This fund pursues long-term capital appreciation in the small-cap sector while seeking to provide the risk characteristics of the less volatile large-cap S&P 500 Index. The fund invests in a select group of small-cap companies believed to be undervalued relative to their future growth potential. The investment strategy emphasizes companies with a competitive advantage, strong management and low financial risk that are able to grow over market cycles, despite their discounted valuations. The subadviser, Kayne Anderson Rudnick, believes that superior risk-adjusted returns can be achieved through investment in high-quality companies with global dominance, excellent management, financial strength, and consistent growth purchased at reasonable prices. On June 25, 2010, the Virtus Disciplined Small-Cap Opportunity Fund was merged into the Virtus Small-Cap Core Fund.