The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of stocks of large capitalization companies that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE American, or Nasdaq. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks from among those in the large-cap growth category at the time of purchase. For purposes of the Fund’s investments, “large-cap stocks” are common stocks of companies whose market capitalization (stock market worth) falls within the range of the Russell 1000® Index at the time of investment. The Russell 1000 Index is an unmanaged, market value weighted index, which measures the performance of approximately 1,000 of the largest companies in the U.S. equity market. The Russell 1000 Index is reconstituted from time to time. The market capitalization range for the Russell 1000 Index was $353.3 million to $2.9 trillion as of January 31, 2024.

The Fund’s sub-advisor, Numeric Investors LLC (“Numeric”), uses a proprietary model-driven quantitative approach to select large-cap growth stocks generally represented in the Russell 1000® Growth Index, plus large capitalization stocks with similar “growth” characteristics that are not represented in the Russell 1000 Growth Index (collectively, “large-cap growth” stocks). The Russell 1000 Growth Index includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Numeric selects stocks that have, in its opinion, attractive valuations, positive long-term growth characteristics, sustainable competitive advantages, relatively benign competitive environments, and favorable industry dynamics. In seeking to achieve this goal, stocks are selected from the universe using a balance of proprietary quantitative models that blend fundamental investment concepts with other uncorrelated drivers of stock returns to aid in forecasting a company’s long term business prospects. A discretionary overlay based on fundamental research supplements the quantitative models to verify data, validate assumptions, and incorporate any insights that may not be picked up by the models. The discretionary overlay is expected to operate only to exclude stocks from the portfolio that have been recommended by the models. The overlay will not identify stocks for investment outside of the models.

Based on statistically driven rules in the quantitative models, securities are sold in Numeric’s discretion for various reasons, including, without limitation, when they fall into the bottom 50% of the stock selection universe, the reasons for selecting the stock are no longer valid, or when necessary to maintain the risk profile of the overall Fund. Numeric will not necessarily sell a stock if it “migrates” outside the market capitalization range of the Russell 1000 Index after purchase or if a stock begins to have characteristics of a “value” stock as opposed to a growth stock. As a result, the Fund may invest in stocks that are no longer large-cap growth stocks, including stocks of mid-capitalization companies and stocks that exhibit value characteristics.

Numeric’s investment process incorporates environmental, social and/or governance (“ESG”) analysis as a consideration in the assessment of potential portfolio investments. However, as ESG information is just one investment consideration, ESG considerations are not solely determinative in any investment decision made. In addition, Numeric does not use ESG considerations to limit, restrict or otherwise exclude companies or sectors from the Fund’s investment universe. Numeric may use ESG research and/or ratings information provided by one or more third parties in performing this analysis and considering ESG risks.

Although the Fund seeks investments across a number of sectors, from time to time, the Fund may have significant positions in particular sectors, including the Information Technology sector. However, as the sector composition of the Fund’s portfolio changes over time, the Fund’s exposure to the Information Technology sector may be lower at a future date, and the Fund’s exposure to other market sectors may be higher.

The Fund may invest cash balances in a government money market fund advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager receives a management fee. The Fund also may purchase and sell equity index futures contracts to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. The Fund may seek to earn additional income by lending its securities to certain qualified broker-dealers and institutions.