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[RCM LOGO]
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
ANNUAL REPORT
1995
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE
The RCM Global Technology Fund (the "Fund") commenced operations on
December 27, 1995. The Fund returned 0.40% for the period from December 27 to
December 31, 1995, compared to 0.23% for the S&P 500, 0.93% for the Russell
Midcap Index, -0.22% for the Lipper Science & Technology Index, and -0.48% for
the Hambrecht and Quist Technology Index for the same period. Given the Fund's
limited performance history for 1995, we thought it would be appropriate to
discuss how RCM Capital Management, a California Limited Partnership ("RCM"),
the Fund's investment manager, has positioned the portfolio as the Fund embarks
on its first full year of performance.
At the start of 1996, the technology sector continued the correction
that began in the fall of 1995, with several high profile mutual funds making
headlines as they significantly reduced their technology weightings. Because
1995 was such an outstanding year for most technology stocks, the first half of
1996 may prove to be a period of consolidation for the technology sector.
Therefore, RCM has diversified the portfolio across many segments as the new
year begins. In this period of uncertainty, RCM is focusing the portfolio on
high quality companies that are leaders in their industries or are
participating in high growth areas. In addition, the Fund owns several stocks
across various sectors that have compelling valuation, because RCM believes
their value exceeds present perceptions of their worth.
The two largest sectors represented in the Fund are Electronics/New
Technology and Technology Services, which encompass a broad spectrum of
technology stocks. Within these broad categories, RCM has focused on several
sub-sectors or areas.
For example, the Fund has significant investments in the
communications and networking areas. The rush to the Internet and Intranet
(the name for internal Internets inside of companies) are creating a major need
to upgrade the infrastructure of corporations and entire countries to
accommodate the era of network computing. The upgrading of the
telecommunications infrastructure is a global phenomenon that should continue
for many years. RCM is positioning the Fund to take advantage of this
revolution.
RCM is also attracted to the business and technical software areas.
These areas have high secular growth rates and moderately high valuations that
are still less than their growth rates. Companies in these areas are
benefiting from the deployment of distributed computing by enterprises as they
re-engineer themselves for lower costs and higher productivity. The companies
RCM favors supply the databases, operating systems, training systems and
utilities to run these environments. RCM believes these companies will grow
even in a challenging environment.
RCM has also initiated what it considers to be starter positions in
some of the wireless and consumer software areas. RCM thinks prospects will be
favorable in the future, and the companies' low stock valuations more than
compensate for the near-term issues of slowing demand in cellular service and
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existing game systems. Although RCM does not know the precise timing of
sentiment, it anticipates that investor enthusiasm for these stocks will hit
bottom soon, and so has initiated positions now.
In addition, the systems integration and processing area is well
represented in the Fund. The companies chosen are characterized by consistent
growth, a high percentage of recurring revenue, and, therefore, a predictable
earnings stream. During periods of uncertainty, RCM has found that investors
gravitate towards these companies, and expects that this trend will continue.
Finally, while in general RCM anticipates that the semiconductor and
components area will be under extended pressure as supply catches up with
demand, the Fund has invested in several specialty semi-conductor companies.
These companies are typically grouped within the commodity memory companies but
actually have distinct businesses. This group of companies sells value-added,
proprietary products that are critical components to their customers and that
are frequently sole-sourced. These companies tend to have consistently high
returns or improving returns on sales.
There are also several other sectors in which the Fund has minor
positions because RCM believes that they represent long-term or unique
opportunities. For example, the Fund has modest investments in the computer
hardware industry. The companies selected tend to have gone through major
restructuring, have improving margins and are selling at low price-to-earnings
ratio. In addition, the Fund has purchased several stocks from the healthcare
industry. RCM believes the defensive characteristics of this group are ideal
in this environment.
While the first part of 1996 may prove to be volatile for technology
stocks, RCM believes the Fund is positioned to take advantage of periodic
rebounds during a time of excess pessimism. Although the slowing economy is
currently affected the growth rate of many technology companies, RCM
anticipates that during the coming year, governments around the world will
begin to stabilize and stimulate their economies, and the focus will shift. At
that time, companies and investors will again turn their attention to
technology opportunities. Whatever this correction period brings, RCM believes
that technology will be a major force in the global economy for at least the
next ten years and intends to take advantage of the opportunities offered by
this dynamic area.
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES AND NET ASSETS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF
SHARES COUNTRY EQUITY INVESTMENTS NET ASSETS MARKET VALUE
- ---------- ----------- ------------------------------ ---------- --------------
<C> <C> <S> <C> <C>
AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 1.9%
250 US Sundstrand Corp. $ 17,594
COMMUNICATION SERVICES 2.3%
470 US AirTouch Communications Inc.* 13,277
160 US MFS Communications Inc.* 8,520
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21,797
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COMPUTER AND OFFICE SERVICES 9.9%
190 JPN Canon Inc. ADR 17,361
490 US Dell Computer Corp.* 16,966
270 US Digital Equipment Corp.* 17,314
1,100 US EMC Corp.* 16,912
190 US International Business Machines 17,432
600 US STAC Inc.* 8,625
--------
94,610
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BIOTECHNOLOGY 1.7%
540 US Centocor Inc.* 16,672
ELECTRONICS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY 30.5%
770 US Allen Group Inc. 17,230
330 US Altera Corp.* 16,418
370 US Analog Devices Inc.* 13,089
220 US Cabletron Systems Inc.* 17,820
230 US Cisco Systems Inc.* 17,164
670 SWDN Ericsson LM Telephone Co. ADR 13,065
210 US Glenayre Technologies Inc.* 13,073
290 US Intel Corp. 16,458
520 US LSI Logic Corp.* 17,030
370 US Maxim Integrated Products Inc.* 14,245
230 US Microchip Technology Inc.* 8,395
410 US Netcom On-line Communication* 14,760
330 FIN Nokia Corp. Sponsored ADR 12,829
200 US Qualcomm Inc.* 8,600
820 US Semtech Corp.* 15,990
350 FR SGS Thomson Microelectronics NV* 14,088
350 US StrataCom Inc.* 25,725
190 US U S Robotics Corp. 16,673
560 US Vishay Intertechnology Inc. 17,640
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290,292
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</TABLE>
*Non-incoming producing
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 3
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES AND NET ASSETS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% OF
SHARES COUNTRY EQUITY INVESTMENTS NET ASSETS MARKET VALUE
- ---------- ----------- ------------------------------ ---------- --------------
<C> <C> <S> <C> <C>
HEALTH CARE 5.1%
380 US American Oncology Resources Inc.* $ 18,477
1,210 US Curative Technologies Inc.* 17,242
300 US Renal Treatment Centers Inc.* 13,200
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48,919
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MEDIA SERVICES 1.4%
1,060 BER Comcast UK Cable Partners Ltd.* 13,250
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES 25.6%
470 US America Online Inc.* 17,625
350 IRE CBT Group PLC Sponsored ADR* 18,550
430 US Ceridian Corp.* 17,737
440 US Citrix Systems Inc.* 14,300
300 US Computer Associates Intl Inc. 17,063
250 US Computer Sciences Corp.* 17,562
700 US Electronics Arts Com.* 18,287
260 US First Data Corp. 17,387
590 US Informix Corp.* 17,700
500 US Medaphis Corp.* 18,500
200 US Microsoft Corp.* 17,550
400 US Oracle Corp.* 16,950
570 US PMT Services Inc.* 17,243
290 US Sterling Software Inc.* 18,089
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244,543
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UTILITIES 1.8%
990 FR Alcatel Alsthom ADR 17,325
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TOTAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS (COST $761,149) (a) 80.2% 765,002
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OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES 19.8% 188,702
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NET ASSETS 100.0% $953,704
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--------
</TABLE>
*Non-incoming producing
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 4
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES AND NET ASSETS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
(a) For Federal income tax purposes, cost is $761,149 and unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) of equity securities is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Unrealized appreciation $10,971
Unrealized depreciation (7,118)
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Net unrealized appreciation $ 3,853
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-------
</TABLE>
The Fund's investments in securities at December 31,1995 categorized by
country:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% of
Country Net Assets
------- ----------
<S> <C>
Bermuda 1.4%
Finland 1.3%
France 3.3%
Ireland 1.9%
Japan 1.8%
Sweden 1.4%
United States 88.9%
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100.0%
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-----
</TABLE>
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 5
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at value (cost $761,149)(Note 1) $ 765,002
Cash 900,000
Deferred organizational costs (Note 5) 75,000
Receivable for Fund shares sold 50,000
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Total Assets 1,790,002
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LIABILITIES:
Payable for investments purchased 761,149
Payable for deferred organizational costs 75,000
Payable for miscellaneous expenses 149
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Total Liabilities 836,298
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NET ASSETS $ 953,704
----------
----------
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
($953,704 DIVIDED BY 94,980 shares outstanding) $ 10.04
----------
----------
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Paid in capital $ 950,000
Accumulated net investment loss (149)
Net unrealized appreciation of investments 3,853
----------
NET ASSETS $ 953,704
----------
----------
</TABLE>
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 6
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FROM DECEMBER 27, 1995* TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Income:
Dividends $ 5
------
Total income 5
------
Expenses:
Investment management fees (Note 6) 113
Miscellaneous expenses 41
------
Total expenses 154
------
Net investment loss (149)
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NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS 3,853
------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $3,704
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------
</TABLE>
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* Commencement of operations.
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 7
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
FROM DECEMBER 27, 1995* TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
OPERATIONS:
Net investment loss $ (149)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments 3,853
--------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 3,704
NET INCREASE FROM CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 3) 850,000
--------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS 853,704
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period 100,000
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End of period $953,704
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</TABLE>
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* Commencement of operations.
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 8
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data for each share of capital stock outstanding are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 27, 1995
(commencement
of operations) to
December 31, 1995
-----------------
<S> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
------
Net investment loss -
------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 0.04
------
Net increase in net asset value
resulting from investment operations 0.04
------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $10.04
------
------
TOTAL RETURN 0.40% *
------
------
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (in 000's) $ 954
------
------
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 0.00% **
------
------
Ratio of net investment loss to
average net assets (0.02%) **
------
------
Portfolio turnover 0.00%
------
------
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* Total return measures the change in value of an investment over the period
indicated.
** Not Annualized. Fund was in operation for five days, ratios are not
meaningful.
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
Page 9
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
RCM Global Technology Fund (the "Fund") is a non-diversified,
no-load series of RCM Equity Funds, Inc. (the "Company"). The
Company is organized as a Maryland corporation and is
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as an open-end management investment company.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its
financial statements. The policies are in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles which require
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amount of assets and liabilities.
A. SECURITIES VALUATIONS:
Investment securities are stated at fair market value. Equity
securities traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last
sale price on the exchange or in the principal over-the-counter
market in which such securities are traded as of the close of
business on the day the securities are being valued. If there
has been no sale on such day, then the security will be valued
at the closing bid price on such day. If no bid price is
quoted on such day, then the security will be valued by such
method as the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith
deems appropriate to reflect its fair market value. Readily
marketable securities traded only in the over-the-counter
market that are not listed on the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or similar
foreign reporting service will be valued at the mean bid price,
or such other comparable sources as the Board of Directors of
the Company deems appropriate to reflect their fair market
value. Other portfolio securities held by the Fund will be
valued at current market value, if current market quotations
are readily available for such securities. To the extent that
market quotations are not readily available such securities
will be valued by whatever means the Board of Directors of the
Company in good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair
market value.
Short-term investments with a maturity of 60 days or less are
valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME:
Security transactions are recorded as of the date of purchase
or sale. Realized gains and losses on security transactions
are determined on an identified cost basis for both financial
statement and federal income tax purposes. Interest income,
foreign taxes and expenses are accrued daily.
C. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS:
The records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign
currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are
translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Purchases
and sales of foreign securities and income and withholding taxes
are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Net
realized currency gains and losses include foreign currency gains
and losses between trade date and settlement date, sales, forward
foreign currency contracts and foreign currency transactions. The
Fund does not isolate that portion of foreign currency exchange
fluctuation
Page 10
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
on investments from unrealized appreciation and depreciation
which arises from changes in market prices. Such fluctuations
are included with the net unrealized appreciation and
depreciation on investments.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:
It is the policy of the Fund to comply with the requirements
for qualification as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). It is
also the intention of the Fund to make distributions sufficient
to avoid imposition of any excise tax under Section 4982 of the
Code. Therefore, no provision has been made for Federal or
excise taxes on income and capital gains.
E. DISTRIBUTIONS:
Distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Fund on the
ex-date. Income and capital gain distributions are determined
in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which may
differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These
differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income
and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund and
timing differences.
2. INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN SECURITY AND CURRENCY
Investing in foreign equity securities and currency
transactions involves significant risks, some of which are not
typically associated with investments of domestic origin. The
Fund's investments in foreign and emerging markets will subject
the Fund to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, perceived credit risk and adverse economic and
political developments.
3. CAPITAL SHARES
At December 31, 1995, there were 1,000,000,000 shares of the
Company's capital stock authorized, at $0.0001 par value. Of
this amount, 50,000,000 were classified as shares of the Fund
and 950,000,000 remain unclassified. There were 84,980 shares
sold for a total of $850,000 from December 27, 1995
(commencement of operations) to December 31, 1995.
At December 31, 1995, two affiliated shareholders individually
held greater than 10% and, in aggregate held 53%, of the
outstanding shares of the Fund.
4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
Purchases of investment securities by the Fund, excluding
short-term securities, aggregated $761,149 and there were no
sales of investment securities for the period ended December
31, 1995.
Page 11
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RCM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
5. DEFERRED ORGANIZATIONAL COSTS
Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with its organization
aggregated $75,000. These costs are being amortized on a
straight-line basis for a five-year period beginning at the
commencement of the Fund's operations. In the event that any
of the initial shares of the Fund are redeemed during the
amortization period, the redemption proceeds will be reduced by
any unamortized organizational expense allocable to the shares
redeemed.
6. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES
RCM Capital Management, a California Limited Partnership
("RCM"), is the Fund's investment manager. RCM manages the
Fund's investments, provides various administrative services,
and supervises the Fund's daily business affairs, subject to
the authority of the Board of Directors. The Fund pays
investment management fees monthly to RCM at an annualized rate
of 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
RCM has voluntarily agreed, until at least December 31, 1996,
to pay the Fund on a quarterly basis the amount, if any, by
which the ordinary operating expenses of the Company
attributable to the Fund for the quarter (except interest,
taxes, and extraordinary expenses) exceed the annualized rate
of 1.75% of the value of the average daily net assets of the
Fund. In subsequent years, the Fund will reimburse RCM for any
such payments to the extent that the Fund's operating expenses
are otherwise below this expense cap.
In December 1995, RCM entered into an Agreement of Purchase and
Sale pursuant to which RCM will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Dresdner Bank AG, an international banking
organization headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. It is
expected that the day-to-day operations of RCM will not be
affected and that the individuals who are primarily responsible
for the management of the Fund's portfolio will remain the
same. The closing of the transaction is subject to a number of
contingencies, including the receipt of certain regulatory
approvals. The transaction is currently expected to close in
mid-1996. Because the transaction will constitute an
"assignment" of the Fund's management agreement with RCM under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, and thus a termination of
such management agreement, the Fund will seek prior approval of
a new management agreement from the Fund's Board of Directors
and shareholders prior to the closing of the transaction. The
terms of the new management agreement are expected to be
substantially the same as those of the current management
agreement.
Page 12
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of RCM Equity Funds, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of RCM
Global Technology Fund (the "Fund"), including the statement of investments in
securities and net assets as of December 31, 1995, and the related statement of
operations, the statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for
the period from December 27, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1995. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and
financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned as of December 31, 1995 by correspondence with custodian and brokers. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of RCM
Global Technology Fund as of December 31, 1995, the results of its operations,
the changes in its net assets and financial highlights for the period from
December 27, 1995 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1995, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
COOPERS & LYBRAND, L.L.P.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 9, 1996
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