The fund was incepted in December 1975 and is managed by ING Investment. The fund seeks to attain capital appreciation and to hedge against the loss of buying power of the U.S. dollar as may be obtained through investment in gold and securities of companies engaged in mining or processing gold throughout the world. The fund normally invests at least 80% of the value of its total assets in gold bullion and the equity securities of companies engaged in the exploration, mining, processing, fabrication or distribution of gold ('gold-related companies'). The fund normally invests in companies with a large capitalization, but may also invest in mid and small-sized companies. The fund invests the remaining 20% of its total assets in other precious metals, including silver, platinum, and palladium, and in the equity securities of companies engaged in the exploration, mining, processing, fabrication or distribution of other precious metals or materials. Dividends and capital gains, if any, are distributed annually.