The fund seeks to achieve long-term growth of capital and income by investing primarily in common stocks, most of which have a history of paying dividends. In the selection of these companies, potential for capital growth and future dividends are given more weight than current yield. The fund also aims to manage a carbon footprint for its investments in corporate issuers that is lower than the index, and evaluates and applies ESG and norms-based screening to implement a negative screening policy relating to investments in corporate issuers.