. Additionally, natural or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, economic crises
or other events could result in increased premiums or discounts to the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). Certain changes in the U.S. economy in particular, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets
decline, may have a material adverse effect on global financial markets as a whole, and on the securities to which the Underlying Index has exposure. Increasingly strained relations between the U.S. and foreign countries,
including as a result of economic sanctions and tariffs, may also adversely affect U.S. issuers, as well as non-U.S. issuers.
During a general downturn in
the financial markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that specific investments held by the Underlying Index will rise in value.
Index Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not utilize an investing strategy that seeks returns in
excess of its Underlying Index. Therefore, the Fund would not necessarily buy or sell a security
unless that security is added to or removed from, respectively, its Underlying Index, even if
that security generally is underperforming. Additionally, the Fund generally rebalances its portfolio in accordance with its Underlying Index, and, therefore, any changes to its Underlying Index’s rebalance schedule will typically result in
corresponding changes to the Fund’s rebalance schedule.
Equity Risk. Equity risk is the risk that the value of
equity securities, including common stocks, may fall due to both changes in general economic
conditions that impact the market as a whole, as well as factors that directly relate to a specific company or its industry. Such general economic conditions include changes in interest rates, periods of market turbulence or instability, or general
and prolonged periods of economic decline and cyclical change. It is possible that a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks that the Fund holds. In addition, equity risk
includes the risk that investor sentiment toward one or more industries will become negative, resulting in those investors exiting their investments in those industries, which could cause a reduction in the value of
companies in those industries more broadly. Equity risk also includes the risk of large-capitalization companies, which may adapt more slowly to new competitive challenges or may be more mature and subject to more limited growth
potential, and consequently may underperform other segments of the equity market or the market as a
whole. The value of a company's common stock may fall solely because of factors, such as an
increase in production costs, that negatively impact other companies in the same region, industry or sector of the market. A company's common stock also may decline significantly in price over a short period of time due to factors
specific to that company, including decisions made by its management or lower demand for the company's products or services. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report or the failure to
make anticipated dividend payments, may depress the value of common stock.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk. Investing in
securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk than customarily is
associated with investing in larger, more established companies. Stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies tend to be more vulnerable to changing market conditions, may have little or no
operating history or track record of success, and may have more limited product lines and markets, less experienced management and fewer financial resources than larger companies.
These companies’ securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of more established companies. They may be more sensitive to changes in a company’s earnings expectations and may experience more
abrupt and erratic price movements. Smaller companies’ securities often trade in lower volumes and in many instances, are traded over-the-counter or on a regional securities exchange, where the frequency and volume of
trading is substantially less than is typical for securities of larger companies traded on national securities exchanges. Therefore, the securities of smaller companies may be subject to wider price fluctuations and it
might be harder for the Fund to dispose of its holdings at an acceptable price when it wants to sell them. Since small- and mid-capitalization companies typically reinvest a high proportion of their earnings in their business,
they may not pay dividends for some time, particularly if they are newer companies. It may take a substantial period of time to realize a gain on an investment in a small- or mid-capitalization company, if any gain is realized at
all.
Dividend Paying Securities Risk. As a group, securities that pay dividends may fall out of favor with investors and underperform companies
that do not pay dividends. Also, changes in the dividend policies of the companies in the
Underlying Index and the capital resources available for such companies’ dividend payments may affect the Fund. There is the possibility that dividend paying companies could reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends in the future,
or an anticipated acceleration of dividends may not occur. Depending on market conditions, dividend paying stocks included in the Underlying Index may not be widely available for purchase or may be highly concentrated
in only a few market sectors. This may increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns and limit its ability to produce current income while remaining fully diversified. Dividend stocks may not experience high earnings
growth or capital appreciation. The Fund’s performance during a broad market advance could suffer because dividend paying stocks may not experience the same capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks. In addition, the
value of dividend paying common stocks can decline when interest rates rise, as fixed-income investments become more attractive to investors.
ADR Risk. ADRs are certificates that evidence ownership of
shares of a foreign issuer and are alternatives to purchasing the underlying foreign securities
directly in their national markets and currencies. ADRs may be subject to certain of the risks associated with direct investments in the securities of foreign companies, such as currency, political, economic and market risks, because their values
depend on the performance of the non-dollar denominated underlying foreign securities. Moreover, ADRs may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities on which they are based, and their value may change
materially at times when U.S. markets are not open for trading.
REIT Risk. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that trade like stocks and invest substantially all of their assets in
real estate, and may qualify for special tax considerations. REITs are subject to certain risks inherent in the direct ownership of real estate, including without limitation, a possible lack of mortgage funds and
associated interest rate risks, overbuilding, property vacancies, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, losses due to environmental damages and changes in neighborhood values and appeal to purchasers.
Further, failure of a company to qualify as a REIT under federal tax law may have adverse
consequences to the REIT’s shareholders. In addition, REITs may have expenses, including
advisory and administration expenses, and REIT shareholders will incur a proportionate share of the underlying expenses.
Master Limited Partnership Risk. An MLP is an entity that is classified as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and
whose partnership interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. Investments in MLP units are subject to certain risks inherent in a partnership structure, including (i) tax risks,
(ii) the limited ability to elect or remove management