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.
Thematic Investing Risk. The Fund relies on the Index Provider for the identification of securities for inclusion in the Underlying
Index that provide exposure to the environmental theme of “clean energy”, as set forth
in the Underlying Index’s methodology. The Fund’s performance may suffer if such
securities are not correctly identified. Performance may also suffer if the securities included in the Underlying Index do not benefit from the development of such theme. Further, there is a risk that information used by the Index Provider to evaluate
thematic factors may not be readily available, complete or accurate, which could negatively impact the Index Provider’s ability to apply its standards when compiling the Underlying Index, and which may negatively impact the
Fund’s performance. Performance may also be impacted by the inclusion of non-theme-relevant exposures in the Underlying Index.
Industry Concentration Risk. In following its methodology,
the Underlying Index will be concentrated to a significant degree in securities of issuers
operating in a single industry or industry group. As a result, the Fund will also concentrate its investments in such industries or industry groups to approximately the same extent. By concentrating its investments in an industry or industry group, the Fund
faces more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous industries or industry groups. Such industry-based risks, any of which may adversely affect the companies in which the Fund invests, may include,
but are not limited to, the following: general economic conditions or cyclical market patterns that could negatively affect supply and demand in a particular industry; competition for resources; adverse labor
relations; political or world events; obsolescence of technologies; and increased competition or new product introductions that may affect the profitability or viability of companies in an industry. In addition, at times, such industry or
industry group may be out of favor and underperform other industries or the market as a whole.
Clean Energy Industry
Risk. The risks of investing in the clean energy industry include the risks of focusing investments in the water, energy and environmental sectors, and
adverse developments in these sectors may significantly affect the value of the Shares. Securities of companies in the clean energy industry are subject to swift price and supply fluctuations caused by events
relating to international politics, the success of project development and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Many clean energy companies are involved in the development and commercialization of new
technologies, which may be subject to delays resulting from budget constraints, technological
difficulties, or public and regulatory opposition. Clean energy companies may be highly dependent
on tax incentives and government subsidies, contracts with government entities, and the successful development of new and proprietary technologies. If government subsidies and incentives for clean energy sources are reduced
or eliminated, the demand for clean energy may decline and cause corresponding declines in the
revenues and profits of these companies. Changes in government policy to no longer focus on clean energy could result in reduced capital investment in this industry. Weak demand for the
companies’ products or services or for clean energy products and services in general, may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. Obsolescence of existing technology,
short product cycles, intense competition, risks associated with hazardous materials, legislation
resulting in more strict government regulations and enforcement policies, seasonal and extreme
weather conditions, fluctuations in commodity prices and/or interest rates, changes in exchange rates, falling prices and profits, the supply of, and demand for, oil and gas, the price of oil and gas, competition
from new market entrants and general economic conditions can significantly affect the clean energy industry. The clean energy industry is an emerging growth industry, and therefore shares of such companies may be more
volatile and, historically, have been more volatile than shares of companies operating in other, more established industries. In addition, certain methods used to value companies involved in the alternative power
and power technology sectors, particularly those companies that have not yet traded profitably,
have not been in widespread use for a significant period of time. As a result, the use of these
valuation methods may serve to increase further the volatility of certain alternative power and power technology company share prices.
Industrials Sector Risk. Changes in government regulation,
world events and economic conditions may adversely affect companies in the industrials sector. In
addition, these companies are at risk for environmental and product liability damage claims. Industrial companies also may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import
controls, trade disputes, supply chain and distribution disruptions, cyberattacks, increased competition, depletion of resources, obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product
introduction, consolidation, excess capacity, consumer preferences and spending trends, overall
capital spending levels, business cycle fluctuations, labor relations and changes in the supply
of and demand for their specific products or services or for industrials sector products in general.
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