The Portfolio will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in a portfolio of equity securities issued by U.S. issuers with total market capitalizations of $5 billion or more. Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stock and warrants.

The Adviser employs quantitative and qualitative analysis that seeks to identify high quality companies that it believes have the ability to accelerate earnings growth and exceed investor expectations. The Adviser’s selection process consists of three steps. First, the Adviser reviews a series of screens utilizing the Adviser’s investment models, which are based on fundamental characteristics, designed to eliminate companies that the Adviser’s research shows have a high probability of underperformance. Factors considered when reviewing the screens include a multi-factor valuation framework, earnings quality, capital structure and financial quality. Next, securities that pass the initial screens are then evaluated to try to identify stocks with the highest probability of producing an earnings growth rate that exceeds investor expectations. This process incorporates changes in earnings expectations and earnings quality analysis. Finally, these steps produce a list of eligible companies which are subjected to analysis by the Adviser to further understand each company’s business prospects and earnings potential. The Adviser uses the results of this analysis to construct the Portfolio’s security positions.

Under adverse market conditions, the Portfolio may also make temporary investments in investment grade debt securities. Such investment strategies could result in the Portfolio not achieving its investment objective.