An investment in an equity portfolio should be made with an understanding of the risks associated with an investment in common stocks including the risk that the financial condition of the issuers of the equities or the general condition of the stock market may worsen.
Certain of the closed-end funds invest in subprime mortgage loans. Subprime mortgage loans are subject to numerous risks, including increased credit risks, higher interest rates, shifts in the market's perception of issuers and regulatory or tax changes adversely affecting the mortgage securities markets. Risks of investing in closed-end funds which hold subprime mortgage loans are similar to those which affect high-yield securities or "junk" bonds, which include less liquidity, greater volatility and an increased risk of default as compared to higher rated securities.
Closed-end funds are subject to various risks, including management's ability to meet the fund's investment objective, and to manage the fund's portfolio when the underlying securities are redeemed or sold, during periods of market turmoil and as investors' perceptions regarding the funds or their underlying investments change. Unlike open-end funds, which trade at prices based on a current determination of the fund's net asset value, closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value in the secondary market. Certain closed-end funds may employ the use of leverage which increases the volatility of such funds.
Convertible securities are bonds, preferred stocks, and other securities that pay interest
or dividends and are convertible into common stocks. As such, convertible securities
have some characteristics of both bonds and common stocks, making them tend
to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than bonds of comparable maturity
and quality, and less sensitive to stock market changes than common stocks.
Risks associated with investing in foreign securities may be more pronounced in emerging markets where the securities markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than the U.S. and developed foreign markets.
An investment in securities of foreign issuers should be made with an understanding of the additional risks involved, such as currency fluctuations, political risk, withholding, the lack of adequate financial information, and exchange control restrictions impacting foreign issuers.
Investing in high-yield securities or "junk" bonds should be viewed as speculative and you should review your ability to assume the risks
associated with investments which utilize such securities. High-yield securities are subject to
numerous risks, including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the junk bond
market, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal. High-yield security prices
tend to fluctuate more than higher rated securities and are affected by short-term credit
developments to a greater degree.
Investment grade bonds are subject to numerous risks including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the investment grade bond market or investors' perception thereof, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal.
The value of mortgage-backed securities will decline with increases
in interest rates.The value of mortgage-backed securities will also fluctuate
with changes in the general condition of the mortgage-backed securities market,
changes in inflation rates or when political or economic events affecting Ginnie
Mae occur.
Preferred securities
are sensitive to changes in interest rates and the market price generally falls
with rising interest rates. Preferred securities are more likely to be called
for redemption in a declining interest rate environment.
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.
Income distributions per unit will vary with changes in interest received on the underlying bonds and with changes in the trust's fees and expenses. Generally, as bonds in the portfolio mature or are redeemed by the issuer, income distributions per unit will decrease. Principal distributions per unit will be made only when the trust receives principal cash, generally from bonds maturing or proceeds from bond calls, and therefore will vary. With the exception of zero coupon bonds, bonds are generally callable at par value, or possibly, at a premium over par. Zero coupon bonds are generally callable at their accreted value on the call date or, possibly, at a premium over such accreted value. Both income and principal distributions may be affected by the sale of bonds in the portfolio. Refer to the prospectus for a further discussion of the factors which could affect income and principal distributions.
This product information does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any state to any person to whom it is not lawful to make such an offer. Sales of any of these securities must include prospectus delivery and the services of a retail broker/dealer duly licensed in the appropriate states.
Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed and May Lose Value.