The fund seeks capital appreciation in the long term by investing in companies across any size outside the United States.

The sub-adviser’s investment process starts with a list of companies in the benchmark index and the research team utilizes quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to identify investment opportunities.

Next, the research team prefers securities of companies located in emerging market countr More

The fund seeks capital appreciation in the long term by investing in companies across any size outside the United States.

The sub-adviser’s investment process starts with a list of companies in the benchmark index and the research team utilizes quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to identify investment opportunities.

Next, the research team prefers securities of companies located in emerging market countries.

According to the team, a company is considered to be located in an emerging market country if it has a class of securities whose principal securities market is in an emerging market country; or is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an emerging market country.

Other factors in consideration would be if a company derives 50% or more of its total revenues or earnings from goods produced, sales made, or services provided in one or more emerging market countries; or maintains 50% or more of its assets in one or more emerging market countries.

The team looks for companies whose products/services or industrial/business practices contribute towards addressing sustainability challenges in their local and/or international markets.

Then the team focuses on quality companies that are trading at attractive valuations and have conditions that are supportive of economic growth.

In addition, the team performs a country and sector analysis as part of its top-down approach.

The country analysis includes an assessment of the risks and opportunities for each emerging market country.

The sector analysis includes a valuation assessment through qualitative analysis.

Also, the research team integrates environmental, social and governance factors as part of its process.

Then the manager constructs a portfolio of stocks from a list of companies favored by the research team and allocates capital based on its conviction level.

The portfolio holds between 35 and 55 stocks.

The fund may invest its net assets among companies located in emerging markets throughout the world.

In addition, the fund may also invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies and may acquire foreign currency or enter into foreign currency derivatives to seek to hedge foreign currency exposure.

Securities of companies located in emerging market countries may include American Depositary Receipts, which may be sponsored or unsponsored, and Global Depositary Receipts.

The fund may also lend its securities.