Neuberger Berman Sustainable Equity

Objective And Strategy

Objective
Long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in securities of companies that meet the Fund's financial criteria and social policy.

Strategy
It invests mainly in mid- to large-cap companies that meet the Fund's financial criteria and social policy. It aims to reduce risk by investing across many different industries. It pursues research-driven and valuation-sensitive approach to stock selection, seeking stocks in well-positioned businesses believed to be undervalued. It looks for leadership in three areas: 1) environmental concerns, 2) diversity in the work force, and 3) progressive employment and workplace practices, and community relations. Also looks at company's record in public health and the nature of its products. Firms judged on overall corporate citizenship, considering their accomplishments as well as their goals. Seeks to avoid companies deriving revenue from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or weapons, or that are involved in nuclear power. The Fund does not invest in companies that derive revenue primarily from non-consumer sales to the military.

Principal Risks

* This portfolio invests (or may invest) in securities of companies with micro-, small-, or mid-capitalization. Any investment in micro-, small-, or mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk than that customarily associated with investments in larger, more established companies because of the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrower product lines, and frequent lack of management depth. As such, micro- or small-cap companies may be more subject to erratic and abrupt market movements than securities of larger, more established companies.

* This portfolio can leverage or use leveraged instruments or derivatives. Portfolios that use leverage, that is, borrow money, are subject to the risk that the cost of borrowing money to leverage will exceed the returns for the securities purchased or that the securities purchased may actually go down in value. Thus, the portfolio's net asset value can decrease more quickly than if the portfolio had not borrowed. Portfolios that use leveraged instruments or derivatives such as futures, options and swap agreements, may expose the portfolio to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. The more a portfolio invests in leveraged instruments, the more the leverage will magnify any gains or losses on those investments.