The fund's investment adviser invests the fund's assets primarily in equity securities of small-cap companies that Royce believes are trading below its estimate of their current worth. Normally, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small-cap companies. Although the fund normally focuses on securities of U.S. companies, it may invest up to 25% of its net assets (measured at the time of investment) in securities of companies headquartered in foreign countries.