Principal Risks of Investing
The Fund’s principal risks are mentioned below.
Market Risk - Market risk is the risk that the Fund’s share price may be affected by a sudden decline in the market value of an investment, or by an overall decline in the stock market.
Equity Securities Risk - Investment in equity securities involves substantial risks and may be subject to wide and sudden fluctuations in market value, with a resulting fluctuation in the amount of profits and losses.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategy Risk - Value stocks are those that in the opinion of the Fund’s advisor are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. Therefore, the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
Small-Cap Company Risk
These securities may be subject to more abrupt or volatile market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger-sized companies or the market averages in general. Since equity securities of smaller companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and may not be regularly traded, it may be difficult or impossible to sell securities at an advantageous time or a desirable price.
REIT Risk
The Fund’s investments in Real Estate Investment Trust(REITs) will subject the Fund to risks similar to those associated with direct ownership of real estate, including losses from casualty or condemnation, and changes in local and general economic conditions, supply and demand, interest rates, zoning laws, regulatory limitations on rents, property taxes and operating expenses.
Focused Risk
Although the Fund is diversified, the Fund’s advisor intends to focus its investments in the securities of a comparatively small number of issuers. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Management Risk
The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Fund’s advisor applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.