Strategic Focus

The Fund invests primarily in micro- to mid-cap companies (as further described below) that are economically tied to emerging or frontier markets. Under normal market conditions, the Adviser invests at least 80% of the Fund’s assets in equity securities of such companies.

The Fund also typically invests in securities issued by companies economically tied to each of at least three emerging or frontier markets. The Fund invests the Fund’s assets primarily in companies with market capitalizations of less than $5 billion at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its total assets in micro-cap companies with market capitalizations below $1 billion (up to 90% at the time of purchase under normal market conditions).

The Fund may also invest a portion of its total assets (up to 50% under normal market conditions) in securities of companies with market capitalizations of greater than $5 billion at the time of purchase when the companies meet our investment criteria.

The Adviser considers a company to be economically tied to a country if at least one of the following attributes exists: the company (1) is organized in such country, (2) is headquartered in such country, (3) has its primary stock exchange listing in a market located in such country, or (4) during the company’s most recent fiscal year, derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in such country or has at least 50% of its assets in such country. Emerging and frontier markets include all countries excluded from the MSCI World Index of developed countries.

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.

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 with limited or no earnings history and in 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.