Portfolio Objective and Strategy:
The Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund invests primarily in a domestic portfolio of equity securities of companies within various market sectors selected for their growth potential. Research-driven stock selection is expected to be the primary driver of returns relative to the portfolio’s benchmark.
The Fund emphasizes investments in large- and mid-capitalization companies; however, the Fund has the flexibility to invest across the capitalization spectrum. The Fund is designed for those seeking exposure to companies of various sizes.
The Fund’s U.S. Growth Portfolio Oversight Group, in consultation with the senior sector analysts, is responsible for constructing the portfolio, determining the market sectors and deciding the percentage allocation into each sector. The U.S. Growth Portfolio Oversight Group allocates the Fund’s investments among the selected market sectors based on fundamental company research and its assessment of both current and forecasted investment opportunities and conditions, as well as diversification and risk considerations.
The Team relies heavily upon the fundamental and quantitative analysis of its large internal research staff. Research analysts use the firm’s Dynamic Gap growth philosophy to identify companies with unanticipated long-term growth potential. The Team looks for companies whose prospective earnings growth is not fully reflected in current market valuations.
The Fund normally invests in approximately 80-120 companies.
Effective November 3 2008, the Fund’s strategy, portfolio management team and benchmark changed.