OVERVIEW OF THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES OF THE FUNDS
Each Fund's investment objective is to seek to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of a particular Underlying Index. The Advisor uses a passive, or indexing, approach in managing the Funds. HealthShares ETFs are subject to increased risks associated with investing in a specific sector compared to a more diversified investment. Unlike many mutual funds, the Funds do not seek to outperform any particular market sector and will not assume temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Each Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in the common stocks of companies in the Underlying Index, or in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") or Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") based on securities of international companies in the Underlying Index. Because each Underlying Index, with the exception of HealthShares™ Composite Index, is comprised only of stocks as indicated by its name (e.g., only "diagnostics" companies are contained in the HealthShares™ Diagnostics Index), this means that each Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in such companies. The Funds will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice of any change in these policies. Each Fund may also invest up to 10% of its assets in futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, swaps on securities of companies in the Underlying Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents, such as money market instruments (subject to applicable limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")). Each Fund will attempt to replicate the Underlying Index by matching the weighting of securities in its portfolio with such securities' weightings in the Underlying Index. In managing the Funds, the Advisor seeks a correlation of 0.95 or better between each Fund's performance and the performance of the Underlying Index. A figure of 1.00 would represent perfect correlation. There is no guarantee that the Advisor will be able to obtain this level of correlation.
From time to time, it may not be possible, for regulatory or other legal reasons, to replicate the Underlying Index and in such cases the Advisor may pursue a sampling strategy in managing the portfolio. Pursuant to this strategy, a Fund may invest the remainder of its assets in securities of companies not included in an Underlying Index if the Advisor believes that such securities will assist the Fund in tracking the Underlying Index. If a Fund pursues a sampling strategy, it will continue to invest at least 90% of its assets in the common stocks, ADRs or GDRs of the companies in the Underlying Index. See "Additional Information About The Funds, Their Principal Strategies And Related Risks" for more information about the use of a sampling strategy.
Limitations and restrictions on the level of investment in securities that are discussed in this Prospectus and that are expressed in terms of percentage limitations are measured at the time of investment, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Changes in market values that cause a percentage limitation to be exceeded will not necessarily require that securities be sold.
The following is a summary of the principal investment policies, strategies and risks of each of the Funds. Further information about the Funds and their risks can be found in "Additional Information About the Funds, Their Principal Strategies and Related Risks" in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Under normal circumstances, each Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in common stocks of companies in the Underlying Index, or in ADRs or GDRs based on securities of international companies in the Underlying Index. Because each Underlying Index is comprised only of stocks as indicated by its name (e.g., only "diagnostics" companies are contained in the HealthShares Diagnostics ETF), this means that each Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in such companies. The Funds will provide shareholder with at least 60 days. notice of any change in these policies. Each Fund may also invest up to 10% of its assets in futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options, swaps on securities of companies in the Underlying Index, as well as cash and cash equivalents such as money market instruments (subject to applicable limitations of the 1940 Act). Each Fund's investment objective is fundamental and may not be changed without a shareholder vote.
In addition to the Funds' principal investment strategies, each Fund may use other strategies or engage in certain other investment practices that are not principal strategies. In addition to these strategies and practices, each Fund may invest in investment-grade debt securities (i.e., debt obligations classified within the four highest ratings of a nationally recognized statistical rating organization such as Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality). Each Fund may also hold cash and/or invest a portion of its assets in U.S. Government securities, high-quality money market instruments and repurchase agreements collateralized by the foregoing obligations. These other investments and strategies are described in detail in the Funds' Statement of Additional Information.