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.
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk. Investing in securities of mid-capitalization companies typically involves greater risk than is associated with investing in securities of larger, more
established companies. Mid-capitalization companies’ securities may be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger, more established companies and may have returns that vary, sometimes significantly, from
the overall securities market. Mid-capitalization companies may have less experienced management, more limited product and market diversification, and fewer financial resources compared to larger capitalization
companies. Often mid-capitalization companies and the industries in which they focus are still evolving and, as a result, they may be more sensitive to changing market conditions.
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.
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 or the general partner or managing member, (iii) limited voting rights and (iv) conflicts of
interest between the general partner or managing member and its affiliates and the limited partners or members. Securities issued by MLPs may experience limited trading volumes and may be relatively illiquid or volatile at times. As
partnerships, MLPs may be subject to less regulation (and less protection for investors) than corporations under state laws, and may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions, which may reduce the amount of income an MLP pays
to its 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.
Investments in BDCs
Risk. The 1940 Act imposes certain restraints upon the operations of a BDC. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets
primarily in securities of private companies or thinly traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Additionally, a BDC
may incur indebtedness only in amounts such that the BDC’s asset coverage equals at least 200% after such incurrence. These limitations on asset mix and leverage may prohibit the way that the BDC raises capital. BDCs
generally invest in less mature private companies, which involve greater risk than well established, publicly-traded companies.
Industry Concentration Risk. In following its methodology, the Underlying Index from time to time may be concentrated to a significant
degree in securities of issuers operating in a single industry or industry group. To the extent
that the Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of issuers in a particular industry or industry group, the Fund will also concentrate its investments to approximately the same extent. By concentrating its investments in an industry
or industry group, the Fund may face 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.
Financials Sector Risk.
The Fund may be susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting the
financials sector. Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation
and, as a result, their profitability may be affected by new