Strategic Focus

The Fund invests primarily in companies economically tied to countries outside the United States.

Under normal market conditions, the Adviser invests the Fund’s assets primarily in equity securities of companies economically tied to countries outside the United States with market capitalizations of more than $1.5 billion at the time of purchase.

The Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets (up to 60% under normal market conditions) in securities issued by companies economically tied to emerging and frontier market countries. The Adviser generally considers a company to be economically tied to a market based on where the company is organized, headquartered, has its primary stock exchange listing, or has substantial concentration of assets or revenues. Emerging and frontier markets are those countries currently excluded from the MSCI World Index of developed markets.

Analytical Approach

The Adviser uses a process of quantitative screening of the financial trends and health of each company in its investment universe, followed by “bottom up” fundamental analysis to identify growth companies that it believes are among the highest quality in their global peer group. This fundamental analysis generally includes a study of the company’s financial performance, its management, its competitors, its industry, its competitive advantage, its approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics, the geographic region(s) to which it is economically tied and talking with the management team. In performing such analysis, the Adviser seeks to evaluate each company’s long-term potential. The Adviser also travels on an as-needed basis to visit companies and expects to speak directly with senior management.

The Adviser uses a proprietary analytical framework that may include factors that the Adviser believes are relevant, such as: local economic development priorities, shareholder rights, management oversight and transparency, board membership and structure, accounting standards, environmental policies, social justice policies, and labor relations. These sustainability criteria are collectively one of many factors that the Adviser uses as part of its fundamental analysis of a company. These factors are assessed quantitatively and qualitatively, as applicable, through the Adviser’s research and engagement process.

The Adviser incorporates the results of this analysis into its overall decision-making but does not necessarily include or exclude a particular company solely based on the Adviser’s assessment of any single criterion, including that company’s ESG factors. The Adviser generally applies its sustainability analysis to companies in which the Fund invests, but not to the cash or cash equivalent positions in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may also invest in growth companies that the Adviser believes have hit a temporary setback and therefore have a particularly appealing valuation relative to their long-term growth potential. At times, the Fund may invest in early-stage companies and Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).

The Adviser invests in what it believes to be the best investments available without regard to benchmark weightings in regions, countries, or industries. The Adviser may significantly shift Fund assets between asset classes, sectors and geographic regions based on where it believes the best growth opportunities and valuations currently exist. The Fund may invest a significant percentage of its assets in a few sectors or regions.