ADR and GDR Risk. American Depositary Receipts
(“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. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are certificates issued by an international bank that generally are traded and denominated in the currencies of countries other than the home country of the issuer of the underlying shares.
ADRs and GDRs 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 and GDRs 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.
Foreign Investment Risk. Investments in the securities of
non-U.S. issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.
Foreign securities may have relatively low market liquidity, greater market volatility, decreased publicly available information and less reliable financial information about issuers, and inconsistent and potentially less stringent accounting, auditing and
financial reporting requirements and standards of practice, including recordkeeping standards, comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Foreign securities also are subject to the risks of possible seizure,
expropriation, nationalization, political or social instability, changes in economic or taxation policies or other adverse political or economic developments (in which the Fund could lose its entire investment in a certain market) and the
difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries, including the possible adoption of foreign governmental restrictions such as exchange controls. Investments in foreign securities also may be subject to dividend
withholding or confiscatory taxes, currency blockage and/or transfer restrictions and higher transactional costs. To the extent the Fund invests in securities denominated in foreign currencies, fluctuations in the value of the U.S.
dollar relative to the values of other currencies may adversely affect investments in foreign securities and may negatively impact the Fund’s returns, unless the Fund has hedged its foreign currency exposure. Currency
exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. Currency hedging strategies, if used, may not always be successful. Foreign companies generally may be subject to less stringent regulations than U.S. companies,
including financial reporting requirements and auditing and accounting controls, and may therefore be more susceptible to fraud or corruption. There may be less public information available about foreign companies
than U.S. companies, making it difficult to evaluate those foreign companies.
From time to time, certain companies in which the Fund invests may operate in, or have
dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations and/or in countries the U.S. government identified as state sponsors of terrorism. One or more of these companies may
be subject to constraints under U.S. law or regulations that could negatively affect the company’s performance. Additionally, one or more of these companies could suffer damage to its reputation if the market identifies it
as a company that invests or deals with countries that the U.S. government identifies as state sponsors of terrorism or is subject to sanctions.
Emerging Markets Investment Risk. Investments in the
securities of issuers in emerging market countries involve risks often not associated with
investments in the securities of issuers in developed countries. Securities in emerging markets may be subject to greater price fluctuations than securities in more developed markets. Companies in emerging market countries generally may be subject to
less stringent regulatory, disclosure, financial reporting, accounting, auditing and recordkeeping standards than companies in more developed countries. In addition, information about such companies may be less available and
reliable. Emerging markets usually are subject to greater market volatility, political, social and economic instability, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets and more governmental limitations on foreign investment
than are more developed
markets. Securities law in many emerging market countries is relatively new and unsettled. Therefore, laws regarding foreign investment in emerging market securities, securities
regulation, title to securities, and shareholder rights may change quickly and unpredictably, and the ability to bring and enforce actions, or to obtain information needed to pursue or enforce such actions, may be limited. In
addition, the enforcement of systems of taxation at federal, regional and local levels in emerging market countries may be inconsistent and subject to sudden change. Investments in emerging market securities may be subject to
additional transaction costs, delays in settlement procedures, unexpected market closures, and lack of timely information.
Geographic Concentration Risk. The Fund may from time to
time have a substantial amount of its assets invested in securities of issuers located in a
single country or a limited number of countries. Adverse economic, political or social conditions in those countries or regions may therefore have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment performance. For example, a
natural or other disaster could occur in a country or geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business operations of companies in that specific country or geographic region and
adversely impact the Fund’s investments in the affected region.
Taiwan Investment Risk. Investments in Taiwanese issuers
may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency and economic risks that are
specific to Taiwan. Specifically, Taiwan’s geographic proximity and history of political contention with China have resulted in ongoing tensions between the two countries. These tensions may materially affect the Taiwanese economy and its
securities market. Taiwan’s economy is export-oriented, so it depends on an open world
trade regime and remains vulnerable to fluctuations in the world economy. The Taiwanese economy
is dependent on the economies of Asia, mainly those of Japan and China, and the United States. Reduction in spending by any of these countries on Taiwanese products and services or negative changes in any of these
economies may cause an adverse impact on the Taiwanese economy.
Asia-Pacific Investment Risk. The level of development of
the economies of countries in the Asia-Pacific region varies greatly. Furthermore, since the
economies of the countries in the region are largely intertwined, if an economic recession is experienced by any of these countries, it will likely adversely impact the economic performance of other countries in the region.
Certain economies in the region may be adversely affected by increased competition, high
inflation rates, undeveloped financial services sectors, currency fluctuations or restrictions,
political and social instability and increased economic volatility. Due to heavy reliance on international trade, a decrease in demand (due to recession or otherwise in the United States, Europe or Asia) would adversely affect
economic performance in the region.
Industry Focus Risk. In pursuing its investment strategy, the Fund may invest to a significant degree in securities of issuers
operating in a single industry or industry group. In so doing, 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, legislative or regulatory changes,
adverse market conditions and/or increased competition within the industry or industry group. In addition, at times, such industry or industry group may be out of favor and underperform other industries, industry groups
or the market as a whole.
Semiconductors Industry
Risk. The Fund will be sensitive to, and its performance may depend to a greater extent on, the
overall condition of the semiconductors industry. Competitive pressures, intense competition,
aggressive pricing, technological developments, changing demand, research and development costs, fluctuations in the availability and price of components and product obsolescence can significantly affect companies operating in
the semiconductors industry.