Fund's
Exchange, a lack of liquidity of the securities in the Index, potential adverse tax consequences or other regulatory reasons (diversification requirements). Errors in Index data, Index computations or the construction of the Index in
accordance with its methodology may occur from time to time and may not be identified and/or corrected
for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund.
Biotechnology Industry Risk - Companies within the biotechnology industry invest heavily in research and development, which may not lead to commercially successful
services or products or may become obsolete quickly. The biotechnology industry is also subject to
significant governmental regulation and changes to governmental policies or the need for regulatory
approvals, may delay or inhibit the release of new products. Many biotechnology companies are dependent
upon their ability to use and enforce intellectual property rights and patents. Any impairment or
expiration of such rights may have adverse financial consequences for these companies. Biotechnology
stocks, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall
market. Biotechnology companies can be significantly affected by technological change and obsolescence,
product liability lawsuits and consequential high insurance costs.
Healthcare Sector Risk — The profitability of companies in the healthcare sector may be affected by extensive, costly and uncertain government regulation, restrictions on
government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing
pressure, changes in the demand for medical products and services, an increased emphasis on outpatient
services, limited product lines, industry innovation and/or consolidation, changes in technologies and
other market developments. Many healthcare companies are heavily dependent on patent protection, which
may be time consuming and costly. The expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of
these companies. Many healthcare companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. In addition, their products can become obsolete due to industry innovation, changes in technologies or other
market developments. Many new products in the health care sector require significant research and
development and may be subject to regulatory approvals, all of which may be time consuming and costly
with no guarantee that any product will come to market.
Passive Investment Risk — The Fund generally will not change its investment exposures, including by buying or selling securities or instruments, in response to market
conditions. For example, the Fund generally will not sell an Index constituent due to a decline in its
performance or based on changes to the prospects of an Index constituent, unless that constituent is
removed from the Index with which the Fund seeks correlated performance.
Market Risk
— The Fund’s investments are subject
to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in
investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile and prices of investments can change
substantially due to various factors including,
but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or
perceived creditworthiness of issuers, general market liquidity, exchange trading suspensions and
closures, and public health risks. The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt
markets and adversely affect global economies, markets, and exchanges. Local, regional or global events
such as war, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public
health issues, conflicts and social unrest or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund,
its investments, and the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Micro-Capitalization Company Risk - Micro-capitalization companies often have limited product lines, narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited
managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, including companies which are
considered small- or mid-capitalization. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they
face greater risk of business failure.
Small- and/or
Mid-Capitalization Company Risk —
Small- and mid-capitalization companies often have
narrower markets for their goods and/or services, less stable earnings, and more limited managerial and
financial resources and often have limited product lines, services, markets, financial resources or are
dependent on a small management group. Because these stocks are not well-known to the investing public,
do not have significant institutional ownership and are followed by relatively few security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the
securities of larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on
fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of such securities resulting in more volatile
performance. These companies may face greater risk of business failure.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk — Large-capitalization companies typically have significant financial resources, extensive product lines and broad markets for their goods and/or services. However, they may be less able to adapt to changing market conditions or to respond
quickly to competitive challenges or to changes in business, product, financial, or market conditions and
may not be able to maintain growth at rates that may be achieved by well-managed smaller and mid-size
companies, which may affect the companies’ returns.
Currency Exchange Rate Risk — Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in a country’s
currency. Generally, when the U.S. Dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, an investment in
that country loses value because that currency is worth fewer U.S. Dollars. Devaluation of a currency by
a country’s government or banking authority also will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. If the Fund is exposed to a limited number of currencies, any change in the value of
these currencies could have a material impact on the Fund’s net asset value.
Depositary Receipt Risk — To the extent the Fund invests
in foreign companies, the Fund’s investment may be in the