Strategy. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of emerging market issuers or in instruments with economic characteristics similar to emerging market equity securities. For these purposes, equity securities include equity securities of any type, including common stocks; preferred securities; warrants to purchase common stocks and preferred securities; convertible debt securities that are either in the money or immediately convertible into common stocks or preferred securities; common and preferred securities issued by master limited partnerships and real estate investment trusts; depositary receipts; and other securities with equity characteristics. The Fund considers an emerging market security to be a security that is principally traded on a securities exchange of an emerging market or that … Show more… Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of emerging market issuers or in instruments with economic characteristics similar to emerging market equity securities. For these purposes, equity securities include equity securities of any type, including common stocks; preferred securities; warrants to purchase common stocks and preferred securities; convertible debt securities that are either in the money or immediately convertible into common stocks or preferred securities; common and preferred securities issued by master limited partnerships and real estate investment trusts; depositary receipts; and other securities with equity characteristics. The Fund considers an emerging market security to be a security that is principally traded on a securities exchange of an emerging market or that is issued by an issuer that has primary operations in an emerging market. The Fund generally defines an emerging market as any of the countries or markets represented in the Funds benchmark index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (MSCI EM Index), or any other country or market with similar emerging characteristics. The stock selection decisions of the Funds investment adviser, Teachers Advisors, LLC (Advisors), drive Advisors country and regional asset allocations for the Fund. However, Advisors regularly compares the Funds sector and country exposure against the MSCI EM Index to assess its comparative investment exposures. Advisors looks for companies of any size that it believes have sustainable earnings growth, focused management with successful track records, unique and easy-to-understand franchises (brands), stock prices that do not fully reflect the stocks potential value (based on current earnings, assets, and long-term growth prospects), and consistent generation of free cash flow. For purposes of the 80% investment policy, the term assets means net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund may purchase and sell futures, options, swaps and other equity derivatives to carry out the Funds investment strategies. Show less