Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in dividend-paying common stocks and dividend-paying or interest-bearing securities that are convertible into common stock (the “80% Policy”). The Fund invests primarily in large-cap stocks but may invest in companies with a broad range of market capitalizations, including smaller companies. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed-income securities, including (with respect to up to 10% of its net assets) securities rated BBB by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below and unrated securities determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. For purposes of rating restrictions, if securities are rated differently by the rating agencies, the higher rating is used. The Fund may also invest in non-income producing securities. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in foreign securities, some of which may be issued by companies domiciled in emerging market countries. As an alternative to holding foreign stocks directly, the Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts, such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), which are either sponsored or unsponsored and Global Depositary Receipts, that evidence ownership in underlying foreign stocks). The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), a type of pooled investment vehicle, in order to manage cash positions or seek exposure to certain markets or market sectors. The Fund may also invest in publicly traded real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and may lend its securities.

The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek return, to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices or currency exchange rates, or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies.  The Fund expects to use derivatives principally when seeking to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates through the use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts or to generate income by writing covered call options or put options.  The Fund may also enter into a combination of option transactions on individual securities.  Permitted derivatives include:  the purchase or sale of forward or futures contracts; options on futures contracts; exchange-traded and over-the-counter options; equity collars and equity swap agreements.  Except as required by applicable regulations, there is no stated limit on the Fund’s use of derivatives for such purposes.  

The portfolio manager seeks to purchase securities that he believes are reasonably priced in relation to their fundamental value and that may produce attractive levels of dividend income and offer the potential for dividend growth, while growing in value over time. The portfolio manager may also seek to purchase companies that he believes have the potential to initiate or reinstate a dividend in the foreseeable future. The portfolio manager selects the portfolio of securities primarily on the basis of fundamental research.  The portfolio manager utilizes the information provided by, and the expertise of, the investment adviser’s research staff in making investment decisions. In selecting securities, the portfolio manager seeks companies with solid dividend prospects, a strong cash flow profile, a durable balance sheet and secular growth potential.  In addition, the portfolio manager employs a portfolio construction process that seeks to manage investment risk.  This process includes the use of portfolio optimization tools (quantitative tools that help track the portfolio’s fundamental characteristics such as its volatility, valuation and growth rate) and risk management techniques to assist in portfolio construction and monitoring and maintaining issuer and industry diversification among the Fund’s holdings.  The portfolio manager may sell a security when he believes it is fully valued, the fundamentals of a company deteriorate, or to pursue alternative investment options.