Market Risk - The value of the Fund’s investments
may change, and possibly decrease, perhaps severely, in response
to fluctuations in the stock markets generally.
Focused Portfolio Risk - The
Fund is "non-diversified" and invests in the securities
of a limited number of issuers. As a result, changes in the
market value of a single issuer could cause greater fluctuations
in the value of the Fund’s shares than would occur in
a more diversified fund.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Risk - This
is the risk that the value of the Fund’s investments
in securities of foreign issuers will be affected adversely
by foreign economic, social and political conditions and developments
or by the application of foreign legal, regulatory, accounting
and auditing standards or foreign taxation policies or by
currency fluctuations and controls. The risks to the Fund
and, therefore, to your investment in the Fund of investing
in foreign securities include expropriation, settlement difficulties,
market illiquidity and higher transaction costs. The prices
of foreign securities may move in a different direction than
the prices of U.S. securities. In addition, the prices of
foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of
U.S. securities.
Currency Risk - This refers
to the risk that securities which trade or are denominated
in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar may be affected by
fluctuations in currency exchange rates. An increase in the
strength of the U.S. Dollar relative to a foreign currency
will generally cause the U.S. Dollar value of an investment
denominated in that currency to decline. Currency risk may
be hedged or unhedged. Unhedged currency exposure may result
in gains or losses as a result of change in the relationship
between the U.S. Dollar and the respective foreign currency.
Risks of a Managed Fund - Performance
of individual securities can vary widely. The investment decisions
of the Fund’s investment adviser may cause the Fund
to underperform benchmark indices. The Fund may also underperform
other mutual funds with similar investment strategies. The
Fund’s investment adviser may be incorrect in an assessment
of a particular industry or company, or the investment adviser
may not buy chosen securities at the lowest possible prices
or sell securities at the highest possible prices. As with
any mutual fund investment, there can be no guarantee that
the Fund will achieve its investment goals.
Other Investment Information
- Ordinarily, the Fund’s portfolio will be invested
primarily in common stocks. However, the Fund is not required
to be fully invested in common stocks and, in fact, usually
maintains certain cash reserves. Depending upon market conditions,
cash reserves may be a significant percentage of the Fund’s
net assets. The Fund usually invests its cash reserves principally
in U. S. Government securities.
Portfolio Turnover Rate
- The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is included in
the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus. Normally,
the Fund purchases and holds securities for sufficient periods
to realize long-term capital appreciation and to qualify for
long-term capital gain tax treatment. This means that the
Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is usually lower than
many other funds. Portfolio turnover, however, will not be
a limiting factor when management deems changes appropriate
and the Fund’s portfolio turnover in such cases may
exceed 50%. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases
brokerage and other expenses and may affect the Fund’s
returns. A higher portfolio turnover rate also may result
in the realization of net short-term capital gains, which,
when distributed, are taxable to the Fund’s shareholders
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