The fund seeks capital appreciation in the long term by investing in small-and mid-size companies outside the United States.

The sub-adviser’s investment process starts with a list of companies in the benchmark index and the research team utilizes quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to identify investment opportunities.

Next, the research team relies on fundamental bottom-up research to look for companies that capitalize on market inefficiencies.

Other attributes the team considers are a company’s business model with identifiable competitive advantages/barriers to entry, a scalable market opportunity, balance sheet strength, and a capable management team with a track record of good capital allocation.

In addition, the team seeks companies that are high or improving in quality.

Also, the research team integrates environmental, social and governance factors as part of its process.

Then the manager constructs a portfolio of stocks from a list of companies favored by the research team and allocates capital based on its conviction level.

The portfolio holds stocks of companies in developed countries but may invest in any geographic region of the world in at least three different countries.

Also, the fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities of issuers in emerging market countries.

The fund may also invest in real estate investment trusts, and invests no more than 20% of its net assets in U.S. companies.
 

The fund seeks capital appreciation in the long term by investing in small-and mid-size companies outside the United States.

The sub-adviser’s investment process starts with a list of companies in the benchmark index and the research team utilizes quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to identify investment opportunities.

Next, the research team relies on fundamental bottom-up research to look for companies that capitalize on market inefficiencies.

Other attributes the team considers are a company’s business model with identifiable competitive advantages/barriers to entry, a scalable market opportunity, balance sheet strength, and a capable management team More