BMED focuses on total return by investing in the broad health sciences group of industries from R&D to production and distribution of medical supplies in different fields, including dental, optical or pharmaceuticals. It also involves healthcare providers including health facilities and hospitals or those providing related administrative, management or financial support. The fund reaches into non-human health (e.g., survival of plants and animals) such as firms that increase crop yields, taste, nutritional content or improve pet health. BMED will include firms with varying market-cap with bias to small- and mid-caps that may include foreign non-USD-denominated securities. The fund may also hold REITs that own hospitals and IPOs. During temporary defensive periods, the fund may invest up to 100% of assets in liquid, short-term investments and can enter in credit default swaps for risk management. Prior to Oct. 10, 2024, the fund used Blackrock for branding purposes instead of iShares.