Ariel Emerging Markets Value

The following includes disclosures and benchmark definitions relevant to the investment strategy of this product.

Ariel Investments, LLC (Ariel) is a Delaware limited liability company and federally registered investment adviser regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Ariel is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in New York, San Francisco, and Sydney. Ariel offers investment strategies that seek long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities. Ariel utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental analysis to select quality company stocks. Taking a long-term view and applying independent thinking to our investment decisions, Ariel spans the market cap spectrum from small to large and covers the globe with international and global offerings. Ariel claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein.

*Total strategy assets include all accounts and investment funds employing the strategy. All other information presented is for the Ariel Emerging Markets Value Composite and its representative account.

The Ariel Emerging Markets Value strategy seeks long-term capital appreciation as a primary objective. The strategy’s secondary objectives are to seek long-term capital preservation, to generate attractive absolute returns and to attain higher absolute and relative returns compared to its benchmark over a full market cycle. The strategy invests primarily in equity securities of non-U.S. companies in emerging markets. The strategy will invest in non-U.S. securities by purchasing equity securities directly or through instruments that provide exposure to non-U.S. companies. The strategy is permitted to invest in companies of any size. The Ariel Emerging Markets Value Composite differs from its benchmarks, the MSCI EM (Emerging Markets) Index and MSCI EM (Emerging Markets) Value Index because the Composite has fewer holdings than the benchmarks.

The strategy uses various techniques to hedge currency exposure or to invest significant cash inflows in the market (i.e., reducing “cash drag”), including derivatives, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other hedges. The strategy will buy and sell currency on a spot basis and enter into foreign currency forward contracts. Ariel uses these techniques primarily in an attempt to ensure that stock selection is the primary driver of relative returns. Indexes are unmanaged. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance results are net of transaction costs and reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other earnings. Ariel Composite Net of Fees returns are calculated by deducting: (1) for the period from inception to August 31, 2024, the maximum advisory fee in effect for the respective period, applied on a monthly basis; and (2) for the period from September 1, 2024 onwards, the actual monthly advisory fee (on an asset-weighted basis) accrued for the accounts in the composite, using the fee rates in place as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. Gross returns do not reflect the deduction of advisory fees. Client returns will be reduced by advisory fees and such other expenses as may be incurred in the management of the account. Advisory fees are described in Part 2 of Ariel’s Form ADV. Results shown may be preliminary. Returns are calculated in U.S. dollars. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing in small cap stocks is more risky and volatile than investing in large-cap stocks. The intrinsic value of the stocks in which the portfolio invests may never be recognized by the broader market. The portfolio is often concentrated in fewer sectors than its benchmarks, and its performance may suffer if these sectors underperform the overall stock market. Investing in equity stocks is risky and subject to the volatility of the markets.

The Ariel Emerging Markets Value Composite has been examined for the period from May 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. Click here to obtain a GIPS Report.

Indexes are unmanaged. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid cap representation across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. Its inception date is January 1, 2001.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Value Index captures large and mid cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. Its inception date is December 8, 1997.

All MSCI Index net returns reflect the reinvestment of income and other earnings, including the dividends net of the maximum withholding tax applicable to non-resident institutional investors that do not benefit from double taxation treaties. MSCI uses the maximum tax rate applicable to institutional investors, as determined by the companies’ country of incorporation. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used to create indices or financial products. This report is not approved or produced by MSCI.

The sectors shown for the Global strategies are the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”). GICS was developed by and is the exclusive property and service mark of MSCI Inc. and Standard & Poor’s (S&P), a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. GICS is licensed for use by Ariel Investments, LLC. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any third party involved in making or compiling GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.