EPSB

The Fund seeks long-term total return. The Fund invests principally in common stocks and other equity securities of U.S. small- and mid- (smid) capitalization companies, which the Fund defines as those with market capitalizations that fall within the range of the Russell 2500 Index. The Subadvisor employs a disciplined investment approach that seeks to identify companies that, in the Subadvisor's view, demonstrate strong business fundamentals, such as revenue growth, strong profit margins, manageable debt and strong cash flow, and earnings prospects that are not recognized by the market as a whole and therefore not reflected in the companies' current market valuations. The Subadvisor uses a bottom-up investment process, employing fundamental and qualitative criteria to identify individual companies for potential investment in the Fund's portfolio. The Subadvisor uses statistical analysis designed to identify and manage specific risks in the Fund's portfolio compared to its benchmark by measuring factors like value, earnings growth, volatility, and sector over and underweights, seeking to minimize unexpected losses and improve risk-adjusted returns.