Ariel Investments
Morningstar Ratings

Morningstar.com

10/31/08

Ariel Fund received a 1-Star rating, Ariel Appreciation Fund received a 3-Star rating, and Ariel Focus Fund received
a 3-Star Overall Morningstar Ratings™. 


Ariel Fund


Two-Star Overall Morningstar Rating

Ariel Fund received a one-star Overall Morningstar Rating™ as of 10/31/08 out of 412 Mid-Cap Blend Equity Funds. Ariel Fund was rated one star among 412, one star among 329 and two stars among 164 domestic mid-cap blend funds for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended 10/31/08, respectively.

Ariel Appreciation Fund

Three-Star Overall Morningstar Rating

Ariel Appreciation Fund received a three-star Overall Morningstar Rating™ as of 10/31/08 out of 412 Mid-Cap Blend Equity Funds. Ariel Appreciation Fund was rated two stars among 412, two stars among 329 and three stars among 164 domestic mid-cap blend funds for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended 10/31/08, respectively.

Ariel Focus Fund

Three-Star Overall Morningstar Rating

Ariel Focus Fund received a three-star Overall Morningstar Rating™ as of 10/31/08 out of 1,189 Large Cap Value Equity Funds. Ariel Focus Fund was rated three stars among 1,189 domestic large cap value funds for the three-year period ended 10/31/08.



For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Rating™ based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. These ratings change monthly. The top 10% of funds in an investment category receive five stars, the next 22.5% receive four stars, the next 35% receive three stars, the next 22.5% receive two stars, and the bottom 10% receive one star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Ratings. Morningstar does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

© 2008 Morningstar, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely.  Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. 

Investing in small cap and mid-cap stocks is more risky and more volatile than investing in large cap stocks. Past performance does not guarantee future results. 

Investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. For a current 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 prospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Ariel Distributors, LLC.