Risk Considerations
Closed-End Fund Risk. 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 employ the use of leverage, which increases the volatility of such funds.
Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities are bonds, preferred stocks and other securities that pay a fixed rate of interest (or dividends) and will repay principal at a fixed date in the future. However, these securities may be converted into a specific number of common stocks at a specified time. As such, an investment in convertible securities entails some of the risks associated with both common stocks and bonds.
Derivatives Risk. Certain of the closed-end funds held by the trust invest in derivatives such as swap agreements to gain inverse exposure to its target index. As such, the closed-end funds will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties to derivatives and repurchase agreements entered into by the closed-end funds. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, the value of the trust's investment in the closed-end funds may decline.
Emerging Markets Risk. Risks associated with investing in non-U.S. securities may be more pronounced in emerging and developing markets where the securities markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid, less regulated, and more volatile than the U.S. and developed non-U.S. markets.
Energy Risk. The companies engaged in the energy sector are subject to certain risks, including price and supply fluctuations caused by international politics, energy conservation, taxes, price controls, and other regulatory policies of various governments. Falling oil and gas prices may negatively impact the profitability and business prospects of certain energy companies.
ETF Risk. ETFs 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 ETFs 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, ETFs frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value in the secondary market.
High-Yield or Junk Bonds Risk. 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.
Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are subject to numerous risks including changes in interest rates, economic recession and deterioration of the bond market or investors' perception thereof.
Investment Grade Bonds Risk. Investment grade securities are subject to numerous risks including higher interest rates, economic recession, deterioration of the investment grade security market or investors' perception thereof, possible downgrades and defaults of interest and/or principal.
MLP Risk. Investments in Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) are subject to the risks generally applicable to companies in the energy and natural resources sectors, including commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk, depletion risk and exploration risk. There are certain tax risks associated with MLPs, including the risk that U.S. taxing authorities could challenge the trust's treatment of the MLPs for federal income tax purposes. These tax risks could have a negative impact on the after-tax income available for distribution by the MLPs and/or the value of the trust's investments.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates, and may reduce the market value of the securities. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk, the risk that borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected, particularly when interest rates decline.
Options Risk. Options are subject to various risks including that their value may be adversely affected if the market for the option becomes less liquid or smaller. In addition, options will be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the stock subject to the option, an increase in interest rates, a change in the actual and perceived volatility of the stock market and the common stock and the remaining time to expiration.
Preferred Securities Risk. Preferred securities are equity securities of the issuing company which pay income in the form of dividends. Preferred securities are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company's capital structure, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments.
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.