Risk Considerations
Unit investment trusts are designed to be held until trust termination. If redeemed early, additional fees, such as remaining deferred sales charges, will be assessed.
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.
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.
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.
Europe Region Risk. A significant percentage of the securities held by the trust are issued by companies headquartered or incorporated in Europe and therefore 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.
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.
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 Risk. Market risk is the risk that a particular security, or units of a trust in general may fall in value. Securities are subject to market fluctuations caused by such factors as general economic conditions, political events, regulatory or market developments, changes in interest rates, and perceived trends in securities prices. Units of a trust could decline in value or underperform other investments as a result. In addition, local, regional, or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, spread of infectious disease or other public health issues, recessions, natural disasters, or other events could have significant negative impact on a trust.
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.
Variable Interest Entities. Certain of the securities held by the trust are non-Chinese shell companies structured as variable interest entities (VIEs), which provide economic exposure to Chinese companies but do not represent a direct investment in the Chinese company. VIEs are not formally recognized under Chinese law and intervention by the Chinese government into the legality of the VIE structure could negatively impact such securities.
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.