Investment Objectives
The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. Investment in mutual funds involves risk, including the possible loss of principal invested. The Fund is subject to the risk that stocks that comprise the energy sector may decline in value, and the risk that prices of energy (including traditional sources such as oil, gas or electricity) or alternative energy may decline. The stock markets in which the Fund invests may also experience periods of volatility and instability. In addition, shares of the companies involved in the energy industry have been more volatile than shares of companies operating in other, more established industries. Consequently, the Fund may tend to be more volatile than other mutual funds. Lastly, foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments, including political and economic risks and the risk of currency fluctuations.
Investment Strategy
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies whose main business is alternative energy or that are significantly involved in the alternative energy sector. Alternative energy includes renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydrogen, biomass and other renewable energy sources that may be developed in the future), technologies that enable these sources to be tapped, and services or technologies that conserve or enable more efficient use of energy. Fund manager KBC Asset Management International Ltd. of Dublin, Ireland uses a three-step investment process that uses both fundamental and quantitative components to select stocks for the fund.