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.
Agribusiness Risk. The companies engaged in the agribusiness industry are subject to cyclicality of revenues and earnings, economic recession, currency fluctuations, changing consumer tastes, extensive competition, excess capacity, product liability litigation and governmental regulation and subsidies.
Buy & Hold Risk – Taxable Trusts. This UIT is a buy and hold strategy and investors should consider their ability to hold the trust until maturity. There may be tax consequences unless units are purchased in an IRA or other qualified plan.
Consumer Products Risk. The companies engaged in the consumer products sector are subject to global competition, changing government regulations and trade policies, currency fluctuations, and the financial and political risks inherent in producing products for foreign markets.
COVID-19 Economic Impact Risk. The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, or the potential impacts of any future public health crisis, may cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against future variants of the disease.
Europe Concentration Risk. Because the portfolio is concentrated in companies headquartered or incorporated in Europe, the portfolio may present more risks than a portfolio which is broadly diversified over several regions.
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.
Health Care Risk. The companies engaged in the health care sector are subject to fierce competition, high research and development costs, governmental regulations, loss of patent protection, and changing consumer spending trends. In addition, health crises, such as a pandemic outbreak, can severely impact the health care industry in particular.
LEAPS Risk. The value of the LEAPS is deducted from the value of the portfolio assets when determining the value of a unit. As the value of the LEAPS increases, it has a more negative impact on the value of the units. The value of the LEAPS will also be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the underlying stocks, an increase in interest rates, a change in the actual and perceived volatility of the stock market and the stocks and the remaining time to expiration. Additionally, the value of the LEAPS does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying stock. However, as the LEAPS approach their expiration date, their value increasingly moves with the price of the stock.
Market Disruption Risk. Ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities could have a significant impact on certain investments as well as performance.
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.
US Treasury Note Risk. The value of U.S. Treasury notes will be adversely affected by decreases in bond prices and increases in interest rates.
Utilities Risk. The companies engaged in the utilities sector are subject to certain risks, including price and supply fluctuations caused by international politics, energy conservation, taxes, and other regulatory policies of various governments.
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.