adviser’s process focuses on stock
selection and tends to maintain sector weightings comparable to that of the broad U.S. large cap
market. Within each sector, the Fund modestly overweights equity securities that it considers undervalued or fairly valued while modestly underweighting or not holding equity securities that appear overvalued. By owning
a large number of equity securities within the U.S. large cap market, with an emphasis on those
that are undervalued or fairly valued, the Fund seeks returns that modestly exceed those of the
U.S. large cap market over the long term with a modest level of volatility.
An issuer of a security will be deemed to be located in the United States
if: (i) the principal trading market for the security is in the United States, (ii) the issuer is organized under the laws of the United States, or (iii) the issuer derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from the United
States or has at least 50% of its total assets situated in the United States.
Derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another
instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for investments in certain securities. The Fund may use derivatives, primarily futures contracts, to more effectively gain targeted equity exposure from its cash
positions.
The Fund is non-diversified and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer or group
of issuers than a diversified fund would.
In addition to direct investments in securities, derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on
another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which
the Fund can invest. To the extent the Fund uses derivatives, the Fund will primarily use futures contracts to more effectively gain targeted equity exposure from its cash positions.
Investment Process: In managing the Fund, the adviser employs a three-step process that combines research, valuation and stock selection. The adviser takes an in-depth look
at company prospects over a period as long as five years, which is designed to provide insight
into a company’s real growth potential. The research findings allow the adviser to rank the companies in each sector group according to their relative value. In order to determine a company’s relative value,
the adviser analyzes proprietary data, information self-reported by companies, data from
third-party vendors and internal fundamental research. The adviser leverages this fundamental research to attempt to drive consistent performance through stock selection.
As part of its investment process, the adviser seeks to assess the impact of environmental, social and
governance (ESG) factors on many issuers in the universe in which the Fund may invest. The
adviser’s assessment is based on an analysis of key opportunities and risks across industries to seek to identify financially material issues with respect to the Fund’s investments in issuers and ascertain key issues
that merit engagement with issuers. These assessments may not be conclusive, and securities of
issuers that may be negatively impacted by such factors may be purchased and retained by the Fund while the Fund may divest or not invest in securities of issuers that may be positively impacted by such
factors.
On behalf of the Fund, the adviser then buys and sells
equity securities, using the research and valuation rankings as a basis. In general, the adviser
buys equity securities that are identified as attractive and considers selling them when they appear less
attractive based on the Fund’s
process. Along with attractive valuation, the adviser often considers a number of other criteria,
including:
●
catalysts that could trigger a rise in a stock’s price,
●
impact on the overall risk of the portfolio,
●
high perceived potential reward compared to perceived potential risk, and
●
possible temporary mispricings caused by apparent market overreactions.
The adviser may sell a security as its valuations or rankings change or if
more attractive investments become available.
The Fund’s Main Investment Risks
The Fund is subject to management risk and may not achieve its objective if
the adviser’s expectations regarding particular instruments or markets are not met.
An investment in this Fund or any other fund may not provide a complete
investment program. The suitability of an investment in the Fund should be considered based on the investment objective, strategies and risks described in this prospectus, considered in
light of all of the other investments in your portfolio, as well as your risk tolerance, financial goals and time horizons. You may want to consult with a financial advisor to
determine if this Fund is suitable for you. The Fund is subject
to the main risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (NAV), market price, performance and ability to meet its investment objective.
Equity Market Risk. The price of equity securities may rise or fall because of changes in the broad market or changes in a company’s financial condition, sometimes rapidly
or unpredictably. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies,
sectors or industries selected for the Fund’s portfolio or the securities market as a whole, such as changes in economic or political conditions. When the value of the Fund’s securities goes down, your
investment in the Fund decreases in value.
General Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or
conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries
or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes due to a number of factors, including inflation
(or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates,
global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, trade wars, retaliatory trade measures, sanctions and other trade barriers,
supply chain disruptions, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs
and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters
or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics or the threat or
potential of one or more such factors and occurrences.