The Russell 3000® Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. The size of companies in the Russell 3000® Index may change with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the Russell 3000® Index can change the market capitalization range of the companies in the index. As of March 31, 2024, the Russell 3000® Index included securities issued by companies that ranged in size between $16.5 million and $3.1 trillion. The Russell 3000® Growth Index, the Fund’s performance benchmark, measures the performance of Russell 3000® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

In choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company meets the quality growth criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are evaluated relative to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a particular investment criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund holdings may not meet all of the following criteria: (a) the company should be, or should have the expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the primary markets it serves, (b) the company should have some distinctive attribute relative to present or potential competitors (for example, this may take the form of proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution system, an entrenched brand name or an especially strong financial position relative to its competition), (c) the company should participate in an industry expected to grow rapidly due to economic factors or technological change or should grow through market share gains in its industry and (d) the company should have a strong management team.