Changes in the relative values of different currencies may adversely affect the value of investments and any related income.
There is a risk that the issuers of fixed income investments (e.g. bonds) may not be able to meet interest payments nor repay the money they have borrowed. The worse the credit quality of the issuer, the greater the risk of default and therefore investment loss.
The use of derivatives is not intended to increase the overall level of risk. However, the use of derivatives may still lead to large changes in value and includes the potential for large financial loss. A counterparty to a derivative transaction may fail to meet its obligations which may also lead to a financial loss.
These markets carry a higher risk of financial loss than more developed markets as they may have less developed legal, political, economic or other systems.
Investments may be primarily concentrated in specific countries, geographical regions and/or industry sectors. This may result in wider fluctuations in the value of the portfolio compared to more broadly invested portfolios.
The value of fixed income investments (e.g. bonds) tends to decrease when interest rates rise.
There may be insufficient buyers or sellers of particular investments giving rise to delays in trading and being able to make settlements, and/or large fluctuations in value. This may lead to larger financial losses than might be anticipated.
Aims to protect investors from a decline in the value of the reference currency only (the currency in which accounts are reported) and will not protect against a decline in the values of the currencies of the underlying investments, where these are different from the reference currency. Difference between the currencies of the underlying investments and the reference currency may cause loss when the reference currency rises against the share class currency. Such hedging will not be perfect. Success is not assured.