* Ariel Investments, LLC, the Adviser, is contractually obligated to waive fees or reimburse expenses in order to limit Ariel Focus Fund’s total annual operating expenses to 1.25% of net assets for the Investor Class and 1.00% of net assets for Class I through the end of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. No termination of this agreement by either the Board of Trustees or the Adviser may be effective until, at the earliest, October 1, 2013.

Ariel Focus Fund is a non-diversified fund and therefore may be subject to greater volatility than a more diversified investment.

Investing in equity stocks is risky and subject to the volatility of the markets.

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values.. The S&P 500® Index is the most widely accepted barometer of the  market. It includes 500 blue chip, large cap stocks, which together represent about 75% of the total U.S. equities market.

Investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. For a current summary prospectus or full prospectus which contains this and other information about the funds offered by Ariel Investment Trust, call us at 800-292-7435 or click here. Please read the summary prospectus or full prospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Ariel Distributors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ariel Investments, LLC.

Represents percentage of total equity holdings in the portfolio

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values.. The S&P 500® Index is the most widely accepted barometer of the  market. It includes 500 blue chip, large cap stocks, which together represent about 75% of the total U.S. equities market.

The four-part investment process drives us to take a long-term view, focusing on what matters most through independent thought and research.

The Idea: We read extensively, monitor computer screens, meet with industry experts, and stay abreast of former holdings.

The Science: We seek to purchase companies that trade at a 40% discount to the PMV we have calculated, sell for 13x or less forward cash earnings estimates, or both.

The Art: We surround companies to paint a long-term picture and identify what others are missing. The chief tool is our extensive independent verification network — the many experts we know well. We use strategic questioning of company management and outside experts to identify the key issues affecting an industry or company.

The Decision: We generally purchase only a few companies each year so we weigh our options carefully. Typically, key information is captured in a research report.  The co-portfolio managers vet the idea in a vigorous discussion. After this step, the co-portfolio managers make the final purchase decision.