During a general downturn
in the financial markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that specific investments held by the Underlying Index will rise in value.
Index Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund does not utilize an investing strategy that seeks returns in
excess of its Underlying Index. Therefore, the Fund would not necessarily buy or sell a security
unless that security is added to or removed from, respectively, its Underlying Index, even if
that security generally is underperforming. Additionally, the Fund generally rebalances its portfolio in accordance with its Underlying Index, and, therefore, any changes to its Underlying Index’s rebalance schedule will typically result in
corresponding changes to the Fund’s rebalance schedule.
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.
China Investment Risk.
Investments in companies located or operating in Greater China (normally considered to be the
geographical area that includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) involve risks and
considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. and other Western nations, such as greater government control over the economy; political, legal and regulatory uncertainty; nationalization,
expropriation, or confiscation of property; lack of willingness or ability of the Chinese government to support the economies and markets of the Greater China region; lack of publicly available information and difficulty in
obtaining information necessary for audits of, investigations into and/or litigation against Chinese companies, as well as in obtaining and/or enforcing judgments; limited legal remedies for shareholders;
alteration or discontinuation of economic reforms; complex geopolitical tensions, military conflicts and the risk of war, either internal or with other countries; assertions of human rights violations by certain
nations; public health emergencies resulting in market closures, travel restrictions, quarantines or other interventions; inflation, currency fluctuations and fluctuations in inflation and interest rates that may have
negative effects on the economy and securities markets of Greater China; and Greater China’s dependency on the economies of other Asian countries, many of which are developing countries. Events in any one country
or region within Greater China may impact the other countries or regions or Greater China as a
whole. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s rapid economic growth. As a
result, a reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, the institution of additional tariffs, sanctions, capital controls, embargoes, trade wars, or other trade barriers (or the threat thereof), including as a
result of trade tensions between China and the United States, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, actions by the U.S.
government, such as delisting of certain Chinese companies from U.S. securities exchanges or
otherwise restricting their operations in the U.S., may negatively impact the value of such
securities held by the Fund. Further, health events may cause uncertainty and volatility in the Chinese economy, especially in the consumer discretionary (leisure, retail, gaming, tourism), industrials, and commodities sectors.
Additionally, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) has historically had difficulties in inspecting audit work papers and practices of PCAOB-registered accounting firms in China with respect to their
audit work of U.S. reporting companies. These difficulties may impose significant
additional risks
concerning the reliability of the audits and of the information about the Chinese securities or the potential delisting of a U.S.-listed Chinese issuer due to an inability to inspect the issuer’s accounting firm.
Investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) that is designed to provide foreign
investors, such as the Fund, with exposure to Chinese companies that operate in certain sectors in which China restricts or prohibits foreign investments. Investments in VIEs may pose additional risks because the investment is made
through an intermediary shell company that has entered into service and other contracts with the
underlying Chinese operating company in order to provide investors with exposure to the operating
company, but does not represent equity ownership in the operating company. The value of the shell company is derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that
allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. The contractual arrangements between the shell company and the operating
company may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership, and
a foreign investor’s (such as the Fund’s) rights may be limited, including by actions
of the Chinese government which could determine that the underlying contractual arrangements are invalid. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice and are well known by Chinese officials and regulators, the structure
historically has not been formally recognized under Chinese law. However, effective March 31, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) released new rules and implementing guidelines
that permit the use of VIE structures, provided they abide by Chinese laws and register with the CSRC. The rules, however, may cause Chinese companies to undergo greater scrutiny and may make the process to create
VIEs more difficult and costly. Further, while the rules and implementing guidelines do not
prohibit the use of VIE structures, this does not serve as a formal endorsement by the Chinese
government. There is a risk that the Chinese government may cease to tolerate VIEs at any time, and any guidance or further rulemaking prohibiting or restricting these structures by the Chinese government,
generally or with respect to specific industries, would likely cause impacted VIE-structured
holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn,
adversely affect the Fund’s returns and net asset value. The future of the VIE structure generally and with respect to certain industries remains uncertain.
Stock Connect Risk.
Investments in China A-shares listed and traded through Stock Connect Programs involve unique
risks. Trading through Stock Connect Programs is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum
daily net purchases and daily limits on permitted price fluctuations. Trading suspensions are more likely in the A-shares market than in many other global equity markets. There can be no assurance that a liquid market
on an exchange will exist. In addition, investments made through Stock Connect Programs are
subject to comparatively untested trading, clearance and settlement procedures. Stock Connect Programs are available only on days when markets in both China and Hong Kong are open. The Fund’s ownership interest in Stock
Connect Programs securities will not be reflected directly, and thus the Fund may have to rely on
the ability or willingness of a third party to enforce its rights. Investments in Stock Connect Program A-shares are generally subject to Chinese securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions. Hong Kong
investor compensation funds, which protect against trade defaults, are unavailable when investing
through Stock Connect Programs. Uncertainties in Chinese tax rules could also result in
unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund.
Industry Concentration
Risk. In following its methodology, the Underlying Index will be concentrated to a significant
degree in securities of