Ariel Appreciation Fund joins a list of top growth funds based on long-term total returns as compiled by Investor’s Business Daily.

Investing in mid-cap stocks is more risky and more volatile than investing in large cap stocks. Ariel Appreciation Fund concentrates a significant portion of its assets in the financial services and consumer discretionary sectors, and its performance may suffer if these sectors underperform the overall stock market.

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. Click here for the expense ratio and performance data current to the most recent month-end for Ariel Appreciation Fund.

The article was prepared by Investor’s Business Daily. This material should not be considered an offer for any of the securities referenced. The information is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. The information provided does not provide information reasonably sufficient upon which to base an investment decision and should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security.

The Performance Rankings shown for the Top Growth Funds are based on the 36-month period ending 09/27/2011, and are measured as follows: A+=Top 5%,A=Top 10%,A- =Top 15%,B+=Top 20%,B=Top 25%,B-=Top 30%,C+=Top 35%,C=Top 40%,C-=Top 45%,D+=Top 50%, D=Top 60%,D-= Top 70%,E=Below 70%. The Top Growth Funds category consists of the 2,000 funds in the Investor’s Business Daily proprietary fund universe.

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.