GW&K actively manages Equity Dividend Plus portfolios with a goal to provide reasonable income and capital appreciation. We believe investing in dividend paying stocks of companies exhibiting strong management may reward investors in the form of a steady income stream as well as the potential for appreciation. Dividends have often been viewed as an important indicator of a company's stability and quality and its management's commitment to shareholders. Furthermore, dividends may offer downside protection during market downturns. GW&K's Equity Dividend Plus portfolios are built strictly from the bottom-up within diversification constraints. The strategy focuses on dividend paying stocks with the potential for sustained growth as well as companies that are growing their dividend.