The investment seeks long-term capital appreciation. The fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies located in the Asia (excluding Japan) region ("Asia (ex-Japan)"). It invests primarily in common stock, but may also invest in other types of equity securities, including, but not limited to, preferred stock, rights, warrants and depositary receipts. The fund will generally invest in equity securities of companies which have a market capitalization at the time of purchase of greater than U.S. $500 million.