Strategy. The funds sub-adviser, Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. (the sub-adviser), invests primarily in equity securities, principally common and preferred stocks of U.S. large capitalization companies which, in the sub-advisers view, exhibit potential for growth and have favorable environmental, social and governance (ESG) characteristics. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in securities of U.S. large cap companies that have been assigned a Strong ESG rating by the sub-adviser. The fund considers large cap companies to be those with a market cap within the market-cap range of the Russell 1000 Growth Index 1 , a benchmark of the fund, at the initial time of … Show more… The funds sub-adviser, Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. (the sub-adviser), invests primarily in equity securities, principally common and preferred stocks of U.S. large capitalization companies which, in the sub-advisers view, exhibit potential for growth and have favorable environmental, social and governance (ESG) characteristics. Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in securities of U.S. large cap companies that have been assigned a Strong ESG rating by the sub-adviser. The fund considers large cap companies to be those with a market cap within the market-cap range of the Russell 1000 Growth Index 1 , a benchmark of the fund, at the initial time of purchase in the fund. As of December 31, 2024, the market cap range of the Russell 1000 Growth Index was between $1.67 billion and $3.79 trillion. The sub-adviser combines fundamental research with independent ESG research in an effort to identify reasonably priced stocks of companies with accelerating or underappreciated earnings potential and favorable ESG characteristics. The fund utilizes an active, fundamental, bottom-up approach to investing in domestic equity securities. The sub-adviser enhances its fundamental research by using sustainability analysis to assign an ESG rating to potential investments as described below. From a fundamental research perspective, the sub-adviser uses an in-depth due diligence process to identify companies that it believes possess the following characteristics: Sustainable business model Durable competitive advantage Underappreciated earnings growth Asymmetrical risk/reward Compelling valuation Strong balance sheets Superior company management The sub-adviser uses a due diligence process to critically assess each investment opportunity from an ESG perspective. This proprietary ESG research process generally includes interviews with key management team contacts, reviews of material sustainability metrics from public filings and third-party data, and additional independent research. The sub-advisers analysis of a companys ESG profile focuses on materiality of ESG factors to the company and expected impact on shareholder value, varies by sector, and is specific to each company. Environmental factors considered may include climate change and energy transition; social factors considered may include human capital management and data security practices; and governance factors considered may include ESG oversight and executive and board compensation. The output of the sub-advisers proprietary ESG research process is a report that includes a standardized evaluation (ESG Rating) of Strong, Neutral, or Weak for each company. The sub-advisers analytical framework evaluates companies across the following three ESG pillars: Product or Service Impact (What a company makes) Operating Environmental & Social Practices (How a company makes their products) Governance & Risks (How a company manages risks in making the product) The sub-advisers ESG evaluation accounts for how a business compares on each pillar relative to its industry peers, the market cap size of the company, and the sub-advisers views of both the companys current status as well as its improvement over time. Securities are eligible for investment by the fund if approved by the sub-advisers Investment Committee from a fundamental research standpoint. Next, only those companies that have been assigned a Strong ESG Rating by the sub-adviser are eligible for inclusion in the fund. Securities that are rated Neutral or Weak by this process are not eligible for inclusion in the fund. The sub-adviser constructs the funds portfolio taking into consideration each companys ESG Rating, business quality, growth outlook, valuation, and analyst conviction. Additional considerations by the sub-adviser include existing exposures, thematic overlap, and macro environment. The fund will typically consist of approximately 35 to 50 equity securities. Generally, no equity position will exceed the greater of either five percent of the fund or two percent more than the securitys weight in the Russell 1000 Growth Index, both valued at market. Non-U.S. stocks, including American Depository Receipts (ADRs), are limited to 15% of the funds net assets. The fund is a non-diversified fund, meaning that a larger percentage of its assets may be invested in fewer issuers. The sub-adviser generally employs a fully invested strategy. Therefore, under normal market conditions, cash and cash equivalents will generally be less than 10% of the funds net assets. All investments by the fund, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, are subject to the sub-advisers sustainability analysis. 1 Russell and other service marks and trademarks related to the Russell indexes are trademarks of the London Stock Exchange Group companies. Show less