Strategy. The Fund seeks to meet its objective by investing in a global portfolio of equities, which include common stock and other equity securities, of issuers located in countries of developed, emerging, and frontier markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. The Fund invests predominantly in securities issued by companies located in countries represented in the MSCI ACWI Index, cash and cash equivalents. The Fund invests in equity securities either directly or indirectly, such as through depositary receipts, and may invest in preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants. The Fund is not constrained with respect to market capitalization and may participate in initial public offerings … Show more… The Fund seeks to meet its objective by investing in a global portfolio of equities, which include common stock and other equity securities, of issuers located in countries of developed, emerging, and frontier markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. The Fund invests predominantly in securities issued by companies located in countries represented in the MSCI ACWI Index, cash and cash equivalents. The Fund invests in equity securities either directly or indirectly, such as through depositary receipts, and may invest in preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants. The Fund is not constrained with respect to market capitalization and may participate in initial public offerings ( "IPOs" ) and in securities offerings that are not registered in the U.S. The portfolio managers employ a bottom-up approach to stock selection and select companies without being constrained by the MSCI ACWI benchmark. The portfolio managers focus on company research and the long-term outlook of companies and industries. Ideas can come from a wide variety of sources, including, but not limited to, research trips, company meetings, and relationships with industry thought leaders and academic institutions. Stock ideas are normally researched to assess a range of factors, including: long-term growth potential, geographic and industry positioning, competitive advantage, management, financial strength and valuation. The intended outcome is a portfolio of between 25 and 50 growth companies with the potential to outperform the benchmark over the long term and which the portfolio managers consider to have core ambitions of delivering a positive change in at least one of the following areas: social inclusion and education, healthcare, the environment, and addressing basic needs and aspirations of the world's poorest populations. In order to assess positive change in these areas, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the " Manager ") will monitor the progress of each issuer using metrics and/or milestones designed by the Manager. With respect to each area, the Manager pursues an active, positive approach; investment decisions are generally not made on the basis of negative "screening" of companies viewed as socially irresponsible. The process can result in significant exposure to a single country or a small number of countries. The Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that it may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in a small number of issuers, industries or sectors. The Fund aims to hold securities for long periods (typically at least 5 years), which generally results in relatively low portfolio turnover and is in line with the Fund's long-term investment outlook. The Fund may invest without limitation in securities quoted or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and may hold such currencies. The Fund does not expect to engage in currency hedging and thus expects to be fully exposed to currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar. Show less