its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the
Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index.
The Fund may lend securities representing up to
one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of the collateral received).
The Underlying Index is sponsored by an
organization (the “Index Provider”) that is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market
value of the Underlying Index. The Fund’s Index Provider is MSCI.
Industry Concentration Policy. The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or
group of industries, which may include large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies, to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its
agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.
Summary of Principal Risks
As with any investment, you could lose all or
part of your investment in the Fund, and the Fund's performance could trail that of other investments. The Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund's net asset value per share
(“NAV”), trading price, yield, total
return and ability to meet its investment objective.
Asset Class Risk. Securities in the Underlying Index or in the Fund's portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general securities markets or other asset classes.
Commodity Risk. The Fund invests in companies that are susceptible to fluctuations in certain commodity markets. Any negative changes in commodity markets could have an adverse impact on those companies.
Concentration Risk. To the extent that the Fund's investments are concentrated in a particular issuer, region, country, market, industry or asset class, the Fund may be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences
affecting that issuer, region, country, market, industry or asset class.
Currency
Risk. Because the Fund's NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund's NAV could decline if the currency of a non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests
depreciates against the U.S. dollar.
Custody
Risk. Less developed markets are more likely to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades and the holding of securities by local banks,
agents and depositories.
Equity
Securities Risk. Equity securities are subject to changes in value and their values may be more volatile than other asset classes.
Geographic
Risk. A natural or other disaster could occur in a geographic region in which the Fund invests, which could affect the economy or particular business
operations of companies in the specific geographic region, causing an