Morningstar Categories

Large-value portfolios invest primarily in big U.S. companies that are less expensive or growing more slowly than other large-cap stocks. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large-cap. Value is defined based on low valuations (low price ratios and high dividend yields) and slow growth (low growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow).

Large-blend portfolios are fairly representative of the overall U.S. stock market in size, growth rates, and price. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large-cap. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. These portfolios tend to invest across the spectrum of U.S. industries, and owing to their broad exposure, the portfolios' returns are often similar to those of the S&P 500 Index.

Large-growth portfolios invest in big U.S. companies that are projected to grow faster than other large-cap stocks. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as large-cap. Growth is defined based on fast growth (high growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow) and high valuations (high price ratios and low dividend yields). Most of these portfolios focus on companies in rapidly expanding industries.

Some mid-cap value portfolios focus on medium-size companies while others land here because they own a mix of small-, mid-, and large-cap stocks. All look for U.S. stocks that are less expensive or growing more slowly than the market. The U.S. mid-cap range for market capitalization typically falls between $1 billion-$8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market. Value is defined based on low valuations (low price ratios and high dividend yields) and slow growth (low growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow).

The typical mid-cap blend portfolio invests in U.S. stocks of various sizes and styles, giving it a middle-of-the-road profile. Most shy away from high-priced growth stocks, but aren't so price-conscious that they land in value territory. The U.S. mid-cap range for market capitalization typically falls between $1 billion-$8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate.

Some mid-cap growth portfolios invest in stocks of all sizes, thus leading to a mid-cap profile, but others focus on midsize companies. Mid-cap growth portfolios target U.S. firms that are projected to grow faster than other mid-cap stocks, therefore commanding relatively higher prices. The U.S. mid-cap range for market capitalization typically falls between $1 billion-$8 billion and represents 20% of the total capitalization of the U.S. equity market. Growth is defined based on fast growth (high growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow) and high valuations (high price ratios and low dividend yields).

Small-value portfolios invest in small U.S. companies with valuations and growth rates below other small-cap peers. Stocks in the bottom 10% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as small-cap. Value is defined based on low valuations (low price ratios and high dividend yields) and slow growth (low growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow).

Small-blend portfolios favor U.S. firms at the smaller end of the market-capitalization range. Some aim to own an array of value and growth stocks while others employ a discipline that leads to holdings with valuations and growth rates close to the small-cap averages. Stocks in the bottom 10% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as small-cap. The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate.

Small-growth portfolios focus on faster-growing companies whose shares are at the lower end of the market-capitalization range. These portfolios tend to favor companies in up-and-coming industries or young firms in their early growth stages. Because these businesses are fast-growing and often richly valued, their stocks tend to be volatile. Stocks in the bottom 10% of the capitalization of the U.S. equity market are defined as small-cap. Growth is defined based on fast growth (high growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow) and high valuations (high price ratios and low dividend yields).

Specialty-communications portfolios concentrate on telecommunications and media companies of various kinds. Most buy some combination of cable television, wireless-communications, and communications-equipment firms as well as traditional phone companies. A few favor entertainment firms, mainly broadcasters, film studios, publishers, and on-line service providers.

Specialty-financial portfolios seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of U.S. or non-U.S. financial-services companies, including banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and consumer credit providers.

Specialty-health portfolios focus on the medical and health-care industries. Most invest in a range of companies, buying everything from pharmaceutical and medical-device makers to HMOs, hospitals, and nursing homes. A few portfolios concentrate on just one industry segment, such as service providers or biotechnology firms.

Specialty-natural resources portfolios focus on commodity-based industries such as energy, chemicals, minerals, and forest products in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. Some portfolios invest across this spectrum to offer broad natural resources exposure. Others concentrate heavily or even exclusively in specific industries including energy or forest products.

Specialty-real estate portfolios invest primarily in real-estate investment trusts (REITs) of various types. REITs are companies that develop and manage real-estate properties. There are several different types of REITs, including apartment, factory-outlet, health-care, hotel, industrial, mortgage, office, and shopping center REITs. Some portfolios in this category also invest in real-estate operating companies.

Specialty-technology portfolios buy high-tech businesses in the U.S. or outside of the U.S. Most concentrate on computer, semiconductor, software, networking, and Internet stocks. A few also buy medical-device and biotechnology stocks and some concentrate on a single technology industry.

Specialty-utilities portfolios seek capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of U.S. or non-U.S. public utilities including electric, gas, and telephone-service providers.

Bear-market portfolios invest in short positions and derivatives in order to profit from stocks that drop in price. Because these portfolios often have extensive holdings in shorts or puts, their returns generally move in the opposite direction of the benchmark index.

Convertible bond portfolios are designed to offer some of the capital-appreciation potential of stock portfolios while also supplying some of the safety and yield of bond portfolios. To do so, they focus on convertible bonds and convertible preferred stocks. Convertible bonds allow investors to convert the bonds into shares of stock, usually at a preset price. These securities thus act a bit like stocks and a bit like bonds.

Conservative-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. These portfolios tend to hold smaller positions in stocks than moderate-allocation portfolios. These portfolios typically have 20% to 50% of assets in equities and 50% to 80% of assets in fixed income and cash.

Moderate-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. These portfolios tend to hold larger positions in stocks than conservative-allocation portfolios. These portfolios typically have 50% to 70% of assets in equities and the remainder in fixed income and cash.

Foreign large-value portfolios invest mainly in big international stocks that are less expensive or growing more slowly than other large-cap stocks. Most of these portfolios divide their assets among a dozen or more developed markets, including Japan, Britain, France, and Germany. These portfolios primarily invest in stocks that have market caps in the top 70% of each economically integrated market (such as Europe or Asia ex-Japan). Value is defined based on low valuations (low price ratios and high dividend yields) and slow growth (low growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow). These portfolios typically will have less than 20% of assets invested in U.S. stocks.

Foreign large-blend portfolios invest in a variety of big international stocks. Most of these portfolios divide their assets among a dozen or more developed markets, including Japan, Britain, France, and Germany. These portfolios primarily invest in stocks that have market caps in the top 70% of each economically integrated market (such as Europe or Asia ex-Japan). The blend style is assigned to portfolios where neither growth nor value characteristics predominate. These portfolios typically will have less than 20% of assets invested in U.S. stocks.

Foreign large-growth portfolios focus on high-priced growth stocks, mainly outside of the United States. Most of these portfolios divide their assets among a dozen or more developed markets, including Japan, Britain, France, and Germany. These portfolios primarily invest in stocks that have market caps in the top 70% of each economically integrated market (such as Europe or Asia ex-Japan). Growth is defined based on fast growth (high growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow) and high valuations (high price ratios and low dividend yields). These portfolios typically will have less than 20% of assets invested in U.S. stocks.

Foreign small-/mid-value portfolios invest in international stocks that are smaller and less expensive than other stocks. These portfolios primarily invest in stocks that fall in the bottom 30% of each economically integrated market (such as Europe or Asia ex-Japan). Value is defined based on low valuations (low price ratios and high dividend yields) and slow growth (low growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow). These portfolios typically will have less than 20% of assets invested in U.S. stocks.

Foreign small-/mid-growth portfolios invest in international stocks that are smaller, growing faster, and higher-priced than other stocks. These portfolios primarily invest in stocks that fall in the bottom 30% of each economically integrated market (such as Europe or Asia ex-Japan). Growth is defined based on fast growth (high growth rates for earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow) and high valuations (high price ratios and low dividend yields). These portfolios typically will have less than 20% of assets invested in U.S. stocks.

World-stock portfolios have few geographical limitations. It is common for these portfolios to invest the majority of their assets in the U.S.,  Europe, and Japan, with the remainder divided among the globe�s smaller markets. These portfolios typically have 20%-60% of assets in U.S. stocks.

Diversified emerging-markets portfolios tend to divide their assets among 20 or more nations, although they tend to focus on the emerging markets of Asia and Latin America rather than on those of the Middle East, Africa, or Europe. These portfolios invest at least 70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 50% of stock assets in emerging markets.

Latin America stock portfolios invest almost exclusively in stocks from Latin America. Most of these portfolios strongly favor the area's large markets, specifically Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Smaller markets such as Peru or Colombia aren't generally as well-represented in these portfolios. These portfolios invest at least 70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 75% of stock assets in Latin America.

Europe-stock portfolios invest at least 70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 75% of stock assets in Europe. Most of these portfolios emphasize the region's larger and more developed markets, including Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Many also invest in the region�s smaller markets, including the emerging markets of eastern Europe.

Japan stock portfolios emphasize companies based in Japan. The Japanese stock market is one of the largest in the world, so these portfolios' holdings vary significantly. Some portfolios concentrate on Japan's larger companies, while others concentrate on the nation's smaller firms. These portfolios invest at least 70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 75% of stock assets in Japan.

Pacific/Asia ex-Japan stock portfolios cover a wide geographic range. Most of these portfolios focus on export-oriented nations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea. These portfolios invest at least 70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 75% of stock assets in Pacific countries, with less than 10% in Japan.

Diversified Pacific/Asia stock portfolios have a wider investment range than other Asia-oriented portfolios. These portfolios can invest throughout the Pacific Rim, including Australia and New Zealand. As a result, country weightings for these portfolios vary tremendously, though most retain some exposure to Japan and Hong Kong. These portfolios invest at least 70% of total assets in equities and invest at least 75% of stock assets in Pacific countries, including at least 10% in Japan.

Specialty-precious metals portfolios focus on mining stocks, though some do own small amounts of gold bullion. Most portfolios concentrate on gold-mining stocks, but some have significant exposure to silver-, platinum-, and base-metal-mining stocks as well. Precious-metals companies are typically based in North America, Australia, or South Africa.

World-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. While these portfolios do explore the whole world, most of them focus on the U.S., Canada, Japan, and the larger markets in Europe. It is rare for such portfolios to invest more than 10% of their assets in emerging markets. These portfolios typically have at least 10% of assets in bonds, less than 70% of assets in stocks, and at least 40% of assets in non-U.S. stocks or bonds.

Long-government portfolios have at least 90% of their bond holdings invested in bonds backed by the U.S. government or by government-linked agencies. This backing minimizes the credit risk of these portfolios, as the U.S. government is unlikely to default on its debt. They are not risk free, though. Because these portfolios have durations of more than six years (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities greater than 10 years), they are more sensitive to interest rates, and thus riskier, than portfolios that have shorter durations.

Intermediate-government portfolios have at least 90% of their bond holdings in bonds backed by the U.S. government or by government-linked agencies. This backing minimizes the credit risk of these portfolios, as the U.S. government is unlikely to default on its debt. These portfolios have durations between 3.5 and six years (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities between four and 10 years). Consequently, the group's performance--and its level of volatility--tends to fall between that of the short government and long government bond categories.

Short-government portfolios have at least 90% of their bond holdings in bonds backed by the U.S. government or by government-linked agencies. This backing minimizes the credit risk of these portfolios, as the U.S. government is unlikely to default on its debt. These portfolios have durations between one and 3.5 years (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities between one and four years), so they have relatively less sensitivity to interest rates, and thus low risk potential.

Long-term bond portfolios invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade U.S. fixed-income issues and have durations of more than six years (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities greater than 10 years). Due to their long durations, these portfolios are exposed to greater interest rate risk.

Intermediate-term bond portfolios invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade U.S. fixed-income issues and have durations of 3.5 to six years (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities of four to 10 years). These portfolios are less sensitive to interest rates, and therefore less volatile, than portfolios that have longer durations.

Short-term bond portfolios invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade U.S. fixed-income issues and have durations of one to 3.5 years (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities of one to four years). These portfolios are attractive to fairly conservative investors, because they are less sensitive to interest rates than portfolios with longer durations.

Ultrashort bond portfolios invest primarily in investment-grade U.S. fixed-income issues and have durations of less than one year (or, if duration is unavailable, average effective maturities of less than one year). This category can include corporate or government ultrashort bond portfolios, but it excludes international, convertible, multisector, and high yield bond portfolios. Due to their focus on bonds with very short durations, these portfolios offer minimal interest-rate sensitivity and therefore low risk and total return potential.

Bank-loan portfolios primarily invest in floating-rate bank loans instead of bonds. In exchange for their credit risk, these loans offer high interest payments that typically float above a common short-term benchmark such as the London interbank offered rate, or LIBOR.

High-yield bond portfolios concentrate on lower-quality bonds, which are riskier than those of higher-quality companies. These portfolios generally offer higher yields than other types of portfolios, but they are also more vulnerable to economic and credit risk. These portfolios primarily invest in U.S. high-income debt securities where at least 65% or more of bond assets are not rated or are rated by a major agency such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's at the level of BB (considered speculative for taxable bonds) and below.

Multisector bond portfolios seek income by diversifying their assets among several fixed-income sectors, usually U.S. government obligations, U.S. corporate bonds, foreign bonds, and high-yield U.S. debt securities. These portfolios typically hold 35% to 65% of bond assets in securities that are not rated or are rated by a major agency such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's at the level of BB (considered speculative for taxable bonds) and below.

World bond portfolios invest 40% or more of their assets in foreign bonds. Some world bond portfolios follow a conservative approach, favoring high-quality bonds from developed markets. Others are more adventurous, and own some lower-quality bonds from developed or emerging markets. Some portfolios invest exclusively outside the U.S., while others regularly invest in both U.S. and non-U.S. bonds.

Emerging-markets bond portfolios invest more than 65% of their assets in foreign bonds from developing countries. The largest portion of the emerging-markets bond market comes from Latin America, followed by Eastern Europe. Africa, the Middle East, and Asia make up the rest.

Category applies to separate accounts and custom funds only.

Stable-value portfolios seek to provide income while preventing price fluctuations. The most common stable-value portfolios invest in a diversified portfolio of bonds and enter into wrapper agreements with financial companies to guarantee against fluctuations in their share prices. These wrapper agreements typically provide price stability on a day-to-day basis, thereby insulating each portfolio's net asset value from interest-rate volatility. Therefore, the duration for each of these funds is essentially zero.

Muni national long portfolios invest in bonds issued by various state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes. To lower risk, these portfolios spread their assets across many states and sectors. These portfolios have durations of more than seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of more than 12 years).

Muni national intermediate portfolios invest in bonds issued by various state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes. To lower risk, these portfolios spread their assets across many states and sectors. These portfolios have durations of 4.5 to seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of five to 12 years).

Muni national short portfolios invest in bonds issued by various state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes. To lower risk, these portfolios spread their assets across many states and sectors. These portfolios have durations of less than 4.5 years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of less than five years).

High-yield muni portfolios invest at least 50% of assets in high-income municipal securities that are not rated or that are rated by a major agency such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's at the level of BBB (considered speculative in the municipal industry) and below.

Muni single-state long portfolios invest in bonds issued by state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from such bonds is generally free from federal taxes and from state taxes in the issuing state. To get the state-tax benefit, these portfolios buy bonds from only one state. These portfolios have durations of more than seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of more than 12 years).

Muni single-state intermediate portfolios invest in bonds issued by state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from such bonds is generally free from federal taxes and from state taxes in the issuing state. To get the state-tax benefit, these portfolios buy bonds from only one state. These portfolios have durations of 4.5 to seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of five to 12 years).

Muni single-state short portfolios invest in bonds issued by state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from such bonds is generally free from federal taxes and from state taxes in the issuing state. To get the state-tax benefit, these portfolios buy bonds from only one state. These portfolios have durations of less than 4.5 years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of less than five years).

Muni California long portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in California municipal debt. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and California state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of California. These portfolios have durations of more than seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of more than 12 years).

Muni California intermediate/short portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in California municipal debt. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and California state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of California. These portfolios have durations of less than seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of less than 12 years).

Muni Florida portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in Florida municipal debt and can include long-, intermediate-, and short-duration portfolios. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and Florida state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of Florida.

Muni Massachusetts portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in Massachusetts municipal debt and can include long-, intermediate-, and short-duration portfolios. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and Massachusetts state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of Massachusetts.

Muni Minnesota portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in Minnesota municipal debt and can include long-, intermediate-, and short- duration portfolios. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and Minnesota state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of Minnesota.

Muni New Jersey portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in New Jersey municipal debt and can include long-, intermediate-, and short-duration portfolios. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and New Jersey state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of New Jersey.

Muni New York long portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in New York municipal debt. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and New York state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of New York. These portfolios have durations of more than seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of more than 12 years).

Muni New York intermediate/short portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in New York municipal debt. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and New York state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of New York. These portfolios have durations of less than seven years (or, if duration is unavailable, average maturities of less than 12 years).

Muni Ohio portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in Ohio municipal debt and can include long-, intermediate-, and short-duration portfolios. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and Ohio state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of Ohio.

Muni Pennsylvania portfolios invest at least 80% of assets in Pennsylvania municipal debt and can include long-, intermediate-, and short-duration portfolios. Because the income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes and Pennsylvania state taxes, these portfolios are most appealing to residents of Pennsylvania.

Equity

Large Cap

Large cap portfolios are fairly representative of the overall Indian equity market in size, growth rates, and price. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the equity market are defined as Large Cap.

Equity Small/Mid Cap

Small/mid cap portfolios primarily consist of stocks in the bottom 30% of the capitalization of the equity market.

Equity Specialty�Tech

Specialty-technology portfolios buy high-tech businesses in India. Most concentrate on computer, software, and BPO stocks. These funds invest at least 75% of portfolio assets in equity and at least 50% of equity assets in high-tech companies.

Equity Specialty�Health

Specialty-health portfolios focus on the medical and health-care industries. Most invest in a range of companies, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. These funds invest at least 75% of portfolio assets in equity and at least 50% of equity assets in healthcare companies.

Fixed Income

Long Government

Long-government portfolios have at least 90% of their bond holdings invested in bonds backed by the Indian government or by government-linked agencies. As these portfolios have average effective maturities greater than 7 years, they are more sensitive to interest rates and thus riskier than portfolios that have shorter maturities.

Intermediate Government

Intermediate-government portfolios have at least 90% of their bond holdings in bonds backed by the Indian government or by government-linked agencies. These portfolios have average effective maturities between three and 7 years. Consequently, the group's performance--and its level of volatility--tends to fall between that of the short government and long government bond categories.

Short Government

Short-government portfolios have at least 90% of their bond holdings in bonds backed by the Indian government or by government-linked agencies. These portfolios have average effective maturities between one and three years, so they have relatively less sensitivity to interest rates, and thus low risk potential.

Short-term Bond

Short-term bond portfolios invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade fixed-income issues and have average effective maturities of one to three years. These portfolios are attractive to fairly conservative investors, because they are less sensitive to interest rates than portfolios with longer durations.

Ultrashort Bond

Ultrashort bond portfolios invest primarily in investment-grade fixed-income issues that have average effective maturities of less than one year. This category can include corporate or government ultrashort bond portfolios, but excludes multisector portfolios. Due to their focus on bonds with very short durations, these portfolios offer minimal interest-rate sensitivity and therefore low risk and total return potential.

Multisector Bond

Multisector bond portfolios seek income by diversifying their assets among various fixed-income sectors.

Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Short-term

These funds have a fixed horizon of existence and invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade fixed-income issues and have average effective maturities of one to three years. These portfolios are attractive to fairly conservative investors, because they are less sensitive to interest rates than portfolios with longer durations.

Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Ultrashort

These funds have a fixed horizon of existence and invest primarily in investment-grade fixed-income issues that have average effective maturities of less than one year. This category can include corporate or government ultrashort bond portfolios, but excludes multisector portfolios. Due to their focus on bonds with very short durations, these portfolios offer minimal interest-rate sensitivity and therefore low risk and total return potential.

Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Multisector

These funds have a fixed horizon of existence and seek income by diversifying their assets among various fixed-income sectors.

Liquid

Liquid funds invest in money market and debt instruments of which the residual aggregate maturity does not exceed 12 months.

Fixed Income

Moderate Allocation

Moderate-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. These portfolios tend to hold larger positions in stocks than conservative-allocation portfolios. These portfolios typically have 50% to 70% of assets in equities and the remainder in fixed income and cash.

Conservative Allocation

Conservative-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. These portfolios tend to hold smaller positions in stocks than moderate-allocation portfolios. These portfolios typically have 0% to 30% of assets in equities and remainder in fixed income and cash.

Equity

Large Cap

Large cap portfolios are fairly representative of the overall Indian equity market in size, growth rates, and price. Stocks in the top 70% of the capitalization of the equity market are defined as Large Cap.

Fixed Income

Short-term Bond

Short-term bond portfolios invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade fixed-income issues and have average effective maturities of one to three years. These portfolios are attractive to fairly conservative investors, because they are less sensitive to interest rates than portfolios with longer durations.

Ultrashort Bond

Ultrashort bond portfolios invest primarily in investment-grade fixed-income issues that have average effective maturities of less than one year. This category can include corporate or government ultrashort bond portfolios, but excludes multisector portfolios. Due to their focus on bonds with very short durations, these portfolios offer minimal interest-rate sensitivity and therefore low risk and total return potential.

Multisector Bond

Multisector bond portfolios seek income by diversifying their assets among various fixed-income sectors.

Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Short-term

These funds have a fixed horizon of existence and invest primarily in corporate and other investment-grade fixed-income issues and have average effective maturities of one to three years. These portfolios are attractive to fairly conservative investors, because they are less sensitive to interest rates than portfolios with longer durations.

Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Ultrashort

These funds have a fixed horizon of existence and invest primarily in investment-grade fixed-income issues that have average effective maturities of less than one year. This category can include corporate or government ultrashort bond portfolios, but excludes multisector portfolios. Due to their focus on bonds with very short durations, these portfolios offer minimal interest-rate sensitivity and therefore low risk and total return potential.

Fixed Maturity Plan (FMP) Multisector

These funds have a fixed horizon of existence and seek income by diversifying their assets among various fixed-income sectors.

Balanced

Moderate Allocation

Moderate-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. These portfolios tend to hold larger positions in stocks than conservative-allocation portfolios. These portfolios typically have 50% to 70% of assets in equities and the remainder in fixed income and cash.