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Special Growth Fund
Enhanced blend of small-cap managers

Class S
March 31, 2008
On September 8, 2008, the Special Growth Fund will be merged into the Equity II Fund (the Equity II Fund will change its name to the Russell U.S. Small Cap & Mid Cap Fund on September 2, 2008). For more details, refer to the
June 2, 2008 supplement to the corresponding fund prospectus or contact your financial intermediary.

About the fund
"In this small-cap fund, Russell chooses managers that invest using many different investment styles, from looking for companies they believe have rapidly growing earnings to ones that are undervalued. For example a growth manager and a value manager each use distinct investment processes. One may maintain a concentrated portfolio of companies focusing on earnings growth momentum, restulting in higher risk relative to the benchmark. The other may use a quantitative process to pick stocks and manage the portfolio, which keeps its risk exposure close to the benchmark. When combined, all the managers within this fund provide a less volatile investment approach than offered by any single one of the underlying managers on a stand-alone basis." – Christopher Tessin

Investment strategy
 
  • Seeks to provide long-term capital growth.
  • Emphasis on small-cap stocks.
  • Specialty fund offering additional diversification.

Fund highlights
 
  • May provide lower risk than many small-cap funds by blending multiple managers with very different investment styles, allowing for more consistency.
  • Blended exposure to multiple managers using growth and value styles.

Managing money differently
The Russell approach has been trusted for decades by many of the world's largest investors; our mutual funds allow you to employ that same approach. We identify investment managers we believe have exceptional capabilities, blend them to help manage risk through diversification, and constantly monitor them. Regardless of market conditions, Russell's investment approach remains constant.

Allocation of fund assets

    % Allocated   Year assigned
Growth        
Gould Investment Partners, LLC   9%   2004
Ranger Investment Management, L.P.   11%   2007
Tygh Capital Management, Inc.   20%   2005
Market-oriented        
ClariVest Asset Management, LLC   10%   2006
PanAgora Asset Management, Inc.   10%   2006
Value        
Delphi Management, Inc.   10%   1989
DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc.   10%   2008
Jacobs Levy Equity Management, Inc.   12%   1995
Signia Capital Management, LLC   8%   2008
Money managers listed are current as of 03/31/2008. Subject to the fund's Board approval, Russell has the right to engage or terminate a money manager at any time and without a shareholder vote, based on an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission. The investment strategies are the goals of the individual money managers; there is no assurance that the exact objective will always be met.

Small capitalization (small cap) investments involve stocks of companies with smaller levels of market capitalization (generally less than $2 billion) than larger company stocks (large cap). Small cap investments are subject to considerable price fluctuations and are more volatile than large company stocks. Investors should consider the additional risks involved in small cap investments.

Sector weightings   % of
total equity
Auto and Transportation
Consumer Discretionary
Consumer Staples
Financial Services
Health Care
Integrated Oils
Materials and Processing
Other Energy
Producer Durables
Technology
Utilities
Miscellaneous
  4.7
16.1
1.9
16.2
12.6
0.1
10.9
10.2
8.3
14.0
4.5
0.5
Due to rounding totals may not equal 100%.

Top ten holdings   % of
fund
MICROS Systems, Inc.
Illumina, Inc.
McDermott International, Inc.
Activision, Inc.
Hologic, Inc.
Perrigo Co.
Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, Inc.
Amphenol Corp.
URS Corp.
NICE Systems, Ltd.
  0.9
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
    6.5
*The top ten holdings list does not reflect the investment
of cash reserves and cash collateral received in
securities lending transactions in one or more of RIC's
money market funds.

Performance review | as of March 31, 2008
Special Growth Fund - Class S

        Annualized returns
QTR   YTD   1 yr   3 yrs   5 yrs   10 yrs   Since inception
09/05/85
-13.57   -13.57   -11.98   5.02   14.10   5.62   11.04

Fund Fees and Expenses
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Total Net
1.23% 1.23%


Growth of $10,000 - class S shares

Performance information is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that redeemed shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Current to the most recent month-end performance for Russell mutual funds is available by visiting: www.russell.com/us/fundperformance.

Characteristics

Total market value   Net asset value
$1,441.78 million   $41.27

    Class C   Class E   Class S
Cusip   782493472   782493696   782493886
Ticker   RSPCX   RSPEX   RSPSX

The fund offers other classes of shares with higher fees and expenses. These other classes may charge up to a 0.75% distribution fee and a 0.25% shareholder servicing fee which will result in a higher expense ratio and lower performance than that shown above. For a full description of other available classes, please see the prospectus.

Fund objectives, risks, charges and expenses should be carefully considered before investing. For a prospectus containing this and other important information call Russell at 1-866-676-7680 or go to the prospectus and reports page to download one. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.






Fund performance is reported net of fund advisory and administrative fees, and gross of financial intermediary fees.
For purchases over a certain minimum investment amount, another Russell mutual fund with similar investment objectives, strategies and risks, but generally lower annual fund operating expenses, may be available. Because this other fund is different than that listed above, a transfer between them may be a taxable event. Please contact your financial professional for more information.
Diversification and strategic asset allocation do not assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
For more information on Russell Funds, contact your investment professional or plan administrator for assistance.
Russell Investment Group is a Washington, USA corporation, which operates through subsidiaries worldwide, including Russell Investments, and is a subsidiary of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
The Russell logo is a trademark and service mark of Russell Investments.


Securities products and services offered through Russell Financial Services, Inc. (formerly Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.), member FINRA, part of Russell Investments.
For information on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, go to www.finra.org.


Copyright © Russell Investments 2007-2008. All rights reserved.
First used April 2007.
RFD 07-6568 (0273)


Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. The general information contained in this publication should not be acted upon without obtaining specific legal, tax, and investment advice from a licensed professional.

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