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 may increase overall risk by magnifying the effect of both gains and losses leading to large changes in value and potentially 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.
Investing in foreign securities may be subject to specific material risks pertaining to overseas jurisdictions and markets, including (but not limited to) potential constraints to local liquidity and the repatriation of funds, macroeconomic, political, tax, settlement risks, potential limitations on available market information and foreign exchange or currency fluctuations.
The value of fixed income investments (e.g. bonds) tends to decrease when interest rates rise.
Investments in real estate securities can carry the same risks as investing directly in real estate itself. Real estate prices rise and fall in response to a variety of factors, including local, regional and national economic and political conditions, interest rates and tax considerations.