An investment company that concentrates its holdings among securities or other assets sharing a common interest. For example, a sector fund may limit its holdings to foreign securities from a particular country or geographic region (for example, Korea Fund or Pacific Fund). Likewise, it may specialize in the securities of energy-related firms or in companies that produce precious metals. Sector funds permit investors to concentrate on a specific investment segment and yet diversify their investments among various issuers. Sector funds entail more risk but offer greater potential returns than funds that diversify their portfolios. Also called special-purpose fund, specialty fund.