Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions,
when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which
are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 6% of the average value of its portfolio.
The Fund's Principal Investment Strategy
In seeking to track the performance of the Index, the
Fund employs a replication strategy, which means that the Fund typically invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Index in approximately the same proportions as the Index.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund generally
invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the Index. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to any material change in this 95% investment policy. In addition, the
Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including money market funds advised by SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM” or the “Adviser”),
the investment adviser to the Fund).
The Index
includes companies that have been identified as Consumer Discretionary companies by the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), including
securities of companies from the following industries: retail (specialty, multiline, internet and direct marketing); hotels, restaurants and leisure; textiles, apparel and luxury goods; household durables; automobiles; auto components; distributors;
leisure products; and diversified consumer services. The Index is one of eleven Select Sector Indexes developed and maintained in accordance with the following criteria: (1) each of the component securities in the Index is a constituent of the
S&P 500 Index; and (2) the Index is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) based on a proprietary “modified market capitalization” methodology which means that modifications may be made to the market
capitalization weights of single stock concentrations in order to conform to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code” or “IRC”). As of November 30, 2019, the Index was
composed of 64 stocks.
The Index is also
sponsored and compiled by S&P DJI. S&P DJI determines the composition of the Index and relative weightings of the securities in the Index based on the Index methodology (as the “Index Compilation Agent”). S&P DJI also
publishes information regarding the market value of the Index (as the “Index Provider”). S&P DJI is not affiliated with the Fund or the Adviser.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
As with all investments, there are certain risks of
investing in the Fund. Fund Shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Market Risk: The Fund's investments are subject to changes in general economic conditions, and general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be
volatile and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors including, but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers, and general
market liquidity. The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets.
Equity Investing
Risk: The market prices of equity securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that may directly
relate to the issuer and also may decline due to general industry or market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or
extended periods of time.
Consumer
Discretionary Sector Risk: The Fund's assets will be concentrated in the consumer discretionary sector, which means the Fund will be more affected by the performance of the consumer discretionary
sector than a fund that is more diversified. The success of consumer product manufacturers and retailers is tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and global economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success
depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending. Also, companies in the consumer discretionary sector may be subject to severe competition, which may have an adverse impact on their respective profitability. Changes in
demographics and consumer tastes can also affect the demand for, and success of, consumer products and services in the marketplace.
Fluctuation of
Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts Risk: As with all exchange-traded funds, Fund Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of Fund Shares
in the secondary market may differ from the Fund's daily net asset value per share and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more