Strategy. To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small cap companies. The fund currently considers small cap companies to be those companies with market capitalizations that are equal to or less than the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Russell 2000 Index. As of November 30, 2025, the market capitalization of the largest company in the Russell 2000 Index was approximately $30.5 billion, and the weighted average and median market capitalizations of the Russell 2000 Index were approximately $4.7 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. The fund normally allocates its assets among multiple investment strategies employed by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, … Show more… To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small cap companies. The fund currently considers small cap companies to be those companies with market capitalizations that are equal to or less than the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Russell 2000 Index. As of November 30, 2025, the market capitalization of the largest company in the Russell 2000 Index was approximately $30.5 billion, and the weighted average and median market capitalizations of the Russell 2000 Index were approximately $4.7 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. The fund normally allocates its assets among multiple investment strategies employed by BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc. (BNYIA) and its affiliates that invest primarily in equity securities issued by small cap companies. The fund is designed to provide exposure to various small cap equity portfolio managers and investment strategies and styles. The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in the equity securities of foreign issuers. BNYIA determines the investment strategies and sets the target allocations and ranges. The investment strategies and the fund's targets and ranges (expressed as a percentage of the fund's investable assets) for allocating its assets among the investment strategies as of the date of this prospectus were as follows: Investment Strategy Target Range Small Cap Value Strategy 50% 0% to 100% Small Cap Growth Strategy 50% 0% to 100% BNYIA has the discretion to change the investment strategies and the target allocations and ranges when BNYIA deems it appropriate without notice to or approval by shareholders. The investment strategies are employed by Newton Investment Management North America, LLC (NIMNA), an affiliate of BNYIA. The portion of the fund's assets allocated to the Small Cap Value Strategy normally is invested primarily in equity securities of small cap value companies. In constructing this portion of the fund's portfolio, NIMNA employs a value-based investment style, which means that it seeks to identify those companies with stocks trading at prices below what are believed to be their intrinsic value. NIMNA focuses primarily on individual stock selection for the Small Cap Value Strategy instead of trying to predict which industries or sectors will perform best. The stock selection process is designed to produce a diversified portfolio of companies that the sub-adviser believes are undervalued relative to expected business growth, with the presence of a catalyst (such as a corporate restructuring, change in management or spin-off) that will trigger a near-term or mid-term price increase. The portion of the fund's assets allocated to the Small Cap Growth Strategy normally is invested primarily in equity securities of small cap companies with favorable growth prospects. In constructing this portion of the fund's portfolio, NIMNA employs a growth-oriented investment style, which means it seeks to identify those small cap companies which are experiencing or are expected to experience rapid earnings or revenue growth. NIMNA looks for high quality companies for the Small Cap Growth Strategy, especially those with products or services that are believed to be leaders in their market niches. NIMNA focuses on individual stock selection instead of trying to predict which industries or sectors will perform best. Show less