Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund

Investment Objective

Capital Appreciation

Morningstar Category
Diversified Emerging Mkts

Fund Characteristics

The Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund seeks to invest in emerging markets small cap companies with superior quality and growth characteristics relative to competitors.

Investment Approach

  • The Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund will invest in small capitalization companies, which William Blair currently defines as those companies with a total market capitalization of $5 billion or less at the time of the Fund’s initial investment.
  • The Fund will seek well-managed companies with superior business fundamentals.
  • The Fund may invest in new companies, both through initial public offerings (“IPOs”) and private placements.
  • The Fund will normally be invested in at least six different countries. Currently, emerging markets include every other country in the world other than the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European countries.
  • The Fund’s sector and geographic diversification within emerging markets will vary, based on the ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends throughout the world.

Why Consider This Fund?

  • Reflects a long history of identifying undiscovered small companies with strong management teams and unique capabilities
  • Consumer-focused, reflecting the secular growth opportunity in developing economies
  • Employs dedicated small cap analysts to ensure coverage of expanding opportunity set
  • Managed by a seasoned team with decades of emerging markets experience

The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for everyone. You should only consider it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.  The Fund holds equities which may decline in value due to both real and perceived general market, economic, and industry conditions. International investing involves special risk considerations, including currency fluctuations, higher volatility, lower liquidity, economic and political risk. Investing in emerging markets can increase these risks.  Individual securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce its intended result. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in one country, the Fund will be more vulnerable to the risks of adverse economic or political forces in that country.  Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time and may reduce the returns of a portfolio.  Convertible securities may be called before intended, which may have an adverse effect on investment objectives.  Investing in smaller companies involves special risks, including higher volatility and lower liquidity. Diversification does not ensure against loss.