Different types of investments involve varying degrees of
risk and there can be no assurance that any specific investment or investment strategy will either be
suitable or profitable for your investment portfolio. Debt and equity investments associated with
some foreign countries may involve increased volatility and risk due to, without limitation, political risk,
sovereign risk, economic risk, currency risk, declines in credit quality, liquidity risk, and differences in
accounting standards. The nature and extent of these risks vary from country to country, among
investment instruments, and over time. The weakening of a country's currency relative to the US dollar
or to other benchmark currencies will negatively affect the dollar value of an instrument denominated in
that currency. Currency valuations are affected by economic, social and political factors and can fluctuate
greatly, even during intra-day trading. Some countries may impose foreign exchange controls, including
currency devaluation or the suspension of the ability to exchange or transfer currency.