0001752724-24-128297.txt : 20240530 0001752724-24-128297.hdr.sgml : 20240530 20240530132948 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001752724-24-128297 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: NPORT-P PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20240331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20240530 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20240530 PERIOD START: 20241231 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BEXIL INVESTMENT TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001059213 ORGANIZATION NAME: IRS NUMBER: 510382212 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: NPORT-P SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-08747 FILM NUMBER: 241003568 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2255 BUFFALO ROAD CITY: ROCHESTER STATE: NY ZIP: 14624 BUSINESS PHONE: 2127850900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2255 BUFFALO ROAD CITY: ROCHESTER STATE: NY ZIP: 14624 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20120523 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND, INC. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20110210 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CHARTWELL DIVIDEND & INCOME FUND INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980406 NPORT-P 1 primary_doc.xml NPORT-P false 0001059213 XXXXXXXX Bexil Investment Trust 811-08747 0001059213 549300GQF37VFS5FKW75 2255 Buffalo Road Rochester 14624 212-785-0900 BEXIL INVESTMENT TRUST 549300GQF37VFS5FKW75 2024-12-31 2024-03-31 N 302454771.87 28240575.99 274214195.88 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 0.00000000 32280 N Mueller Industries Inc. 5493005IZFE4VJLLYG84 Mueller Industries, Inc. 624756102 161400.00000000 NS USD 8704302.00000000 3.174271110241 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Atkore Inc 52990002TI38AM4RPV48 Atkore International Group, Inc. 047649108 36500.00000000 NS USD 6948140.00000000 2.533836724864 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Rithm Capital Corp. 549300WNTHGEO5LP2G31 Rithm Capital Corp 64828T409 66202.00000000 NS USD 1616652.84000000 0.589558405177 Long EP CORP US N 1 N N N Williams-Sonoma Inc. 549300IARG6YWVTZ1I92 Williams-Sonoma, Inc. 969904101 48000.00000000 NS USD 15241440.00000000 5.558224274672 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Encore Wire Corp N/A Encore Wire Corp. 292562105 30700.00000000 NS USD 8067346.00000000 2.941987001843 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Discover Financial Services Z1YLO2USPORE63VVUL20 Discover Financial Services 254709108 74000.00000000 NS USD 9700660.00000000 3.537621372543 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Chimera Investment Corporation 2JBBQFJOL123LOUBE657 Chimera Investment Corp., Series D, 8.00% 16934Q604 35900.00000000 NS USD 888166.00000000 0.323894974565 Long EP CORP US N 1 N N N United Rentals, Inc. 5323X5O7RN0NKFCDRY08 United Rentals, Inc. 911363109 14500.00000000 NS USD 10456095.00000000 3.813112215596 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N U.S. Bancorp. N1GZ7BBF3NP8GI976H15 U.S. Bancorp 902973304 272500.00000000 NS USD 12180750.00000000 4.442056677959 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Agnc Investment Corp 5TRACI5HRMELWV32OF39 AGNC Investment Corp., Series D, 6.875% 00123Q609 28567.00000000 NS USD 701319.85000000 0.255756215592 Long EP CORP US N 1 N N N Nexstar Media Group Inc 52990083ZRR5UT591988 Nexstar Media Group, Inc. 65336K103 25000.00000000 NS USD 4307250.00000000 1.570761129334 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N LPL Financial Holdings Inc. 549300XROQ4Y8G2L7682 LPL Financial Holdings, Inc. 50212V100 23500.00000000 NS USD 6208700.00000000 2.264178913157 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Clear Secure Inc N/A Clear Secure Inc 18467V109 275054.00000000 NS USD 5850398.58000000 2.133514117029 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Valero Energy Corp. 549300XTO5VR8SKV1V74 Valero Energy Corp. 91913Y100 53389.00000000 NS USD 9112968.41000000 3.323302931401 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N U-Haul Holding Co. 5493003WIDMLDHYC6Y24 U-Haul Holdings Co. 023586100 13800.00000000 NS USD 932052.00000000 0.339899251754 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N BlueLinx Holdings Inc. 549300YSX7GU28F5I540 BlueLinx Holdings, Inc. 09624H208 63300.00000000 NS USD 8244192.00000000 3.006478921903 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N U-Haul Holding Co. 5493003WIDMLDHYC6Y24 U-Haul Holdings Co. 023586506 124200.00000000 NS USD 8281656.00000000 3.020141234272 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Snap-On Incorporated HHWAT5TDOYZMM26KKQ73 Snap-on, Inc. 833034101 27800.00000000 NS USD 8234916.00000000 3.003096164869 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Wabash National Corporation 5299004ZAWHQZI5XO485 Wabash National Corp. 929566107 296762.00000000 NS USD 8885054.28000000 3.240187566324 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Ally Financial Inc. 549300JBN1OSM8YNAI90 Ally Financial, Inc. 02005N100 122000.00000000 NS USD 4951980.00000000 1.805880247777 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Rio Tinto PLC 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82 Rio Tinto PLC 767204100 73500.00000000 NS USD 4684890.00000000 1.708478288283 Long EC CORP GB N 1 N N N Enterprise Products Partners L.P. K4CDIF4M54DJZ6TB4Q48 Enterprise Products Partners LP 293792107 40000.00000000 NS USD 1167200.00000000 0.425652653121 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Autozone, Inc. GA3JGKJ41LJKXDN23E90 AutoZone, Inc. 053332102 6050.00000000 NS USD 19067482.50000000 6.953499412679 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Lam Research Corporation 549300I4GMO6D34U1T02 Lam Research Corp. 512807108 9700.00000000 NS USD 9424229.00000000 3.436812951917 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N B2Gold Corp. 549300F7OK456M5NLM05 B2Gold Corp. 11777Q209 1335000.00000000 NS USD 3484350.00000000 1.270667256601 Long EC CORP CA N 1 N N N UnitedHealth Group Inc. 549300GHBMY8T5GXDE41 UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 91324P102 13500.00000000 NS USD 6678450.00000000 2.435486601475 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Skyworks Solutions, Inc. 549300WZ3ORQ2BVKBD96 Skyworks Solutions, Inc. 83088M102 45000.00000000 NS USD 4874400.00000000 1.777588495868 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Steel Dynamics, Inc. 549300HGGKEL4FYTTQ83 Steel Dynamics, Inc. 858119100 160000.00000000 NS USD 23716800.00000000 8.649005177827 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Elwood Energy LLC 5493008JH2Q2O8Y5MU55 Elwood Energy LLC 290408AB9 75998.00000000 PA USD 63173.34000000 0.023037953887 Long DBT CORP US N 2 2026-07-05 Fixed 8.15900000 N N N N N N Interactive Brokers Group Inc 5493004DT6DCDUZNDM53 Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. 45841N107 76000.00000000 NS USD 8489960.00000000 3.096105208103 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Pool Corporation 5493005VZK1KMN6CO617 Pool Corp. 73278L105 6900.00000000 NS USD 2784150.00000000 1.015319426138 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Elevance Health Inc. 8MYN82XMYQH89CTMTH67 Elevance Health, Inc. 036752103 9600.00000000 NS USD 4977984.00000000 1.815363345440 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Credit Acceptance Corporation of Michigan N/A Credit Acceptance Corp. 225310101 23000.00000000 NS USD 12685650.00000000 4.626182812778 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. 549300JH4DTA7U42GL91 Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. 043436104 29500.00000000 NS USD 6955510.00000000 2.536524404828 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Enova International Inc. 549300O8XOCQSB49UO63 Enova International, Inc. 29357K103 96000.00000000 NS USD 6031680.00000000 2.199623539052 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Crocs Inc 549300B0J6YCXD63OG72 Crocs, Inc. 227046109 41000.00000000 NS USD 5895800.00000000 2.150071035191 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Dillards, Inc. 529900FGYKMWL6019P91 Dillards Inc-Cl A 254067101 20300.00000000 NS USD 9574292.00000000 3.491537689824 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Essent Group Limited 254900QUO860OUT6ZF83 Essent Group Ltd. G3198U102 200000.00000000 NS USD 11902000.00000000 4.340402568074 Long EC CORP BM N 1 N N N NMI Holdings Inc 529900KNNGFXJX1C3Z08 NMI Holdings, Inc. 629209305 379226.00000000 NS USD 12264168.84000000 4.472477728821 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N Alphabet Inc. 5493006MHB84DD0ZWV18 Alphabet, Inc. 02079K305 50000.00000000 NS USD 7546500.00000000 2.752045704921 Long EC CORP US N 1 N N N N/A N/A Reich & Tang Deposit Account N/A 1732.17000000 PA USD 1732.17000000 0.000631685020 Long STIV US N 1 N N N 2024-03-31 Bexil Investment Trust Russell Kamerman Russell Kamerman General Counsel XXXX NPORT-EX 2 bxsy_nport.htm
 
BEXIL INVESTMENT TRUST
 
 
SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
 
 
March 31, 2024
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
     
 Shares
 
Value
 
Common Stocks (108.43%)
 
 
Automotive Dealers and Gasoline Service Stations (9.49%)
 
              29,500
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (a)
 $              6,955,510
               6,050
AutoZone, Inc. (a)
               19,067,483
   
               26,022,993
     
 
Automotive Repair, Services, and Parking (3.36%)
 
13,800
U-Haul Holding Company (a)
                    932,052
124,200
U-Haul Holding Company Series N Non-Voting
                 8,281,656
   
                 9,213,708
     
 
Communications (1.57%)
 
              25,000
Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
                 4,307,250
     
 
Depository Institutions (6.25%)
 
            122,000
Ally Financial Inc.
                 4,951,980
            272,500
U.S. Bancorp
               12,180,750
   
               17,132,730
     
 
Electronic and Other Electrical Equipment and Components, except Computer Equipment (4.31%)
              36,500
Atkore Inc.
                 6,948,140
              45,000
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
                 4,874,400
   
               11,822,540
     
 
Equipment Rental and Leasing (3.81%)
 
              14,500
United Rentals, Inc.
               10,456,095
     
 
Fabricated Metal Products, except Machinery and Transportation Equipment (3.00%)
 
27,800
Snap-on Incorporated
                 8,234,916
     
 
General Merchandise Stores (3.49%)
 
              20,300
Dillard's, Inc.
                 9,574,292
     
 
Home Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment Stores (5.56%)
 
              48,000
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
               15,241,440
     
 
Industrial and Commercial Machinery and Computer Equipment (3.44%)
 
9,700
Lam Research Corporation
                 9,424,229
     
 
Insurance Carriers (13.06%)
 
               9,600
Elevance Health, Inc.
                 4,977,984
            200,000
Essent Group Ltd.
               11,902,000
            379,226
NMI Holdings, Inc. (a)
               12,264,169
              13,500
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
                 6,678,450
   
               35,822,603
     
 
Metal Mining (2.98%)
 
1,335,000
B2Gold Corp.
                 3,484,350
73,500
Rio Tinto plc
                 4,684,890
   
                 8,169,240
     
 
Non-Depository Credit Institutions (10.36%)
 
              23,000
Credit Acceptance Corporation (a)
               12,685,650
              74,000
Discover Financial Services
                 9,700,660
              96,000
Enova International, Inc. (a)
                 6,031,680
   
               28,417,990
     
 
Petroleum Refining and Related Industries  (3.32%)
 
              53,389
Valero Energy Corporation
                 9,112,968
     
 
Primary Metal (14.77%)
 
              30,700
Encore Wire Corporation
                 8,067,346
            161,400
Mueller Industries, Inc.
                 8,704,302
            160,000
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
               23,716,800
   
               40,488,448
     
 
Rubber and Miscellaneous Plastics Products (2.15%)
 
              41,000
Crocs, Inc. (a)
                 5,895,800
     
 
Security and Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges, and Services (5.36%)
 
              76,000
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Class A
                 8,489,960
              23,500
LPL Financial Holdings Inc.
                 6,208,700
   
               14,698,660
     
 
Services - Computer Programming, Data Processing (4.89%)
 
              50,000
Alphabet Inc. Class A (a)
                 7,546,500
            275,054
Clear Secure, Inc.
                 5,850,399
   
               13,396,899
     
 
Transportation Equipment (3.24%)
 
            296,762
Wabash National Corporation
                 8,885,054
     
 
Wholesale Trades-Durable Goods (4.02%)
 
              63,300
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (a)
                 8,244,192
               6,900
Pool Corporation
                 2,784,150
   
               11,028,342
     
 
Total common stocks (Cost $182,335,134)
              297,346,197
     
 Principal
   
 Amount
   
 
Corporate Bonds and Notes (0.02%)
 
 
Electric Services (0.02%)
 
              75,998
Elwood Energy LLC, 8.159%, 7/5/26  (Cost $76,341)
                     63,173
     
 Shares
   
 
Master Limited Partnership (0.43%)
 
 
Electric, Gas, and Sanitary Services (0.43%)
 
              40,000
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. Units (Cost $374,214)
                 1,167,200
     
 
Preferred Stocks (1.17%)
 
 
Holding and other Investment Offices (1.17%)
 
              28,567
AGNC Investment Corp., 6.875% Series D
                    701,320
              35,900
Chimera Investment Corporation, 8% Series D
                    888,166
              66,202
Rithm Capital Corp., 7.125% Series B
                 1,616,653
     
 
Total preferred stocks (Cost $2,719,545) (1.17%)
                 3,206,139
     
 
Total investments (Cost $185,505,234) (110.05%) (b)
              301,782,709
 
Liabilities in excess of cash and other assets (-10.05%)
              (27,568,513)
     
 
Net assets (100.00%)
 $           274,214,196
     
     
(a) Non-income producing.
 
(b) The Fund's total investment portfolio value has been pledged as collateral for borrowings under the Fund's credit agreement.  The outstanding loan balance under the credit agreement was $27,736,300 as of March 31, 2024.




Notes to Schedule of Portfolio Investments (Unaudited)

Valuation of Investments
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods depending on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Most equity securities for which the primary market is in the United States are usually valued at the official closing price, last sale price or, if no sale has occurred, at the closing bid price. Most equity securities for which the primary market is outside the United States are usually valued using the official closing price or the last sale price in the principal market in which they are traded. If the last sale price on the local exchange is unavailable, the last evaluated quote or closing bid price normally is used. In the event of an unexpected closing of the primary market or exchange, a security may continue to trade on one or more other markets, and the price as reflected on those other trading venues may be more reflective of the security’s value than an earlier price from the primary market or exchange. Accordingly, Bexil Investment Trust (the “Fund”) may seek to use these additional sources of pricing data or information when prices from the primary market or exchange are unavailable, or are earlier and less representative of current market value. Certain debt securities may be priced through pricing services that may utilize a matrix pricing system which takes into consideration factors such as yields, prices, maturities, call features, and ratings on comparable securities or according to prices quoted by a securities dealer that offers pricing services. Open end investment companies are valued at their net asset value (“NAV”). Foreign securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For this reason, the value of any foreign securities owned by the Fund could change on a day when shareholders cannot buy or sell shares of the Fund. Although the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may choose to determine fair value in good faith for any or all fund investments by carrying out the required functions itself, pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Board currently has chosen to designate the performance of fair value determinations to a valuation designee, Bexil Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), subject to the Board’s oversight, with respect to securities for which market quotations are not readily available and reliable and other assets, called “fair value pricing.” Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, fair value pricing values may differ from the values that would have been used had a readily available and reliable market quotation for the securities existed. These differences in valuation could be material. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. The use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the NAV of its shares to differ from the NAV that would be calculated using market prices. A fair value price is an estimate and there is no assurance that such price will be at or close to the price at which a security is next quoted or traded.

Value Measurements
Generally accepted accounting principles establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:
 
• Level 1 - unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities including securities actively traded on a securities exchange.
 
• Level 2 -  observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability which may include quoted prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates, and similar data.
 
• Level 3 - unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets for the security, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for investments categorized in level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs and



methodology used for valuing investments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a description of the valuation techniques applied to the Fund’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Equity securities (common and preferred stock) – Most publicly traded equity securities are valued normally at the most recent official closing price, last sale price, evaluated quote, or closing bid price. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they may be categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Equities on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments may be categorized in level 2.
 
Corporate bonds and notes – The fair value of corporate bonds and notes are normally estimated using various techniques which may consider, among other things, recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads, and fundamental data relating to the issuer. Although many corporate bonds and notes may be categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, in instances where lower relative weight is placed on transaction prices, quotations, or similar observable inputs, they may be categorized in level 3.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of March 31, 2024, in valuing the Fund’s assets. Refer to the Schedule of Portfolio Investments for detailed information on specific investments.


Assets
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Investments, at value
       
 
Common stocks
$   297,346,197
$          -
$          -
$ 297,346,197
 
Corporate bonds and notes
            -
           63,173
            -
            63,173
 
Master limited partnerships
         1,167,200
               -
            -
       1,167,200
 
Preferred stocks
 
         3,206,139
               -
            -
       3,206,139
Total investments, at value
$   301,719,536
     $    63,173
$          -
$ 301,782,709

 
Cost for Federal Income Tax Purposes
As of March 31, 2024, for federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost of securities was $185,505,234 and net unrealized appreciation was $116,277,475, comprised of gross unrealized appreciation of $117,501,437 and gross unrealized depreciation of $1,223,962. The aggregate cost of investments for tax purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the entirety of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations.

Risks and Uncertainties

Share Trading Risk - The Fund’s shares are quoted on the OTC Market and may have less trading volume and liquidity, greater trading spreads, increased market discount to NAV of the Fund’s shares, and fewer governance, shareholder meeting, and reporting requirements than might be the case if the shares were listed on a national securities exchange.

Market Risks - An investment in the Fund is subject to market risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount. An investment in Fund shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, and these fluctuations are likely to have a greater impact on the value of the shares during periods in which the Fund utilizes leverage.

Leverage Risk - The Fund from time to time may borrow under its credit agreement to increase the assets in its investment portfolio over its net assets, a practice called leverage. Leverage borrowing creates an opportunity for increased return but, at the same time, involves special risk considerations. Leverage increases the likelihood of greater volatility of the NAV and market price of the Fund’s shares. If the return



that the Fund earns on the additional securities purchased fails to cover the interest and fees incurred on the monies borrowed, the NAV of the Fund (and the return of the Fund) would be lower than if borrowing had not been incurred. In addition, when the Fund borrows at a variable interest rate, there is a risk that fluctuations in the interest rate may adversely affect the return to the Fund’s shareholders. Interest payments and fees incurred in connection with such borrowings will reduce the amount of net income available for distribution to shareholders. There is no assurance that a borrowing strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Borrowing on a secured basis results in certain additional risks. Should securities that are pledged as collateral to secure its obligations under the credit agreement decline in value, the Fund may be required to pledge additional assets in the form of cash or securities to the lender to avoid liquidation of the pledged assets. In the event of a steep drop in the value of pledged securities, it might not be possible to liquidate assets quickly enough and this could result in mandatory liquidation of the pledged assets in a declining market at relatively low prices. Furthermore, the Investment Manager’s ability to sell the pledged securities is limited by the terms of the credit agreement, which may reduce the Fund’s investment flexibility over the pledged securities. Because the fee paid to the Investment Manager is calculated on the basis of the average weekly value of the Fund’s total assets minus the sum of the Fund’s liabilities, which liabilities exclude debt relating to leverage, short term debt and the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock, the dollar amount of the management fee paid by the Fund to the Investment Manager will be higher (and the Investment Manager will benefit to that extent) when leverage is utilized.

Foreign Securities Risk - Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve special risks which include changes in foreign exchange rates and the possibility of future adverse political, tax, and economic developments which could adversely affect the value of such securities. Moreover, securities of foreign issuers and securities traded in foreign markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of U.S. issuers and markets. In addition, in certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political, or social instability, or diplomatic developments that could affect U.S. investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in those countries.

Sector Risk - To the extent the Fund focuses its investments, from time to time, in a particular sector, the Fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks specific to that sector. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial developments could significantly affect a single sector to a greater extent than if the Fund’s investments were diversified across different sectors.

Cybersecurity Risk - With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks. Cyber incidents affecting the Fund or its service providers may cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional related costs.

Recent Market Events – U.S. and international markets have experienced volatility in recent months and years due to a number of economic, political and global macro factors, including rising inflation, wars between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, and the impact of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) global pandemic. While U.S. and global economies are recovering from the effects of COVID-19, labor shortages and the inability to meet consumer demand have restricted growth. Uncertainties regarding the level of central banks’ interest rate increases, political events, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict, trade tensions and the possibility of a national or global recession have also contributed to market volatility.