Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in common stocks and other equity-type securities (including preferred stock, convertible securities and hybrid securities) of small and mid-capitalization companies in the United States. The investment adviser currently defines “small and mid-capitalization companies” to be companies whose market capitalizations typically fall within the range of the Russell 2500 Index or the Russell Midcap Index. As of July 1, 2025, the largest company for the Russell 2500 Index had a market capitalization of approximately $24.1 billion and the largest company for the Russell Midcap Index had a market capitalization of approximately $83.3 billion. The market capitalization of the companies included in the Russell 2500 Index and the Russell Midcap Index will change with market conditions. The fund strives to maintain a fully invested portfolio.

The fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in fewer issuers than would otherwise be the case.

The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing assets. Under this approach, a portfolio is divided into segments managed by individual managers. For more information regarding the investment process of the fund, see the “Management and organization” section of this prospectus.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.