Risk Considerations
Equity Risk. An investment in a portfolio containing common stocks is subject to certain risks, such as an economic recession and the possible deterioration of either the financial condition of the issuers of the equity securities or the general condition of the stock market.
Sector Concentration Risk. A portfolio which is concentrated in an individual sector is subject to additional risks, including limited diversification.
Foreign Currency Value Fluctuation Risk. Securities of foreign issuers not listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally pay dividends and trade in foreign currencies and therefore, the U.S. dollar value of these securities will vary with fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. This could result in a decrease in value of these securities held by the trust. Most foreign currencies have fluctuated widely in value against the U.S. dollar for various economic and political reasons.
Foreign Securities Risk. Securities of non-U.S. issuers are subject to additional risks, including currency fluctuations, political risks, withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting non-U.S. issuers.
Israel Concentration Risk. Because the portfolio is concentrated in companies headquartered in Israel, it may present more risks than a portfolio which is broadly diversified over several regions. The Israeli securities market is substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. Current hostilities against Israel and Israeli companies and the potential for future hostilities may diminish the value of and/or cause significant volatility in the share prices of the companies included in the trust.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Risk. An investment in a portfolio containing small-cap and mid-cap companies is subject to additional risks, as the share prices of small-cap companies and certain mid-cap companies are often more volatile than those of larger companies due to several factors, including limited trading volumes, products, financial resources, management inexperience and less publicly available information.
Technology Risk. The companies engaged in the information technology sector are subject to fierce competition, high research and development costs, and their products and services may be subject to rapid obsolescence. Technology company stocks, especially those which are Internet-related, may experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that are often unrelated to their operating performance.
Volatility Risk. The value of the securities held by the trust may be subject to steep declines or increased volatility due to changes in performance or perception of the issuers.
Operational Risk. As the use of Internet technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the trust has become more susceptible to potential operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity.