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Risks

PRINCIPAL RISKS

The Fund is subject to certain risks. Certain of these risks are described below. For a more detailed discussion of some of these risks, see "Additional Information Regarding the Funds, their Principal Strategies and Related Risks" below.

Risks Applicable to all the Funds

  • The Funds are subject to stock market risk, which is the risk that stock prices will decline over a given period of time. The Funds' total return, like stock prices generally, will fluctuate within a wide range, so an investor could lose money over short or even long periods. Stock markets tend to be volatile, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
  • The Funds are subject to index risk, which is the risk that stocks in the Underlying Index may under-perform fixed income investments or stock market investments that track other markets, segments or sectors. The Advisor does not actively manage the Funds and therefore does not attempt to analyze, quantify or control the risks associated with investing in stocks of companies in the Underlying Index.
  • The Funds are subject to sector risk, which is the risk that significant problems will affect the sector represented in the Underlying Index, or that returns from that sector will trail returns from the overall stock market. Daily fluctuations in specific market sectors are often more extreme than fluctuations in the overall stock market. Because the Funds invest substantially all of their assets in the healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology sectors, each Fund's performance largely depends.for better or for worse.on the general condition of these sectors. Healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally. Healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel and their products may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology companies may face dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology sectors are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

The healthcare sector is also subject to government regulation and government approval of products and services which could have a significant adverse effect on price and availability. Furthermore, the types of products or services produced or provided by healthcare companies can quickly become obsolete.

The biotechnology sector can be significantly affected by patent considerations, intense competition, rapid technology change and obsolescence caused by progressive scientific and technological advances as well as strict government scrutiny and ongoing legislative action in the U.S. and abroad. Biotechnology companies may have persistent losses during a new product's transition from development to production, and revenue may be erratic, or even non-existent.

  • The Funds are subject to non-diversification risk, which is the risk associated with the fact that the Funds are non-diversified and may concentrate their investments in fewer issuers than if they were diversified. As a result, the Funds are more susceptible to the risks associated with those investments, including the risk that a Fund's performance may be hurt by the poor performance of relatively few stocks or even a single stock to a greater extent than if the Funds were diversified.
  • The Funds are subject to investment style risk, which is the risk that, to the extent that a Fund's assets are invested in small- and mid-capitalization stocks, the returns from these small-and mid-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, these stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-capitalization stocks.
  • The Funds are subject to index sampling risk, which is the risk that, when employing a sampling strategy, the stocks held by the Funds will not provide investment performance tracking the Underlying Index.
  • The Funds are subject to market price risk, which is the risk associated with the fact that the Funds' shares are listed on the NYSE and can be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the Funds' shares typically will approximate their NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV differ significantly. Thus, an investor may pay more than NAV when buying the Funds' shares on the secondary market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell the Funds' shares.
  • The Funds are subject to foreign securities risk, which is the risk that political and economic events unique to a foreign country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the United States economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign countries are generally denominated in a foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the United States dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of a Fund's investments. These currency movements may happen separately from and in response to events that do not otherwise affect the value of the security in the issuer's home country.
  • The Funds are subject to secondary market risk. Although the Funds' shares are listed for trading on the NYSE, it is possible that an active trading market may not be maintained. Trading of the Funds' shares on the NYSE may be halted if NYSE officials deem such action appropriate, if the Funds' shares are delisted from the NYSE or if the activation of market-wide "circuit breakers" halts stock trading generally.
  • The Funds are subject to derivatives risk, which is the risk associated with stock futures and options contracts, warrants, convertible securities, and swap agreements, which are types of derivatives. Investments in derivatives may subject the Funds to risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of the underlying securities, assets, or market indexes.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS' PRINCIPAL RISKS

Index Risk. The Funds employ a "passive management" or indexing investment approach. Each Fund attempts to track the investment performance of its Underlying Index. Whenever practicable, each Fund uses the replication method as its primary strategy, meaning that it holds the same stocks, in approximately the same proportions, as the stocks in the Underlying Index, regardless of their investment merit. Because each Fund is a passively managed index fund, the Advisor does not attempt to analyze individual companies or to quantify, manage or control the risks associated with investing in individual companies or in a portfolio that replicates the Underlying Index. Although index funds, by their nature, tend to be tax-efficient investment vehicles, tax ramifications are not considered in the passive management of index funds like the Funds. This risk is known as Index Risk.

Index Sampling Risk. From time to time, however, regulatory constraints or other legal considerations may prevent a Fund from replicating precisely an Underlying Index. This may occur for a number of reasons. For example, the Funds are taxed as regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Code imposes certain percentage limitations applicable to investments by regulated investment companies. To the extent a strict application of the replication methodology would result in a violation of the Code, the Fund would be prevented from replicating the Underlying Index. Similarly, other regulatory constraints, such as limitations on the ability of a Fund to invest more than a certain percentage in illiquid securities, may also prevent the Fund from precisely replicating an Underlying Index. In these circumstances, the Fund will employ a strategy known as "sampling" whereby the Fund will invest in securities that, in the aggregate, are deemed by the Advisor to approximate the Underlying Index in terms of key characteristics. The Advisor will not use a sampling strategy in an attempt to manage the portfolio but will do so only when it is required to do so by regulatory or legal considerations. To the extent the Fund employs a sampling strategy, it is subject to index sampling risk, which is the risk that the securities selected by the Advisor pursuant to this strategy may not, in fact, provide investment performance that closely tracks the Underlying Index.

Stock Market Risk. The Funds are subject to stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to be volatile, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.

Sector Risk. Each Fund is subject to sector risk, which is the chance that significant problems will affect a particular sector, or that returns from that sector will trail returns from the overall stock market. Because each Fund invests all, or substantially all, of its assets in the healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology sectors, it is subject to the risks associated with investing in those sectors. Companies in the healthcare industry are, generally, subject to significant governmental regulation and are required to obtain government approval of their products and services, which could have a significant effect on their price and availability. Furthermore, the types of products or services produced or provided by these companies may quickly become obsolete. The costs of providing healthcare services may increase as a result of, among other factors, changes in medical technology and increased labor costs.

Additionally, a number of legislative proposals concerning healthcare have been introduced in the U.S. Congress in recent years or have been reported to be under consideration. These proposals span a wide range of topics, including cost controls, national health insurance, incentives for competition in the provision of healthcare services, tax incentives and penalties related to healthcare insurance premiums, and promotion of prepaid healthcare plans. Any of these proposals, if enacted, may have an adverse effect on the healthcare industry.

The biotechnology sector of the healthcare industry faces certain additional risks. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies need to price drugs to cover costs. Increased competition, managed care, larger provider networks and a planned Medicare program may make it difficult to raise prices, and in fact, may result in price discounting. The sector is also subject to costs arising out of its regulation by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). Before any drug or medical device can be sold, it must receive FDA approval. The process to obtain FDA approval has historically been long and costly, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to recoup these costs. Additional expenses may arise from the cost of expensive liability insurance due to the fact that biotechnology companies face the risk of large product liability suits.

Furthermore, the biotechnology industry is an emerging growth industry, and therefore biotechnology companies may be thinly capitalized and more volatile than companies with greater capitalization. Companies in this sector generally need to retain earnings to finance their expansion, and as a result, no dividends may be paid. Additional capital may be required to market new products on a commercial basis. Biotechnology companies may be dependent for their revenues on only a few products, and may depend on their competitors to produce and market their products. These companies are therefore susceptible to product obsolescence, a common problem in a rapidly developing area like biotechnology.

Pharmaceutical companies must devote a large amount of capital to research and development and marketing to remain competitive. If new drugs are not approved, or new applications are not found for existing drugs, profits may be adversely impacted. Manufacturers of medical devices face unusual costs because they must follow the "Good Manufacturing Practices" ("GMP") regulation which provides detailed guidance on designing, manufacturing, testing, packaging, storing and installing devices as well as the required recordkeeping.

Investment Style Risk. Each Fund invests across large-, mid-, and small-capitalization healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology stocks, depending on the composition of the Underlying Index. The Advisor makes no effort to manage the capitalization exposure of the Fund's portfolio. The Index Methodology with respect to each Underlying Index, however, generally requires a minimum capitalization of at least $100 million (some of the Underlying Indexes require a greater minimum market capitalization than $100 million). From time to time, depending on the construction of the Underlying Index, a Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in small- and medium-size healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology companies. Such investments entail greater risk than investments in larger, more established companies. Small- and medium-size companies in these industries often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology companies. Some of these companies may have incurred significant net losses since commencing operations and many companies may not achieve profitability from developing these products for years, if at all. Even after a company begins selling its products, losses could continue to increase as a result of ongoing research and development and clinical trial expenses, as well as increased manufacturing, sales and marketing expenses. These losses, among other things, could significantly increase the volatility of a Fund's assets and adversely affect the NAVs of the Funds. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, an investor may lose some or all of his investment in the Funds.

Small- and medium-size companies in the healthcare, life sciences and biotechnology sectors will be subject to acquisition by various large-size companies in the same or related sectors which may significantly impact the stock prices of such companies and, in turn, adversely affect the NAVs of the Funds.

Foreign Security Risks. Investments in securities of foreign companies or governments can be more volatile than investments in U.S. companies or governments. Diplomatic, political, or economic developments, including nationalization or appropriation, could affect investments in foreign countries. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign companies or governments may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial-reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic U.S. companies or governments. Transaction costs are generally higher than those in the U.S. and expenses for foreign custodial arrangements may be higher than expenses for custodial arrangements of similar U.S. securities. Some foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes is recoverable, the non-recovered portion will reduce the income received from the securities comprising the portfolio.

Currency Risk. As many investments in foreign countries are denominated in foreign currencies, changes in the value of those countries' currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may affect the value of those investments. Investments in foreign securities denominated in foreign currencies involve additional risks, including: (i) each Fund may incur substantial costs in connection with conversions between various currencies; (ii) only a limited market currently exists for hedging transactions relating to currencies in certain emerging markets; and (iii) securities transactions undertaken in some foreign markets may not be settled promptly so that the Funds' investments may be less liquid and subject to the risk of fluctuating currency exchange rates pending settlement.

Expropriation Risk. Foreign governments may expropriate the Funds' investments either directly by restricting the Funds' ability to sell a security or imposing exchange controls that restrict the sale of a currency, or indirectly by taxing the Funds' investments at such high levels as to constitute confiscation of the security. There may be limitations on the ability of the Funds to pursue and collect a legal judgment against a foreign government.

Geographic Concentration and Emerging Market Risk. Because the HealthShares™ Asian Health Exchange-Traded Fund, the European Drugs Exchange-Traded Fund and the European Medical Devices and Products Exchange-Traded Fund (the "International Funds") will invest all of their assets in the securities of a single region and may invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of a single foreign country, such Funds will be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region to a greater extent than a fund that did not focus its investments in a single region or country. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in a country could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries. For the HealthShares™ Asian Health Exchange-Traded Fund, the Asian economies are in all stages of economic development. The majority of the economies in the region can be characterized as either developing or newly industrialized. The HealthShares™ Asian Health Exchange-Traded Fund is also subject to risk particular to its investments in Japan. The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Certain of the countries in which the Fund may invest may be considered to be emerging market countries. Emerging market countries are countries that the World Bank or the United Nations considers to be emerging or developing. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in market or economic conditions than more developed countries. In addition, the financial stability of issuers (including governments) in emerging markets countries may be more precarious than in other countries.

Derivatives Risk. Each Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in derivatives. Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of traditional investments. To track their Underlying Indexes as closely as possible, the Funds attempt to remain fully invested in stocks. The Funds may invest, to a limited extent, in stock futures and options contracts, warrants, convertible securities, and swap agreements, which are types of derivatives. Generally speaking, a derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a traditional security (such as a stock or bond), an asset (such as a commodity like gold), or a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index). Investments in derivatives may subject a Fund to risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of the underlying securities, assets, or market indexes. Losses (or gains) involving futures can sometimes be substantial--in part because a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in an immediate and substantial loss (or gain) for a Fund. Similar risks exist for warrants (securities that permit their owners to purchase a specific number of stock shares at a predetermined price), convertible securities (securities that may be exchanged for another asset), and swap agreements (contracts between parties in which each agrees to make payments to the other based on the return of a specified index or asset). The Funds will not use derivatives for speculation or for the purpose of leveraging (magnifying) investment returns.

Market Price Risk. The market price of shares of the Funds may differ from the Fund's NAV. HealthShares™ are listed for trading on the NYSE and can be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the HealthShares™ typically will approximate its NAV, there may be times when the market price and the NAV differ significantly. Thus, you may pay more than NAV when buying HealthShares™ on the secondary market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell those HealthShares™.

The market price of HealthShares™, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a "bid-asked spread" charged by the exchange specialist and other market-makers that cover the particular security. While the Fund cannot predict, and does not control, whether or when the HealthShares™ will trade at a premium or a discount to NAV, it is likely that in times of severe market disruption, the bid-asked spread will increase significantly and the HealthShares™ would most likely be traded at a discount to NAV. In addition, any discount is likely to be greatest when the price of HealthShares™ is falling fastest.and this may be the time that you most want to sell your HealthShares™. The Funds' website at www.healthsharesinc.com will show the prior day's closing NAV and closing market price for the Funds' shares. In addition, the Funds' website will contain the following information, on a per share basis, for each Fund: (a) the prior business day's net asset value and the Bid/Ask Price and a calculation of the premium or discount of the Bid/Ask Price at the time of calculation of the net asset value against such net asset value; and (b) data in chart format displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the daily Bid/Ask Price against the net asset value, within appropriate ranges, for each of the four previous calendar quarters. In addition, the Funds' website contains information regarding the premiums and discounts at which shares of the Funds have traded.

Secondary Market Risk. An active secondary market for the HealthShares™ may not exist. Although the HealthShares™ are listed on the NYSE, it is possible that an active trading market may not be maintained. In addition, trading in the HealthShares™ on the NYSE will be halted whenever trading in equity securities generally is halted by the activation of market-wide "circuit breakers", which are tied to large decreases in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Trading of the HealthShares™ also will be halted if (1) the shares are delisted from the NYSE without first being listed on another exchange, or (2) NYSE officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or to protect investors. If trading is halted, eligible investors (see below) will still be able to purchase Creation Units of the Funds directly and redeem such units with the Funds. If HealthShares™ are delisted from the NYSE, the Company will consider what appropriate action to take, which may include, among other things, seeking to list HealthShares™ on another national securities exchange, converting the Fund to a traditional mutual fund, or redeeming the Shares at NAV.

SHARES OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT INDIVIDUALLY REDEEMABLE. They can be redeemed with the issuing Fund directly at NAV only in large lots known as Creation Units. You would incur brokerage costs in purchasing enough shares of the Fund to constitute a Creation Unit.