1. Investment Risk: The Sub-Fund’s investment portfolio may fall in value due to any of the key risk factors below and therefore your investment in the Sub-Fund may suffer losses. There is no guarantee of the repayment of principal.
2. Equity Market Risk: The Sub-Fund’s investment in equity securities is subject to general market risks, whose value may fluctuate due to various factors, such
as changes in investment sentiment, political and economic conditions and issuer-specific factors.
3. Geographical Concentration Risk: The concentration of the Sub-Fund’s investments in Turkey-related companies may result in greater volatility than portfolios which comprise broad-based global investments. The value of the Sub-Fund may be more susceptible to adverse events in the region.
4. Currency Risk: The Sub-Fund’s assets may be invested primarily in securities denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollars and the Sub-Fund may receive income or realization proceeds from these investments in those currencies, some of which may fall in value against U.S. Dollars.
5. Political and Economic Factors in Turkey: In respect of certain emerging economies or markets in which the Sub-Fund may invest, it may be exposed to higher risks than in developed economies or markets. Turkey is currently undergoing substantial changes in its efforts to join the European Union. The availability of investment opportunities and the ability to liquidate investments profitably may depend on the continued pursuit by government of certain current economic liberalisation policies. Political climates may change, sometimes swiftly. There is no assurance that government will continue with such policies in their present form. The Sub-Fund’s investments may also be subject to
risks of expropriation, nationalisation or confiscatory taxation.
6. Market Characteristics of Turkey:
Investing in equities and fixed income obligations in Turkey involves certain considerations not usually associated with investing in securities in more developed markets. The securities markets in such countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and significantly more volatile than securities in more developed markets. Consequently, the Sub-Fund's investment portfolios may experience greater price volatility and significantly lower liquidity than portfolios invested in public and private debt and other fixed income obligations of more developed countries. There is also less state regulation and supervision of the securities markets and less reliable information available to brokers and investors in Turkey than is the case in more developed markets. Consequently, there is less investor protection. Disclosure, accounting and regulatory standards are in most respects less comprehensive and stringent than in developed markets. In addition, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs and related taxes on securities transactions in Turkey are generally higher than those in more developed markets.
7. Illiquid Securities: Certain of the Sub-Fund’s investments in Turkey may, from time to time be illiquid, and may have an adverse effect on market price and the Sub-Fund’s ability to dispose of particular instruments to meet its liquidity requirements or in response to specific events such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of any particular issue.
8. Small Cap Risk: Investments in securities of small and medium sized companies may involve greater risk than is customarily associated with investment in larger and more established companies. In particular, smaller companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, with less research information available about
the company, and their management may be dependent on a few key individuals.
9. Liquidity and Volatility Risks: The Sub-Fund may invest in companies which are less well established in their early stages of development. These companies may often experience significant price volatility and potential lack of liquidity due to the low trading volume of their securities. The absence of adequate liquidity may also arise when a particular securities is difficult to sell at the desired moment during particular periods or in particular market conditions.
10. Non-Investment Use of FDIs: The extensive use of FDIs does not form part of the investment strategy of the Sub-Fund, but the Investment Manager may from time to time utilize FDIs for efficient portfolio management and hedging purposes. The use of derivatives exposes the Sub-Fund to additional risks, including: (i) volatility risk – FDIs may be highly volatile; (ii) management risk – the results are reliant upon the success of the Investment Manager in making investment decisions in the prevailing market conditions; (iii) market risk – there is a risk from exposure to changes in market value of FDIs; (iv) credit risk – the Sub-Fund is exposed to the risk of loss resulting from a counterparty’s failure to meet its financial obligations; and (v) liquidity risk – which exists when particular investments are difficult to be purchased or sold quickly. The eventuation of any of the above risks could have an adverse effect on the net asset value of the Sub-Fund. In adverse situations, the Sub-Fund’s use of FDIs may
become ineffective in efficient portfolio management or hedging and the Sub-Fund may suffer significant losses.
11. Performance Fee Risk: A shareholder redeeming shares may still be subject to the performance fee charge in respect of such shares, even though he/she suffered a loss in investment capital.