Investment Policy
The fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility (USD) Index, which has been developed by MSCI Inc. to measure the performance of equity securities in global emerging markets that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility relative to the broader large- and mid-capitalization global emerging market equities. The Underlying Index is designed by selecting securities from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which is a capitalization-weighted index, and then follows a rules-based methodology to optimize the Underlying Index and determine weights for securities in the index having the lowest total risk. Under a rules-based methodology, securities and weighting of the index are established based on pre-established parameters and discretionary factors are not relied on. Generally, rules-based methodologies include specified requirements for security eligibility, maximum and minimum weightings by security and, in some cases by sector and country, established rules relating to handling of special dividends and other distributions, and treatment of corporate events. In order to determine weightings by security within the Underlying Index, MSCI seeks to construct a portfolio of lowest absolute volatility using its multi-factor risk model. The portfolio is then further refined by an optimization tool that aims to determine the lowest absolute volatility based on the projected riskiness of securities in the Parent Index while subjected to constraints based on established minimum and maximum weightings of index constituents and sectors as well as factor constraints as measured by MSCI. As of August 31, 2024, the Underlying Index consisted of securities of companies in the following 21 countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. As of August 31, 2024, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
