The Sub-Adviser provides investment
advisory services in connection with the Fund’s use of the RAE US Small Portfolio by, among other things, providing PIMCO with the constituents and target weights in the RAE US Small Portfolio. The Fund seeks
to remain invested in the securities that comprise the RAE US Small Portfolio even when the value
of the RAE US Small 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 experience losses 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: the risk that value stocks may decrease in price or may not increase in price as anticipated by the
Sub-Adviser if they continue to be undervalued by the market or the factors that the Sub-Adviser
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, including geopolitical events such as war, military conflict, acts of terrorism, social
or political unrest, and the imposition of or threatened imposition of tariffs and other trade barriers, which could disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets
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 a repurchase agreement, a borrower of portfolio securities 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
Distressed Company Risk: the risk that securities of distressed companies may be subject to greater levels of market, credit, issuer and liquidity risks. Distressed companies
may be engaged in restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings or other financial difficulties, which may cause the value of their securities to fluctuate rapidly or unpredictably
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, availability of mortgage financing and refinancing, defaults by borrowers or tenants, zoning laws, regulatory limitations on
rents, property taxes, insurance costs, lack of availability of insurance coverage, 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 techniques available to the Sub-Adviser in connection with managing the Fund and may cause the Sub-Adviser to restrict or prohibit
participation in certain investments. There is no guarantee that the investment objective of the
Fund will be achieved
Small Company Risk: the risk that the value of equity securities issued by small companies, ranked by fundamental size as
determined by the Sub-Adviser, may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and