Special tax bond risk. Special tax bonds are usually backed and payable through a single tax, or series of special taxes such as incremental property taxes. The failure of the tax levy to generate adequate
revenue to pay the debt service on the bonds may cause the value of the bonds to decline. Adverse conditions and developments affecting a particular project may result in lower revenues to the issuer of the municipal
securities, which may adversely affect the value of the fund’s portfolio.
Transportation bond risk. Transportation bonds may be issued to finance the construction of airports, toll roads, highways or other transit facilities. Airport bonds are dependent on the general stability of the
airline industry and on the stability of a specific carrier who uses the airport as a hub. Air traffic generally follows broader economic trends and is also affected by the price and availability of fuel. Toll road
bonds are also affected by the cost and availability of fuel as well as toll levels, the presence of competing roads and the general economic health of an area. Fuel costs and availability also affect other
transportation related securities, as do the presence of alternate forms of transportation, such as public transportation. Municipal securities that are issued to finance a particular transportation project often
depend solely on revenues from that project to make principal and interest payments. Adverse conditions and developments affecting a particular project may result in lower revenues to the issuer of the municipal
securities.
Water and sewer bond risk. Water and sewer revenue bonds are often considered to have relatively secure credit as a result of their issuer’s importance, monopoly status and generally unimpeded ability to raise
rates. Despite this, lack of water supply due to insufficient rain, run off or snow pack is a concern that has led to past defaults. Further, public resistance to rate increases, costly environmental litigation and
federal environmental mandates are challenges faced by issuers of water and sewer bonds.
Interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, prices of debt securities generally decline. The longer the duration of the fund’s debt securities, the more sensitive the fund will be to interest rate
changes. (As a general rule, a 1% rise in interest rates means a 1% fall in value for every year of duration.) Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks or governments are likely to
affect the level of interest rates. Rising interest rates may prompt redemptions from the fund. Although the fund primarily seeks to redeem shares of the fund on an in-kind basis, if the fund is forced to sell
underlying investments at reduced prices or under unfavorable conditions to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, the fund may suffer a loss. The fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates
due to the current period of historically low rates.
Credit risk. The fund’s performance could be hurt if an issuer of a debt security suffers an adverse change in financial condition that results in a payment default, security
downgrade or inability to meet a financial
obligation. Credit risk is greater for lower-rated securities. Because the issuers of junk bonds may be in uncertain financial health, the prices of their debt securities could be more vulnerable to bad economic news,
or even the expectation of bad news, than investment-grade debt securities. Credit ratings may not be an accurate assessment of credit risk.
Geographic focus risk. To the extent that the Underlying Index and the fund are significantly comprised of issuers in a single state, region or sector of the municipal securities market, performance can be more
volatile than that of a fund that invests more broadly. As an example, factors affecting a state, region or sector, such as severe fiscal difficulties, an economic downturn, court rulings, increased expenditures on
domestic security or reduced monetary support from the federal government, could over time impair the ability of a state, region or sector to repay its obligations.
Risks related to investing in New
York. The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in municipal obligations of issuers located in the State of New York and, therefore, will have greater exposure to negative
political, economic, regulatory or other factors within the State of New York, including the financial condition of its public authorities and political subdivisions, than a fund that invests in a broader base of
securities. Unfavorable developments in any economic sector may have a substantial impact on the overall New York municipal market. Certain issuers of New York municipal bonds have experienced serious financial
difficulties in the past and reoccurrence of these difficulties may impair the ability of certain New York issuers to pay principal or interest on their obligations.
Risks related to investing in
California. The fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in municipal obligations of issuers located in the State of California. While California’s economy is broad, it does have
major concentrations in high technology, manufacturing, entertainment, agriculture, tourism, construction and services, and may be sensitive to economic problems affecting those industries. Consequently, the fund may
be affected by political, economic, regulatory and other developments within California and by the financial condition of California’s political subdivisions, agencies, instrumentalities and public
authorities.
Focus risk. To the extent that the fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or technological changes, or
economic conditions affecting companies in those industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the fund’s performance.
Prepayment and extension risk.
When interest rates fall, issuers of high interest debt obligations may pay off the debts earlier than expected (prepayment risk), and the fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower
yields. When interest rates rise, issuers of lower interest debt obligations may pay off the debts later than expected